So for starters, don't worry about that occasional macadamia nut or avocado. Those are harmless in small quantities and certainly hasn't done anything to derail your efforts. They were still keto so you're good, and they were back out of your system in no time. That averages 5+ lbs per month, which is actually really good. Oftentimes we see a fast initial drop due to shedding water weight because you're depleting all your carbHYDRATE stores, and then it slows down to 1-2 lbs a week. Sometimes we hit plateaus where the scale doesn't move, but healing or body recomposition is taking place. Weight loss resumes after a while. You have to keep doing what you are doing. I would not call it a "stall" unless you haven't seen the scale budge in 3 months. In the meantime, let carnivore become your identity. This is your lifestyle now. You only eat animal products. What times do you eat? What time to you go to bed and wake up? And are you undereating? Intermittent fasting is a great idea. If I could, every day I would eat at noon and then again at 7pm. I go to bed at midnight (I am up past my bedtime tonight, lol). I try to make sure I don't eat within 4 hours of going to sleep, and that I don't eat immediately upon waking up (typically 7-8am). Sometimes circumstances are that I eat breakfast and dinner but skip lunch. I aim for around 2000-2500 calories, split between 2 meals. My thinking is to take the amount I would normally have eaten across 3 meals, and eat the same amount between 2 meals. In other words, these 2 meals are a little larger than before because I am taking half my 3rd meal and redistributing it to those other 2 meals. I am trying to avoid routinely undereating. It's okay to under eat or fast from time to time, but when you make it a habit, your body will adapt and slow down your metabolism because it thinks there's a shortage or famine. You can also test some things on yourself. For example, try eliminating the heavy cream (or any other dairy) for a week or two. Remember milk, by design, is intended to add bulk to a young calf. If you are using any kind of artificial sweetener, it could be triggering a cephalic phase insulin response. This happens to some people even with diet drinks, so avoid such diet drinks throughout the day and only have them with a meal (which is going to trigger an insulin response anyway). And then like Scott said, you can test different fat:protein ratios, and aim to get quality sleep. A lot of maintenance is done while you are asleep. And then when you wake up, go empty and weight yourself then as this will be the most accurate, before you start adding the weight of food and drink (and clothing).
NMOSD is similar to Multiple Sclerosis but with the auto-immune response can be on the optic nerve. Basically, the immune system "thinks' it is attacking and removing something that does not belong, but the attack is on good/healthy tissue. The attack creates lesions on the myelin (the sheath that covers the nerves) and this attack opens the sheath and at times can expose the nerve. Both NMO and MS symptoms are all over the place and can make diagnosis really hard. It is more of a process of elimination approach to finding the diagnosis (and that sucks).
In the summer of 2018, I started with extreme burning sensations on my right thigh. Like if you were to pass a cutting torch across your skin. Then it moved to my left arm and my back. First diagnosis was Shingles without the blistering and rashes. The I started to have what felt like cramps behind my eyes. Then one day loss of motor skills in my left arm which sent me straight into 'stroke protocol'. Then finally on Labor Day morning I woke up and could not see. Everything was the same color as your monitor when you turn it off. Not jet black but just about.
By the time I got to the hospital most of the vision had returned. The left arm was sort of hanging around so back into stroke protocol again. Since my symptoms were hit and miss the doctors were sort of stumped. I was mostly scared but this once I was made enough to punch someone. I'm lying there, blurry eyed, left arm not working, my thigh on fire and (pardon the description) the only time I knew I was pissing or pooping was when it hit my ankles. And since the issues were coming and going and the doctor may or may not be present ...I had a doctor basically tell me, "I think you are here for pain pills, do you have a problem?". In both our best interests it was a good thing I was not able to stand up.
Luckily, I landed with my current Neurologist, and he ordered a couple test followed by a spinal tap. From there he got me on a 6-hour infusion two times per year. Other than a few minors I have been pretty much healthy since.
The carnivore diet has eased the inflammation and the associated pain, and I have not taken any pain medicine since mid-May. The weight loss is a lot like the bonus plan.
I have started reading where there are a number of NMOSD and MS patients who have found they no longer require their infusions/medications while on the carnivore diet. it is somewhat exciting and hopeful. It is not that bad of an experience, but the first one usually cost me around $3500 out of pocket but fortunately the second one is "on the house".
As far as the doctor who thought I was looking for pills. I photo'ed my medical record. At the time I was 49 years old. I had 7 prescriptions from the time I was 18-49. I wanted to draw a big middle finger, but my wife would not allow it.
And to add a funny, as I like to do that, imagine...in the shower, legs collapse, no movement in your left arm and you wind up laying on your good arm. You re yelling for your wife but she is on the other end of the house and can't hear you over the water. With all the negative potential while lying crumpled in the shower the only thing I could think of was "this f'ng hot water is going to run out soon".
Maybe it was the lesions on the brain or maybe I just think crazy shit. Don't know.
Excited to move forward with the benefits of the carnivore diet.
Scott