How to start

The Hamburgler · August 3

I'm on day two, and my first 100% day. My plan today was to eat 2 meals within a 6 hr window, but I came across some info suggesting priming by massive overeating is the way to start. What's everyone's opinion of the proper starting method?

Scott F. · August 3

I think everyone is different. I had bought 12 Mountains Dew's and two small cups of ice cream. I didn't waste those the first week. I also didn't read anything about electrolytes. I didn't know a lot about increasing the fat content.

I'm about 83-84 days in and it has done really well for me. Since the first week of the MD's/ice cream and then getting some salt going I have eaten nothing went but meat, eggs and butter. I have started to lean more toward red meats as of late. I have went for stretches on chicken/pork but the stretches of red meats seems to work better for me.

I'm probably not the one to answer 'how to get started'. I stumbled out of the gate but since have done fairly well.

Scott

Laura · August 3

Welcome, The Hamburglar!! You will probably end up trying different variations, to find out what works best for you. This is only my 3rd day, without nuts. I am including some mozzarella cheese slices, plain Full fat Greek yogurt, and my only meat is beef, mostly burger. I hope to get to beef only.

Geezy · August 4

Welcome Hamburglar. Getting started is an individual thing. I don’t know that there is a best way to start this lifestyle. Some gradually ease into it to help reduce the initial side affects as they transition. Others like myself just jump in feet first and go whole hog.
We all eventually make adjustments here and there until we hit the right grove for ourselves.
I’ve seen a video with Steak and Butter gal about priming and maybe it works for some people but just because something works for them doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. All you can do is research it and learn how to do it and then try it for yourself.
Me? I don’t need gimmicks even if they work.
I just eat when I’m hungry which is about once a day. Then I eat fatty meat until I’m full. It’s worked well for me. Never saw a reason to change.

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Miranda · August 4

I have heard of this priming but I'm not sure of the rational. I think it probably works better for woman, honestly. I say this because it address hormonal hunger. And women tend to come from a background of calorie deprivation. I have had problems with "leptin resistance" I put that in quotes because I feel like Bart Kay would say it's not a real thing, but a construct. But in the beginning and certain times of the month I am more hungry. So on those days I do allow my self to eat, but on the days that I'm not as hungry I do try to extend my fast for as long as I can. Here's why I think priming is not a great idea, it's basically gluttony. I'm not passing moral judgement, but things that are sinful generally aren't wise or good for our physical body either. Why overtax your system unnecessarily. Fasting is way better.

Laura · August 5

I agree, Miranda! Why overtax the system, with what is unnecessary! I could never do that. It's more than enough for me to eat 1 8 oz burger with 2 oz cheese, plus some Greek yogurt every day! Beyond that, Id be sick!

Miranda · August 5

There are at least four genres of carnivore YouTubes. You have testimonials (my fave), you have well researched cut and dry essay type videos like Dr Ken Berry and Carnivore Talk. There are interviews with and among the thought leaders and then there are the Influencers. They sort of rely on their audience needing guidance. These are the videos where they promise the golden egg of wisdom but only deliver word salad and uncertainty. Just keep tuning in for the answers, keep chasing that carrot they are dangling. I feel like the priming is a way to get people to pay for guidance. The more complicated they make it, the more you are willing to rationalize paying to be part of their group. I'm not knocking paying to be part of an online group. I was in one for a couple of years when I did fasting. It just seems like some people are on YouTube to share how great this is, and if they make money it's a bonus and then others...well it seems like they are motivated primary by $$$.

The Hamburgler · August 6

I appreciate the input everyone. There surely is a sea of info out there to wade thru, and yes it's a bit much sometimes. I'm at the end of day 5 now, and haven't ate anything since 10:30 this morning. I had a family emergency this evening, and spent the last 6 hrs in the hospital. So... no dinner for me, and with everything that's going on I wasn't hungry. Even though it wasn't planned, right or wrong..... I'm going to make this my first 24hr fast. That said... it really seems like things are moving fast. It seems ( fingers crossed) like the trots are over, or at least I haven't had a movement since yesterday morning. I have a salty taste in my mouth all day now? Today I wore a shirt that fit kinda tight a few weeks ago, and it was noticeably looser. I also tightened up the draw string on my favorite sweats to keep them up.

Laura · August 6

Sounds like you're on the right track, The Hamburglar! There is a lot of info out there, but it all comes together as time goes on, and becomes much simpler. Congrats on your progress so far!!

Miranda · August 6

Kelly Hogan has a lot of great advice to offer. She touched on priming on this one.

Scott F. · August 7

Tons of information out there and I like the breakdown by Miranda. I can be watching the greatest/most informative video and at the point it says "act no, supplies are limited' I sort of start tuning things out. (my shortcoming)

I tend to like the testimonial videos the most. We can argue whether honey is allowed or whether butter actually comes from a cow and that is all fine and good. I'm more interested in what worked for you so I can see if that is what works for me. I put my own personal experiences out there as a simple testimonial and by no means is it a guideline. I lean toward if you are happy and healthy eating 'corn flakes and cabbage' by all means keep eating corn flakes and cabbage.

Like Geezy said, I too jumped in feet first. But I think it is totally an individual thing.

You made a good point about clothes fitting and belt cinching. One of the things that turn people off from any diet is when the weight on the scale does not continually drop. My weight is peeling off if I told you this date and this weight but during that time there were days where I stalled as well as gained. But during the stalls and the gains I had to cinch the belt up a notch or two here and there. So if the clothes are getting loose and the weight is maintaining/stalling, even gaining, good things are happening. I think that gets lost in the message. Especially when the titles to the videos are "I lost 60lbs in 50 days" or some similar crazy numbers.

Nice thread.

Scott

ol_hilly · August 7

2 hours ago, Scott F. said:

My weight is peeling off if I told you this date and this weight but during that time there were days where I stalled as well as gained. But during the stalls and the gains I had to cinch the belt up a notch or two here and there.

I've read/heard several times to not pay any attention to the scale. Just watch your waistline. Some say to not even weigh yourself for a month. Which I didn't starting out cause I really didn't wanna know how bad I had got. But I do know that I started out with 42 pants and am at size 36 pants. I would like to see 34. But I feel pretty good so if this is where my body wants to stall for awhile, I'm good with that. Thank goodness for Samaritan centers and second hand stores.

Scott F. · August 7

I read that, knew better, but weigh myself almost daily. I'm just not smart, I guess. LOL

Scott

Geezy · August 7

You are doing great and I’m so happy you are already seeing benefits. It only gets better. Keep up the good work.

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Miranda · August 7

7 hours ago, Scott F. said:

I read that, knew better, but weigh myself almost daily. I'm just not smart, I guess. LOL

Scott

I weigh daily just out of habit. I don't track or record it. Some people suggest taking a weekly average for tracking as the daily ups and downs can be misleading.