Road Trip #1 Complete

Check the "Getting Started" page for a blow-by-blow summary of my first road trip on this way of eating. Overall, the week went well. I dealt with various trials and tribulations, but looking back, my mood and energy were great, and very stable. Sleep was good and although I didn't do a bit of exercise, I felt strong and energetic throughout the week. Weather was hot and humid so I basically went from my hotel room, to the training location at City Hall, and back each day. I enjoyed my food but learned that I need to be careful about overdoing the fat content as a big blast of fat can cause nausea. No puking but several times this week I overdid the frozen whipping cream and all that fat had me feeling nauseous for a couple hours until it worked through the system. On to week #4.

First Road Trip- Aug.31-Sep 4

A real test this week as I am working in West Palm Beach for 4-days. After getting off the airplane in WPB, I went directly to Sam's Club and purchased my food for the week. 3 beautiful/fatty ribeyes, some beef brisket, bacon (of course), eggs, blue cheese, heavy cream, and bottled water. I put the cream in the freezer to make true ice cream.

Upon checking in a the hotel, my reward as a frequent traveler was a bottle of water, bag of M&Ms, and a high-carb granola bar. I need to get rid of these last two items as I don't want to have to see them each day. I will put them out at my training today as a snack. Somebody will eat them...but not me! Funny the things that happen...at least I got a free bottle of water. Yippee!

The M&Ms were calling my name all night! Thank goodness for the ice cream...a couple spoonfulls of the frozen heavy cream and I was good for the remainder of the evening. Went to bed early (7:30pm) and had more vivid dreams...what I call "Carnivore Dreams". Nothing disturbing or sexual, just weird, everyday life. Last night it was on/off dreaming. E.g. An old car that I had 25 years ago was not running right. It was pouring white exhaust, then black exhaust, and I was trying to get ideas from people about what might be wrong with it. Weird stuff that makes you wonder, "Did that really happen?" Thankfully, I don't still have a 1985 Pontiac Parisienne...brown in color.

The 30-day ZC Experiment: Aug.13-Sep.11, 2015

This 30-day test was first suggested on the ZIOH (Zeroing in on Health) Facebook Group as well as the PrincipiaCarnivora Facebook Group. My investigation of these two groups on fb highlighted a wide variety of individuals throughout the world who have embraced ZC and the documented results were shocking. The studies and investigative journalism that I had already been exposed to (Gary Taubes et al), primed me for this next step.  Based on my own study and knowing my own goals, I structured the following parameters for my 30-day experiment.

Begin/End Aug.13-Sep.11, 2015
Diet

1. Unlimited animal products with primary focus on fatty meats and a minimal amount of processed meats including:

• beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs (no mutton as I don't care for it)
• raw local Jersey milk (no more than 6 oz per day due to milk sugar count)
• raw Jersey milk kefir (homemade) (6 oz per day)
• cheese in small amounts as desired
• black coffee (no sweetener)
• water

2. Log all food with an eye to content of Fat, Carb, Protein

• Aim for less than 10% Carb daily
• Aim for more than 60% Fat daily
• Aim for approx 30-40% Protein daily

3. Don't worry about calories. When hungry, Eat Meat and drink water...until satisfied, regardless of caloric values. (I will have access to my calorie count each day since I am logging food but I do not have any limitation on calories.

4. No intentional exercise. The only way to truly evaluate this WOE is to take the 30-days and  do nothing outside of the norm...which for me means no exercise except perhaps a leisurely  1.5 mile walk with my wife three or 4-times per week. One of the subordinate goals that meshes with my weight loss is a desire to lose weight prior to the start of hockey season. (early November). Once hockey season arrives, I typically play once or twice a week.
For those of you who still believe the myth that the secret to staying slim is exercise...please read Charles Washington's excellent blog post (including valid research on this subject) found here: Why Exercise Isn't the Answer for the Overweight, by Charles Washington
I will also refer you to the Trailblazers page where you can read the testimony of William Banting. In his short Letter on Corpulence he shows what great (not) results he achieved through vigorous exercise. 

5. Weigh Weekly and record. I use the "Lose It" app and this makes record keeping for this 30-days a breeze. I will post some screenshots of my progress along the way.

Welcome!

The intent of this blog is simply to record my journey as I experience what is commonly known as the ZeroCarb (ZC) or VeryLowCarb (VLC) way of eating (WOE).

I do not believe that I am embarking on anything especially noteworthy. I simply desire to have a place to direct those who may be curious as to what I am experiencing on what admittedly is a rather extreme undertaking. Additionally, I desire a place to record my observations and experiences as I have a habit of forgetting past lessons learned...and thereby repeating mistakes.

Had I been more diligent as a younger man, and dedicated myself to learning more about my body and how it works, such extreme measures would probably never have been necessary. But, that's all in the past. I am not a doctor, nor have I had any medical training. I do however, love to read, and for those who are interested, I'm thrilled to be able to share my journey with you.

I don't want to convert you, nor do I want to preach at you. I don't even want to influence you to do things "my way". God says in His Word that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Knowing this, what works for me, may not work for you...nor may it be healthy for you. So, you have been forewarned. If you are still with me, let's begin the story...