Wade began a carnivore diet shortly after learning about it on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In addition to hosting well-known carnivore community advocates such as Dr. Shawn Baker, Joe Rogan shared his own 30-day carnivore experience and results with his millions of listeners worldwide.
Wade was “intrigued about trying the carnivore way of eating,” so he joined Dr. Baker and others for Worldwide Carnivore Month in January 2018. He joined the “Zeroing in on Health” Facebook group for support and learning, officially kicking off his zero-carb carnivore journey.
Weighing in at 245 pounds on January 1, Wade’s goals were to lose weight and heal from eczema that had already affected his scalp and beard and was starting to emerge on his chest.
Eczema is a common autoimmune condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Also known as atopic dermatitis, it is a chronic condition characterized by flare-ups believed to be caused by inflammation in the body. Many people who suffer from eczema and switch to a carnivore diet observe significant improvement in their skin after eliminating inflammatory plant foods.
Wade keeps his animal-based meals simple and affordable, focusing on meat and water at every meal. Like many carnivores, Wade shifted from a 3-meal-a-day schedule to a shorter eating window. “I average two meals a day and include a lot of steak and burgers topped with bacon.” While ruminant meat is his main fuel source, he still consumes some dairy, such as small amounts of cheese and heavy whipping cream in his morning coffee. He’ll include a glass of dry red wine on special occasions.
It’s been just over two months since Wade started the year with World Carnivore Month. Based on his encouraging results, he has decided to continue past the initial 30-day challenge period and follow a meat-based diet going forward.
So far, Wade is happy to be a “work-in-progress,” noting that he will “never go back” to his old way of eating. He’s down 28 pounds in his first 63 days and enjoys deeper and more restful sleep. “My overall mood is better, and I have more energy throughout the day.”
Before switching to carnivore, Wade participated in CrossFit workouts several times per week. However, he put his workout regimen on hold for the first six weeks on carnivore due to the transition period. “My workouts have taken a step back as I don’t have the strength or endurance I had before,” he explains, noting that he recently returned to the gym and is working on building back his endurance. He’s not discouraged, though, noting that “veterans of this way of eating give me hope that I’ll eventually come back with 10-fold strength!”
Today, Wade says he is “looking forward to continuing the healing process and feeling even better than I already do!” With an awareness that healing from inflammation and switching to a fat-fueled energy source takes time, he is confident that a carnivore diet offers the best path for him to completely heal his eczema and pursue his fitness goals.
