My Journey with Keto, Carnivore, and the Unexpected Turn to Medication

Embarking on a healing journey with your body is never easy, but it's always enlightening. I started my journey with the ketogenic diet three and a half years ago. Then, after 6 months that stopped working. I worked with a few coaches to help me continue to heal and reverse my type 2 diabetes, and I continued to press forward to no avail.

A year and a half later, I hired a doctor who specialized in getting type 2 diabetics off their medications and reversing T2D. He transitioned me to the carnivore diet, an even more restrictive regimen that consists entirely of animal products along with intermittent fasting. Initially, I was happy with the small results. Yes, the weight was coming off very slowly, my blood sugar reduced - not quite a full point, and I was able to get off my type 2 diabetes medication - not to mention I felt more energetic and was lifting heavy weights and walking. What we found out was when I fasted, my blood sugar increased, and I gained weight. Even this doctor admitted I was one of his worst clients in the healing department.

Let me stop you right here and let you know I never cheated when it came to my nutrition; in fact, I was militant. So militant, in fact, if on a nutrition label it used sugar to cure the meats, I refused to buy it. I also incorporated going beyond nutrition, meaning earthing, seeing the sunrise and sunset, and started wearing blue-blocking glasses. I was lifting heavy weights and walking. Then we sold our house and put everything into storage and moved full-time into our travel trailer. I continued to walk some but noticed when I was in the high Texas heat, my body could not handle the heat, and it made my blood sugar increase by a lot. I gave up.  Meaning I gave up on walking, lifting heavy because the weights were in storage.

Then, things took an unexpected turn. I was working on changing my macros and incorporating GLP-1 foods as I wanted to prove that a person did not need to take a "shot" to lose weight and heal. So, I put my CGM (continuous glucose monitor) back on and was shocked at how my blood sugar was.  It was completely out of control. I was a very hard core carnivore, so I knew my nutrition was on point, so how could this happen?

I did incorporate some glp-1 foods, made sure I was getting natural sunlight, seeing the sunrise and set, and I was walking a lot and still my blood sugar would not come down.

However, my blood sugar levels continued to spiral out of control, leaving me feeling scared, confused, and very frustrated. For a while, I was in denial. I began to think that the diets I had put so much faith in were failing me. I felt like a failure, as if I had done something wrong. I kept asking, “what is wrong with my body”.

It was hard to accept that I needed medical intervention to manage my health. After much deliberation, I decided to seek help from someone who specializes in hormones and thyroids. Was this my problem all along? I got labs done and it was confirmed my A1C was the highest it had ever been!  My hormones and thyroid were tanked.  This person I am working with explained that it didn’t matter what I was doing or eating, when a person’s hormones and thyroid are in the pit, nothing will work. She even agreed my nutrition was on point however, she wanted me to carb up one day a week. I was prescribed medication for my thyroid and hormones, and I began taking Tirzepatide to get my blood sugar levels under control.

Making the decision to go on Tirzepatide was not an easy one for me. I had spent years trying to manage my health through diet and lifestyle changes, and the thought of turning to medication felt like a defeat. I was scared that it meant I had failed in my efforts to heal my body naturally. Moreover, I was worried about potential side effects and the idea of becoming dependent on a drug for the rest of my life.

I also had concerns about how others would perceive my choice to use Tirzepatide. In a world where natural healing and clean eating are highly praised, I was afraid of being judged for resorting to medication. I worried that people would think I was taking the easy way out or that I hadn't tried hard enough to find a solution through diet and exercise alone. These fears made it difficult for me to accept that Tirzepatide might be the right choice for my health, despite the evidence showing its potential benefits for my condition.

So, what about nutrition? After much experimentation and research, I've found that a primarily meat-based diet works best for my body. However, I've also come to understand the importance of incorporating other nutrient-dense foods to support my overall health. While the majority of my meals consist of animal proteins and healthy fats, I also include fermented foods like yogurt and pickles to promote a healthy gut microbiome and aid in digestion. In addition to fermented foods, I've learned that my body requires good carbohydrates to function optimally. Once a week, I designate a day to carb up on nutrient-dense sources such as sweet potatoes. These carbohydrates play a crucial role in supporting various bodily functions, including brain health, hormone regulation, and thyroid function. By striking a balance between a meat-based diet and the inclusion of fermented foods and good carbs, I've been able to better support my body's unique needs and promote overall well-being.

Consistency is a big key. Working on the parasympathetic nervous system has been an integral part of my healing journey, now more than ever. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's rest and digest response, which helps to counterbalance the stress and anxiety that can come with managing a chronic health condition. I've incorporated various techniques to activate my parasympathetic nervous system, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga. By focusing on calming the mind and body, I've found that I'm better able to cope with the challenges of my health journey and maintain a more positive outlook. Additionally, working on the parasympathetic nervous system has helped me to improve my sleep quality, reduce inflammation, and support my overall well-being as I navigate the complexities of my health.

It's been a challenging journey, but it's taught me a valuable lesson about listening to my body and seeking help when I need it. It's okay to turn to medication when natural methods aren't enough. It doesn't mean you've failed; it means you're taking charge of your health. I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage others to listen to their bodies and seek the help they need without shame or fear. Remember, your health journey is unique to you, and it's okay to take a different path when the one you're on isn't working.