Tomorrow brings me to the completion of my first 30 days on meat and water. I am 63 years young, overweight, and on medications for high blood pressure and gasto-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

If you can name the diet, I’ve been there. If you can conceive the diet, I’ve done it . Been there, done that! It’s a yo-yo experience that I have done for as long as I can remember. I would lose a little, then I would gain a little, then I would gain a lot, and then – one day – I took my blood sugar and it was 292!  That was a wake up call of sorts.

Up until that point, I didn’t care what I ate. If it tasted good that was basically my only criteria for eating it. But when I hit that number and realized more medications were not going to help me, I decided that – if I wanted to be healthy – I would have to look elsewhere for answers. I was not on any medication or insulin for my diabetes yet, and I really wanted to avoid that. Eventually, I came across information of low carbohydrate diets as an alternative strategy for diabetes.

In February, I started a low carbohydrate diet, and for a short bit it worked. I brought down my blood sugar, but once again – having too many choices and too much to sift through – it was not able to keep my blood sugar consistently low. I was frustrated and discouraged, but through a low carbohydrate forum I was participating in, I found the Zero Carb group Zeroing in on Health on Facebook (started by Charles Washington).

I was intrigued. After reading many posts and asking lots of questions, I decided to give meat and water a try for 30 days. My supportive husband decided to join me on this adventure, so we have been doing it together.

We have been eating mostly ground beef, chuck steaks, and pork belly, but sometimes we eat chicken as well… though not very often . We usually only eat one meal per day now, which is amazing in and of itself.

I love eating this way! I love the new me! For the first time in my life, I know how to properly fuel my body for optimal health. I eat meat when I am hungry, and I eat as much as I need to feel satisfied. I drink water when I am thirsty. I have made a few mistakes along the way, but with the help of Charles and other group members, I have been able to make quick course corrections and get back on track.

Some of the benefits I have experienced so far:

1) My fasting blood sugar upon waking in the morning is about 130, which is still higher than I would like, but less than it was when I started.

2) But during the day – after eating – my blood sugar runs between 106-117, which is far and away the best numbers I have had in a long while.

3) I’ve lost a total of 10 lbs over the past 30 days.

4) My moods are better, and I’m not so cranky.

5) I sleep straight through the night, instead of being up every hour.

6) My chronic abdominal bloating is gone.

7) The frequent cramps in my legs I experienced are gone.

8) My ankles and fingers are no longer swollen.

It’s gone. All gone.

Initially, I was worried about all of the non-Zero Carb food that I had in the house, but Charles said that I should just chalk it up to a bad purchase and get rid of it. So, I took his wise advise and did. I gave everything that did not align with a Zero Carb diet away. Then, I bought a cow and a pig and filled my freezer with meat.

Three days ago, I was able to discontinue my water pill. I have an appointment with my doctor in two days to begin the process of decreasing my blood pressure medication as well. I am still on  Nexium for my GERD, but hopefully that won’t be necessary much longer either.

I was feeling really “lost” prior to starting Zero Carb, and that was the worst feeling in the world. But now – with the help of Charles, Caitlin, and other Zero Carb veterans – I am “found.” With their support and knowledge, I have flourished on this diet. I know that I will be eating this way for the rest of my life. By simply giving Zero Carb a chance for a mere 30 days, I have gained a whole new lease on life.

In closing, I want to thank Charles and everyone else in Zeroing in on Health who have patiently answered my questions, listened to my rants, or offered me support in some other way. I salute you all !!! You guys truly are saviors.

I hope that others will be inspired by my small but – to me – very significant health improvements to give meat and water a try for 30 days. If you are suffering from excess body fat, fatigue, pain, or any serious health condition like Type 2 diabetes, you will not regret having given this way of eating an opportunity to work its magic in your body.

I am proof that it is never too late to make positive changes in your health. I hope you will choose to take back your power. Please give yourself the chance for a new and better life.

POST DOCTOR VISIT UPDATE 04-16-15

Good morning all… My doctor has taken me off the Nexium and water pill and halved my blood pressure pills. But the one thing that we haven’t been able to reduce up to now is my morning blood sugar as mentioned above… well … this morning it was 108 … 108… 108… 108!!!  I had to take it three times to be sure it was not a mistake. I’m so excited that I’m jumping up and down like a crazy person. I even woke up the hubby and was shoving my meter in his face … OMG! OMG! OMG! … I hope this is not a dream!!! Thank you ZC for the best 32 days ever !!!!!!!!!

Please visit my Testimonials page to read the stories of others following a Zero Carb diet.

If you are interested in meeting others who practice an All-Meat diet, please feel free to join Charles Washington in his Facebook group Zeroing in on Health or Michael Frieze in his Facebook group Principia Carnivora for guidance and support. These two groups use different approaches, so if you find that one does not suit you, please check out the other one.