A man who consumed only red meat and eggs for an entire year reveals the significant effects it had on his health and overall life.
Patrick Ensley, a father from Nebraska, made a bold decision to change his diet entirely.
He chose to eat only red meat and eggs for an entire year.
This choice transformed his life in many ways, leading to significant changes in his health, weight, and overall well-being.
The man’s life before the diet
Before starting his carnivore diet, Patrick weighed around 300 pounds.
He struggled with low energy and faced challenges in his daily life.
As an HVAC technician, he often felt exhausted after work and had little energy left to play with his young son.
Patrick dealt with depression and physical discomfort, including pain in his back, knees, and ankles.
He described his mornings as difficult, stating that even after a full night’s sleep, he would wake up feeling sore and stiff.
Climbing stairs left him breathless, feeling like a “prisoner” due to his weight and health issues.
Patrick said: “I woke up several times throughout the night. I’d wake up in the morning; even if I had 10 hours of sleep, I’d wake up just not wanting to get out of bed.
“I’d be sore and stiff. My ankles and my back and my knees would hurt, and I’ve just been miserable.”
Patrick decided to adopt a strict carnivore diet.
Determined to improve his life, Patrick decided to adopt a strict carnivore diet.
His daily meals consisted of a 16-ounce steak, a pound of ground beef, and six eggs.
To stay committed, he removed all non-carnivore foods from his home.
Patrick also created a meal plan to prevent snacking on items that did not fit his new diet.
To help stay motivated, he wrote down his reasons for changing his diet, focusing on the desire to be more active with his son.
He used a photo of his son as his phone wallpaper to remind himself of his goal.
Patrick also took “before” pictures to track his progress, noting changes in his body and how he felt.
“Post it somewhere. For me I put my wallpaper as my son on my phone so I saw it every day. Put it somewhere where you’re going to see it,” he said.
“‘You’ll see how much weight you’ve lost and can track progress, like losing 20 inches off your belly.
When the scale stalls, those photos and measurements will remind you that you’re still making progress, so you don’t lose motivation.”
Man reveals how his overall health changed after eating only red meat and eggs for a year
After a year on this diet, Patrick experienced remarkable changes.
He lost 140 pounds and reduced his waist size by 19 inches.
His sleep quality improved, and he woke up feeling refreshed and energized.
The pain that had once plagued him was gone, allowing him to enjoy life more fully.
Patrick shared that even within the first month, he noticed significant improvements in his mood and energy levels.
He felt more ambitious and positive, saying, “This experience has completely changed my life.”
“Even after the first month or two, I noticed a huge change in my mood, ambition, and positivity. I felt better mentally almost right away,” Patrick said.
Now, he can easily climb several flights of stairs without feeling winded.
He has the energy to play with his two-year-old son, engaging in activities like tossing him around and playing with toys.
Patrick’s transformation has not only improved his physical health but also his emotional well-being.
“Now I come home, and I’m able to throw around my two-year-old son on the couch and swing him upside down and play trucks and trains and all the fun stuff he likes to do and still have energy left over,” he said.
Expert opinions on the carnivore diet
While Patrick’s results are impressive, the carnivore diet has sparked debate among health experts.
Some health professionals raise concerns about the potential risks.
For example, the diet is high in saturated fat, which could increase the risk of heart disease.
Additionally, eating only meat may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients typically found in fruits and vegetables, such as vitamins C and E.
Dietitian Liz Weinandy warns that limiting food groups can lead to a lack of important nutrients.
She emphasizes that a balanced diet is crucial for overall health.
However, some doctors, like cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra, note that the evidence against red meat is not as strong as that against processed meats.
“We have multiple food groups for a reason: They each provide us with a range of nutrients,” she said.