Daily Check-In, Thursday, April 30

Okay! It's day 30 of my 30-day Carnivore Challenge, and I'm quite proud to say I completed the challenge without cheating! I haven't consumed any carbs in 30 days, and only eaten meat, butter, and eggs! I had days where I definitely wanted a cookie...but I pushed through.

My knees are maybe a 95% back to normal and my ankle is doing better, but I still have some swelling from what I believe to be water-retention. Everything I've been reading indicates may I'm not getting enough electrolytes in my system. With all the new routines (particularly working at the ball park), and eliminating carbs from my diet, my body requires a higher level of sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Oh, and I noticed I'd gained 7 pounds since Friday - from 225 to 232. I believe that's a product of the water-retention because I haven't changed my eating habits at all, and I know I'd have to consume a much higher-calorie diet to put on that many pounds in such a short period.

I'm going to double up my electrolytes - one packet in the morning, and another in the afternoon. I'm also going to restart my amlodipine for my BP. My BP didn't get excessively high, but it's higher than my doctor would like (130-ish over 80-ish). So, I'm not going to restart the HCTZ/Lisinopril because that dehydrated me last week and made me feel awful.

Otherwise, I'm going to continue with an animal based diet - primarily meat, butter and eggs - but will add back in some minor vegetables like cucumbers and such.

Overall, I'm feeling really good today. I'm feeling stronger in my legs. Hoping to be back to 100% in the next few days.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	No
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, April 29

Today was challenging to a degree. I'm able to get around better, but my left leg (knee and ankle) are still very tender. I worked at the park tonight and requested to work the podium so I could remain seated for the duration of my shift.

When I got home, my leg was more swollen and stiff again. I was limping more. Hoping some rest will help over night.

I have one more day to do the Carnivore Challenge - I'll complete it tomorrow. I'm so glad! I actually enjoyed it for the most part...after I got over the initial keto-flu everyone talks about. That first week...oy vey...my stomach was in knots! But then I started feeling really good! So, I'll continue on with some version of carnivore after my 30 days are over.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Tuesday, April 28

Okay...so I woke up feeling some better this morning, but my left ankle is still in pain. It's a dull, but annoying pain, and I'm still feeling slight tenderness in both knees. I need this to heal...quickly. I go back to work at the park tomorrow night, and I'm afraid I'll wind up right back where I started last week.

In other news, nothing much to report. I completed my 24 hour fast last night and started the day with some eggs. I also started drinking my electrolytes this week, and trying to drink more water.

It rained today - happy to see that (we seriously need several more inches of rain to get out of this drought), but I'll take what God sent!

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Monday, April 27

Well...it's Monday! After icing my knees for the past several nights, they are both nearly back to normal. Minimal pain, but still slightly tender. Hoping to be back to 100% in the next day or two.

We had a nice visit in SC over the weekend. I was able to stay off my legs for most of it. But my partner was able to visit with his family and spend time with his new great nephew.

Now I'm home, and ready to focus on more results! When I left Friday, I weight 225! That felt great! I didn't "cheat" over the weekend, but I did have several wings with buffalo sauce - not truly carnivore, but not so far from carnivore that I'm going to count it against me. When you're away, and having to eat out more than you eat in, it's sometimes difficult to find carnivore-friendly meals - and I hate to waste food, so I don't order plates where I get sides I won't eat, but be charged the same amount. Thus, I usually end up with...you guessed it...wings.

Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good today. I'm fasting again today - as I do every Monday.

I'll be paying closer attention to my body this week. I start back at the ball part Wednesday night, but I don't want to overdo it again and cause my legs/knees to slip back into a state of pain/damage.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes	Fasted
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Friday, April 24

It's Friday! TGIF! My knee seems to be some better today (I hope it's not just an illusion). It only hurts when I stand up from sitting still for any length of time, and putting weight on it. It takes a few minutes to adjust to the weight before I can move properly. Hoping it'll be completely healed in the next few days because it's really uncomfortable when I stand up to walk.

I'll be spending this weekend in SC visiting some family, but I fully intend to stay faithful to my objectives this weekend.

Keeping it short today! Have a great weekend!

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	Yes
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	No
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, April 22

My leg is still hurting, and I may be getting nervous about it. I recently read about something called a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) - it sounds dangerous. But I only have one of the symptoms...pain in my upper calf muscle near the bend of my knee. Overall, it's a very dull pain, but very annoying pain, and I my leg/knee feel very weak. I'm going to give another few days before I decide to go see a doctor. It's not red (but it is a little warm to the touch) and whatever swelling accumulates throughout the day goes away overnight.

I'm so ready to throw this "Boys in the Boat" book out the window...I get so annoyed with this authors writing style. But, I'm determined to try to finish it by the end of the month - if for no other reason, than just to end the torture.

Carnivore is still on track, and I'm still doing well with my other goals. Hoping to get episode 7 of my podcast recorded and published this evening.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	Yes
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	No
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Tuesday, April 21

I lost some weight...again! Yay! I'm down to 229 exactly! Y'all...I haven't seen a number in the 220's in well over five years. This feels really good, and I'm quite proud of myself. Consistency is paying off. Now on to the next 10 pounds! Let's try to make it into the 210's by the end of May!

I have a LOT of reading to get done this week in order to finish this really boring book I chose to read. It might not be so boring if the author didn't over dramatize and write in "purple prose" (over-describing...literally everything). I'll never pick up another book by this author. But, "Boys in the Boat" would be a much better read without all the "decorative" and needless explaining. But, I'm determined to get through it!

My left leg seems to be recovering okay - all the swelling went down last night (I kept my leg elevated as much as I could), but the pain when I press in on my calf muscle is still stinging. Hopefully, it'll fully heal up before this weekend. I don't want to be down all week - plus, I need to mow my yard this week before I head to Greenville.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	Yes
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Monday, April 20

It's Monday! My left leg is stiff as a brick. I think all this standing in one place I'm doing at the ball-park each night is beginning to take it's toll on my legs. Thankfully, I don't have to go back to the park again until next Wednesday, April 29.

I'm fasting again today - as I do every Monday. But, my diet has been steady - consuming lots of protein and fat. I had a case of the runs over the weekend (pretty embarrassing, to say the least). I learned not to trust a fart.

I'm going to try to finish my monthly book this week. I have my next book all lined up and I'm excited to read it. So, assuming I finish "Boys in the Boat" this week, I'll get to start my next book by Dr. Ken Berry. I'll share more about that later.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes	Fasting today
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Friday, April 17

TGIF! I weighed in at 232.8 today. Yay! I'm inching closer and closer to the 220's - where I haven't been in over five years! AND, I'm feeling sooo good! Like loads of energy! It's remarkable, really. I was a little discouraged that the scale wasn't moving much for the first two weeks of my doing strict carnivore, but the other benefits still make it worth doing.

Okay, keeping this short! Have a great weekend!

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	Yes
New Skill	No
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Thursday, April 16

Well...I thought I'd seen the scale moving, but it was a  fluke. I'm still dancing around 236 lbs. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I seem to have plateaued with my weight loss. But I'm not stopping...I'm going to continue with my 30-day carnivore experiment, and then I'll decide how to proceed from there (on or around May 1st).

In other news, work kept me too busy yesterday to work on my new skill. However, I say that knowing I spent over 3 hours on social media that could have otherwise been used on studying my new skills. So...dang!

Anyway, working a homestand at the ballpark this week - last night was good. No knee pain. Didn't get winded walking to the park. Still had good energy when I got home. So, even though I'm not seeing a win on the scale, I'm experiencing wins in other areas - just feeling better all the time is the biggest win.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, April 15

Not much to say today. I'm still feeling good, but I am hungry. The next homestand for the ball team begins tonight which means I'll be doing several hours of standing each night through Sunday, but I'm still going to do my daily walk at the track - at least one mile a day.

I think I need to eat more. I noticed yesterday and today, I'm feeling hungry more often - not sure what that's about. Yesterday, I was in the middle of eating three eggs and I still felt hungry when I was done. So, yeah, I think I need to eat more.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	No
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Tuesday, April 14

Today was a good day! I broke my fast last night with a beef stick (after fasting 24 hrs). I also prepared a snack for a couple days - pizza crisp (for lack of a better name). It's just cheese and pepperoni melted together and baked to a crisp...well, they are more al-dente because I didn't let them bake long enough. Oh well...lesson learned.

Although I missed today's bible reading, I'm still on track with it - and, I must say, I'm in more understandable territory. Reading through the books of the law had my head spinning. But, now I'm in more of the adventure/story-telling/inspirational books...at least, the books of Ruth and Samuel have proven to be that way. And I'm now beginning to touch on the Psalms.

I will be recording episodes 7-10 of my podcast tonight (and I'll try to get 11-14 done this weekend). I know, I'm really far behind...but now that I have a stronger workstation, I've created a better workflow. So, things should pick up quickly! Goal: to be caught up with all posting by the end of this month.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Monday, April 13

So, I had a busy, but uneventful weekend. I spent Saturday working in the yard most of the day, then hung out with some friends I hadn't seen in a few months. Sunday, I attended church, went to visit mom for a while, picked up lunch at a local food truck rodeo, and went to sing as a guest in a church choir in SoBo.

Overall, a good weekend - yet, for some reason, I'm not feeling myself. It feels like something is emotionally off, but I can't put my finger on what it might be. It kinda feels like something bad is about to happen. I hope not...maybe I'm paranoid. I really don't know. But, something isn't quite right. Praying it'll pass sooner than later.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes	Fasting
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Friday, April 10

Have I reported that the scale finally moved this week? I was frustrated because it had been stuck around 237 for several days - well, today, I finally see a new, lower number: 235. I'll take it!

Well, it's supposed to be a beautiful day outside today - hopefully all the cold days have passed, and I can be more intentional and consistent in taking my daily walk at the track. So, yes, I'll go to the track around lunch time today.

I'm looking forward to this weekend. Our new shed was delivered Wednesday, so we will begin moving some things out into the shed. We still have quite a bit to bring from storage - hopefully, we'll have enough room for it all.

Anyway, TGIF!

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Thursday, April 9

Well...the scale finally moved after being stuck at 237 for several days! But, I'm not getting my hopes up just yet. I mean, I know how the scale can fluctuate from day to day. So, I'll check it again each day for the next few days to see if I can identify a trend or a fluke.

Anyway, last night I made up some crazy carnivore recipe - browned a pound of beef, a pound of sausage (no sugar), with three eggs. It was delicious! But it was too much for one sitting. I'll finish that off today.

My bible reading is stead as she goes! I'm caught up and doing well there!

I modified my monthly book progress to be a bi-monthly book. So, I'm going to try to finish "Boys in the Boat" this month, and I ordered a new book that I'm really looking forward to ready next month. I'll talk more about that on a podcast episode later on.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, April 8

I'm still feeling really good! I think I'm beginning to hit my stride with my goals. Things are beginning to feel like a routine as opposed to something I "have to remember" to do each day...which is promising! I don't want to stop at the end of 2026.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	Yes
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Tuesday, April 7

I weighed in this morning, and I was pretty disappointed. I've been dancing around 237 for a couple of weeks now, and can't seem to get the scale to move. I thought, surely, after a day fast, I would wake up finally having broken the 237 number. Aside from that disappointment, I'm continuing on! I have to trust the process. I'll weigh in again next week before I go into "what am I doing wrong" mode.

I got a lot done in my yard yesterday - and I felt GREAT doing it! I mowed my lawn, we got the grass/weeds around my rose bushes and trees cleaned up, feed the roses and trees, power washed the side of the house and got all the mold off. I overseeded the trench the power company dug with grass seed and covered it with hay. And, the best part? I didn't get exhausted or winded, nor did I wake up feeling sore. So, even if I'm not losing weight right now, I can definitely see a difference in my energy and stamina. Last summer, the smallest effort would get me winded and stress my back. Not yesterday!

Today, I have choir practice in SoBo for an Easter concert this coming Sunday evening. When I get home, I'm going to get my new podcast station calibrated for video and audio, and try to get a couple episodes recorded and publised.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	Yes
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Monday, April 6

It's Monday...time for my weekly fast. But I'm feeling really good today, which is a far cry from how I was feeling last week. I started a whole new routine, as I began strict carnivore following a 3-day fast, and started my part-time evening job working at a AAA ballpark in Durham - that requires me to be on my feet and walking for a 4-5 hour shift. So, yeah, I was sore toward the end of the week. I was also exhausted, and then Friday and Saturday, after beginning my strict carnivore regimen, my stomach was in knots and I was feeling nauseous. It was not fun.

But, several people on my TikTok page encouraged me and reminded me that relief will come, and to stick with it. I did, and today, I'm feeling really good! I'm feeling very motivated! So, I'm happy!

I also finally have all the pieces to make my podcast work better. I moved my set up into a different room in the house, so the backdrop will look different. I also now have a more powerful laptop, with a dedicated video card, which should speed things up handily, and allow me to record with two cameras.

I have to work in my yard this evening, but hopefully, I'll have time to get in here and get everything configured so I can begin catching up. I've several weeks/episodes behind and I need to get caught up like...now!

Regarding one of my goals - Monthly Book Progress - I've not been very faithful to that. I may have too many irons in the fire. So, I'm going to modify that goal to one book every two months (6 books in 2026).

Regarding my Daily Prayer goal - I may have diminished the value of prayer by making it something I'm accountable for. The more I think about it, the more I realize the only person I should be accountable to about my relationship with God is...God. That's also a very personal and private matter. Therefore, while I'm prioritizing prayer this year, I'm taking it off my public checklist. That's something I want to keep between me and God. I simply don't think there should be a scorecard for prayer and my spiritual relationship with God.

Some will say I'm abandoning that goal because I failed to meet that goal each week. But I've come to realize there are far more deeply rooted reasons why I've struggled to meet with God each day, and I need to work and figure that out privately. I won't be replacing that goal on my weekly check-list, but I may provide updates from time to time. If what I learn about myself can help others, I'll speak to that - otherwise, I'm keeping that aspect of my life private.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	Yes	Monday Fast
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Friday, April 3

I'm recovering today. I woke up tired, but the pain and soreness in my legs has subsided...some. Thankfully, I don't have to work tonight, so I'm going to rest up! It's one of those days when I didn't focus on much anything other than rest and recovery.

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	No
Daily Prayer	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	No
Podcast Progress	No

Daily Check-In, Thursday, April 2

I'm tired! That's all...I'm just tired. I'm not sure if it's the diet, or my new routine, working at the ballpark. All I know is, I'm tired...

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	No
Daily Prayer	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, April 1

I decided all my goals for 2026 were worthless, so I'm quitting everything...deleting my podcast and YouTube channels, and returning to my old way of doing things. It's just too hard!

April fools!

Just kidding - I'm actually more motivated than ever to continue on my journey. I'm learning that failures are only temporary set-backs, and not permanent sentences! I don't have to be submissive to cravings and lazy habits. I can change my future! I can change my health! I can be a better human being! Am I'm striving to do all that this year!

I've completed the 1st quarter of 2026 and I feel like I'm in a really good place with at least half of my goals. I have time, still, to build on the other half!

Today ends my 3-day fast - I'll just consume beef and chicken broth today. I also ordered a new laptop that should speed up my recording, editing and uploading workflow significantly. When I started this pursuit in January, I had no idea my laptop couldn't handle the load. So, while I didn't splurge on the biggest, bestest laptop, I did get one far more powerful and capable of video editing (which is the largest part of my work flow). It'll arrive Monday! So, I'll spend this week touching up my scripts and, come Monday night, I'll get all of my recordings up to date, and aim to have them all edited and published by the end of the week!

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Daily Prayer	No
Carnivore/Keto	Yes	Day 3 of 3-day fast (but I had beef/chicken broth)
Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	Yes
New Skill	Yes
Podcast Progress	Yes