Daily Check-In, Thursday, May 14

Okay, it's Thursday! New day! I started today with four eggs. I'll finish the day with a pound of hamburger! But I did eat a few donut sticks...😞

I also have a new idea for a YouTube channel I want to pursue - more on that to come at a later date.

Otherwise, I hit most of my goals today with no issues!

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

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, May 13

Unfortunately, I didn't get to touch any of my goals today because I had to tend to a personal emergency. I even failed to do carnivore. But I'll get back on these goals tomorrow, Thursday, May 14.

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

Daily Check-In, Tuesday, May 12

Well...I didn't get through my fast - at least, not perfectly. I had a glass of electrolytes half-way through the day yesterday, but then I had a couple of 0-carb beef sticks, and then about a cup of dill minis. Nevertheless, it was still a 0-carb day, and my goal is to get back into ketosis.

I'm going to try to fast most of today (at least an 18 hour fast) before having dinner this evening. Hoping my hamburger has thawed out in time for dinner tonight.

Otherwise, I'm holding steady with my goals for the most part.

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

Daily Check-In, Monday, May 11

Okay...my week of cheating is officially over. It wasn't planned, of course. I had intended to simply continue on with a Carnivore-light style diet where I primarily consume animal product and have a side of vegetables. But one cheat turned into two cheat, into a week of cheats.

Nevertheless, that's behind me. I started my 3-day fast late last night. So, come Thursday, we're back on the healthy-train! I work better with small goals, so I'll be doing Carnivore-light through the end of June, and then resetting and adjusting as needed.

Today, I have to work all morning, and then have choir practice this evening. But I intend to get some work done toward my certification in AI today, and I want to get some reading done. I'm backing myself into a corner with the reading thing - Boys in the Boat should have been completed by the end of April, but here it is the middle of May and I'm still trying to finish it. Oy vey!

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

Daily Check-In, Friday, May 8

So, yesterday, I mentioned I'd be restarting my diet/health journey on Sunday. Well, I shouldn't look at it this way, but I could still continue cheating today and tomorrow - but I won't. At least, not in the way I've been cheating all week with the sugar and junk food.

I'm starting my 5th class in AI Certification today, and I'm looking forward to it. I'll start to learn about building apps with Python.

Tonight is date-night with my partner, and then I'll be working my last two nights at the Durham Bulls Saturday and Sunday. That's kind of bitter-sweet because I enjoy working at the park...but I need to focus on my health and reskilling for my future roles/career.

It's going to be a rainy weekend, so my yard won't get mowed (for like the 4th straight week). But, thankfully, it hasn't grown out of control yet (we haven't had much rain). Hopefully, it'll dry up and I can mow the lawn next week.

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

Daily Check-In, Thursday, May 7

I cheated again today...I had like 4 mini apple pies and a bag of Reese's Pieces, then a cookie from the celebration of a friends business reaching an 80-year milestone.

I'm telling ya, I've totally fallen off the band-wagon. I intended to go ketovore, but ended up reverting to old habits, the very ones that had me sitting at over 270 pounds and pre-diabetic.

No - that stops here! I've decided I need small, achievable goals to stay on track and consistent. So, Sunday, I'll start a 3-day fast to clean out my digestive tract and reset/focus on the health. Then, Wednesday, I'll begin ketovore (primarily meat, but with a few vegetables like cucumbers, etc.).

I've been doing my bible reading this week, but I'm behind by 5 days. I need to get caught back up soon, and I really need to finish this stupid "Boys in the Boat" book - I'm tired of it sitting on my desk. Yuck!

Social media...I'm hopeless. At least, that's the way I'm feeling. Why am I so attached to social media? I mean, seriously, what on there is so freaking interesting that I have to spend more then 3 hours a day scrolling (and honestly, 3 hours is still too much - it's just my starting point).

I completed another class in my AI Certification today. That's 4 down, 12 to go!

Goal	Result	Notes
Daily Bible Reading	Yes
Carnivore/Keto	No
Bi-Monthly Book Progress	No
<3 Hrs Social Media Use	No
New Skill	Yes	Completed class #4
Podcast Progress	No

Daily Check-In, Wednesday, May 6

Well...I did it again yesterday. I had donuts...chocolate covered donuts, and several fig newtons. I paid for that overnight. I had painful gas, and just felt very depressed and unmotivated. I can't help but believe that's due to my straying from a more strict carnivore diet. I don't know. I dislike all my food tasting exactly the same from meal to meal, day to day...I need variety to be consistent and to make healthier eating more sustainable.

Then I follow these doctors who insist vegetables aren't necessary for a healthy diet - even going so far as to say vegetables have the potential to be dangerous. I struggle to fully believe that. I'm going to see what I can find out about all that to decide for myself.

Either way, I'm seriously considering doing another 30-day carnivore challenge. I feel better prepared for it this time - like...I know what to expect and how to prevent some of the side effects I experienced in April.

I quit my part-time job at the Durham Bulls today. I'll finish out the current home stand, then I'm done. I'll spend this evening applying for new jobs.

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

Daily Check-In, Tuesday, May 5

You know what? After having Chinese food for lunch Saturday, then cookies as a snack Saturday night, Mexican for dinner Sunday, and then a slice of watermelon last night...I'm not feeling so hot. I know, I know...you don't switch up your eating plan like I did and expect rainbows and roses to come flowing out, but I didn't think I'd feel quite this yucky.

Maybe I need to reconsider lifting my dietary restrictions. Or maybe I should have stuck with what I planned to do instead of being so "flexible". In other words, maybe the sugar really does set me back. I said I'd remain animal-based and add in vegetables - but I did so much more.

If it's going to be a treat, it should be rare - not a day after day practice. I do NOT want to jump off the wagon of success I've had this year. So, I'm refocusing my energy to eating better, effective right now.

I'm also thinking I'm going to quit my Durham Bulls job after this weeks homestand. I have so many other things I need to be focused on, and I've not made a whole lot of space for quality time with my partner, family or friends lately. The extra cash each month was nice, but I think other things are more important.

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

Daily Check-In, Monday, May 4

May the 4th be with you! Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Had a lazy weekend. I mean, I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the ballpark - so, not "lazy"...just I took a break from my Carnivore goal for a couple days. I had some cookies. I ate Chinese food. I even has a slice of pizza. I just needed something different on my taste buds because salty/savory all the time was getting rather boring.

Anyway, I'm back on today...doing my weekly Monday fast, and I'll be back on a more keto-centric diet tomorrow. Mostly beef and some veggies. Hoping to be back in dietary ketosis by the end of the week.

With regard to my other goals...I'm behind in my bible reading. I'll get that caught up today. I still have to finish "Boys in the Boat" - a snoozer for me...I just want it to be over! I'm expecting to finish up my current class in AI this week. And I'll get all my remaining records for episodes 13 through 17 recorded and uploaded this week.

Oh, and I finally rescheduled my interview about accountability - so, that's coming soon, too.

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

Daily Check-In, Friday, May 1

Well...last night at the ballpark wasn't as bad as the night before. I was able to walk back to my car after my shift ended with slightly more pep in my step and, when I got home, wasn't feeling any throbbing pain in my knees or ankle - though, I'm still walking pretty slowly. I guess healing takes more time, and I really shouldn't be in such a hurry to speed it along.

I'm also still sitting at 232.2 - which, AI tells me isn't fat gain, but water retention due to all routine changes I've been making coupled with a lack of balance in my electrolytes. I'm still waiting to see the scale drop back to where we left off last Friday (225).

Today is the first day I could have a pickle if I wanted, but there's a part of me that wants to continue on with Carnivore and see where I land in a couple week. I don't know. I'm thinking about it. I won't have that pickle until I make a decision.

Okay, well, I have to work at the park all weekend - it's going to be a chili and potentially rainy weekend. Hoping I don't catch a cold.

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	No