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