Michelle Ran Her First Half-Marathon At 61 On A Low-Carb Diet

A Decade of Experiments Before Keto-Carnivore‍

I began December 2021 on a keto-carnivore diet after years of tracking macros that kept my protein adequate yet fat and carbs low. Since late 2018 I had battled relentless forearm tendonitis and stabbing lateral–medial elbow pain in my left arm. Lifelong constipation, belly bloat, sluggish mornings, and a tiny eczema patch on my forearm—my personal “barometer”—rounded out the daily discomforts.

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Immediate Gut Relief and a Calmer Arm‍

Within the very first week of keto-carnivore eating—steady plates of chuck-eye steaks or cross-cut shanks, complete with their native fat—my bowels moved smoothly, the bloat flattened, and that itchy eczema faded unless I tested eggs. Arm pain dropped from constant to occasional; workouts no longer guaranteed agony the next day.

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Discovering Pain-Free Strength‍

Traditional compound lifts still triggered surprise flare-ups after the fact, so I shifted toward hoisting sandbags, flipping tires, and hauling hay bales close to my torso. The heavier these objects grew, the happier my elbow felt; circulation improved without a twinge.

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Supplements, Scales, and Stable Energy‍

Two months in I realized I had forgotten my long-standing thyroid and adrenal capsules—yet my vigor never dipped, so I never restarted them. Though the bathroom scale barely budged, my jeans told the real story. Eight pounds drifted off while muscle definition sharpened and sleep grew effortless.

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Running Long on Meat and Water‍

Five- to six-mile training runs that once required a rest day soon felt trivial; recovery demanded nothing more than a stroll. In June I tackled a half-marathon near Glacier National Park at 4,800 ft—without altitude training, carb gels, or bonks. A light walk the next morning was all the recovery I needed.

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A Life of Movement Before and After‍

My résumé already included CrossFit, keto-paleo cycles, intermittent fasting, rucking, hiking, rowing, and demanding equine sports—plus a stint farming grass-fed meat in Oregon. Despite activity my A1C crept into the pre-diabetic range by 2014; tracking glucose and restoring full protein intake in 2019 nudged it to 5.4. Keto-carnivore later confirmed it wasn’t carbs I lacked but adequate nourishment without under-fueling stress.

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Fine-Tuning Fat, Electrolytes, and Fuel‍

A brief 2022 experiment with fruit and honey dulled my energy and tempted cravings, so I dropped them. Electrolytes, especially during endurance outings, felt restorative—perhaps hydration mattered most. Adding butter atop already sufficient protein tightened pants, so I learned to balance fuel or trim protein if I fancied extra fat.

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From Half-Marathons to Trail Ultras‍

The hashtag #KetoCarnivoreforthewin became reality in 2023 when I registered for scenic half-marathons near the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Success led me to 50- to 60-kilometer mountain ultras, fueling solely on salami, cheese, and electrolytes. Today, at 64 in high-altitude Flagstaff, I’m tapering for a 39-mile trail ultra coached by endurance legend Zach Bitter.

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Reflections and Forward Momentum‍

​Keto-carnivore eating turned meat and its natural fat into a gatekeeper: when protein is ample, energy remains steady and cravings disappear. Constipation, bloating, eczema, and supplement dependency are history; elbow pain rarely whispers. I still love vegetables but never miss them when rib-eyes and shanks fill the plate. Ahead lie more races in beautiful places, heavier sandbags to lift, and a body finally fueled in harmony with its demands.

Disclaimer: These testimonials are from people who shared their success stories on keto carnivore diet which is Revero’s nutrition therapy method. They are not from actual Revero patients. Clinical results are not guaranteed and outcomes are specific to each patient.

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