Expert Q&A

Been on carnivore for like 6 weeks now, I’ve gained 6lbs eating about 1lb of ground beef 3 eggs and 1 ribeye a day, starting weight 310lbs now 316lbs for people with insulin resistance

Understanding Weight Gain on Carnivore with Insulin Resistance

If you've been on a carnivore diet for six weeks, eating roughly 1lb of ground beef, three eggs, and one ribeye daily while your weight climbed from 310lbs to 316lbs, you're not alone. Many in their late 40s and early 50s with insulin resistance experience this initial stall or gain. Your body is still adapting after years of hormonal shifts that make fat loss feel impossible. At starting weights over 300lbs, insulin resistance keeps your cells from efficiently using fat for fuel, so excess dietary fat gets stored instead.

In my approach outlined in The CFP Weight Loss Method, we recognize that standard carnivore protocols often overlook the unique challenges of metabolic syndrome, diabetes management, and joint pain that limit activity. Your current intake delivers about 2,800-3,200 calories with very high fat. While carnivore eliminates carb-driven insulin spikes, the sheer volume of fat can still trigger fat storage if your insulin levels haven't dropped sufficiently yet.

Key Adjustments for Insulin Resistant Carnivores

First, track your actual macros more precisely. One pound of 80/20 ground beef plus a ribeye and eggs can easily exceed 250g of fat daily. For insulin resistance, aim to moderate fat while keeping protein at 1.5-2g per pound of ideal body weight. This means possibly reducing ribeye frequency or choosing leaner cuts on some days. Focus on protein leverage – your body will signal satiety once protein needs are met, helping naturally lower calories without obsessive tracking.

Second, address the adaptation phase. At six weeks, many see the scale move once metabolic flexibility improves. Incorporate short walks despite joint discomfort – even 10 minutes post-meal helps lower blood glucose and pressure. Since insurance rarely covers programs, these free tweaks are crucial. Avoid adding butter or tallow liberally; let the meat's natural fat suffice.

Balancing Hormones and Creating Sustainable Progress

Hormonal changes around this age amplify insulin resistance, making every diet feel like another failure. The CFP method prioritizes sleep, stress reduction, and consistent meal timing over complex plans. Eat two meals within an 8-10 hour window to enhance insulin sensitivity without intermittent fasting overwhelm. Monitor fasting blood glucose if you have diabetes tools available – aim for under 100 mg/dL as a sign of progress.

Don't be embarrassed to seek community support. Many with similar stories report losing 15-25lbs in the following 8 weeks after adjusting fat intake downward by 30-50g daily while keeping beef and eggs as staples. This isn't another restrictive diet; it's a metabolic reset tailored for busy, middle-income adults managing blood pressure alongside weight.

Long-Term Strategy Beyond the Scale

Focus on non-scale victories: reduced joint pain, stable energy, and better blood markers. If gain persists past 8-10 weeks, consider cycling in a higher-protein day or consulting your doctor about metformin alternatives that pair with carnivore. The key is patience – your previous diet failures stemmed from ignoring insulin dynamics, not lack of willpower. Stick with animal foods but refine portions for your body's current state, and sustainable fat loss becomes achievable without gym schedules or confusing nutrition advice.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows mixed experiences with carnivore for those over 300lbs dealing with insulin resistance. Many report initial 5-10lb gains in the first 4-8 weeks, often attributing it to high fat intake from ribeyes and ground beef before adaptation kicks in. A common theme is frustration among beginners who feel betrayed after ditching carbs only to see the scale rise, especially with joint pain preventing exercise. Most practitioners find that dropping added fats and focusing on leaner meats helps the scale trend down after the adaptation phase, with reports of 20lb losses by month three. A vocal minority debates exact protein-to-fat ratios, sharing stories of success by eating to satiety without counting while managing diabetes. Overall sentiment leans toward cautious optimism once people tweak calories and add light walking, though embarrassment about asking for help keeps many experimenting solo.
Clark, R. (2026). Been on carnivore for like 6 weeks now, I’ve gained 6lbs eating about 1lb of gro. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/been-on-carnivore-for-like-6-weeks-now-i-ve-gained-6lbs-eating-about-1lb-of-ground-beef-3-eggs-and-1-ribeye-a-day-starting-weight-310lbs-now-316lbs-for-people-with-insulin-resistance
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Should Endotoxin be the norm from vendors along with COA’s — what does the research actually say? What actually helped my Hashimoto's symptoms — food changes that made a difference for me for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's How I feel when tempted to get fast food during finals week — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Has anyone been diagnosed with Hashimotos after going through emotional distress or chronic stress in general: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📖 Bio-Individuality — The understanding that every patient’s metabolic journey is unique, requiring a personalized approach to dosing and diet… Carbon Dioxide Breathalyzer — how a functional medicine approach differs Can’t stand avocados or guacamole. Help for people with insulin resistance Sometimes after I take my Mounjaro shot I see this at the spot I gave the shot. Anyone know why: how to talk to your doctor about this 📖 GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) — A hormone that, when combined with GLP-1, enhances the body’s ability to break down fat and manage blood sugar levels mo… How to BOOST metabolism and BURN fat-- VERY EASY AND QUICK — what most people get wrong about this Is this normal? Feels like a waste and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide What about oxalates — how a functional medicine approach differs Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today — how a functional medicine approach differs Is this normal? Feels like a waste while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… How it looks when you lose 170 lbs. but are still a fat man — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on: what to track and how to measure progress What's a good Soy Sauce alternative for Asian Cuisine — what does the research actually say? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Dr Gundry: the 120+80 supplements he himself takes daily while doing intermittent fasting 📖 GLP-1 Receptor Agonist — A class of medication that mimics natural hormones to improve insulin secretion and slow gastric emptying, used strategi… Have to stop for 3 weeks for surgery specifically for women over 40 2.5 mg no longer working. Move to 3.5 during the weight loss plateau phase Is a woman having a small tummy a big turn off? Anyone have experience switching from compound injection to pill — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Adipose Tissue Signaling — The way fat cells communicate with the brain; our goal is to fix these signals so the body stops defending an unnaturall… Can we talk about the founder: how to talk to your doctor about this Desperate and kind of hopeless at this point. will this body be the death of me? Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril while doing intermittent fasting 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Fuck is Almond milk for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Is it even worth it anymore: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📖 Hashimoto’s Success — Achieving weight loss and reduced inflammation in thyroid patients by removing dietary triggers like lectins and modern … Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Any suggestions for staying on the program while traveling and how it connects to gut health and inflammation What I learnt as a physician about having Hashimoto for myself and what helped on a low-carb or ketogenic diet How I feel every time I go grocery shopping while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Weight Set Point — The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. What a 55 water fast did for me: what to track and how to measure progress How much are people paying for Estring: how to talk to your doctor about this Ischias oder Piriformus Probleme and how it connects to gut health and inflammation 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Is tomato paste lectin free — what most people get wrong about this Anyone stopped responding to Mounjaro and had better results with retatrutide and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Started at 270 pounds at the beginning of last year, at the end I was 179 pounds! How do I look for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's How I feel every time I go grocery shopping for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📖 Visceral Fat — The dangerous 'hidden' fat stored around internal organs that drives chronic disease and is specifically targeted by our… How do you stop yourself quitting after lack of progress? PCOS linked to childhood trauma if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Does anyone else feel like they are living life at 50% on a low-carb or ketogenic diet What would be the cause of insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Hormonal Chaos — The internal state of imbalance caused by modern grains and refined carbs that overrides willpower and forces the body t… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Hitting protein goals. How do you do it and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Did anyone else feel like Trintellix completely blunted their GLP-1 (Mounjaro/Wegovy) effect while doing intermittent fasting Should i really be aiming for 45 zone 2 minutes per day for fat loss while doing intermittent fasting Resting heart rate unchanged after 2 years of consistent running — what most people get wrong about this Are people fear mongering when they say compound pharmacies are dangerous: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med — evidence-based answer for CFP patients When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels