Summary
Highlights
Milena recounts her decade-long battle with diabetes, which required five medications and the impending need for insulin shots. She describes experiencing lightheadedness on stage while performing as a singer and being diagnosed with osteoporosis at a young age. After trying keto and vegan diets, which led to weight gain and worsening blood sugar, she felt like an '80-year-old woman' with constant aches, pains, and fatigue.
Through extensive research, Milena discovered the carnivore diet. Within three days of eating only meat, her hip pain from osteoporosis disappeared. After three weeks, her blood sugar levels normalized, dropping from 200-300 to a fasting level of 180. She began documenting her progress and, within two months, halved her Metformin dosage and stopped her blood pressure medication entirely, noting improvements in her eyesight as well. Milena also experienced a resurgence of energy and an improvement in her overall well-being, feeling better than she did in her 20s.
Despite her dramatic health improvements, Milena's diabetic doctor 'dumped' her, deeming her diet 'very dangerous' even with perfect blood work. Her general practitioner also expressed disapproval due to high cholesterol, though Milena focused on her excellent triglyceride and HDL levels. She remained steadfast in her commitment to the carnivore diet, prioritizing her health and disregarding conventional medical advice.
The carnivore diet significantly enhanced Milena's music career. With increased energy and stamina, she no longer had to interrupt performances due to health issues and saw her band's bookings increase dramatically. She no longer relies on a pill case and enjoys newfound freedom in her life, attributing her improved performance and confidence to the diet. She retired from the Sheriff's Department in January, allowing her more flexibility for her music, and highlights that she no longer needs naps, feeling younger and more energetic at 53.
Milena typically eats one large meal around 1 PM, consisting of steak—sometimes two—with butter. She prefers red meat over chicken or bacon and enjoys cheese 'tacos' made with cheese as a shell. She notes a significant reduction in dental plaque, an unexpected benefit attributed to the carnivore diet, and appreciates the cleaner feeling in her mouth.
Milena expresses frustration with societal misconceptions about healthy eating, particularly for young girls. She challenges the idea that being 'feminine' means avoiding hearty meals of steak and butter, sharing anecdotes of people being surprised by her order of two ribeyes with extra butter. She believes that the simplicity of the carnivore diet is perceived as 'hard' because society equates success with struggle. Milena cautions against substitutes and artificial sweeteners, sharing how a single sugar-free Gatorade skewed her cravings for days. She urges others to 'rip the band-aid off' and try the carnivore diet for immediate and noticeable health benefits. Milena can be found on Facebook as Milena Hicks and on Instagram as @rebel_art_band.