It’s Day 3 of the 7 Day Beef and Butter Fast – and this is the worst day of them all, especially if you weren’t already in ketosis when you started. 😖 Hang in there though, it really does get better after today – so don’t give up! I’ve put together some practical tips to help you get past the Day 3 hurdle below. ⬇️
🔥 Day 3: The Struggle is Real 🔥
The dreaded Day 3 of the 7 Day Beef and Butter Fast is no joke, but remember that you are not alone. This is the beef wall, and we are all climbing over it together—one butter-drenched bite at a time. 😅
Welcome to Day 3 – Emotional & Physical Breakdown Edition:
You may be experiencing one or all of the following symptoms:
- Questioning your life choices – and everyone else’s. “Who even invented carbs, and why do they taste so good?”
- Beef fatigue. “If I see one more ground beef crumble, I will cry real tears.”
- Butter obsession. “Fighting a strong impulse to start hoarding butter at Costco like some people buy toilet paper, because I’m terrified that I won’t survive the week if I run out”
- Extreme clarity. “I now fully understand why toddlers throw tantrums over food. I mean, I GET IT. 😭”
- Mood swings you don’t recognize. “One minute I love beef, the next I want to fight it in a parking lot.”
- Resentment toward non-fasters. “Oh, you’re just casually eating a salad? 🥗 Must be nice, Susan.”
- Sudden, irrational cravings for foods you don’t even like. “I don’t even LIKE bran muffins, but if someone handed me one right now, I’d marry them.” 💘
- The existential crisis of eating the same thing over and over. “Is this my life now? Am I just a person who eats beef and stares into the void?”
- Unprovoked hostility toward innocent bystanders. “If (insert family member or lunchroom co-worker’s name here 😂) doesn’t stop chewing like a farm animal, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.”
THIS JUST IN: “Local Beef & Butter Faster Faces Charges After Butter Knife Incident—Claims Victim Was ‘Chewing Too Loudly’”
- If you feel personally attacked by someone’s chewing today, you’re not alone.
- If even thinking about another plain beef patty makes you want to cry, I see you.
- If you’re considering filing a noise complaint against your spouse’s soup slurping, just know… it’s temporary.
Put down the butter knife. Walk away. No one needs to be explaining Day 3 beef rage in court.
All humor aside (ok not ALL of it, I am who I am), this Beef & Butter Fast, and especially Day 3, is really HARD! Remember to give yourself some grace and laugh about the struggle – so you can stay sane, not quit, and start seeing some amazing results!
The Good News?
This is temporary. Your body is adjusting, your energy will bounce back, and soon, you’ll be thriving on fat-fueled power. But for now?
🥩 Eat the beef.
🧈 Drown it in butter.
😤 Avoid humans.
🚫 And if someone chews near you—breathe. Prison food isn’t beef & butter compliant.
In spite of how lousy you might feel right now, remember that you’re not broken—you’re upgrading. 💪🏻🔥
🛠️ Practical Tips to Push Through it:
✅ Season like your life depends on it. Salt, smoked salt, truffle salt—possibly sneak in some paprika or rosemary. If you need to change it up a little to stay on this fast, a teaspoon of herbs is a small price to pay! Just don’t go overboard!
✅ Try different textures. Crunchy beef? Smashed burger? Butter-seared steak? If your brain is bored, trick it with a new take on beef.
✅ Hydrate & salt up. If you feel sluggish or cranky, you might just need electrolytes—add salt to water or sip some broth.
I used a little magnesium citrate powder and “nu salt” potassium in my water yesterday – my headache was gone in 20 minutes and I had a new lease on life. I also slept great last night! Don’t skip the electrolytes – you can avoid needless extra suffering (I mean we are suffering enough already. 😆)
✅ Don’t skimp on butter. More fat = more satiety = less whining (from you and your stomach). You may be able to cut back as the week goes on, but TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY.
✅ Visualize your success. Day 5 You is laughing at Day 3 You for being dramatic. Push through—victory is near.
Remember: You didn’t come this far just to quit before the benefits kick in.
Stay strong – keep buttering. And if all else fails, season that beef like it owes you money. 🥩💰😂
Maureen Gulizia says
Day 4 here, and i think this will be where my Day 3 symptoms show up. I felt good yesterday; strong & focused. But I slept poorly & dreamt of granola bars drowning in milk. Our weather is awful & my mood matches it today. Oh well. I love your observation: I’m not broken, I’m uograding! So I’ll just go with that!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Hang in there Maureen!
Terry Cargo says
It has been great so far! Planning to continue.
Deanna says
Melissa thank you so much for the humor and encouragement. I look forward to your daily email. The first two days were the most uncomfortable for me with a terrible headache and fatigue . I was really surprised since I’ve been eating low carb for almost two years now. My first year I lost about 40 pounds but last year pretty much just maintained, hence was a no brainer to try this steak and butter fast with you. Definitely in ketosis now! Day three has been much better so far.
Sheila Hruby says
I am doing better than expected, I have been eating until full and adding lots of butter and salt. I am getting closer to ketosis, my blood sugar is hovering around 80 and I have no cravings except when someone decides to make toast! Can’t wait until tomorrow!
Lea Nocas says
Thank you for the humor! I was laughing so hard my belly was jiggling like marmalade jelly! Oops now I want jelly and I don’t even like jelly!
You rock, and roll! I could eat both right now just kidding. I will make it through this day Slathered in butter and salt and a brand new steak.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Happy to entertain you Lea – there is a lot to laugh about and hopefully it takes the edge off. 😅
gjeanieg says
I am doing better than I expected on Day 3. I have learned that some REALLY fancy salt on high-quality butter is an awesome snack! I’m using Hawaiian Red Salt on grass-fed butter. One half tablespoon at a time does the trick, and I eat it slowly in tiny bites. LOL Thanks for the encouragement, Mellissa… I am sure I never would have thought to do this challenge alone.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thrilled to hear that you are doing so well! Honestly I feel better on Day 3 of this than I have on any of the other low carb programs I’ve ever done, which is kind of crazy since we are literally eating zero carbs. I’m not complaining though! I have yet to resort to straight butter, but if I do, I will definitely spring for the fancy salt on it!
Sharon says
Can you go longer than 7 days and I’m loving this one so far
Mellissa Sevigny says
There are some people that do this permanently for health reasons and are aging backwards. I will probably go as long as I can – possibly til the end of the month, and then transition slowly into regular carnivore which allows for other proteins and possibly dairy.