Carnivore Challenge Update “Big 6” Lymphatic Massage

I MADE A BIG MISTAKE, and it cost me two nights of sleep and a lot of pain.

Some people might think I’m a little thick-headed in this case they are correct. I’ll get into that in a little bit, but first I want to talk about the lymphatic system.

There are lymph nodes all over your body, and they are all connected. Much like your vascular system, but the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump. IE; “Lymphatic Massage”

Your lymphatic system is your body’s natural detoxification system. And it plays an essential role in your immune system. It also naturally eliminates excess fluids and waste. Which is why it’s crucial to keep the drainage flowing.

Have you heard of the “Big 6” Lymphatic Massage? I just recently learned of the “Big 6” self-message. I also recently found out more about the lymphatic system. During an interview on Align Podcast, Dr. Perry, a lymphatic specialist, and an expert in the field, describes the lymphatic system as the body’s trash dumpsters.

I’m paraphrasing- If the garbage collectors (Waste Management Engineers) go on strike, the dumpsters start piling up with junk.

Dr. Perry developed the “Big 6” lymphatic drainage self-massage to get the dump trucks moving again. The self-massage involves massaging six key lymph node areas in a specific order.

Collar bone (above and below)
Neck (upper jaw angle area behind the ear)
Should/Armpit region
Abdomen (between your belly button and diaphragm, spend more time here.
Groin (groin crease to hip)
Back of knees

Because your lymphatic system doesn’t have a built-in pump, you need to give it a hand once you finished massaging the six areas listed above.

GET YOUR BODY MOVING! For at least 3 minutes, you can do calf raises, jump on a trampoline, jog in place, or simply go for a walk. You also need to hydrate.

If your dumpster is full, you may have some side effects from detoxing. Symptoms can be; Headaches, Tiredness/fatigue, Brain fog, Soreness, Skin reactions, Slight fever, and muscle cramps.

If you do experience some symptoms, don’t do the “Big 6” again until the symptoms stop. You can work your way up to a daily routine.

ROUTINE: This is where I messed up. I incorporated the “Big 6” into my nightly routine. After my shower, I used castor oil, massaging the specific areas in the correct order.

Collar bone
Neck
Armpit
Abdomen
Groin
Back of knee

Then I did three minutes of calf raises, and I hydrated with a bottle of water.

If you have gotten this far, you are probably wondering, where did I mess up? Everything seems to be in order.

Well, my dumpster was piled high.

Usually, I’m pretty good at being tuned in with my body, but when you experience certain things with your body for most of your life, you kind of ignore some things. I am one of those people who is susceptible to having leg cramps, especially nocturnal leg cramps, usually from over-exertion. I don’t know if it’s hereditary or not but my grandma used to tell stories of my grandpa jumping out of bed stomping around their one-room house, waking up all the children sleeping on the floor.

The point of these updates is to share my experiences, so maybe, just maybe I can help someone reading this. Possibly, someone can learn from my thick head.

After a couple of nights of extremely painful leg cramps (and it wasn’t caused by the usual physical over-exertion), I researched if there was an optimum time to do the “Big 6“ lymphatic massage. What I learned, there is conflicting information (as usual). Some say in the morning to gain more benefits from your normal movement throughout the day. Some say to do it in the evening, for the relaxing benefits.

Exactly why I had incorporated the “Big 6” into my nightly ritual, for the relaxation benefits, and a better night’s sleep. This was true, it was very relaxing, and I did go to sleep faster. Some said it doesn’t matter when you do it as long as you move for at least three minutes to pump the fluid and to make sure you stay hydrated.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Listen to your body!

You have to be in tune with your body. Experiment with the “Big 6″ to find the best time that is right for you.

Even though I lost two nights of sleep and had a lot of pain, I highly recommend that you incorporate it into your daily routine. And for me, I now know I need to do the “Big 6” in the morning. And now I have worked my way up to a daily “Big 6” and feel amazing.

DISCLOSURE: I am not a doctor and I don’t even play one on T.V. This is not medical advice. Consult your primary care physician before beginning any new program. Do not perform “BIG 6” if you are pregnant, have heart or circulation disorders, acute infections, or diagnosed with cancer. Perform “BIG 6” at your own risk.

LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT:

In last week’s update, I shared that my so-called smart scale was pretty dumb, but during my freak-out over less than a pound and a half weight gain for part of the week. Then I remembered to check my measurements.

2/13/2025

High hips – 32″
Waist – 29.5″
Hips – 35.5″
Low hips – 35.5″
Below bust – 30″
Bust – 36″
Above bust – 34
R- arm – 10.5″
L- arm – 10.5″
R- thigh – 20.5″
L- thigh -20″

Total weekly loss of 4.5 inches, not as impressive as the week before, but I will take it. My lovely smart scale said I was (drum roll!) 145.7. Woo hoo!

See ya at the 90-day Carnivore Challenge Week 8 update.

Bell

P.S. If you want to be part of the Carnivore Challenge, sign up for my weekly blog.

About The Author

Michelle Wishart, Author-BellsRides

My name is Michelle Wishart, but most of you know me as Bell, a motorcycle enthusiast with Bells Rides. Between careers, I was a Private Investigator for three years. I specialized in locating people who didn’t want to be found or those who were taken against their will. I tapped into my experience with real life investigations and recovering human trafficking victims for my fictional stories in The Russian Hit, Human Cargo, and Human Theft.
After retiring from my formal career as a heavy equipment contractor and later a long haul commercial driver, my husband and I traveled full-time in our RV for two years. Exploring the United States, traveling to motorcycle rallies and riding destination.
In 2022, I became a member of the Guinness World Record Book along with over a hundred and forty fellow riders in the World Record Poker Run. Benefitting Rider Down, a non-profit organization for riders involved in a life altering motorcycle accident.
In that same year, 2022, I formed my publishing company, “Bell’s Publishing Co, LLC”, to publish my work. And I finished writing my first novel in a series of novels, The Roxxy Foxx Series.
Our new adventure is traveling and living on our Sea Ray 500 Sedan Bridge. I’m juggling my time between working on a twenty-year-old boat and working on the second novel in the Roxxy Foxx Series, Monstro, Human Cargo and Human Theft, while traveling on the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) up and down the eastern seaboard.
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