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What is Paleo? Long Post, but all about it!

1/5/2013

8 Comments

 
The Caveman Diet

What is it?
        I know, I know…another diet! However, this is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. A change that your body and mind will thank you for. This is a choice to eat only healthy, unprocessed foods. Basically, if a caveman did not have the choice to eat it, neither do you. The fact is, that 400 calories of Doritos does not impact your body in the same way that 400 calories of high quality vegetables and proteins would. By making the choice to eat only things that you might be able to “hunt or gather,” you are making a choice to regulate your body, wake up with more energy, keep insulin and cholesterol levels in check, and as a result of all this….LOSE WEIGHT!

The whole lifestyle is based on genetics. You see, a long time ago, cavemen could not go to the store and buy Oreos and “healthy” freezer dinners. They were only able to eat what they could hunt or gather. Today’ on the go lifestyle makes that hard, but think about it, you don’t have to hunt anything! You just have to have the willpower, that when you do decide to “gather” at your local market or organic store, to stay to the outside and not venture into the tempting aisle. Cavemen and women were tall, lean, muscular and athletic. Now, our average human being is overweight, out of shape, and stressed out! 

Well, what happened? Agriculture happened! Think about it this way, if you take 100% of human history, 99.5% of that time was spent developing out bodies and genetics to hunt and gather the food we would eat. The last .5% of our history involves farming. The problem with this is, our bodies have not adjusted to eating the grains that we are consuming. They cannot be digested properly in the body. So instead of filling up on vegetable, meats, nuts, and proteins, we eat our allotted “6-11 servings” that the government tells us we should eat, and just assume it’s healthy for us…..well think again!

Well, if I can’t eat grains like breads and pasta, where am I going to get my energy from you might ask. I can tell you that this is one of the best things about this lifestyle. Because your body is not taking in all of that glucose (that your body doesn’t know what to do with anyway), guess what the first thing it burs off is? You guessed it….FAT! You will still have carbohydrates in your diet, but they will come from vegetable, fruits and some other delicious food items.

So what can I eat as a Cave-Wo-Man?
 If you stick with it, and have the willpower to eat the right kinds of foods, the great thing about this lifestyle, is you really don’t have to watch how much you eat! Moderation is the key to any diet. But in making healthier choices, you will be able to eat more, become full quicker, and not be left feeling hungry. 

Another great thing about this lifestyle is that it always works on your schedule. The myths about eating six times a day will boost your metabolism like crazy, or that you should always eat three square meals a day are just flat out wrong. Do you think cavemen had the choice? You eat when you are hungry and don’t eat when you aren’t, it’s as simple as that! Here are some of the foods that are staples of the Caveman diet: 

Meats: game, grass fed are best; try and stick with lean meats
Fish: the good fats, great for you, check with listing for possible mercury in farmed fish
Eggs: Loaded with omega-3’s; heart healthy
Oils: think natural; olive, coconut, or avocado oil
Vegetables: Eat as many as you want!
Fruits: If weight loss is the goal, eat them, but limit yourself, higher in natural sugars
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews yeah!
Tubers: Sweet potatoes and yams

This sounds so hard! How do I get myself there?
 Nobody is perfect, and I would venture a guess that not one person (with the exception of the cavemen themselves) are 100% strict with this diet. If you need to gradually take steps, then do it. But don’t make excuses, you are doing this for you, for your families, and did I mention…for you! There will always be something that your coaches can help you with. For example, if you just can’t let go of your pasta, try spaghetti squash. Can’t let go of your mashed potatoes? Try mashed cauliflower. A bread lover? Try Ezekiel bread, which is a live grain. Here is a list of things you should do to help you get to your goal of eating like a true cave-wo-man:

It’s very hard at first, try the 80% rule
 If you’re tempted get it out of your house!
 Allow yourself “little” slips
 Keep reminders around for why you are making the choice
 Stay to the outside of the grocery store
 Ask others for help, especially us (use the blog!)

What are the benefits to eating like a cave-wo-man?
 There are so many benefits to eating a “Paleo” lifetsyle. You will be eating unprocessed foods which will naturally improve so many things in your normal life, by just eating right. The lifestyle change will bring results. Some noticeable right away, some may take time, and others may only be felt and not seen at all. Here are some of the things you can look forward to through choosing the Caveman lifestyle.

Weight loss
 No counting calories, carbs, etc
 Eat when you want
 Effective in reducing blood pressure
 Healthier cholesterol levels
 Reduces bloat
 Unprocessed, filling foods
 Natural energy levels raised
 Keeps insulin levels in check (Diabetes)
 Healthier skin
 Many More!


Of course, if you have questions, just ask me, Kerri, Jason, or Karen. Let others know on the blog how you feel about the new lifestyle you are about to embark upon. Struggles you may have, and things you love about it. The more you share, the more we learn!
8 Comments
Connie S
1/5/2013 10:46:11 pm

Yesterday was such an awesome day with the meeting, workouts & breakfast with such great people!! But today wasn't starting off nearly as good. Last night at work I started reading & researching this new lifestyle and thinking about the challenge and just woke up very overwhelmed. All of these thoughts were going through my head....how will I do on the challenge? am I going to be able to make these lifestyle changes with my diet? what do I do with the food I already have? I can't afford to go buy all new food. I guess you can see I was WAY overthinking things. So I came up with a few solutions for myself. As far as the challenge, I don't know if I will even weigh in at the gym. This morning I took all of my measurements and that is how I will determine my success. It isn't about the weight for me this time around. I am more concerned with my body composition and decided that I am my own competition with the improvement of myself. And as far as the food, I decided I will gradually do the changes as I do my grocery shopping but also realized that I have more Paleo approved food in my house than I realize. So I basically needed to remind myself that this is a journey and all the changes cannot be made overnight. I am back to looking forward to see where the journey will take me!! :)

Reply
Ryan
1/6/2013 01:42:00 am

Great idea Connie! Like i said yesterday, Paleo and the caveman lifestyle is more about your emotional well being, and your body'd natural operation. The physical weight loss will happen as a result of you making these changes. Do the 80/20 Paleo. Eat Paleo when you can (still think about planning ahead). But when you can't, just think about making smarter choices. You keep making those decisions, and eventually they will just come naturally!

Reply
Heidi S
1/6/2013 05:42:37 am

I have been on the Paleo journey for about a week now. The first couple days I could feel my body go through detox. I had a headache and felt a little woozy. But after those first few days I feel fantastic. I am not bloated and my eating habits have changed significantly! I always felt I had to eat breakfast but now sometimes I am not hungry until lunch! I was a sweet loving munching fiend and now I have a great personal achievement to share with you!
I went to work on Friday and I had to rush out of the house and was not prepared. By 9:30 I was hungry which hasn't been typical for me. So I ran out to Perkins for an omelet. I chose the fruit instead of the potatoes. Next the waitress came out with a double chocolate muffin which comes with the omelette. There I sat with my biggest weakness staring me in the face. I started to check emails to take my mind off of it. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I wanted this muffin. I cut it in half and took a bite. I couldn't believe how sweet and it tasted to me. Already my body and taste buds are recognizing these bad foods. I walked away from the table triumphant. My belly full of the omelet and the muffin was still on the table! Yeah me!

Reply
Ryan
1/6/2013 05:49:54 am

Heidi thats awesome! Talk about willpower! And you are correct, the foods that you used to crave so badly lose their luster after a while. You will realize that those foods (after eating clean for a while) actually upset your stomach! Keep up the great work!

Reply
Ann
1/7/2013 04:35:09 am

Heidi! Wow you are an inspiration! I love sweets too, so thank you for being a great role model.

Ann
1/7/2013 04:39:24 am

I am going through diet coke withdrawal! I miss it! Every time I think about one I drink a glass of water. Talking about it at the gym helped. So thank you team for your support!

Reply
Doug N.
1/12/2013 03:20:18 am

Hey Ann I know the feeling. I too drank soda regularly but this week at work every time I wanted to get a soda with lunch i too drank a glass of water. Over time I think this will craving will subside. Keep going strong and dont give into the temptation your willpower is much stronger than a craving!!!!

Reply
Ann
1/12/2013 05:38:45 am

Thanks Doug!!!!




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