My 40 Days of 100% Paleo
If someone told me a while back that eating a 100%Paleo diet would be easy, I would have laughed at them. Just like all diets and "ways of eating" if you are not ready for them, then you will fail. Plain and simple. Back in February I was kind of stuck in a "need to find a healthy direction to go in" kind of mood. a CrossFit friend of mine Dina mentioned doing 100% Paleo for Lent. I decided I would do it too. So I did what every normal person does and started googling the crap out of Paleo. AHHH! There was a million different views on what was "Paleo" and what wasn't. I needed something that was easy and practical. Enter the Practical Paleo guide. This has been my bible for the last 40 days.
(Click to Enlarge)
Week 1 was the hardest week for me. Not necessarily hard because I wanted certain foods, it was more about trying to remember what I could and couldn't eat. I did not go too crazy with the rules of Paleo, like I said Practical!
No Grains
No Dairy
No Processed Foods
No Unnatural Sugar
No Legumes
Eat Meats
Eat Vegetables
Eat Fruits
Eat Seeds
Some Oils
Easy enough? Yep! I found that it was easy for me to basically eat raw all day and cook a nice hot Paleo meal at night. Here are a few of my meals that I made.
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After about 2 weeks of eating Paleo, I discovered that it was easier than I thought it would be. Then I had a Marathon to run, hmmm hadn't thought about how to get around the initial "past dinner carbo load fest" I usually partake in before a long race. So back to the research, my answer...Sweet Potatoes! Yes I ate Sweet Potatoes the night before and the morning of my first marathon. I felt amazing.
Now for my results. Pictures say a 1000 words. I was very excited to see my day 1 to day 40 results. Its amazing how food can make a huge difference on how your body is shaped. I have shaped my body with Crossfit for the past 3 months. I will write more about that tomorrow.
When I started my Paleo challenge, I weighed 209 lbs and my body fat was 23.5%. At the end of the challenge I weighed 191 lbs and my bodyfat was 20.2%.
That's a total of 18 lbs loss and 3.3% body fat loss.
What now? I will continue to be a Paleo eater. I love the way it makes me feel. The way I perform. And most of all I love the idea of knowing I am healthy on the inside as well as the out.
Will I add anything back? Yes, CHEESE!
Anyone want to bring me a cheese and wine plate, Ill be more than happy to accept it!
Now its your turn...Would you ever consider a Paleo diet?
No paleo for me. Too restrictive (this from a vegan-ha). I do go for whole foods, though, about the only thing I have in common with paleo.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that it works for you, though.
lol! Too restrictive? more so than Vegan? whatever works right? Thanks
DeleteI love this post. I had a very similar experience. I was miserable. I decided to join a Whole 30 challenge through my Crossfit gym. After the first 2 days, things were good until the dreaded day 4/5ish. After that, it was so much easier than I ever expected. I was a 3 Coke-a-day girl. I had already cut out gluten (celiac diagnosis), but I substituted a ton of corn and rice July-January. After 35 days, I was down 18lbs. When I added back rice, I literally blew up. Gained 7lbs overnight and had to deal with puffy face/hands and serious inflammation in my joints that I thought was early arthritis. I love Paleo with some very occasional dark chocolate, wine, and cheese. My running and Crossfit improvements are phenomenal. I've continued to lose about 1.5-2 lbs a week. And I was the girl who told my trainers for the past 3 years "I'll never go paleo...I need beans and grains!"
ReplyDeleteLOL its amazing the difference I feel. I agree I would have never thought I would have gotten the results I have had the past 40 days. Its been amazing. I am sooo glad it is working for you also.
DeleteI'm currently trying a paleo-esque diet. I'm not cutting out all dairy though. I am still keeping cheese ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine giving it up so I am letting myself have about 100 cals a day, whether shredded, or just eaten all on its own!
However, the gluten-free aspect of paleo makes me a happy duck, especially since I am thinking that's where all my tummy troubles stem from! Congratulations, I hope I am as successful when I finally get it all together!
Awesome! I actually am adding back in cheese slowly. Its the only thing I have missed. Good Luck
DeleteI did a Whole30 in January, and other than some red wine occasionally, have pretty much kept it up.
ReplyDeleteGreat results! Glad you are enjoying it, too.
awesome! Love some red wine:)
DeletePALEO ALL THE WAY FOR ME!!!! And clearly it's working for you too! SO happy for you, you look terrific! I hope you keep it up!
ReplyDeleteBAMMMM!Thanks:)
DeleteI'm currently doing a Paleo challenge at work and I love it!! My struggle has been what to eat before long runs....I'll have to try out the sweet potato! Great results!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, what is the prize for the winner? And def try sweet potatoes it was great for me.
DeleteI'm not a fan of meat so going 100% paleo would be tough. I know there are vegetarians who do it but I'm just not that interested right now.
ReplyDeleteGreat results!! The saying abs are made in the kitchen is so true!
yes if you don't like meat, it would be hard. and yes they are def made in the kitchen:)thanks
DeleteI am eating primal (paleo + dairy) and loving it. I am down almost 20 pounds in 6 weeks. I do occasionally cheat (probably less then 10% of the time), but when I do, I try to eat what I call "gray area" foods like white potatoes,beans, and a local italian deli's gluten free pizza. The one thing I do allow myself is a really good bagel after my Saturday long run.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I am putting grey area foods back in soon. oh a really good bagel would be awesome, jk! lol
DeleteI almosty forgot..Congrats on your results
ReplyDeletelol THANKS:)
DeleteHow much do you attribute to the diet and how much to the crossfit workouts? I love that Paleo gets people off of processed foods, but I feel like that is the key component over no grains and beans...so just wondering!
ReplyDeleteI would say probably 70%was diet, I was already doing CrossFit before I started and although that is my main source of strength, the weightloss def came from Paleo!
DeleteThose are awesome results! No paleo for me ... Not a huge fan of cutting so much out. I do love some of the principles and already focus on whole foods. I just really like my oats ;)
ReplyDeleteTotally understand. I used to love oatmeal too:)
DeleteGreat job on the paleo challenge! When I'm not prepping for a competition, I follow a 'diet' that works for me and my body. I guess you can call it 'FU's diet' lol ;)
ReplyDeletethe "FU diet", hmmm sounds like a challenge to me:)LOL
DeleteAwesome job! Paleo is tough and I commend you for sticking strict with it for 40 days! I am a paleo-ish eater. I feel better and stronger and I like it!!
ReplyDeleteIts a great feeling. Thanks
DeleteI'm so proud of you! I'm partially paleo and that works well for moments I need a little umph ;)
ReplyDeletethanks girly!
DeleteNice work! You should feel proud.
ReplyDeleteI am very proud thanks
DeleteYou've probably already read it, but "Paleo for Athletes" is a great read. It talks about eating totally Paleo, and then certain things to add to help improve athletic performance. The book highly suggests "fine" cheeses, like gouda, feta, and goat cheese. :)
ReplyDeleteI have not read it! I need to get it. Thanks!
Deletewow impressive results! so great!
ReplyDeletepaleo didn't work form me - felt restricted and then it backfired - but happy for anyone it works for!
:( I hate it didn't work for you. You def have to find works best for you. Thanks
DeleteI'm a vegetarian so it would be a no go for me... but that's awesome the changes it did for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
DeleteYou look amazing girl!!! Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteAw Thanks, you rock!
DeleteCongratulations on GREAT results! I couldn't eat completely Paleo but I am definitely going to try Sweet Potatoes before my next long run and see how it works out!
ReplyDeleteThanks! yes do the sweet potatoes, I swear by them now:)
DeleteMy boyfriend and I just finished our first Whole30 last week. We've continued to eat Paleo and are both feeling great! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Keep it up!
DeleteCongrats on 40 days! I was following a mostly-Paleo diet for a long time but it became too much for me, trying to be so strict. I needed to let go for a while and am not just starting to get back. The one thing I really missed when I was really Paleo was cheese also! I think this time around, I'll allow myself a little bit in my morning eggs/omelets, but only a dash. No going crazy!
ReplyDelete~Ang
Yes I missed cheese. I am slowly adding it back in. I still would consider that Paleo:)
DeleteAmazing results! I was really intrigued with "It Starts with Food"- it's a great way of eating, and I can see why it would get results. I stick to mostly whole foods, but would really struggle to cut out whole grains and beans... so glad it's working so well for you!
ReplyDeleteLOVED that book:) Thanks
DeleteLove this, congrats!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you dispel the myths of runners that they can't do paleo because they need their carbs. Carbs do Not have to come in the form of pasta :) Sweet potatoes, FTW!
Yes I def wanted to show that runners can be Paleo and succeed. Thanks:)
DeleteCongrats on your results!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that heart disease runs in my family makes it hard for me to consider eating so much more red meat--for years I've been avoiding it or restricting consumption. I do agree with doing away with processed foods.
I just started CrossFit a couple of weeks ago and I'm gaining weight...I've read a lot of accounts from people that it happens at first...did you experience this?
Hey Nicole, your meat doesn't have to come from red meat. I eat a lot of deer meat because lets face it, I live in the South and that's what we do, lol! But I also eat a lot of pork and chicken too. Paleo is basically any kind of meat, seafood, or egg. I hope that changes your view on it and you'll try it.
DeleteYes I did gain a little when I started but that is why I needed to make a food changes in order to see results. It all goes together. Talk to your CF coach they should be able to tell you what you need to be doing to not continue gaining:)
congrats on your results!! we try not to use the diet, but more of a way of eating, lifestyle and all. We did a 30 day gut healing diet and it was almost paleo but adjusted to our goals and health issues. Now working on finding a balance of all diets.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about trying Paleo for awhile now and this just makes me want to do it even more. You look AMAZING!! Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteWell done! I've dabbled in and out of Paleo but always struggle fueLing for runs. I need to revisit the sweet potato idea.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is awesome! I bet you are loving the way you feel, especially being under 200! Keep it up! Just found your blog on the SPA facebook page!
ReplyDeletehttp://trufflesntreadmills.blogspot.com
I have considered going paleo quite a few times! I just don't think I can give up my occasional bread binge or my chobanis. Partially Paleo so far has seemed to be a good alternative for me. Maybe one of these days I'll make the jump. Congrats on such awesome results! I'm glad you are feeling tip top and found a nutrition plan that works for you!
ReplyDeleteHi there! I've been on and off Paleo since January now, my longest time on (without any cheats:P)being 2 months and I have seen great results but my biggest problem is I don't get enough energy from the food I eat and end up craving and binge eating too much sometimes. Also I find myself just eating fruit. What to do :( Congrats on your results by the way, they are truly inspirational. Keep it up! x
ReplyDeleteI entered your blog after searching for Paleo diet before&after photos and I'm so sorry but I don't see the difference on your photos. But I guess the scale and how you feel isn't lying! Good luck.
ReplyDelete209 and 23% body fat? 191 and 20%, you would have a six pack at around 20%. Not sure who is doing your measurements but they are way off. More like 33-30% at best. 161 lbs of muscle on a female is extremely rare. Continue the awesome progress but get another body composition analysis.
ReplyDeleteI did Paleo briefly last year for 30 days. I also started training for boxing. I would wake up in the morning, run 3 miles, go to work/school, then go lift weights at the gym. I went from 195 lbs to 168 lbs. I was also on a caloric restriction of 1500 calories. I really wanted to make a lower weight because I have long arms (its best to be lighter with long arms in boxing, so you can reach your opponent well before they can reach you...or so I thought). I had a check up and found out that my white blood cell count was low. After this I got off paleo from October - December 31. I have since been on 80% paleo without the caloric restrictions and only working out once per day. I feel a whole lot better. I am still losing weight but a lot less quick. I am now 185 lbs with fully developed muscles. I recommend paleo to any and everybody. Anyone who says its a "fad" diet is either one of two things: (1) lazy or (2) they profit at some point from you not changing your diet. It is the ONLY way to eat. Trust me, I come from a family with a history of hypertension, heart disease, etc... Furthermore, I had to see my father pass away in front of my eyes because of poor diet/lack of exercise. I told myself from that day that eventually I will have to change this. Well, years later, I did. You can too.
ReplyDelete