Monday, August 24, 2009

How Goes The Paleo Diet?

So yesterday marked four weeks since Jim and I embarked on a new lifestyle. What started off as the Evolution Diet, has slowly "evolved" into a, at the moment, light version of the Paleo Diet.

The Paleo Diet is not without it's critics, and I'm not going to pretend I'm totally comfortable with some of the Paleo Diet proponents. As a sceptic, I am somewhat cynical when I see claims about what things can do and it's no exception with Paleo. But nevertheless I have to say... it's working!

I really felt the change today; I was pretty chirpy when I woke up, and found walking at my normal speed (i.e. bloody fast) much easier. I hadn't realised how bad I'd gotten but now I'm feeling a little better I realise how exhausted I was getting previously after only a little bit of my own particular version of speed walking.

I feel less uncomfortable in my clothes, I can now clearly see with my own eyes that I'm losing weight. My skin is smooth and clear, I seem more able to concentrate on things.

There are other worrying side effects... people at work complimenting me on how "young, handsome and refreshed" I look (I know, after a month and I'm getting that!). And I think I may well be in heat. 'Nuff said on that one. LOL

Do I crave those staples of my previous diet (Diet Coke, Chocolate, Bread, Bread, Bread, RICE, Oh God Rice....)? Not really. I miss them, but I don't feel like I did the first couple of days as I went through Diet Coke withdrawal and would have killed for a bottle. The great thing about the Paleo diet is how it isn't restrictive. Sure there's lots of proscribed foods, but there's also a lot of opportunity for some delicious meals. Plus they are fresh (best to cook for yourself, or have a Jim, on the Paleo diet).

To be perfectly honest, based on how easy and successful it has been so far, I'm going to have to say there is something in this Paleo Diet! I won't claim it'll cure cancer, or make you into superman, but I will say it works for me.

Now of course, the hard bit is still ahead and I need to start being more active. But I'm heading in the right direction.

P.S. No, this isn't going to become a Diet Blog! ;)



This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

5 comments:

  1. British Bear9:02 am

    I've been looking into this paleo diet thing, given that it is working so well with you, and I like the look of it. The only thing that worries me is the amount of cholesterol it involves. Lots of red meat and eggs? Any thoughts, Jae?

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  2. British Bear9:06 am

    Oh, and what about tea? I don't think I could live without tea...

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  3. You know the best part I've found about the diet is the amount of fruit, nuts and veg I'm now eating. Thankfully it's not an "Atkins Diet" sort of thing.

    Here's a list of allowed, and disallowed, foods. Tea is allowed in moderation! Plus I didn't think I could live without Diet Coke (I was drinking LITRES every day), but I've managed 4 weeks without it, so I'm sure giving up tea shouldn't be too hard ;)

    http://altmed.creighton.edu/Paleodiet/Foodlist.html

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  4. British Bear10:19 am

    Thanks, Jae - a useful list. I think I'll give it a go...

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