Sharing weekly meal plans has resulted in tons of questions about the diet and how much weight I’ve lost on the program. The first thing I explain to anyone that asks – Paleo is NOT a diet, it is a lifestyle. A benefit can be weight loss when maintained long term (ie – it’s not a quick fix).
If weight loss isn’t the goal why bother? Ok let’s be honest, yes when I first began exploring Paleo I wanted to lose ten pounds, but my first priority was hormone balance. After two kids and hitting 40, my body began to turn on me. Dealing with weight issues my entire life, I’m continually on a journey to be healthy, fit and battling the perpetual “last 10 pounds.”
While studying food and nutrition during graduate school, a classmate suggested I try a diet plan used by fitness competitors to lose weight. Following a strict Low-Fat diet (see Paleo infographic below) was NOT working. Within two weeks, I dropped five pounds and after a few months, twenty- five pounds. The weight loss was a direct result of two things – eliminating processed foods and alcohol while increasing my intake of protein and “good carbs” six days per week, allowing one day to cheat (eat and drink anything I wanted).
THE PLAN: Eat 1500 calories per day (3 meals, 3 snacks every 2-3 hours) comprised of 40% protein, 50% carbs and 10% fat. I tracked every piece of food that entered my mouth. I had no idea that eating this much was so difficult.
From this experiment I learned that my body requires more calories and does not metabolize refined carbohydrates easily. That means when I spend more than 1-2 days indulging in bread, pasta or wine, I feel the aftermath by gaining 5 pounds. It can take one – two weeks working out vigorously to recover.
Adhering long-term to a fitness competitor’s diet plan is not realistic, but this was the foundation of Paleo. Losing so much weight also helped me realize that increasing my calories and including good fat was essential to success.
Eating Paleo motivates me to be creative and incorporate more vegetables into our meals without being deprived. Who knew cauliflower rice would be so good?
It’s an amazing community of people who sincerely want to help one another sustain a healthy lifestyle. I had no idea how many Paleo blogs existed and have become an endless resource for recipes. My only regret is NOT starting when my girls were babies and knew any different.
What is Paleo?
By definition the Paleolithic era—a period of about 2.5 million years which ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture and grain-based diets.
Paleo consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. Eating Paleo has helping many people suffering from auto immune disease, Celiac disease, hormone imbalance, depression and gluten intolerance.
How to sustain Paleo long term?
In a world of on-the go food, it’s not easy. Yes, giving your kids Goldfish, Cherios and cheese sticks is faster and more convenient – we’re all in a hurry right? But keep in mind many diseases come from your gut – eating healthy keeps your gut working properly.
It takes time and planning but it can be done successfully. My advice?
- Focus on incorporating Paleo dinners two-three days per week and see how it goes.
- Eliminate processed foods as snacks. If it comes in a box or package, it’s processed.
- Reward your kids for trying new Paleo snacks and dishes.
- Plan ahead. I use Sunday to plan out our week of meals and prep snacks for the week.
- Order prepared Paleo meals from a delivery service.
Have you tried Paleo meals? Do you have any tips or tricks for being successful?
infographic credit: Paleolithic Diet
