Going Paleo...

[jllundqu]

So I have been toying around with Paleo for awhile now. I have done about 3 iterations of the "Paleo Diet" even though I consider it much much more than a diet.

For those not familiar with Paleo, I will sum up the Paleo theory in my own words:

Our bodies evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to eat and metabolize a hunter-gatherer fare (meats, fats, fruits, nuts, leaves, veggies, organs, etc.)
Since the advent of modern agriculture, our diets have been radically altered
Current diet trends, to include chemcial cocktails, vitamin deficient and processed crap, are among the leading cause for most modern health problems

Solution?

Eat like out Paleo ancestors did:

Lots of veggies, meats, fats, nuts, fruits, etc.
No Breads, grains, rice, wheats, or other similar carb.... all carbs come from fruits and veggies.

In addition to the diet, Paleo-folks like myself strive to live a more Primal life in touch with ourselves and nature... spending more time outside, walking barefoot, hiking, being tribal with friends and family, unplugging from the modern world as much as one can.

I also employ the Paleo fitness model which includes exercises modeled after the movements and motions necessary for our ancestors to survive. Our Paleo ancestors needed to be able to run, jump, squat, lift, hike, hunt, and play.

Exercises such as:

bodyweight squats
pushups
pullups
Planks
overhead/incline pushups
sprints
Fasting/Intermittent Fasting
Hikes


Tom Woods went Paleo http://tomwoods.com/blog/going-primal/
Judge Napolitano went Paleo http://freetheanimal.com/2013/02/napolitano-dropping-william.html
Many others in the liberty movement find the inherent wisdom in Paleo to be harmonious with free-living.

This thread will serve as my chronicle of my journey... I will post updates of my progress (if only to keep me motivated).

I went a little nuts for the holidays and put on about 20 lbs more than I am comfortable with. My starting weight is 195. By the end of this 3 month cycle for me, I will be back down to 170-175...

Anyone else been on the Paleo bandwagon?

Good site that got me started: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/

 

[Acala]

Congratulations! You won't be sorry. I've been paleo for several years now and am in the best shape of my life. And I second your opinion on Mark's Daily Apple

 

[jllundqu]

Thanks! I use it as a great resource... Just ate a venison burger, V8, and almonds... going to go knock out 60 min light cardio...

 

[Acala]

Thanks! I use it as a great resource... Just ate a venison burger, V8, and almonds... going to go knock out 60 min light cardio...

Finally got around to adding insects to my diet on Saturday - had a bowl of waxworms fried up with onions and green peppers. Good tasting but I think I am going to have to find a more subtle way to add them to my diet. Like drying them, grinding them into flour, and adding them to stews etc.

 

[jllundqu]

Whoa.... haven't tried that yet... I killed my own deer and had it butchered. I now have about 60lbs of meat/organs, but I have NOT gone the insect route yet. I can see how it could be beneficial though.

 

[anaconda]

Nuts have lots of Omega 6. Beware.

 

[Acala]

Whoa.... haven't tried that yet... I killed my own deer and had it butchered. I now have about 60lbs of meat/organs, but I have NOT gone the insect route yet. I can see how it could be beneficial though.

Wild game is perhaps the very best thing you can eat. My receptionist's husband gets an elk or two each season and gives me a bunch of it. Good stuff.

I pitched in on a kickstart for making protein bars with cricket flour a few months ago. My share has yet to arrive. I got tired of waiting so went for the worms (moth larvae, actually). There was definitely a mental threshold I had to cross before I took the first mouthful of worms and chewed it up.

 

[Acala]

Nuts have lots of Omega 6. Beware.

I can't have nuts around the house. It is too easy for me to eat too many of them and as you indicate, they need to be eaten in strict moderation. And should be purchased raw, soaked at least overnight, then dried ad roasted.

 

[anaconda]

I can't have nuts around the house. It is too easy for me to eat too many of them and as you indicate, they need to be eaten in strict moderation. And should be purchased raw, soaked at least overnight, then dried ad roasted.

Why roasted?

 

[Acala]

Why roasted?

Mainly because I like them that way, but also some lectins break down with heat.

 

[jj-]

You didn't mention, although you probably agree, that one of the most important things is avoiding all vegetable oils. Use coconut oil, refined for high temperature cooking.

Don't be afraid of milk and cheese. Having a good calcium/phosphate ratio (more calcium than phosphate) prevents calcification of tissues. It might seem paradoxical that you have to consume calcium to prevent calcification, but what happens is that the body has no problem getting calcium to the blood, even if you don't consume it, because it can get it from the bones, but when the hormones that do this are high (parathyroid hormone), calcification is more likely.

 

[jllundqu]

You didn't mention, although you probably agree, that one of the most important things is avoiding all vegetable oils. Use coconut oil, refined for high temperature cooking.

Don't be afraid of milk and cheese. Having a good calcium/phosphate ratio (more calcium than phosphate) prevents calcification of tissues. It might seem paradoxical that you have to consume calcium to prevent calcification, but what happens is that the body has no problem getting calcium to the blood, even if you don't consume it, because it can get it from the bones, but when the hormones that do this are high (parathyroid hormone), calcification is more likely.

Agreed... I have raw milk occassionally. Ghee is awesome as are raw cheeses. I think I get enough calcium, but good point. I also eat/cook with TONS of top quality coconut oil... only thing I use

 

[Acala]

You didn't mention, although you probably agree, that one of the most important things is avoiding all vegetable oils. Use coconut oil, refined for high temperature cooking.

Don't be afraid of milk and cheese. Having a good calcium/phosphate ratio (more calcium than phosphate) prevents calcification of tissues. It might seem paradoxical that you have to consume calcium to prevent calcification, but what happens is that the body has no problem getting calcium to the blood, even if you don't consume it, because it can get it from the bones, but when the hormones that do this are high (parathyroid hormone), calcification is more likely.

Yup. I use only coconut, olive (but not for high temperature), and rarely palm oil.

 

[anaconda]

Don't be afraid of milk and cheese.

http://www.sott.net/article/225467-Why-Milk-Is-So-Evil

 

[jj-]

http://www.sott.net/article/225467-Why-Milk-Is-So-Evil

I believe almost every claim that website makes is wrong.

 

[jllundqu]

I believe almost every claim that website makes is wrong.

Agreed. Modern processed dairy with blood, puss, hormones, and other poisons may give you problems but raw milk? fermented yogurt? these are superfoods and pure ones, at that. This website is a non-starter with me.

 

[jllundqu]

Update number 1:

It has only been 5 days since I kicked back in to Paleo mode and I have lost 5 pounds! That is par for the course with me. When I start a paleo period (generally I do hardcore paleo for 3 months) the first couple weeks my body adjusts to the major differences in caloric intake, carb restrictions, and re-learns to process stored fat as energy rather than carbs.

Had a few headaches which is normal. My brain was craving sugar and carbs as that is what it is used to... it will survive.

Workouts have been awesome. Hundreds of squats, pushups, pullups, planking, and jogging/walking/hiking have made me sore as hell, but the soreness will also pass after about a week or so of continuous workouts.

I've also been spending more time outside. I will leave the office at least once a day and just walk around outside... taking in the beauty of the day. When I get home, I take my son out to the park and we chase eachother around the grass and play ball... after all, that's what 'going paleo' is all about for me.... PLAY!

 

[anaconda]

I believe almost every claim that website makes is wrong.

It seems to me that the essential criticism is regarding casein and its gluten-like effects. What do you find lacking in credibility with the claims regarding casein? Just curious.

 

[anaconda]

Agreed. Modern processed dairy with blood, puss, hormones, and other poisons may give you problems but raw milk? fermented yogurt? these are superfoods and pure ones, at that. This website is a non-starter with me.

But even pasture raised, organic, unpasteurized raw milk still has the casein. No?

 

[Nirvikalpa]

I started on 01/15 and have lost 8lbs since then.

I'm using ghee and occasional half&half (like one serving every 2 weeks). Working on getting raw milk, hopefully I can get it.

Might want to look into Stronglifts 5x5 program, currently what I am looking into . Good luck!