Paleo Diet

cmaurno2015
cmaurno2015 Posts: 14 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?
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Replies

  • _incogNEATo_
    _incogNEATo_ Posts: 4,537 Member
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    I'm sorry about your health condition that causes you to have less energy when you eat dairy and wheat.
  • mizzlarabee
    mizzlarabee Posts: 134 Member
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    Going to be honest with you. Paleo was really unsuccessful for me. I did it for two years off and on, and lost some weight but always put it back on. The reason why you are losing weight is a calorie deficit - plain and simple. There really is no magic about paleo in particular and it is an approach to nutrition, not a structured weight loss plan.

    I got really caught up in the hype of the effects of paleo and I truly think a lot of it is psychosomatic.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    The 1 lb you lost is water weight from cutting carbs.

    I have yet to meet anyone on these forums who really follows the paleo diet. Some say they do, but after discussion, it's clear that they don't. Most just eat high fat low carb and say it's paleo. It seems to be overly restrictive to me. But, if you feel better and are getting proper nutrition from this diet, then best of luck to you with it.
  • Psalm17v22
    Psalm17v22 Posts: 168 Member
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.
  • staceyseeger
    staceyseeger Posts: 778 Member
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    I have followed the Paleo lifestyle for 2.5 years now by my doctors recommendation. The first 2 years I followed it 85%. As of last Dec, I have been on a constant 21dsd, limited sweeteners (no artificial), no fruit, no caffeine & no alcohol. I have never felt better inside & out.
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  • freeoscar
    freeoscar Posts: 82 Member
    Psalm37v4 wrote: »
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.

    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    I'm not paleo so I don't have a dog in this fight but I've never understood why people get so hung up on "overly restrictive." You hear that thrown out a lot. If cutting calories is the goal isn't there always some sort of restriction? Sure, you CAN have ice cream, pizza, fast food, etc free eating/iifym/whatever you label it but it's usually in bonkers small amounts. A single piece of pizza. Baked potato and chili at Wendy's. 1/2 cup of ice cream. Yawn. Sounds like restriction to me.
    Keyword: overly. Being alive is restrictive on what you can eat: I can't eat unlimited amounts of concrete or hemlock, regardless of what diet I'm on. All weight loss is going to require the restriction of a calorie deficit, but plenty of diets add other restrictions, which is what can make them overly restrictive.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    freeoscar wrote: »
    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?
    Something something ancestors didn't eat (unless your Asian), something something phytoestrogens / phyto chemicals, something something requires cooking to eat for non-ruminants.
  • _incogNEATo_
    _incogNEATo_ Posts: 4,537 Member
    senecarr wrote: »
    BFDeal wrote: »
    I'm not paleo so I don't have a dog in this fight but I've never understood why people get so hung up on "overly restrictive." You hear that thrown out a lot. If cutting calories is the goal isn't there always some sort of restriction? Sure, you CAN have ice cream, pizza, fast food, etc free eating/iifym/whatever you label it but it's usually in bonkers small amounts. A single piece of pizza. Baked potato and chili at Wendy's. 1/2 cup of ice cream. Yawn. Sounds like restriction to me.
    Keyword: overly. Being alive is restrictive on what you can eat: I can't eat unlimited amounts of concrete or hemlock, regardless of what diet I'm on. All weight loss is going to require the restriction of a calorie deficit, but plenty of diets add other restrictions, which is what can make them overly restrictive.

    meh... it's still a relative term.
  • Gianfranco_R
    Gianfranco_R Posts: 1,297 Member
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    here you can find support:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/37-primal-paleo-support-group
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    The 1 lb you lost is water weight from cutting carbs.

    I have yet to meet anyone on these forums who really follows the paleo diet. Some say they do, but after discussion, it's clear that they don't. Most just eat high fat low carb and say it's paleo. It seems to be overly restrictive to me. But, if you feel better and are getting proper nutrition from this diet, then best of luck to you with it.
    I'm not paleo so I don't have a dog in this fight but I've never understood why people get so hung up on "overly restrictive." You hear that thrown out a lot. If cutting calories is the goal isn't there always some sort of restriction? Sure, you CAN have ice cream, pizza, fast food, etc free eating/iifym/whatever you label it but it's usually in bonkers small amounts. A single piece of pizza. Baked potato and chili at Wendy's. 1/2 cup of ice cream. Yawn. Sounds like restriction to me.

    I agree there is inherent restriction in any weight loss diet. But restricting foods in order to cut calories is far different than cutting out all grains, legumes, nightshade vegetables, limiting fruits, commercial meats and eggs, and the other restrictions paleo entails. Hence the term "overly" restrictive.
  • jonrenly
    jonrenly Posts: 116 Member
    senecarr wrote: »
    freeoscar wrote: »
    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?
    Something something ancestors didn't eat (unless your Asian), something something phytoestrogens / phyto chemicals, something something requires cooking to eat for non-ruminants.

    basically
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  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    BFDeal wrote: »
    The 1 lb you lost is water weight from cutting carbs.

    I have yet to meet anyone on these forums who really follows the paleo diet. Some say they do, but after discussion, it's clear that they don't. Most just eat high fat low carb and say it's paleo. It seems to be overly restrictive to me. But, if you feel better and are getting proper nutrition from this diet, then best of luck to you with it.
    I'm not paleo so I don't have a dog in this fight but I've never understood why people get so hung up on "overly restrictive." You hear that thrown out a lot. If cutting calories is the goal isn't there always some sort of restriction? Sure, you CAN have ice cream, pizza, fast food, etc free eating/iifym/whatever you label it but it's usually in bonkers small amounts. A single piece of pizza. Baked potato and chili at Wendy's. 1/2 cup of ice cream. Yawn. Sounds like restriction to me.

    I agree there is inherent restriction in any weight loss diet. But restricting foods in order to cut calories is far different than cutting out all grains, legumes, nightshade vegetables, limiting fruits, commercial meats and eggs, and the other restrictions paleo entails. Hence the term "overly" restrictive.

    Whether it's overly restrictive or not would depend on your attachment to those foods and how impacted you are by giving them up. If you tell me "hey, you can't have ice cream every day" I would say "meh, I don't get enough calories to fit a satisfying amount in anyhow so who cares?" Eggs or processed meats are a different story. I get people get freaked out when they're given rules telling them not to do something. Usually they're not doing much of the thing they're being told not to do anyhow though so it's kind of funny.

    I can agree with all of that. My "overly restrictive" remark was more about the fact that I've never found a single person that stuck with paleo strictly for more than a short period of time.
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  • staceyseeger
    staceyseeger Posts: 778 Member
    freeoscar wrote: »
    Psalm37v4 wrote: »
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.

    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?

    Beans & Legumes contain anti-nutrients that prevent the absorption of vitamins & nutrients.
  • freeoscar
    freeoscar Posts: 82 Member
    freeoscar wrote: »
    Psalm37v4 wrote: »
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.

    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?

    Beans & Legumes contain anti-nutrients that prevent the absorption of vitamins & nutrients.

    honestly, I can't tell if that is the 'real' reason, or if you are just being facetious.
  • mizzlarabee
    mizzlarabee Posts: 134 Member
    edited May 2015
    freeoscar wrote: »
    Psalm37v4 wrote: »
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.

    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?

    Beans & Legumes contain anti-nutrients that prevent the absorption of vitamins & nutrients.

    The "antinutrients" are phytic acid and are just as high in the nuts that are allowed on the Paleo diet.

    Edit: article on legumes and Paleo http://chriskresser.com/are-legumes-paleo/
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    freeoscar wrote: »
    Psalm37v4 wrote: »
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.

    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?

    Beans & Legumes contain anti-nutrients that prevent the absorption of vitamins & nutrients.

    The "antinutrients" are phytic acid and are just as high in the nuts that are allowed on the Paleo diet.

    Edit: article on legumes and Paleo http://chriskresser.com/are-legumes-paleo/

    This is true. Luckily, soaking, fermenting and cooking decreases phytates.

    If these things were unhealthy for humans to consume, the healthiest populations would not have grain and legume based diets.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    freeoscar wrote: »
    freeoscar wrote: »
    Psalm37v4 wrote: »
    I've been on a strict Paleo for 2 months. I've lost 12 lbs eating 1500 calories a day with a goal of eating 130g of protein a day, which on Paleo is challenging, but I have a rhythm now. No dairy, grains, added sugar (to include honey or maple syrup), or legumes. I feel good, think more clearly and have lots more energy. I tried it last year but my heart wasn't really in it and I quit after two weeks. This time I really wanted to give it a sincere effort and I'm glad I did.

    I'm not that familiar with Paleo - why is it that you can't eat legumes?

    Beans & Legumes contain anti-nutrients that prevent the absorption of vitamins & nutrients.

    honestly, I can't tell if that is the 'real' reason, or if you are just being facetious.

    That's supposed to be the real reason.

    Cutting out a food group (legumes) that I think most people would probably benefit from eating more of, nutritionally, plus the fact I love dairy and see only positives for me (protein, I'm not lactose intolerant) were basically the things in the paleo diet I couldn't get around, and that caused me to decide that the grain piece didn't really make much sense either.
  • miriamtob
    miriamtob Posts: 436 Member
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    here you can find support:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/37-primal-paleo-support-group

    ^yes, join the group! Success stories and helpful stickies there. I've been mostly Paleo since November 2014 and adhered quite strictly to it for the first two months. It really agrees with some people and I am one of those people. I lost 18lbs in the first 3 weeks with hardly any exercise and while eating the best food of my life. Weight loss stalled for a while after the initial rapid loss, but it wasn't my reason for starting the WOE. Increasing dietary fat and limiting sugar and carbs from grain and beans did wonders for my skin, mood, and energy. The cons: social isolation from hyper-critical people who just don't get it and the grocery budget has increased, but I'd rather pay my grocer more than my doctor!
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    BFDeal wrote: »
    Also, on the same note as "I don't know anyone who strictly follows paleo for more than a short period of time" how long does anyone really "strictly" calorie count? As in eat ONLY things they can weigh and measure. I'm sure longer than most people follow paleo but eventually everyone starts estimating some things in the name of "you don't have to restrict!!!"

    I don't see how estimating calories is even remotely the same as eating foods prohibited on a strictly prescribed diet. Calorie counting is an inexact science even if weigh and measure everything.
  • MamaOfThree88
    MamaOfThree88 Posts: 54 Member
    I have been following Paleo for awhile now. My PCP suggested it after I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. After a few weeks on it, I had some dairy (oops) and it really made me feel gross and sick.

    To those that think it is a hype, sure it is. Some people don't need to eat Paleo. People do because they think it is the cool thing to do and say, but for some of us it actually is doing more positives than negatives for our body. And I am definitely not starving myself! I eat 3-4 eggs for breakfast followed by some spinach, avocado, homemade salsa and 4 pieces of nitrate free bacon. That is a lean breakfast that gives me my energy and doesn't hurt my system. I am grateful to have gone Paleo.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    edited May 2015
    miriamtob wrote: »
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    here you can find support:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/37-primal-paleo-support-group

    I've been mostly Paleo since November 2014 and adhered quite strictly to it for the first two months.

    This is what annoys a lot of people about the Paleo diet. Not saying you, but just in general.

    I do this "mostly", so you really don't do it. It's like saying you are a vegetarian that eats meat on Saturday and Sunday.

  • MamaOfThree88
    MamaOfThree88 Posts: 54 Member
    and I have lost 20lbs so far. My skin is not dry anymore, my hair is softer and my swelling on my hands and feet has diminished.
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  • miriamtob
    miriamtob Posts: 436 Member
    Well, sorry it annoys you. I sometimes experiment with adding little non-Paleo things in and observing how I feel after. It's given me more body awareness. It's quite a different WOE from vegetarianism, lol! But, if we are going to be strict about semantics, I am very glad I was introduced to the concept. It moved me enough to become a MUCH healthier person. I don't care much about labels, especially the very stigmatizing and faulty Paleo label.
    Hornsby wrote: »
    miriamtob wrote: »
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    here you can find support:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/37-primal-paleo-support-group

    I've been mostly Paleo since November 2014 and adhered quite strictly to it for the first two months.

    This is what annoys a lot of people about the Paleo diet. Not saying you, but just in general.

    I do this "mostly", so you really don't do it. It's like saying you are a vegetarian that eats meat on Saturday and Sunday.

  • mizzlarabee
    mizzlarabee Posts: 134 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    miriamtob wrote: »
    I just started the Paleo diet and I am on my 3rd day. I have already lost 1 pounds with limited exercise.

    prior to paleo I ran mile after mile and ate so many processed carbs like crackers and power bars. Once I cut dairy and wheat out my energy skyrocketed.

    I weigh 125 now at 5,5 and for my small frame I am thinking my ideal weight is 118. I am less hungry and concentrate better with the addition of all these healthy fats.

    Have any of you had success in reaching your ideal weight through Paleo? Any tips?

    here you can find support:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/37-primal-paleo-support-group

    I've been mostly Paleo since November 2014 and adhered quite strictly to it for the first two months.

    This is what annoys a lot of people about the Paleo diet. Not saying you, but just in general.

    I do this "mostly", so you really don't do it. It's like saying you are a vegetarian that eats meat on Saturday and Sunday.

    To be fair, anybody who focuses their diet on nutrient dense foods is "mostly" paleo. It's actually that line of thinking that I find most annoying - there can be a spectrum, depending on personal preference.
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