it's a paleo question: to be or not to be

Yvette22Hernandez

So, I tried the primal route for a while, probably like. a year or so. I didn't see the results that everyone else seems to have. I actually felt like I was gaining weight. And, I went through a period where I had increased energy. I really followed what rob Wolff, mark sisson, and the paleoista said.

I wonder whether or not the paleo diet works the same for everyone? I love seeing the pictures of those on sisson's page who have been successful...but I want that same feeling too.

lhalket

I actually just read the 21 Body Transformation by Mark Sisson but I cannot wrap my head around all that protein and those calories! I have the cookbook as well and do refer to it as there are some good recipes but tend to only use the ones not so high in calories. I already eat pretty healthy (very little processed foods) - so I think its a process of what may work for some may not work for others. We are all unique with different needs. But that's just my 2 cents. Feel free to friend me if you like.

DCpaleochick

Watch out you may have just awaken the dead.....

(*tip toe's out...and shuts the door)

mcbellnz

I am trying to move towards the primal/paleo way of eating - I have read about people having great success with the personal paleo code http://personalpaleocode.chriskresser.com/ if you think paleo is the way for you and you have the cash to spend on it. I have not tried it personally of course.

IveLanded

I tried Paleo a year or so ago with not much research and I hadn't been on MFP...and I gained. I think the danger of Paleo is that if you go into it with not a lot of knowledge about calorie burn and how food fuels you, its easy to just be all "Hey!!! Gimmee bacon and steak all the time!!!" and gain weight. Especially with the higher fat/calorie meats, you still have to eat tiny portions to get weight loss.

This year, I've switched to a semi-paleo style, but it's more about eating cleaner, less processed, whole foods. I'm in the tail end of my weight loss....I have maybe 10 lbs left to lose, and its getting a lot harder to lose but I find that when I eat really clean, close to a paleo model of eating (but still tracking cals) I lose a lot faster and easier than when eating a more "standard" diet.

TheVimFuego

I did it for a bit, 6 months or so ... avoided the grains, dairy, sugar etc. I read a lot of Sisson, Wolf (who has backflipped a bit on carbs lately), watched AHS videos, Keto stuff, etc and it was all very entertaining.

It worked really well at first then my body told me it wasn't working ... lack of energy, sleep, dry eyes/mouth, etc.

My theory is that it worked well initially because it was so much better than how I was eating before.

I think it acted like a reset for me, now I seem to be able to eat a more balanced diet with better results than my pre-Paleo days (less hunger, etc).

Probably some guff about being able to better handle glucose, etc. Dunno, summink has changed anyway.

I guess my take-away (mmm, take-away) is to listen to the body and change it up when needed, the body likes variety ...

mmapags

In the end, no matter what diet methodolgy you choose, low carb, paleo or just a diet based on macronutrients, it all comes down to the energy balance equation. To think that you can eat calories over your maintenance and lose weight or not gain weight due to eating paleo has no real basis in scientific fact. But don't take my work for it. Go onto Sisson's forum and look at all the posts that talk about how the whole thing hasn't worked for fat loss unless calories were tracked. To think that you can eat all you want but just eat paleo or primal is just a pipe dream. Makes for good marketing though..........

n0ob

Paleo is the crossfit of dieting...take it or leave it.

cwolfman13

So, I tried the primal route for a while, probably like. a year or so. I didn't see the results that everyone else seems to have. I actually felt like I was gaining weight. And, I went through a period where I had increased energy. I really followed what rob Wolff, mark sisson, and the paleoista said.

I wonder whether or not the paleo diet works the same for everyone? I love seeing the pictures of those on sisson's page who have been successful...but I want that same feeling too.

It works fine as long as you have a caloric deficit. A friend of mine does paleo and has done so for years...he's obese as all hell because he consumes far more calories than he burns. It's not the diet itself, it's the caloric deficit that makes you lose. Paleo is just the lifestyle/plan to get there...but if you don't understand calories in calories out, it is very easy to gain on a paleo diet.

I did Adkins years ago and put on weight...I just thought I could eat as much meat as I wanted and I'd lose weight because I was doing the Adkins Diet...no body told me that I couldn't replace the calories I was supposed to be eliminating by not eating carbs with more calories from meat.

Akimajuktuq

I'd be happy to share my personal experiences in detail, but not in the general forum. Not any more. So join the paleo/primal group and then ask. For me, my choice is all about health; the weight loss is just a beneficial side effect.

spirit80

I am very happy with the lifesyle. I have been primal/ paleo for over a year. Blood work is awesome. Energy level is through the roof. My diary is always open. Do what works for you. Listen to your body and eat natural food.

SideSteel

In the end, no matter what diet methodolgy you choose, low carb, paleo or just a diet based on macronutrients, it all comes down to the energy balance equation. To think that you can eat calories over your maintenance and lose weight or not gain weight due to eating paleo has no real basis in scientific fact.

^ THIS