Is Paleo the Answer?

No paelo isn't the answer to losing weight. You already know this since you must of seen many stories of people who have lost weight by eating normal western food.

Additionally, your weight loss challenges are from overconsumption of calories. If processed foods are what's making it EASY for you to overconsume calories, then reducing your processed food intake and replacing it with nutrient dense and more satiating options would be a great start in creating an energy deficit. This can be accomplished with or without paleo.

Do cats like to swim?

I think for some people it is. All I know is that, personally, I felt like absolute crap and lost no weight. I went back to eating a balanced diet (just less of it) and dropped 9 pounds. And I don't feel like death, as an added bonus.

Take that for what it's worth.

I think no matter what you do, you need to cut out processed foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables, less stuff that comes in packages.

Disclaimer: IANAN (I am not a nutritionist)

If you happen to have alleriges, acid reflux, acne, anemia, arthritis, asthma, depression, cholesterol issues, food addictions (you want me to give up pasta---HELL no!), diabetes, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, lyme disease, sleep apena, vitiligo or any other issues listed here: http://whole9life.com/2011/06/the-whole30-a-z-real-life-testimonials/

then paleo MAY be a solution for you!

Its a lifestyle thing, you have to commit to making a change but I can tell you from personal experience that I got off my acid reflux and depression meds with in two days of making the switch from a vegetarian diet to a paleo one. Literally, two days. I feel amazing and wll never go back.

its worth trying for 30 days...who knows, it could change your life! http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/ <--- this is how i transitioned to paleo...I eat some diary and beans normally but not during the initial 30 day starting stage

If processed foods are your problem, why not limit processed foods? Do what works for you and is sustainable, no need to give it a name.

Okay, I am not trying to cause controversy here but I am looking for some honest opinions and feeback.

Originally I was thinking about posting a question on reducing carbs and cutting refined sugar but when I really thought about it I concluded that all my weight loss challenges are related to the fact that I eact mostly processed food, even when I am supposedly "eating healthy".

Most of what I put in my mouth everyday has stuff in it that has not existed for most of our time on this planet as a species.

So my thought on this is that maybe Paleo is the answer even it it might be a bit challenging. Any thoughts?

I don't think one needs to go to one extreme or the other to have a positive experience with weight loss.

If eating processed foods is a problem for you, then start removing them. Doesn't have to be all at once, but if you regularly eat one thing, replace it with a natural food.

I think we all have to do what is best for us, there is no right or wrong answer to how to eat, except to have a calorie deficit.

Never been Paleo, but I will say if you are eating a lot of processed food and sugar this could be impeading your weight loss. Try eating more whole foods. I personally think grains are ok in moderation as long as you are eating them in the whole form, like whole grain bread, oats, popcorn made from whole kernals, etc. I don't think Paleo is for everyone.

If the question is "What causes every thread to turn into a pissing match?" then yes, Paleo is the answer.

:laugh: it's funny 'cause it's true.

Additionally, your weight loss challenges are from overconsumption of calories. If processed foods are what's making it EASY for you to overconsume calories, then reducing your processed food intake and replacing it with nutrient dense and more satiating options would be a great start in creating an energy deficit. This can be accomplished with or without paleo.

+1

If you really wanted to go paleo you'd have to hunt pretty much every animal (including humans) to get your meat quota......

I am new to paleo...3 weeks in. I am not a paleo nut and certainly do not think paleo is the only way to get fit. I can tell you it is working (fat loss, more energy, better sleep) for me, and it is really not difficult to stick with so far.

Wow, Cant a guy ask a question;-)

But seriously, I am not sure why this would be a controversial question, it seems pretty legit to me.

And let me point out a couple of things.

First, I obviously know that reducing calories is a huge part of losing weight but I am looking for more than just weight loss. I am looking for a way of eating that will help me lose, and maintain when I get to my goal, and also feel healty as well.

Secondly, I was looking for other ideas as well.

Thanks!

And you can accomplish all of the above by eating mostly whole and nutrient dense foods, eating a reasonable number of calories and eating within a range of macronutrient totals that align with your body composition goals. You can do this with or without Paleo.

I think you will just have to try it and see. I know that for me, it takes away my crazy cravings and that is worth so much for me. I mean to walk by sugar and baked things and not have (or even want) to have it is truly a miracle. So try it and see if it helps.......if not move on. Good luck!

Works for me.

(And yes, I realize that there will be people eager to explain how it actually doesn't work for me or how it has no bearing whatsoever in how I feel or just general comments about how I'm a bad person for even considering the possibility that not eating grains/seeds/etc. and eating more fruits, veggies, and well-raised meat is a good idea.)

Will it work for you and others? Hard to say. Will you get a reasonable answer from the MFP forums? Yeah...right.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck on your journey.

ETA: And do I *know* that the paleo approach is the only/primary reason it works for me? Nope...I'll leave those kinds of conclusions to the "absolutely-positive-they-know-all-the-answers" crowd...of which there are already several here (and no doubt more on the way).