My Paleo/Primal Plan

Eat2Live2Run
Eat2Live2Run Posts: 137 Member
edited January 11 in Social Groups
I started eating paleo hardcore in November and did a very successful Whole30 over Thanksgiving even. I started a 2nd Whole30 on January 2nd and completely flopped it on day 14. Now I'm having a terrible time getting my mojo back, I'm finding myself eating Paleo most of the time but "cheating" a whole lot more than I'd like to. Most of my problems start when I drink alcohol, even if its paleo drinks ... I stop caring as much and end up making poor food decisions. I finally decided I don't want to be as strict as Whole30 right now, but I need some guidelines to keep me on track but yet give me a little room for enjoyment as well. So this is what I came up with for myself and I'm implementing it immediately:

100% Paleo/Primal (I occasionally have creamer in my coffee) through the week, no alcohol of any kind. One special "cheat" meal (1 meal, not 1 day) on the weekend including a reasonable meal, a couple of drinks if I want and maybe a small dessert and then right back on track for the rest of the week. I think this will give me enough leniency to keep me happy and enough strictness to keep me seeing results and reaping the benefits. Just thought I'd share.

Replies

  • momof2osaurus
    momof2osaurus Posts: 477 Member
    Cool! I hope it helps you. I don't drink, but I've heard that one of the reasons it's discouraged while losing weight is because it does exactly what you said - it removes inhibitions about what to eat. With all the calories in it, it's a total double whammy.

    Anyway, good luck!
  • alaskaang
    alaskaang Posts: 493 Member
    Sounds like a good plan. Alcohol definitely contributes to bad food choices. This week I completely fell off having pizza one night and nachos the next. And considering I'm gluten, corn and dairy free due to intollerances, it was really bad. I haven't been doing well with the only on weekends drinking plan, so I decided to just quit altogether. Decided this morning that enough is enough and I'm not going to drink wine anymore.
  • Cerebrus189
    Cerebrus189 Posts: 315 Member
    I've been eating Paleo/Primal for a little over a year now and have fallen off the wagon a few times. The best way for me to get back on track is to start with planning a weekly schedule, identify your trigger times (such as when drinking with friends or weekends) and when those times come around, you are consciously aware of your decisions. If you know ahead of time what is coming up, plan accordingly.

    When I first started, I had the hardest time not drinking a few beers with my friends and identified the weekends as the time when I eat the most poorly. So once I had figured out the weekends and drinking were problematic, I made the choice to pay attention to the weekend eating and snack choices, eating before I went out with friends to have a few alcoholic drinks. And instead of beer, I'd drink wine and never more than a couple glasses. On Sunday morning, I could still wake up without terrible joint pain (Thyroid and gluten sensitivity go hand in hand) and feel good about my choices.

    It's all about conscious choices and planning. The more you do it, the better you'll feel and the stronger those good habits will become.
  • ActiveAbbyChick
    ActiveAbbyChick Posts: 4 Member
    Your plan sounds like a solid one, especially given your activity levels. One thing that has worked for me in the past is that I'd have that treat meal on Saturday for dinner and follow up with a really big workout Sunday morning.

    I have the same issues with alcohol. If I have more than 2 my plan is a write off. This is an area that I really need to focus on.
  • MissXFit13
    MissXFit13 Posts: 217 Member
    You have really great insight into your diet. I'm finishing my first Whole30 and I'm very nervous that I might go off the deep end once my time is up. I might take note of your plan, I hope it is successful for you!
  • courtniemarie
    courtniemarie Posts: 172 Member
    I also like to drink and have switched to wine as much as possible. I know this is not *really* paleo; but, it’s something I enjoy and am not willing to give up! I went to my friend’s birthday get together this past weekend. We were meeting at her house (where there was a spread of Chinese food) and then hired a party bus to the city! Two different people brought batches of cupcakes as well! One of the friend even made the cupcakes with champagne in them and oh man did they look good. Thankfully, I filled myself up before getting to my friends and successfully passed up all the Chinese and cupcakes :) although I’m glad there were oranges at her house after the night of debauchery in the city! I think I was successful because I am convincing myself that I’m not someone who eats that kind of food anymore. We’re human and the best part of that is we get to be whoever we want to be! I am someone who lifts weights, does zumba religiously, and eats a general paleo diet. Soon enough I hope to actually be thought of as that person! haha
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