Happy Mothers Day Ladies!!

Leslie, Welcome. It's great to hear that this way of eating is a family affair! My kids are adults and choose to eat differently, but they are seeing results in me, so I hope they eventually come around.

Welcome!!

I'm new as well, so happy to know I'm not the only one just getting started.

I'm 37 and need to lose about 50 pound. I lost 50 pounds 7 years ago with Weight Watcher and have gained most of it back. but when I go back, I seem to lose/gain the same 5 pounds. I've tried several other things (including Weight Watchers again), but nothing seems to happen. I think my aging body needs a change!

I started a blog about my experience over the next month. Feel free to read along - I love the support from these boards.

Thanks everyone! Yes I've decided the kids won't be as strict as I am. I don't feel that eliminating certain food groups ie dairy is a good idea for young kids. It's been very hard so far the cravings are awful lol. I just keep telling myself it's your body going thru sugar withdrawal lol.

The calcium/dairy thing is a myth; absorbing calcium from dairy is very minimal. When one doesn't eat foods that cause inflammation etc, minerals are more easily absorbed/less depleted and one doesn't need loads and loads of calcium. Only raw, unprocessed dairy is truly beneficial and if you can get that (get to know your local farmers) by all means give it to your children. Goat's milk, even better. Read the ingredients on every dairy product before you buy; there's very strange things in dairy these days - even more so in the US than Canada. Growth hormone is used in the US dairy industry and is not listed under ingredients. I'd be very concerned about the potential harm from growth hormone to children who consume commercial dairy (there is a very dramatic increase in early onset puberty in recent years- growth hormone is likely a factor imo).

Throw away the idea of "essential Food Groups". It's a construct of society/government, heavily dictated by food manufacturers. We only need a variety of micronutrients, fat, protein, and carbs from vegetables and, less frequently, fruit. If we are convinced, as I am, that a diet based on that of my ancestors is healthiest for me, why wouldn't it be for my child? Why would processed food be heathy for her when it's not for me? Additionally, my child is half Inuit and while Inuit historically breastfed to about age 5 there was no dairy products until recently, and yet all the kids have rotten teeth and poor bone development ONLY since they started eating the modern diet based on processed foods. People here consume loads of commercial dairy and there is NO benefit. I'm not saying the dairy is the main problem (sugar/grain) but it's adding to the problem (more sugar, and causes inflammation and intestinal problems) and not helping at all.

Yes, the cravings can be awful at first. For now, eat as much fat and protein to feel satiated, minimize sugar/starch, and don't worry about the calories. That will help you transition.

PS, I do allow my child to have a little commercial dairy here and there but I don't allow it because I think it's "healthy" just a "sometimes" food. Canada doesn't use growth hormone, but other than that, most of the dairy is junk.

Welcome to the new peeps!! This is the best board to be on - stay out of the general boards if you want encouragement or advice on Paleo/Primal. I've only been following this diet for about 9 months and have had great results. No more "tummy troubles" and great blood work, lost a few pounds, more energy, rarely feel hungry and no more cravings!!

Just go easy on yourself. It's not about being perfect, it's about doing what you can to feel better and be healthier. Enjoy the ride, try new foods, new recipes. I like the Fastpaleo app for recipes. Also paleogrubs and nomnompaleo are good online sources. As easy as it is to just eat real food, I think I would've been too bored with just plain meat and veggies everday - I like to cook and that has really helped me out.

Good luck!!