Paleo Diet with or without Crossfit

I do more of a primal diet so I can do yogurt and cheese.

This. I couldn't follow Paleo to a T because I must have yogurt, cottage cheese, and regular cheeses. They are a daily staple for me. I am pretty sure that this, coupled with Crossfit, helped me lose 3-4% body fat. When I started eating junky grains and anything processed again, I seem bloated and my endurance and strength suffered. I am now trying to do primal for at least 80% of my diet. It makes me feel better, less bloated, and I have a lot more energy to complete better workouts.

i'm following the paleo diet and have been for nearly 3 months now. I also am a crossfitter for nearly 2 months now. I've lost 10 lbs and have never felt better. I have tons of energy and don't feel near as bloated. I do still eat yogurt and cheese in moderation but other than that i'm 100% paleo. Dont judge yesterday's diary though, i cheated! I'm paying the price for it today too...

anyhoo, if you have specific questions feel free to ask or to run though my food diary. I also post my better recipes on my blog. Marksdailyapple.com is a great resource as well.

Personally, I would not recommend the Paleo diet unless someone has a lot of grain allergies. Most health experts say that whole grains and beans are good for us, so why eliminate they from your diet unless you really have to?

"most health experts" where are you getting this from? Those people who recommend 6-11 servings of grains a day are paid very well by the people who grow corn....not experts in my book!

I do more of a primal diet so I can do yogurt and cheese. For me...eating too many carbs doesnt sit well because I am Insulin Resistant...and the carb bloat can be up to 4 pounds for me. My body treats carbs way different than most others out there...

I try to stay within 50-100 grams of carbs..which mostly consist of fruit and veggies. Once in a while..if I do bread...I do whole grain...but at the end of the day..you have to do whats right for your body...

So you eat carbs and gain water weight... Exactly how is that different from everyone else "out there?" Carbs are stored as glycogen in the muscles to assist with quick energy bursts, and one pound of glycogen requires about 4 pounds of water to store. Sounds like your body handles carbs just like everyone else.

The main problem I have with Paleo diets in general, is that they are based on a lie. They have absolutely NOTHING in common with how paleolithic humans actually ate.

I crossfit about 5 days a week and metabolic training as well -- I do not do paleo however and things have been working for me. I just upped my protein intake. I don't eat junk food, but if you want to go paleo I think it's worth it. My trainer at my gym is good all week and cheats on the weekends and is fit as all hell.

Also, there's lots of evidence that Paleolithic Era humans were cannibals.

Humans are totally Paleo.

The Biblical era is NOT that old at all; it's FAR more recent than the Paleolithic Era. And while yes, agriculture began at the very tail end of the Paleolithic era, I believe the Paleo diet focuses more on the majority of the era (aka, pre-agriculture) when it was just meats, veggies and whatever else could be gathered.

And really, there's a lot of scientific studies backing up the ideas that grains and legumes are not processed well in the body.

Like a number of Paleo books and blogs say, instead of bashing it without trying it, try it for 2 months and see how you feel. If it doesn't work for you then that's fine, you don't have to do it and you haven't lost anything, but if it does, then what could you gain? There's nothing UNhealthy about Paleo (it's not like it says to eat nothing but cabbage or chocolate every day like an unhealthy fad diet) so rather than taking issue with the historical part, look into the actual diet.

Basically it's the "caveman" diet. No processed foods, lean meat, lean poultry, fish, nuts, fruit, vegetables (w/ some exclusions), etc., no grains, no dairy, no sweets. I must say that since I've started it (even though as I said before, I'm a notorious cheater) I have more energy, I feel better, and my body's functioning better...I'm cutting down on the red meat to see more weight loss though...

http://altmed.creighton.edu/paleodiet/Foodlist.html

I am a fellow Paleoer, but not cross fitter.

I am lucky that I lose better with eating lots of grass fed beef and limited raw dairy.

For some reason, the Crossfit organization seem to be promoting the Paleo plan quite a bit. lately, pressuring members to take a 30 day Paleo challenge, etc.

I am not at all a fan of the Crossfit organization, as they are known for pushing everything to the extreme. So personally, I would not put much stock in Paleo or anything else they promote. The gym I belong to has a nutritionist, but they don't insist that members do a certain diet plan. If they did, I would switch gyms.

Ive lost almost 30 lbs since Jan 1st eating paleo. I say if you can do the crossfit, do it. Im still too fat to keep up with the crossfit group near my home. But soon.

And make sure you are eating fat. It should only be lean meat if its not organic to limit the hormones and chemicals the animals are fed that ends up in their fat. If the meat is free range and grass fed without hormones, eat the fat up! Its the best for brain function, cell regeneration, hair and skin health. I eat about 30% of my diet as fat.

Eating fat does not make you fat. Its a lie.

Congratulations on your weight loss. I do not eat Paleo, as I find the food restrictions too limiting, but I do agree that eating fat has a undeserved bad rap.

Of course it's up to you, but I would suggest staying away from Crossfit. Their fitness routines are so extreme that people who are in excellent shape are sore for days after doing some of their workouts. and I know some VERY fit people that were injured doing some crazy stunt in the Crossfit Workout of the Day. Besides, Crossfit is WAY overpriced!

This article from the NY Times -- "Getting Fit, Even If It Kills You" has some eye opening info on the Crossfit program

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html?pagewanted=all

Instead, I would suggest either a non-Crossfit personal trainer or joining a gym where they have a good variety of fitness classes so you won't get bored.

Good luck!

Basically it's the "caveman" diet. No processed foods, lean meat, lean poultry, fish, nuts, fruit, vegetables (w/ some exclusions), etc., no grains, no dairy, no sweets. I must say that since I've started it (even though as I said before, I'm a notorious cheater) I have more energy, I feel better, and my body's functioning better...I'm cutting down on the red meat to see more weight loss though...

http://altmed.creighton.edu/paleodiet/Foodlist.html

I am a fellow Paleoer, but not cross fitter.

I am lucky that I lose better with eating lots of grass fed beef and limited raw dairy.

For some reason, the Crossfit organization seem to be promoting the Paleo plan quite a bit. lately, pressuring members to take a 30 day Paleo challenge, etc.

I am not at all a fan of the Crossfit organization, as they are known for pushing everything to the extreme. So personally, I would not put much stock in Paleo or anything else they promote. The gym I belong to has a nutritionist, but they don't insist that members do a certain diet plan. If they did, I would switch gyms.

Paleo and crossfit go hand in hand. If I could afford it, I would be doing crossfit also.

You must not put too much stock in clean eating as that is all the Paleo plan is. A very clean eating plan and lifestyle.