middleagedpaleo Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I started dipping my very-quickly-Vibram-clad toe into the primal/paleo world about two years ago. It's been absolutely great. After a lifetime of weight issues and diet misery, I lost close to 30 pounds without any of the usual agonies, developed muscles I didn't even know I had, and I feel healthier and fitter at age 62 than I ever have in my entire life. Still. . . I've got about 10-15 pounds that are stubbornly refusing to leave the building, along with a sugar/chocolate craving (okay, addiction) that I've finally decided to honestly address rather than letting myself slide along any further with the ol' 80/20 rule. Which in more cases than I'd like to admit can be closer to 60/40. Even though I've had such positive results with my life changes thus far, I've not really gone public with my choices or totally "manned up" (gal-ed up, in my case) with a 100% commitment to full paleo. I read It Starts With Food a month ago and loved it, so the timing of this upcoming Whole30 is perfect. I know the coming month is not going to be a walk in the park, but I'm really looking forward to the giving and receiving of support in this forum. I'm finally learning in my golden years that outside support makes a huge difference. It already feels great to be "out of the pantry" with my commitment to the Whole30, and I am --to the continuing surprise of my old self-- very happy to be taking on the challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted July 30, 2012 Moderators Share Posted July 30, 2012 Welcome! Did you know that eating 80/20 allows you to eat junk food as every 5th meal? That means junk basically every other day. 80/20 is a weak standard if you look at it critically. The thing I like about the Whole30 is that it led me to like eating really good food and to lose interest in junk. Stubborn fat often reflects cortisol issues that stem from stress or inadequate sleep. I am pretty sure the belly fat I continue to carry around with me is from failure to sleep enough and my highly reactive approach to life where I get stressed a bit too often. So how's your stress and sleep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindi Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Welcome. I like the 80/20 rule too that "primal" allows but like you mine is more like 60/40. I don't eat junk every 5th meal but I allow myself way more dairy than I should, artificial or natural sweeteners..truvia, honey, maple syrup, even sugar, or just not eating enough veggies. I eat a LOT of fruit to help the sweet tooth and with it being summer time local fresh fruit is in abundance. And I'm also seeing my weight creep back up. before vacation I was at the lowest I've been in 5 or 6 years (always had a weight problem, long story...short version...I lost 120 pounds 2002-3 Atkins style and gained over 6-7 years about 40-50 back) on vacation, I did okay...but not perfect by any stretch. Although the one thing I do NOT give an inch on is wheat or anything that has wheat in it....however on vacation...I'm sure I got some in some of the foods I might have eaten..not on purpose and I did try and avoid obvious things and sauces. But I did eat ice cream. Anyway...the weight creeped back up about 5-8 pounds and I can't get it to move again. I know it is because I allow too many things I shouldn't...but more than that...I do not want to eat junk. I do not want to put that junk in my body. I know I feel better not eating any junk. why do I continue doing this? I really don't know. Very frustrating. My husband is very disciplined. And he is supporting me this month of August as I give whole30 a go. Retrain my taste buds again. I'm excited to get going and I'm not waiting until Wednesday. my start is today. no more waiting. I'm looking for support here as well. BTW I'm 52. So, I'm menopausal....emotional and crave CHOCOLATE. : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
middleagedpaleo Posted July 30, 2012 Author Share Posted July 30, 2012 Welcome! So how's your stress and sleep? Hi Tom -- Thanks for asking. Actually, I'm happy to say that these two common stumbling blocks are not issues for me. Hand in hand with going primal two years ago, I made the decision to take early retirement from a very stressful career. It took a while to get out but once I was unshackled, low and behold the stress plummeted and the sleep improved greatly. Gee, go figure.... Although the early exit from the work world definitely affected my financial situation, the gift of sanity is worth every lost penny and I count my blessings every single day. So, gulp, I guess that means no denying any longer that the dratted sugar addiction is the real culprit in my weight loss stall. Whole30, here I come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
middleagedpaleo Posted July 30, 2012 Author Share Posted July 30, 2012 why do I continue doing this? I really don't know. Very frustrating. My husband is very disciplined. And he is supporting me this month of August as I give whole30 a go. Retrain my taste buds again. I'm excited to get going and I'm not waiting until Wednesday. my start is today. no more waiting. I'm looking for support here as well. BTW I'm 52. So, I'm menopausal....emotional and crave CHOCOLATE. : ) I hear you, Cindi -- why DO we keep eating what we KNOW is not a good food choice? One of life's big mysteries. Although, I am really starting to believe more and more the theory that some foods are truly addictive, both physically and emotionally. That's why this Whole30 is going to be like going cold turkey for me with sugar. Which has always been my "gateway drug" to the serious crack--good chocolate. At least over the last two years of mostly primal I've lost my taste for anything but the absolute best dark chocolate I can afford, no Herseys or cr*p like that. And lucky you to have your supportive husband! Mine is stubborn as an ox and not willing to commit to full primal, let alone paleo--even though he's lost 25 pounds by default with my change in cooking! But I've talked with him about my plans for a Whole30 and while there's no way he'd participate, too, at least I know he won't try to sabotage me in any way. He's agreed that beer drinking will be done away from home:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
middleagedpaleo Posted July 31, 2012 Author Share Posted July 31, 2012 Okay, it's Day Zero -- I've set my goals, done my meal planning and shopping (four different stores -- geesh!), and my pantry & fridge are clear of cr*p. Or at least the cr*p that calls to me... There are still a few non-paleo items lurking but they are husband favs, not mine. Luckily for me, I've never liked peanut butter, so that jar could stay on the shelf till the end of time and I wouldn't touch it. Besides, the husband would have licked it clean by then :-) I am having dinner out with a friend this evening, and while I can confidently negotiate the minefield of most restaurant menus to find something acceptable to eat, the drinks may be a bit of a, uh, stumbling block (pun intended!). Oh well, the condemned eating a hearty meal and all that... Actually, I know I won't stuff myself or suck up every margarita in the place--I just can't do either very often any more--but it will be interesting to have that as my last pre-Whole30 eating experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaseyD Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Are you doing a log with any one here? Would you want to do a log with me? Your journey sounds a lot like mine. Over the past year, I've been coming closer and closer to the kind of paleo I want to be - full, 100% paleo. Like you, I'm pretty sure I'm a sugar addict. It is a gateway back to lots of terrible eating habits, even the perfect, healthy dark chocolate. I'm just no good with sugar. I did a Whole30 in June, but still managed to slip a couple times during it with Diet Coke. Through July, it was Diet Coke and dark chocolate practically everyday. This last week, I've hit McDonald's three times and had Chinese takeout. I can't believe how terrible these foods made me feel - worse than ever before. I think it's time to get the hint and clean up the last few things I just keep letting get the best of me. But the sugar dragon is very hard to slay. I'm keeping the faith one more Whole30 will do the trick. And I'm also totally understanding of the non-paleo spouse issue! My husband thinks I'm extreme dieting and goes back and forth with being supportive or being down right stressed with what I'm doing. Anyway, I got excited seeing someone on here that seemed to be in a similar place I am with this journey. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulaB Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hi, middleagedpaleo, CaseyD, Cindi! Did I miss anyone? May I join you? I think I'm in a similar situation. Casey, how do you do a log? I don't know how to do a log, much less do one with someone. This is my first time using this type of forum, so am trying to figure it out. To introduce myself: I'm 59, have a supportive hubby who's willing to eat what I cook but won't join me in this. My son and DIL were introduced to paleo through Cross Fit in 2010, and encouraged me to give it a try. I'd tried so many diets, that I thought I might as well try one more! DH & I bought some grass fed beef and jumped in to a fairly strict paleo challenge in Jan 2011. I had so many health issues resolve, and it was really so easy to do, that I decided to stick with it, and over 2011 lost 50 pounds. The weight loss stalled, but I have maintained it. I think I allowed too many treats, too much nut butter, and a little dairy here, a few corn tortillas there, some ice cream, too much dark chocolate...well, you guys know the story. I had read about the Whole 30 but just didn't want to give up stevia in my tea! (well, that and the chocolate problem) But it is time to work on the next 30 pounds, so Whole 30, here we go! Did you sign up for the Whole 30 Daily? I did...seems like a reasonable price for those daily reminders and motivation. What are your goals for this Whole 30? Mine are: Sleep: (I've always been a night owl) I will turn off electronics by 10:00 pm and be in bed at 10:30 every night except nights DH has races. (His hobby is stock car racing) Exercise: (I'm a couch potato, even more so after a torn meniscus in 2010) I will walk outdoors at least 30 minutes 3 times a week, plus do at least 10 minutes of exercise daily. Nutrition: I will prepare at least one additional vegetable in addition to a green salad for each dinner when we have meat + salad. (Stews or stir fries with multiple veggie servings will count) I will make my own salad dressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayfitwithme Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hey y'all! I'm the only one in my household eating paleo...I have celiac disease and my addiction is sugar for sure!!! I know we can do this !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaseyD Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hey, to anyone who wants to join together on a log, I started one here: http://forum.whole9life.com/topic/1781-on-our-way-to-whole30-success/ Feel free to post in there and join me on this journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeadowLily Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 "Did you know that eating 80/20 allows you to eat junk food as every 5th meal? That means junk basically every other day. 80/20 is a weak standard if you look at it critically. The thing I like about the Whole30 is that it led me to like eating really good food and to lose interest in junk." "The word 'Paleo' is owned by no one. There are no hard fast rules to what paleo is because everybody's definition is different. For some, it's 100% all the time and treat-free, often as strict as a Whole30. For others, it's 80/20 or 60/40 or full of treats or full-fat dairy. Just google 'paleo' and you'll see every color of the rainbow.Paleo is confusing. Whole30 is clear. " It's good to go back to the well and keep it real. Stubborn fat = cortisol issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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