Thank you guys for the support on yesterday's blog entry. After deciding to start a "no factory food week" and being introduced to Paleo, I thought it only made sense. Paleo is minimally processed (depending on what you choose to eat) and that is what appeals most to me. It isn't "low carb" or meat heavy like the name shows it to be.
It's not that I'm convinced scientifically that this way of eating is better because of our long ago ancestors, it appeals to me for it's lack of crap. The thing that bothers me the most and something that I will have to deal with in the coming months is criticsm to trying something new. But here is what bothers me the most...
A sample day on Paleo (not unlike what today promises to be):
Breakfast: eggs and fruit
Lunch: some sort of mixed greens salad with roasted vegetables, olive oil and lemon dressing
Dinner: (we're going to a cookout) grilled steak and vegetables, sweet potatoes
This is how I aim to eat no matter what I call my eating plan: counting calories, paleo, tomato, tomäto
Now if I announced I'M ON WEIGHT WATCHERS AGAIN, and decided to go the processed food route. No one would say anything.
Please help me to understand this mentality?
When I try something new that is different from what you do it's not my way of saying, you're doing it wrong. It has nothing to do with you. It's my way I trying, again, to find something that I can do long-term to lose weight. How I lose weight has nothing to do with anyone else, but me. And when I'm successful, it won't matter how I got there. When my blood test shows better numbers, when I'm less depressed, when I'm less foggy, when I don't have to hide food or lie about food, when I'm not trying to stuff my feelings with food, when I can fit into an airplane seat without an extender or shop in any clothing store I like--- that is what will matter the most. Not that I chose vegetables, meat and fruit. But, I can't have all those precious things without making a real decision about how much and what I consume. A decision that is very hard for me to make when staring bread right in the eye when I know I can have it, but not too much. Maybe one day, but not today. I've known this for a very long time.
In my day to day life I noticed I was eating way too much processed foods. My sandwich thins, mayonnaise, pickles, meat that isn't local, cereals, frozen meals, nutrition bars...I could go on. This doesn't mean I won't have organic-nitrate-free bacon or pure organic bars if I want it, but I want less ingredients in my life.
Just yesterday we switch our cat food to a more expensive brand. About a week ago I noticed one of our cats was (how shall I say) leaking. It was gross and smelly, so I took him to the vet. She told me that he needed more fiber in his diet. Fiber that he wasn't getting from his very commercial (and cheap) cat food.
I looked at the ingredients of his new cat food and could pronounce every single ingredient: chicken, oats, sweet potatoes, kale...you get the picture. And then we went to compare it with his old cat food that was half the price and out of a paragraph of ingredients I could pronounce two: corn and soy. I was stunned. We decided it was cheaper in the long run to give them better food with less vet bills, so fancy cat food is where we went. This story is not unlike our own.
What is better for us? Not you. Not the guy down the street. But us. I struggle with my weight. I struggle with overeating. This is why I'm here. I've been here way too long to not be somewhere different. The food that consumes my thoughts the most are the same foods I shouldn't be eating except on very rare occasions.
Allowing refined flours and sugars in my life doesn't work for me. I want it to work, oh help me, if I could control myself around pizza, hamburgers (with the bun), cereals, bread and anything remotely sweet, I would have done it by now. I just can't for longer than a few days. And then I'm consumed again.
I've been down a similar road before, yes, but this road is one with less meat, more vegetables, more fruits and more planning and creativity. This is not the time for sideways looks, questions, doubt... all I ask is this: if you don't agree, keep it to yourself. Trust that I will find my way myself. Unsolicited advice does not look good on anyone, it says: you know better. you're doing better. you make all the right decisions.
But do you know better for me?
I’m paleo and weight watchers and I must say I feel 100% better. I have been weight watchers for 18 months but was cutting out processed food slowly has helped and now I’m 100% there its great!!
Good job on deciding what is best for you and doing it. Don’t stress about what other people think
I am doing Weight Watchers w/ extremely limited processed foods, so I guess that would be considered Paleo? The new plan on WW is fruit and most vegies are 0 points, 49 extra weekly points, lowest daily point value is 29, my husband started with 54 points!
I got a lot of flack for going gluten free for a couple of months people were outraged! It was non of their business, they made all sorts of claims but couldnt back them up. I know that if I had said I was going vegetarian I would have gotten pats on the back.
Ultimately it is what is best for you. I have given up most processed foods because I recognize how they make me feel, bloated, headache, withdrawals, highs and lows, etc…
Sigh.
You have to do what’s right for you. Labeling it gives ppl something to judge, something to criticize. It’s often followed by, “If I can do it than anyone can.” Ummm… No. It doesn’t work that way. What worked for several years ago may not work for me in the future. How I lost weight isn’t for everybody. It has no label (other than I am a fan of calorie counting) which I think frustrates ppl. This healthy living community seems to be anything but sometimes. I often feel as if preachy gets in the way of living. I mean isn’t that the point of eating well and losing weight after all? To live? Who cares how other ppl are living their lives- focus on self, on being the best possible version of self.
You keep on trying, exploring and considering all options. You put yourself out there… Ppl make judgements based on limited information. In this case what they see on your blog. I see you not giving up and feel confident in making that judgement. As always change takes time… For mental & biological processes to work out a new groove. No matter what the lable you (or others) put on it… You’ll get there. You’re clealy thinking about & making conscious choices. Your choices.
I get slack about running all the time. “Running is bad for your knees.” “Physical therapists say that no one should ever run.” “Walk instead. Your joints will be so much healthier.” “Don’t ever run a marathon. People die on marathons. Humans just aren’t designed to run 26.2 miles.”
I’ve had to realize that some people honestly believe that they are looking out for my best interest. And some people just don’t want me to get disappointed when I don’t meet goals that they think are unattainble. And some people are just cranky old farts. And then I do what I want to do.
I don’t think Paleo is something I could do. We toyed with it in the winter, but I don’t think it fits with our lifestyle or priorities. I can understand the no alcohol, bread, or caffeine. But a diet without yogurt or lentils? I think that would depress me more than ease depression.
I understand that you have to ease the stress of your triggers. I can’t wait to see recipes and hear how you feel differently. I’m glad you are excited and I can’t wait to hear your Paleo adventures!
Lorie, I believe it’s really truly just about never ceasing the quest to be a better you. There is NO ENDPOINT!! Every thing you try along the way is not a failure, just an exploration, with a core value of expressing loving messages to yourself through what you eat and otherwise, perfectly imperfectly each day.
I dropped from 240 to 180 in about three months on Paleo. Seriously. I feel great. I don’t need to take blood pressure meds or cholesterol drugs anymore.
I’d tried ‘low fat’ and counting calories many times, but the truth is the science behind low fat is bunk.
This is what I did. http://www.archevore.com/get-started/
There are many great recipes. http://everydaypaleo.com/ has many.
We eat homemade full fat coconut ice-cream just about every day and I’ve never been healthier.
Krissie- I don’t know why people would give you slack about running, but I give you cheers! I think pretty much everything can turn into the “wrong thing to do” depending on who you ask.
Ask far as the off limits food, I’m just using common sense. I don’t believe rice, yogurt or lentils have contributed to my weight problem. If I really want them- I will have them. And it won’t be a big deal for me.
I guess I can’t look at this strictly “primal” because I don’t stand 100% by that theory. I do believe that I have (and always have) trouble with overeating foods that are processed, refined, salty, sugary and cheesy. All the foods that I should know how to have in moderation, but instead consume my thoughts. They are my go-to foods when I’m sad, happy, stressed.
Hi, Lorrie.
You shouldn’t have to explain your strategies…..BUT….you’re right. People give you flack about anything you try. Maybe some day, people will realize we’re not all wired the same! Best of luck to you!
Everybody has an opinion, and most won’t hesitate to share it with you. When I said on my facebook that I will probably be a vegetarian by the end of the year, people FREAKED OUT. How will I get protein? Am I one of those PETA freaks? What’s wrong with meat?
The protein comment makes me laugh. I track my food with a website that counts calories and nutrients, etc. There have been a lot of days that I hit the protein mark and don’t eat meat. A lot of people just don’t understand food and nutrition. Truly. I get annoyed with people telling me what I need to do and shouldn’t do, etc, but then I remember that I chose to share my journey and with that comes advice, criticism, etc. I guess it’s part of the gig.
The Paleo diet appeals to me too. I’ve looked at it to see if it can be done as a vegetarian. I don’t know why it couldn’t.
As long as your decisions are informed and motivated by health and you are okay with your choices, then that’s all that matters. It’s all about you.
Wow, so many comments about getting attacked for doing something new and different! Take my, “diet,” for example: Right now my way of dealing with food cravings is to only drink fluids all day whether it’s apple juice or coffee, and then eat a meal at night that I like. This gets me through the day, I feel better and I am losing weight. Everyone tells me, “you should eat SOMETHING in the morning.” No I shouldn’t. Maybe it is better to eat small meals during the day, but not for me. And my way is not for everyone. I do watch calories to a point – that may not work for others but so be it. Glad to be around independents. It seems most of us are successful doing things that are not acceptable. Interesting.
Last night I had my annual checkup and a review of my blood work. This was an important checkup for me. I have been on a Primal / Paleo eating plan since June 2011. Was I eating the right way for my body? Was I benefiting myself, not only with my weight loss, 34 lbs to date, but my overall health. So my doctor comes in and starts to review my chart and proceeds to tell me about my blood work. Thyroid…good, kidneys…good, liver…last year some small numbers, this year…good, blood pressure….110/70, cholesterol 236…LDL…136 (advised they like to have it under 130) but still not bad…HDL…82 (they like to see that it is above 50) so this is GREAT!!! Excuse me….HDL is GREAT…(I’m now sitting in the chair doing my happy dance and my Dr. is laughing). I explain to him what I’m eating. His reply: “whatever your doing keep doing it. And let your family know that you’ll be around for a LONG TIME, you are living proof that this works.” Hot Damn….I am one happy camper. This was a post I wrote on my FB page. My Mom had naturally high cholesterol and this led to mini strokes and eventually an aneurysm that took her life. So you can understand my reaction to hearing about my HDL #. It has not been hard for me to give up the grains, sugar, etc. I was recently asked if I was getting bored eating an apple every day? I had to bite my tongue because this was from a woman who has coffee and a toasted bagel EVERY morning at work for years. SMH For me, this way of eating has become my lifestyle and a habit. For me, this yearly examine has proven that this way of eating is doing my body and health good. This same woman came to me in January and told me that she is so ready to loose the weight and wants to do what I’m doing. And asked me to tell her what I eat and what the plan is. I took an hour of my time to sit with her and provide her with notes, etc. 2 days later she is eating a bagel. ??? Oh, I’ve decided to go on weight watchers again, it worked for me in the past, so i’m doing it again. My thoughts: so if it worked why did you put the weight back on? And I’m not saying that weight watchers doesn’t work, it does but you have to maintain that lifestyle. you can’t go back to old eating habits and expect to not put the weight back on. Paleo / Primal has worked for me. I’m glad I’m eating this way. I will continue to eat this way for the rest of my life. Plain and simple.