We are close to half way through the food challenge and we would like to hear how things are going. Has it been easier/harder than you thought? Have you noticed any change in energy levels? What foods were the hardest to give up?
Also, I want to hear what recipes have worked for you and which have not. I know when we first went through this it took us a while to find some quality meals and snacks. Our first attempts at snacks lacked creativity and were composed of various combinations of eggs, unsweetened shredded cocount and almond butter. Since then, we have found some great ideas for both meals and snacks and enjoy much more variety of ingredients and flavors.
If you have struggled to maintain the strict food plan, please don’t give up hope and abandon the challenge. I know with the holiday weekend there were many opportunities to feast on many un-paleo foods that have become staples of the American cookout menu. If you gave in, that’s ok, it happens. Either way, I want to challenge each of you to focus on eating clean for the next 4 weeks. No “cheats”; no exceptions. You can do it. Don’t give yourself the option of backing out or making excuses. As my CF friend Melissa Urban says:
JUST. EAT. REAL. FOOD.
Post comments & questions to comments.
Also, check out the CrossFit Carmel Forum (link is on home page under the banner – click on Fitness Forums: Fitness, Exercising, Training, Nutrition) for a few recipes and feel free to post some of your favs to share with the rest of us. Happy Eating!
It’s been easier than I initially thought. Good finds for food include:
- Jerky from Joe’s Butcher Shop in Carmel
- Jerky from Big Hoffa’s barbecue in Westfield
- Pre-packaged nuts from Trader Joes (1 version has raisins and 1 has cranberries)
- Meat from Joe’s Butcher Shop
Throwing stuff on the grill helps. Farmers Markets are now in full swing which should help.
Also, found the paleolithic solution podcast/blog with Robb Wolf which has been very interesting.
It was hard at first. I felt really bad the first 5-6 days. But now I feel great! And I don’t seem to crave the carbs anymore.
I agree with Jason, Beef jerkey and anything off the grill has been my best friend.
I have also found that the hydrolyzed green beans from Fresh Market are a great snack and provide that crunch I desire sometimes.
I lost 10 pounds the first week, but have been stuck there since. I plan on watching my calories a bit closer, ad I think I am over eating some of the good foods. I also have been drinking moderately and have deciding to cut out the alcohol for the last half.
But overall I am really happy with the ‘challenge’ so far.
I have been blown away by the energy and sustainability of the good food I’ve been putting in my body. I eat less but feel better, fuller, longer. I am not actually doing the contest, my wife is, but I joined her on this eating adventure and I am so glad I did. I look at food totally differently now and I know that this is our lifestyle now, not just a short term diet.
Other than the energy benefits and how my body looks better than it ever has, I have been amazed at how terrible my body feels when I cheat on ice cream or pizza. I do crave ice cream, but the way my body feels after is beginning to deter me.
Thanks for the challenge Scott. I believe it has changed our eating habits for good. It’s good to feel good.
I’ve dropped 7 pounds in the first two weeks, but nothing yet in week three. I’ve found my energy levels to be about the same as before starting Paleo.
I’m like Jason. I pretty much go to Joe’s on Friday and stock up on fish and lean meats for the week. The current stock of Big Eye Tuna is crazy good. I’ve been eating it sashimi style. I then stop by the grocery store for fruits and veggies. I’ve been enjoying Lara bars for deserts and snacks. Oh, and almond butter is awesome! A little pricey, but very good.
The hardest part for me has been taking an active role in planning everything I eat. A big change for me. I didn’t decide what’s for lunch until 10 minutes before eating. Now, I have to plan at least the night before and plan for snacks. I thought I would struggle more when eating out with friends, but finding Paleo approved items on a menu isn’t as difficult as I anticipated.
I was jonesing for a Double D pizza from Delullo’s, so I cheated on Sunday. I didn’t feel any negative side effects. I think that ‘s a sign it is good for me.
thanks for the feedback!
Jason – good to hear you are getting some quality foods from Joe’s. Yep, the farmer’s markets are a great local source. Carmel’s market is more boutique-ish and not cheap at all. Wesfield’s market is on friday nights and is a bit more reasonable.
anyone else have a good local farmer’s market that has good stuff for decent prices?
FYI – Whole Foods has grass-fed ground beef for $5.99/lb. If you buy 3lbs or more you get it for $4.99/lb. Try some out, see if you can taste the difference.
Vince-glad to hear you are paying more attention to what you’re eating and seeing some results. Focus on getting good meat and veggies at each meal and take it easy on the fruit and alcohol. Get through the next few weeks and see how you feel.
Micah – great to have you along with us! It’s not easy to plan meals out with 3 young ones, but you know that they will eat what you eat and that becomes even more important with your family. keep trying new meats and veggies, enjoy the variety of choices out there so you don’t feel limited to roast beef and avocado’s. Let us know what healthy snacks the kids like and I’ll forgive you for binging on those amish doughnuts…
Mit – good to hear you are planning out your meals. It’s not always easy to spend an hour or two on sunday afternoon thinking about your meals for the upcoming week, but it makes dinner each night MUCH easier if you already know what you’re making and have the food on hand. This is huge for me as well; our week-nights are busy and if we don’t have something planned out, it’s 9:30 before we get to eat dinner.
Get the plan, get the food, make a few meals ahead of time so they are ready to be cooked as soon as you get home.
Keep it up and stay the course. You can go another few weeks without pizza or sugar, don’t give yourself an out. try the primal pizza recipe, I think it’s a great substitute; go ez on the lara bars – they are like candy and shouldn’t be eaten every day.
Good work everyone!
Thanks Scott! I do really appreciate your effort and input with this.