The Paleo Diet : Fad or Future?
Fad or Future?
You hear a lot about the Paleo diet. You hear good things, you hear bad things, you hear the "you're an idiot for even considering this" type things. Really though, whose the judge of what's good for you and your body? YOU are. Even if this is just a 'fad', could it be in any way helpful to your future?
What is the Paleo Diet?
Let me first start by saying that I am in no way, shape, or form an expert on this topic. I am a type two diabetic whom is looking for a way to better my health. This was suggested to me by a fellow friend, whom also is a diabetic, and has seen results from this way of life.
This is a diet that is based off of types of food that are more 'natural'. That means no processed foods, no artificial sweeteners, and no types of grains. People often refer to this as the "Cave Man Diet" because it consists of eating things that would have been around/accessible for a cave man to eat.
Why Paleo?
This diet is more than just for losing weight. This way of life has been known to help diabetics control their sugar, reduce inflammation and pain, help you to have more energy, help with other diseases, and help with your complexion and overall appearance! Who wouldn't want to give that a shot?
Why am I doing this?
Why am I doing this...Why am I doing this....That is the exact question that I asked myself as I was sitting down at my kitchen table after eating Ramen, cookies, and lord knows what else was around me at the time. I probably washed it down with some Diet Mountain Dew, because duh, it's diet and that's better for you! I didn't become a type two diabetic strictly from my genetics, I was a big part in helping myself down this road. I have been on insulin for a few years now, and it sucks. I have to carry insulin with me everywhere I go...On a first date, I have to worry about how I'm going to sneak away to get my insulin in, and pray to goodness that I calculated everything right so I don't have to have him drive me to the ER... I'm just very ready for healthy living.
I have been doing the weight watchers program for a few years now. It really has helped me make a lot of changes in my lifestyle and eating habits. In weight watchers, they teach you that this is not a diet, but I want to take a bigger step.
My friend that I briefly spoke about earlier is a huge reason as to why I'm going to give this a try. He is a strong willed person, and encouraged me that this is completely doable. If there's one thing that I don't like doing, it's setting myself up for failure. If he thinks that I can do this, then I know that I can do this.
Getting Started
I started by looking at Robb Wolf's website. (I'll include the link below if you're interested) He is widely known for his knowledge within this area. They actually have a free Quick Start Guide if you sign up with your email address. I am going to start by doing this! I figure that I'll give myself about a week to try to cut things out instead of quitting everything cold turkey. I just don't want my body to be like "Mallory seriously, calm down" and me go back to what i'm doing now.
Robb also offers a few different books that I'm going to look at purchasing after I start eating clean. For now, I'm going to rely on friends and Pinterest (reliable sources of course) for receipes to get me started.
Quick Start Steps:
The first thing that I have to do is go through my quick guide.
1. Clean out the pantry
2. Go shopping
3. Cook
4. Exercise
5. Sleep
Seems easy enough right? Haha, with anything, I know that there's going to be challenges that arise, but at this point, I truly have nothing to lose!
Cleaning out the pantry means that a local food drive/shelter is about to get some canned goods!
Going shopping is probably going to be the hardest part. I'm going to stay on the outside perimeter of the store. STAY AWAY FROM PROCESSED FOODS! Protein, Veggies and Fruits. This is what my life is going to be. I'm okay with this!
Cook. This is probably going to be the very worst part. LOL While shopping (until I am familiar with my do's and don't's) will be difficult, I can sometimes really mess things up in the kitchen. I'll be asking for assistance at least in the beginning to make sure I'm not costing myself double the money because I am messing things up!
Exercise. Even if this just means going for a walk every day. I have a gym membership, why not use it!
Sleep. This guide states to Black out the room, and get 8-9 hours of sleep. I'm not sure if I can do that but I will definitely do my best!
I am anxious and terrified at the same time...Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte's just came out...and the rest of the world with the Pumpkin Fad's...but I have to think about my future. :)
Robb Wolf Website
You hear a lot about the Paleo diet. You hear good things, you hear bad things, you hear the "you're an idiot for even considering this" type things. Really though, whose the judge of what's good for you and your body? YOU are. Even if this is just a 'fad', could it be in any way helpful to your future?
What is the Paleo Diet?
Let me first start by saying that I am in no way, shape, or form an expert on this topic. I am a type two diabetic whom is looking for a way to better my health. This was suggested to me by a fellow friend, whom also is a diabetic, and has seen results from this way of life.
This is a diet that is based off of types of food that are more 'natural'. That means no processed foods, no artificial sweeteners, and no types of grains. People often refer to this as the "Cave Man Diet" because it consists of eating things that would have been around/accessible for a cave man to eat.
Why Paleo?
This diet is more than just for losing weight. This way of life has been known to help diabetics control their sugar, reduce inflammation and pain, help you to have more energy, help with other diseases, and help with your complexion and overall appearance! Who wouldn't want to give that a shot?
Why am I doing this?
Why am I doing this...Why am I doing this....That is the exact question that I asked myself as I was sitting down at my kitchen table after eating Ramen, cookies, and lord knows what else was around me at the time. I probably washed it down with some Diet Mountain Dew, because duh, it's diet and that's better for you! I didn't become a type two diabetic strictly from my genetics, I was a big part in helping myself down this road. I have been on insulin for a few years now, and it sucks. I have to carry insulin with me everywhere I go...On a first date, I have to worry about how I'm going to sneak away to get my insulin in, and pray to goodness that I calculated everything right so I don't have to have him drive me to the ER... I'm just very ready for healthy living.
I have been doing the weight watchers program for a few years now. It really has helped me make a lot of changes in my lifestyle and eating habits. In weight watchers, they teach you that this is not a diet, but I want to take a bigger step.
My friend that I briefly spoke about earlier is a huge reason as to why I'm going to give this a try. He is a strong willed person, and encouraged me that this is completely doable. If there's one thing that I don't like doing, it's setting myself up for failure. If he thinks that I can do this, then I know that I can do this.
Getting Started
I started by looking at Robb Wolf's website. (I'll include the link below if you're interested) He is widely known for his knowledge within this area. They actually have a free Quick Start Guide if you sign up with your email address. I am going to start by doing this! I figure that I'll give myself about a week to try to cut things out instead of quitting everything cold turkey. I just don't want my body to be like "Mallory seriously, calm down" and me go back to what i'm doing now.
Robb also offers a few different books that I'm going to look at purchasing after I start eating clean. For now, I'm going to rely on friends and Pinterest (reliable sources of course) for receipes to get me started.
Quick Start Steps:
The first thing that I have to do is go through my quick guide.
1. Clean out the pantry
2. Go shopping
3. Cook
4. Exercise
5. Sleep
Seems easy enough right? Haha, with anything, I know that there's going to be challenges that arise, but at this point, I truly have nothing to lose!
Cleaning out the pantry means that a local food drive/shelter is about to get some canned goods!
Going shopping is probably going to be the hardest part. I'm going to stay on the outside perimeter of the store. STAY AWAY FROM PROCESSED FOODS! Protein, Veggies and Fruits. This is what my life is going to be. I'm okay with this!
Cook. This is probably going to be the very worst part. LOL While shopping (until I am familiar with my do's and don't's) will be difficult, I can sometimes really mess things up in the kitchen. I'll be asking for assistance at least in the beginning to make sure I'm not costing myself double the money because I am messing things up!
Exercise. Even if this just means going for a walk every day. I have a gym membership, why not use it!
Sleep. This guide states to Black out the room, and get 8-9 hours of sleep. I'm not sure if I can do that but I will definitely do my best!
I am anxious and terrified at the same time...Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte's just came out...and the rest of the world with the Pumpkin Fad's...but I have to think about my future. :)
Robb Wolf Website
Comments
Post a Comment