Written by: Leslie
I gave up sweets and alcohol for Lent. During this 5 week period I noticed that my arthritic knees did not hurt so bad. So I began doing some research regarding the effects of sugar on the body to discover that it is an inflammatory to the joints. I was hurting so bad I didn’t want to do anything physical. I had been very athletic, playing all types of running sports. It was a double edged sword. In order to feel better I had to keep moving or get worse. I didn’t want to end up riding one of those carts in the supermarket. I wanted to enjoy my senior years. I had mentioned my discoveries to a friend at work, and he suggested that I take my diet a step further and go Paleo. So I researched that, and found Robb’s book.
I have been doing Paleo now for 6 months. I have lost 50 lbs so far, and would like to lose 20 more lbs to be where I need to be. My energy is amazing, I sleep so soundly it’s just life changing. I joined the gym and hired a personal trainer twice a week. What a difference from where I was 6 months ago. The weight is just dropping off me. I’m averaging about 2 lbs a week weight loss. I am gaining muscle mass, and losing the body fat.
As far as eating, it is lean meats, veggies, fresh fruit, decaf tea/coffee, no diet soda, and lots of water. If I want something fizzy, I drink a carbonated sparkling water once and a while. I treat my self every so often. My strategy is if I want something badly, I just have that gelato for example, or what ever it is. I have some, but don’t binge on it, and go right back to my Paleo eating habit.
While I was on vacation last September I treated myself within reason, and actually lost 2 pounds! I made good choices and stuck to the plan. I can see myself staying this way for the rest of my life, and I do not miss all the junk foods which I feel are engineered to be addictive.
I also look at food at it’s most basic natural state–if I want orange juice–I eat an orange–not processed bottled stuff. That is key.
Over all I find this way of eating natural and seamless. I am enjoying my journey. Thanks Robb!
Want to see what kind of amazing results you can get from a paleo diet? Check out Robb Wolf’s 30 Day Total Transformation, a 60 page interactive multimedia guide that will help you get started with a paleo lifestyle. It covers diet, smart exercise, sleep, stress, and more. See what a difference just 30 days can make!
Victor Dorfman says
Congrats, Leslie…looking great!
Just one question…why LEAN meats? You’re cutting carbs like whoa and protein is a poor energy source…so you need quality fats! I, and many other paleo peeps, learned this the hard way.
Once your weight normalizes and you reach a sort of set point, then irritability and fatigue kick in because non-essential fat stores are all used up. Women also seem to be more susceptible to this issue so just a friendly caution 🙂
Chris says
I agree with the comment about lean meats. I didn’t start to feel the paleo magic until I upped my fat intake from high quality sources.
pjnoir says
yeah, that Lean Meat comment poked a lot of us in the eye. LOL. Congrats on all the success, it makes the Paleo community proud.
Leslie says
Wanted to post an update to fill you in on how I progressed with the Paleo Plan plus a personal trainer. After 24 sessions (2X’s) per week, I experienced the following results; Lost 9.5% body fat, 1.1% away from my ideal body ratio for my age group. I’ll be 60 yrs old this coming January 2013, lost 10 additional pounds, gained 13 pounds of lean muscle mass. Needless to say I was thrilled with my results!! I was even able to do two full hanging body weight pull ups–something I had never been able to do.
Even with the holidays around us, I am sticking to my new eating habit. Even if I do trest myself, I can’t wait to get back to my Paleo Plan. Foods just tastes so much better, the junk food just doesn’t do it for me anymore. The compliments and renewed self esteem that I have gained is so gratifying. I have inspired my sister to go along after she saw my results and the change in her is remarkable. Her energy is soaring to new heights, she is looking so healthy and vibrant it is just exhilirating to watch her progress. When we sit and chat and compare notes, I just sit there with a huge grin on my face and shake my head in acknowledgement because I have experienced the same things as she. Remarkable!
Christopher says
That is awesome! Congratulations on the great results. People like you are the reason we do this work. I love hearing stuff like this, these testimonials still inspire me.
Keep up the great work, and Happy Holidays!
Leslie says
Thanks Christopher for your kind words and encouragement! Enjoy reading this blog as well. You guys provide some awesome information, all we have to do is run with it ! Happy Holidays! My new year’s resolution will be tremendously different than years past ;-)!!
Leslie says
Also want to share how I am eating. I picked up the book by Cordain on how to eat Paleo and perform athletically. For example, A pre work out breakfast, eggs, turkey sausage, a medium sized yam and slices of advacado, 1/4 cantalope, kiwi or other fresh fruit & tea or a shot of espresso. That would be a couple hours pre work out. Or I would do one of Cordain’s smoothies. As an after workout pick me up; 12 ozs. of coconut water, a mix of almonds, pistascios, dried cherries. Of course as soon as I got up from sleeping water and water all during my 1.5 to 2 hr work out (stretching, free weights, cardio and more stretching). I am ready to rock and roll! And I might add I work a non traditional work schedule of the overnight shift with a mix of 8 & 12 hr shifts as a 911 dispatcher(40 hr wk 2-8 hr shifts & 2-12 hr shifts per wk with a two week rotation).
Ashley Brown says
I didn’t knew that sugar could have so much bad effects on our body. I really need to cut on sugar for good. Your post is really great and we really should control our carbs intake.
Leslie says
Thank you Ashley–I couldn’t believe their impact either until I lived that discovery. The light bulb just literially click “ON” and I’ve turned into a new person both physically AND mentally.
Lynn says
Good job Leslie! And if you want a healthy, fizzy drink, try kombucha. I ferment my own, simple enough to do and very inexpensive. Good source of probiotics as well.
Leslie says
Thanks for the tip Lynn, I’m looking at a website now. This looks very interesting.
Gabby says
Yup! Same pathway beginning a year earlier! You figured it out sooner than I did, and will benefit over a longer life interval. Better late than never, I say! Good on you. Merry Christmas!
Leslie says
Thanks Gabby for you encouragement, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Frankie says
Re the lean meats. I eat lean meat also. Reason is that I am a single mum and can’t afford all the pastured meats. So I get the best cut of ‘regular’ farmed meat that I can, cut off the fat and then supplement my fat intake with coconut oil and pastured butter (which I can afford).
🙂
Paddi says
I’m so proud of my sister Leslie! She is amazing and was the inspiration to help me turn my eating habits around. When I would have coffee with my sister I was in awe of the joy in her face. I could tell she felt great and looks fantastic! I can’t believe my sister will be 60 in January she looks 15 years younger than that Its all because of her paleo lifestyle. I rember being fearful about how heavy she was and now to look at her, I feel happy because she looks so happy and healthy. Thank you Robb Wolff for giving my sister a new lease on life! i love you for it!!
Sue says
She doesn’t need fatty meats as probably eating other good fats. Don’t need excess fat if you want to slim down. Just your protein quota, some fat and rest with carbs.
Sue says
Leslie during that Lent 5 week period of fasting wasn’t it animal products free as well?
Leslie says
Sue–I didn’t do a total fast during that Lenten period–just the sweets and alcohol and then discovered the Paleo Plan. It actually made it an easier transition to Paleo for me because I had been sweets and alcohol free for so long. It felt like I had a head start.
Sue says
Thanks Leslie!
Sofia says
Congratulations on your success! I turned 60 this past July. After working out hard from 4-6 days a week for 30 years (cardio, weight lifting, running, tennis, ex-aerobics instructor), life got in the way. I have been Paleo since Thanksgiving and have lost 5 lbs. I am not working out any differently than I have in last 2 years. I can only get to the gym from 3-4 x /wk these days for 1- 2 hrs max. I thought by body had betrayed me, but I just have to work around it.
Sofia says
I do feel great and am getting through the holidays without cravings, bloating, or feeling deprived. My goal is another 15 lbs while adding more muscle. Reading about your journey tells me that it can be done. I kept a lean 19% body fat for a few years till about 2 yrs ago. I guess at our age, we can still achieve success. Handling family situations ha not been difficult.
Leslie says
Thanks Sophia–you are right on the money. I always had an athletic build with the ability to add lean muscle mass. It sounds like you are in a similar situation. Working the free weight hard helped rebuild the lean muscle mass–that will help burn the fat too to keep the body fat ratio where it should be for our age group.
Sofia says
Congratulations on your success! I turned 60 this past July. After working out hard from 4-6 days a week for 30 years (cardio, weight lifting, running, tennis, ex-aerobics instructor), life got in the way. I have been Paleo since Thanksgiving and have lost 5 lbs. I am not working out any differently than I have in last 2 years. I can only get to the gym from 3-4 x /wk these days for 1-DDR 2 hrs max. I thought by body had betrayed me, but I just have to work around it.
www.inbalanca.nl says
Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs far more attention.
I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the information!
Shauna says
Leslie question for you, I too am a 911 dispatcher and have a hell of a time trying to find balance with training. Have you found it useful to train before or after work? Or just on your days off? Just curious, I’m currently on swings and work 10-15hr shifts with 3 days off and haven’t found what works yet. Thanks for any input you may have!
Leslie says
Hi Shauna!
I work 2 12’s (1900 to 0700)& 2 8’s ( 1800 – 0200 & 2300 -0700) per week . I stay away from my workout when I work back to back 12’s. So I try to get a minimum of three solid workouts a week, add additional workouts where I can. I can’t hit it every day. That being said, I also listen to my body and if I had a rough night I rest. I always have my workout gear ready and waiting so I can do my work out after work at 0700 hrs. That works for me, but I keep it flexible. I like to vary my workout to make it interesting, free weights, elipitcal, tread mill, stair climber etc. I have also found that rehydrating with coconut water works well for me than the standard commercial drinks after my work outs but drink plain H2O during work outs. Hope that helps.