Written by: Sarah ElRaheb
Dear Mr. Robb Wolf,
Your book changed my life. That’s not an exaggeration or a snazzy opener to grab your attention; it’s the sober, honest truth.
Beginning in July 2011, I began to have bouts of nausea and vomiting in the mornings, seemingly unrelated to food, but extremely penetrating and invasive to my life’s usual rhythm. I’d wake up almost every day extremely nauseated, and would generally vomit 2-3 days per week. This lasted not a month, not 6 months, but for more than a year. As you can imagine, I became an expert vomiter, and a pretty desperate young lady. I’m 26 years old today, a young professional working with at-risk youth as an educator, and I otherwise have a very stress-free life. I saw doctor after doctor, specialist after specialist, and finally landed with an internal medicine specialist who became one of my biggest motivators in August 2012. He told me I needed to lose weight, because regardless of what was happening in my body, the weight needed to be shed. At this point, I had been tested for the entirety of the year, doing MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and copious blood work, and no one could figure out what the hell was going on. My specialist assured me that I would not leave his care without figuring out what my problem was, and that promise alone helped me feel better. To give you context, I was 26 years old and was 263 lbs. I’ve always been overweight, but this was definitely my peak weight.
My best friend, who also happens to be my trainer, was going on a road trip back in August and I decided I’d load up an iPod with podcasts for him to listen to on his drive. Since he’s a strength and conditioning nutcase and is also very interested in nutrition, I came across your podcast and figured I’d download a few for him to listen to (the explicit language warning piqued my interest). When he came back from his trip (we live in Toronto), he asked me whether I actually listened to the podcasts I’d downloaded, to which I of course replied NO, since I had absolutely no interest in topics of fitness and nutrition. He raved about your podcast and then told me that I need to go buy your book. I obeyed, especially as this was after my meeting with my specialist, and went to our local Chapters (your Barnes and Noble equivalent) and purchased The Paleo Solution.
I devoured the book in two days. Every single thing I read rang true with me. I UNDERSTOOD what you were saying, and how you were saying it. Most importantly, I finally was able to identify with a voice- and your story about how you were sick and how much of an impact food intake had on changing your life. I was sold. So, beginning September 4th, 2012, I went paleo. First for the 30 day challenge, and since then, I have not stopped. Since that day 5 months ago, I have lost 46 lbs, and am sitting at 217 lbs. This is just the beginning for me- and if it weren’t for the gentle nudging of my specialist to get off my fat ass and do something, your amazingly impactful book, and the brutal training provided by my best friend (who also went paleo with me), I would not be where I am today.
Congratulations on your weight loss, Sarah! Have the daily nausea and vomiting decreased at all?
I rarely vomit anymore… since I’ve started paleo, now almost 7 months ago (and now 53 pounds ago), I’ve only vomited about 4 times. Huge improvement. THe nausea comes and goes, but I feel SO much better.
Yes i was wondering if the vomiting stopped also. Paleo does help with weight loss for sure. Although I have noticed my weight is fluctuating a lot.
Good for you. Your changed trajectory likely has saved your young life. Carry on!
I have heard a lot about Paleo from other people and how it helped them with their weight problems. I also noticed that they really changed, not only physically. It affected their lifestyle and attitude in a positive way.
Congratulations on the 46 pounds lost, what an accomplishment. Much success as you continue on your Paleo journey.
Hi, I suffer with Hashimoto’s Hypothiroidism and the worst is the tremors I feel in all my body and head/brain plus my heart palpitations. My autoimmune system is compromised and I can’t eat many of the things and don’t find to appetizing to eat shrimps in the morning as the book suggests. I wonder if I can keep eating natural old fashion oats, since I have lower my cholesterol from 196 to 163 eating it. I prepare it with water and raisings that’s it. I could eat organic eggs but not fish in the morning. But this constant tremors all day and night is unbearable don’t know what to do. I even went to the neurologist but she wanted to give me anti- depressants and I said no. Any suggestions ar welcome and appreciated.
Khali
I’ve only been paleo for about 14 days now. I kickstarted my transition with a 10-day juice-fast. And I also agree that going back is not even close to an option. I wasn’t necessarily sick pre-Paleo, but I feel a lot better now.
Amazing story. I’ve read many great things about the paleo diet. I’m not unhealthy now, but I was in the past. As I’m getting on in years, this post has really made me think that I need to take the plunge and try it out. You’re health really is your greatest possession.