This is part of an ongoing series of real life success stories from people all over the world who have been impacted by the Paleo lifestyle and The Paleo Solution. Read Marti’s story below.
THANK YOU ROBB for your book, your knowledge, and your wanting to share the wealth!
I am a health educator/personal trainer raised by 2 physical education/health teachers. ALL my life I have eaten “well”…my mom back in the ’60s made her own granola… I had whole wheat bread while everyone else in the cafeteria ate their white…we used HONEY on our cereal, not sugar…ate my share of tofu and edamame.
I am 55 years old, and have raised my own family, based on the same nutritional thinking of WHOLE GRAINS are GOOD FOR YOU…SOY is GOOD for you…YOGURT is a must…though we were pretty much void of processed foods and sugar, I have never been able to reach the leaness I have desired, without being a “slave to cardio”…UNTIL, I READ YOUR BOOK and applied your Paleo Plan to my life!
I started cooking/eating/living Paleo in October and feel fantastic! Dropped 15 pounds, but primarily the biggest difference I feel/see is my body COMPOSITION! Down to a size 4 from a size 8! Friends, family & my trainer comment constantly on my changed “look”.
Thanksgiving was EASY! Big huge green salad with homemade dressing, roasted brussels sprouts (which by the way, I have eaten more in the past month than my ENTIRE life…LOVE those cruciferous veggies!) & ofcourse turkey breast. Nuts for DESSERT!
My PLAN? To live PALEO, workout Paleo, forevah! How could anyone not desire tons of energy, leanness, health and LONGEVITY? Again, THANKS Robb! Your book has enabled me to attain my life long dream! Health coupled with a lean, STRONG body, not to mention ENERGIZED!
YOU ROCK!
Marti Kehs
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Ok, I will probably get blasted for this so I’ll name myself “Annonymous” say it, and then move on.
I think it’s great for Marti that she reached her personal goal of moving from a size 8 to a size 4…BUT…here’s why I can’t be moved that much.
Some folks reading this blog, like me are obese and suffering health issues. Yes, I am an obese 57 year old. I used to have a great curvy, Marilyn Monroe type figure. Unfortunately, poor Marilyn would now be considered fat by today’s standards…but I digress. Suffice it to say I suffered some of life’s cruel setbacks, stopped eating well and exercising, got depressed, and then got fat.
Fast forward to 2011. I have been eating paleo and slowly losing weight. As of today I have about 50 more lbs. to lose. Even then I’ll “only” be a size 12, but I’ll keep it.
I lost my first 10 lbs. on Weight Watchers, but it was torture. It was no way to live. And with their new program you literally have to carry around a “points calculator” with you all day long. I read some Paleo books. I switched over.
I read Loren Cordain’s book and that got me started on the plan. I am looking forward to the new book he is writing. Now I’m reading Robb Wolf’s book and loving what I’m reading. Please tell him he HAS to write another one.
I feel great! In three months I’m going in for a blood test to see if my metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, pre-diabetes) is reversing. I feel so well on this new way of eating, I am sure it has.
I’ll keep you posted. You need to hear from those of us who have life-threatening health issues and who have dug in our heels and taken back control of our lives. Not to minimize the size 4 of Marti at all, I think it’s a nice story. It’s just that some of us would cry with joy at being a size 8. Just keepin’ things in perspective.
Stay tuned.
I was in the gym yesterday and one of our trainers was working with a new client. The guy is in his early 60’s, overweight, really self-conscious. He spent the majority of his session rubber-nicking what everyone else in the gym was doing (which made it damn hard for his trainer to keep him on task) and commenting that “I’ll never be able to do that.” The trainer finally sat him on a box and said something to the effect “This is YOUR time, not theirs, but if you do not focus, if you do not make this about you, if you continue to compare yourself to everyone else, this process will not work.
So, I think we have a similar deal here. Marti’s situation has no bearing on you other than that which you create. Is it a motivational story or does it spin a dial that makes you compare yourself in a way that makes the goal even further away? You have a lot of peeps here to help you, even doing some hand holding when necessary. BUT! When you are close enough for some hand holding, you are also close enough to get a kick in the back side and both are appropriate responses at times. This is a loving kick to your backside to make this process about YOU. There are plenty of stories on this blog about people who avoided death and reversed disease. All of these stories are important and ironically, success is NOT a scarce commodity. If Marti have some, it does not mean there is less in the world for everyone else.
wow, Robb, point well taken. I have compared myself to others for a LONG time, especially coming from a very competitive family and working in a club with other trainers. It has taken much work to DROP the comparing of myself to anyone other than ME. Thanks for your support, and this BLOG! I share it with all my clients who want to learn, live and TRANSFORM themselves on a healthy journey! again, THANKS FOR YOUR BOOK & all you share!
dear anonymous, I am thrilled for your success! I hope you continue to feel the benefits of Paleo Living, as have I!
My goals for going Paleo were not, ARE not, to BE a particular size, but to be healthy, feel great, and avoid the health problems my mom has, at age 79. Because she does NOT get the desired sleep, (ranked #2 in importance according to Robb)& has eaten whole grains, which have robbed her body’s ability to absorb calcium/magnesium… she suffers from cognitive loss & osteoporosis. Losing body fat is an added BONUS for living Paleo…one day at a time.
Glad you shared your story…I enjoyed hearing of your success!
Marti
Way to go, Marti!
thanks, Donnie!
Thanks for sharing! I’m still working at it and hopefully can make the necessary changes….
Bev, as my husband would say, “Atta boy, girl!”
Awesome stuff Marti! Have you managed to get your family to see the light as well?
funny you should ask! Both my folks are in their 8th decade of life. CHANGE is hard for them. In as much as I would like to see them take the 30 Day Challenge, I highly doubt they will. I gave my mom a copy of Robb’s book on her 79th birthday. We discussed some key points that addressed her “health issues”. will she go PALEO? honestly, I doubt it… but I thought Robb’s knowledge was worth the share!
Dear Robb,
Yes, I deserved that kick in the tush. Right after I sent off that comment, I sorely regretted it. Marti’s post was about Marti. It was her time for celebration. I took away the thunder.
Marti and Robb, I apologize. Some days we just have foot-in-mouth disease. It happens.
Marti, you have every right to celebrate. Congratulations.
Anonymous, thank you! I have struggled my entire life with an eating disorder (EDNOS) (eating disorder not otherwise specified) Since reading Robb’s book, & going PALEO, I feel fantastic, and FREE of the monkey on my back. That is NOT to say, that I will not be plagued with my EDNOS for the rest of my days.. it’s the freedom from the COMPULSION that feels so great, along with my energy, health, and WEALTH! I hope you continue to make strides on your journey that are worth celebration EVERY DAY!
Dear Marti,
You were very kind to post your message. It made me tearful because I felt so badly about sending my original.
When I dig deep into my feelings, it must be jealousy underlying it all. I can’t think of any other reason other than that our society truly is obsessed with thinness above all. Still, it was your moment to shine. What an accomplishment. I too feel so much better eating paleo. It is amazingly resolving my health issues. And I am losing weight!
You look absolutely beautiful and much younger than your years. Thank you for your response. There is too much meanness in this world, and I felt badly about mine. You made my afternoon.
Have a great day!
Dear Anonymous,
You are too kind! Thanks for your loving words! You, too, have made MY day!
🙂
Healthfully yours!
Marti
I just finished my third week. I feel great and have dropped several pounds and inches. I’m 66 and have had a spare tire for years. The first thing I noticed was how I no longer felt bloated after I ate. So I decided to try getting off my acid reflux pills. I haven’t needed one since!! It’s amazing. I’ve been on those pills for 12 years and have had acid reflux most of my adult life. I believe it’s gone. Wow!!
I’m looking forward to more progress with losing the weight and inches. I’m afraid I’ve become a “Paleo Solution Thumper”!! I’m so enthused I must be driving my friends and family nuts. I have bought 5 of Robb’s books already and have given them out to my adult kids. I’m ordering another one tomorrow for a friend.
I too have no ultimate weight in mind. I just want to feel great and look healthy. I’m confident It’ll happen.
I wish I had known about this lifestyle years ago, but then again, I may not have been as motivated to change my life as I am now.
So Marti, I’m with you. Robb is a godsend. I’m happy for you and I’m happy for me!! I just hope my kids will give it a try.
My best to you and all who are giving the Solution a go!!
John-
You are too kind, YOU GUYS are the Godsend. You did something wacky: you gave it a shot, and it worked. Keep me posted!
A Zen quote…
If you must compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to yourself yesterday.
EXACTLY!
I am happy to hear how all you are doing so well, however, I have found I have been gaining weight 3 weeks in- certainly not my goal as I am very overweight to begin with… I cant say I dont feel good… I have tried every eating plan under the sun and dont feel bad in general on any plan. Lots of veggies, meat (mostly venison) and some fruit and some cheese is what I have been eatings. Cheese didnt seem to be an issue under other “paleo” plans, but I will drop that… and I was having a protein shake occassionally- but will limit that as well. (I just find it convenient)… but no grains or processed food for some time… so far, not impressed…
Will, if you read the FREE guide in the FAQ you will note that for folks who want to lose weight:
1-No dairy
2-No liquid foods (shakes)
So, two problems right out of the gate. I can understand the lack of enthusiasm for a plan that does not work but if you do not follow the directions! Well, it;s not the plan that is at fault here.
Also, are you getting 8-9hrs of sleep in a dark room?
Haha oops we replied at the same time.
Not to be harsh, but you haven’t been doing the paleo diet. Eating cheese and protein shakes isn’t included. It’s also not recommended to eat fruit if you’re trying to lean out. Great job cutting out the grains and processed foods though! Let us know how it goes once you do start doing the paleo diet though. The Quick Start guide (download link at the top of the page) will be a big help!
Marti – Congrats on your new found food freedom. Like you and your mom, I’ve been very health food oriented for past 25 yrs, and continue to gain weight. I’m currently 10 days into this. No weight loss yet, but feeling good.
Polly, hang tough. The rewards are worth it! Feeling good is what it’s all about, eh? Hope to hear about your progress soon!
gyday from australia….
we have a saying here….”you can lead a horse to water…you can even shove its head into the water…you can even drown it in the water…but if it doesnt want to drink…it wont drink.”
people are exactly the same….
i dont give advice to anyone because its the same deal…let your body and your ‘energy’ speak the truth.
i had a horrible parachute injury in 2006 which took 18 months to just regain enough health to begin jogging again…
i went from a lean-mean paratrooper one minute to an overweight-depressed-angry-alcoholic in 18 months. i put on 14kg.
my life was a disaster…i was fat and in most ways very ugly.
i was just like the horse above.
its now 2011….i am 44. i am leaner-fitter-stronger and much more attractive than i have ever been…
HOW?
i got on board the idea that its up to me or its death.
PALEO was unheard of back in 2007 here. but basically; i gave up all the stuff paleo freaks say to give up…and WOW!
MY LIFE CHANGED! when you feel good about yourself the whole world just changes perspective…people gravitate towards you..winners become friends naturally…success seems to just hunt you down…
PALEO is a lifestyle…and a lifeforce…
do it for you..just begin it…one day and night at a time…small victories….lead to a great life!
Cheers.
Damn good stuff.