Written by: Robert
Hi there,
My son is a Cross fit type, and we were traveling across the state to a job one weekend. I had not really seen him for months (I am 60 and he is 35), and had a great conversation where he told me about the Paleo diet, and played several pod casts from Robb Wolf’s site. By the time I returned to the house I was sold on trying this plan. My wife and I were walking from 6 to 9 miles every morning. We hiked, kayaked, mtn biked, but could not seem to lose any weight. She had tried Weight Watchers to no avail because her calorie intake was always considerably below what they thought she should have to lose weight. Eating more just seemed stupid. And even with all the exercise, I had reached a scary 278 lbs and was having to take blood pressure medication. She was not truly heavy, but hoped for 10 lbs or so to make her clothes fit more comfortably.
I read all the Robb Wolf stuff I could find, and then listened to Gary Taubes lectures before attacking everything Ernie Garcia had posted on Paleolithicmd.com. It just made sense that 100 calories of broccoli would not behave the same way in one’s system as 100 calories of Cheetos. So about May 5th we started the 30 day Paleo challenge. No cheating at all on either of our parts for 30 days. My loss was 16 pounds in that time and hers about 8lbs.
We have been Paleo now for about 8 months. If we are at someone’s home, we eat what is served, but otherwise allow ourselves a slice of pizza every two weeks or so. We figure 95% or so strict paleo, mostly cooking our own meals. We have continued our exercising, but credit our dietary changes for our astounding physical changes. The first things we noticed were a lack of pain in her lower back, and no swellings in my hands from arthritis! First time her back was pain free in over two years. The weight started to drop off, and even when it would plateau for a couple of weeks we noticed our belt sizes changing. My wife has lost about 27 pounds. She sleeps much better, and feels great in her clothes. She did not start out heavy, but is now wearing hip hugger jeans and a belt left over from college. Remember we are both 60! I have lost 70 lbs so far. My waist has decreased from 50” to 40” and people do not recognize me when they see me.
One of the biggest challenges has been keeping up with business clothing that fits. My wife will look at a shirt, frown and put it on the give away pile. I have to keep buying jackets. I have made do with a skeleton wardrobe till some of this permanently stabilizes. My cholesterol fell 30 points in 6 months, most of the blood pressure meds have been discontinued by the doctor, and we both have more energy than ever before.
Pre-Paleo
Post-Paleo
I had written you guys when I reached about 40 lbs and was amazed then. But I wanted to update you and once again thank you for all you are doing. This change in lifestyle, which we will never abandon now that we realize how much danger we were both in, has been the greatest gift anyone has ever given to me. I really appreciate the thought and research Robb and his staff have invested, as well as my son’s thought to get us onboard!
Best wishes,
Rob
Awesome!
Robert, you look great! Congrats for changing your life so successfully. You give me the inspiration to keep plugging away. Thanks.
Looking sexy-time, Robert! You even look a little happier in the post paleo pic. 🙂
I’m right there with you on the pizza cheat days. And speaking from somebody who’s been paleo for like 5 years, I can say that cheating once a week isn’t enough to screw anything up too significantly, especially if you can master using insulin mimickers like R-ALA.
Peace!
You look mahhhvelous! Great job!
Awesome job, Robert! What an incredible transformation!
I’ve so many siblings and friends who–having crossed the half century mark–have simply thrown-in the towel.
“I’m 50+, it is as good as it’s ever going to get.”
Having struggled and failed so many times, with so many flawed protocols, they simply can not believe this type of vibrant health is possible at their age. Your testimonial is priceless because it offers hope. Thank you! Congratulations! DON’T GIVE UP!
Well, you just try so many things that don’t work. The older one gets, the more non-working stuff one trys and more disallusioned one gets. Of course we are lied to by our doctors, government and the general media about what we should eat and how poor our self discipline is if we are fat. Finally, you become satisfied to just get all the exercise your time allows you. I can tell you this, my doctor was astounded! He had never heard of this, immediately sat down with a pad and took an hours’s worth of notes and called to personally discuss my labs (which he said were excellent) and take more notes. It is inspiring! Particularly when weight drops off like it is exiting a hole in your pocket! But it is the diet that works. Most diets I have tried have been much harder to keep and this one is the only truly effective one I’ve tried.
Rob
Robert, your story is so inspiring! You look amazing now, and I’m not surprised to hear that people don’t recognize you. Keep up the great work! Your son is a really smart guy!
Nice! Such great news. I’m 55 and have lost 16 pounds so far but have been toying with Paleo like a cat with a mouse. This morning I said “stop dorking around and do it.”
Thanks for the inspiration!
Robb, thank you for posting your success! I can’t tell you how much you have inspired me. I just hope I can do it! Once you hit a certain age you tend to think its impossible. I need to “stop dorking around and do it.”
Robb, thank you for posting your success! I can’t tell you how much you have inspired me. I just hope I can do it! Once you hit a certain age you tend to think its impossible. congratulations!