I have been doing some reading on the paleo diet, and to be truthfully, I believe that will be the way of eating that will bring the most health and the best weight loss... Im excited to keep learning more about it.

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I don't know anything about the Paleo diet, just me, but it's always interesting to learn about different diets, even if you don't want to take them on to the letter, sometimes you can incorporate bits and pieces of them to fit with your lifestyle. You probably already searched our forum, but I thought I'd post these old threads from you and Harry Hirsute regarding Paleo.

Here's a thread from our forum started by Harry Hirsute:
/f53/3422-paleolithic-diets-two-clinical-studies.html
And of course, yours:
/f53/1446-paleolithic-diet.html

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Thanks K2C for pulling up those threads... I had told someone today too, that a naturopath had recommended that diet to me awhile back, but that life sort of just really got in the way, and I didnt pursue it.... thats alot of my problem, I just dont pursue what I need to do for myself.... I keep going back and taking care of everyone else, and then am too tired to care about myself... I need to learn how to get past that, I need to learn how to persue!

That's a problem with a lot of people, more common with women I think. They care for their husbands, kids, grandkids, etc. and when it comes to doing something nice for themselves, they either don't have any time left, or they're too pooped to act on it.

I've never been disciplined to follow an actual diet. I've kept journals a couple of times, just for a short period and kept track of how many calories and how much fat I was eating everyday. It does help, but to me it's a hassle.

I can't imagine weighing stuff either, I just try to go with smaller portions when "dieting". I like my potatoes, pasta and ice cream, so of course that's always a problem.

Since there was talk of Atkins here, I've been going topless with my burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc. I figure one piece of bread per sandwich is better than two. That's all I'm willing to do right now.

Yeah, me too, Kind2C, If/When I eat a sandwich, I use only one piece of
Ezekial bread, but I cut the slice in half so that I have a top and a bottom.
The Ezekial bread seems to work so much better with my Diabetes.
Now if I could only find some kind of meat I can trust? roll:

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The paleo diet is a good way to eat low carb in a healthy way. There are some very healthy people on that eating plan. I think of it as a whole food diet. The grass-fed beef and dairy is one of the reasons I think it is a more natural way of eating.

On this diet many people use lots of greens, and some fruit. They don't depend on bars, powders, or artificial sweetners. Also, they are not on a diet to lose weight it is a way of life. That means some will combine this with carrot juice, green smoothies, and tailor it for their taste and needs. I think that people who follow a paleo diet do it for health. The focus is not the same for all low-carb followers.

Doug Kaufman of Know the Cause T.V. has a website that recommends this type eating for different conditions. Mark Sisson's website, Mark's Daily Apple is one of the best on this topic. He has been on the Doug Kaufman show many times.

This was once the American lifesyle, until the age of processed food. Homogenized and pasteurized dairy is not a healthy choice. On the paleo diet if they use dairy they want it from grass-fed cows. That may mean raw since it is not in most stores.

A low-carb diet can be used by someone who is more into vegetarian eating. It doesn't have to be limited to an Atkins type of diet. I think it is important to be able to do it your way. That way it can be more of a long term change and that is what you want.

Im not a big milk drinker, although I do love kefir made with goats milk. i like yogurt, but can do without... I dont eat it alot... Now I am a big cheese lover... extra cheese on everything, and I know its not good for my system, so that is one thing I really need to give up anyway... I have a friend tho, that makes raw goats milk cream cheese, that I will be using (probably more as a treat..cream cheese, cocoa power and stevia can cure my choc/sweet tooth cravings) But still doing the reading... need to finish this book. I understand, that this is not a weight loss type of eating program, but Im believing that if I stick to this plan and then actually do calorie counting, then I should be ok... I dont want to go too drastic on the calorie reduction..... How many calories is a normal 53 yr old 5'8" woman suppose to take in on a daily basis... Is there a way to figure that out? I am assuming, if I stick to about 2000 per day, I should still lose weight, but will I be able to lose an adequate amount in a decent period of time... I woud like to see a 100 pound weight loss in 6 months... Is that too much??? that would be like between 15 and 20 pounds per month (right? is my math right?) And can I lose that much eating 2000 a day...yes while exercising. Anyway... thats the plan, anyone see the road bumps, holler please I have found my motivation, and believe I have been scared enough to realize its either lose the weight, or lose my life... and i have way too much to live for!!!

I'm copying this advice from Chalene Johnson in my old Turbo Jam guidebook.

Follow these simple instruction to determine the approximate number of calories you should be eating to lose weight. To lose a pound of weight a week, you must create a 3500 calorie deficit or burn 500 calories per day more than you eat. Here's an example of how a 150 lb person would achieve that:

Add a zero to your body weight 150 + 0 = 1500
Add 20% for extra activity + 300
Daily Caloric Rate = 1800
Subtract 500 calories a day - 500
By eating 500 calories less or
burning it through exercise
Total = 1300

So to lose a pound a week, a 150 pound person needs to create a 500 calorie deficit from 1800 calories by either exercising or eating less.

Keep in mind that this is an approximate scale. Body type and fitness level play a big part. We recommend that the more overweight you are, the bigger the deficit you try and create (meaning eat less). Just don't go below 1200 cals/day. As you get into better shape, you'll need to eat more to fuel your extra muscle.

I'm glad you're ready to lose weight and become healthier just me, good for you! I've been walking to lose some weight. I use a pedometer that tracks my steps, miles and shows an approximate amount of calories burned. They say to walk at least 10,000 steps per day for weight loss. I'm 57, and for me it's the easiest way to burn calories, also easy on the joints. For me, losing 5 lbs. per month would be great, especially if it stays off!

Just me, I'm far from an expert, but in my opinion 100 lbs. in six months is too high. That's 17 lbs per month. If it were me, I think I'd be going more for 50 lbs in 6 months. That would be around 8-9 lbs lost per month and 2-3 lbs. per week.

I feel that working towards that goal is more reasonable, healthier and the weight is more likely to stay off. Also, if you exceed that amount, fantastic, it's all gravy...above expectation.

So happy you're motivated! You DO have a lot to live for! I know you'll succeed, I'll post any tips that may help you along.

I think the Paleo Diet is a little strict as a lifestyle diet. I was on diet similar to the Paleo diet for a good while for health reasons and it was very helpful but when I was better I added some carbs in. No beans, potatoes, grains or dairy is kind of strict. Everyone's different but be careful you don't set yourself up for failure when you remain hungry and craving things. Anyway, who says cavemen had the best diet? Weren't they always hungry and hunting and foraging for whatever was edible just to keep from starving? Maybe they weren't smart enough to plant a garden or to keep domesticated animals (cavemen, not indigenous nomadic tribes). What's wrong with farming? And beans?

I think I will probably keep in sweet potatoes, but not very often, and I dont use canned. I bake mine, and have been adding rice bran oil instead of butter.. but have since added the sesame oil instead of the rbo... I dont eat them very often, so it shouldnt hurt too much. And I will be keeping the raw goats milk cream cheese, just put in an order for it. I know in bible times, they ate milk and honey and even grew grains... So when I add the occasional bread back in, it would probably be on the lines of the ezekial bread type products. As for beans, I know they had lentils, not sure what other ones. I wont be able to afford to be stupid about this... I know that if I keep eating certain foods, I will not be able to lose weight. I know how certain foods affect my body, so I need to get those foods out of my system... the first one being diet coke. And as much as I do like the seltzer water, I am wondering if maybe part of the reason I cant get off of the diet cokes completly is because I keep substituting the seltzer water... so for awhile, Im going to try and just stop all carbonated drinks, and go to herbal teas and water, and see how that goes. I was going to stop my coffee (blackonly) at the same time as my diet coke, but I dont know if I could stand the tiredness and the headache from the caffiene withdrawal. So off the diet coke and just try to cut back on the coffee... Thats step one... I figure if I can get off the diet coke and the white bread/biscuts/tortillas first, I wont have as many speed traps on the way

Yeah, that sounds more reasonable, justme. I know I was able to stay on a strict Paleo-type diet because I was sick and absolutely determined to get better but now I need some carbs/grains. I don't eat many because I find I gain weight from them and don't feel as well. Just a few is perfect for me. I could eat oils and nuts and meats and foods high in oils all day long and no weight gain, but if I eat too many carbs/grains I gain some weight. Everyone is different but I think this is true for many people.

I was surprised to find out that diet coke has 30% more caffeine than regular coke! I also wonder if they put something in it to make people addicted because so many people are. And I know there's a lot of satisfaction in the carbonation but if selzer water is making you crave the diet coke then that's no good. I guess you have to figure out if quitting cold turkey or gradual change is better for you. But no reason to shock your system and give yourself caffeine withdrawal. Maybe you could work down slowly with the coffee to half decaf/half regular towards maybe green tea which has a little caffeine.

And same thing with the white bread products, replace them slowly with whole grain things. I just think stopping the things you love abruptly is too difficult. How can that work? Find things that taste good or you won't be happy. I go to a health food store that has crackers and cookies made out of ground up nuts and seeds with spices and cocoa and other flavors and that satisfies my snack needs. But if it doesn't taste good to you, it won't work.

Have you ever thought you might have Mouth Hunger? The need to have something in your mouth? A lot of people have that but think they want to eat. I find that foods that take longer to eat can help with that, like sunflower seeds in the shell.

So, wow, what a morning... been 24 hours without a diet coke or carbonation of any sort.... so hey let the games begin!!!!

And apparently the powers that be did it again. According to my doctor, they have changed the A1C number levels, brought them lower.... so now a 6.2 is in the precurssor (sp) range of diabetes.... My level this morning was 6.2. If I saw the paper right, anything over 5.7 was diabetic range...My cholesterol was good though. My blood pressure went down to 135/80... So, I dont know how, but Im not as bad as what I would have thought.... But sitting there listening to her tell me that i am in the range of diabetes.... just pissed me off royally,, My fault, my laziness, my stupidity, my....cant think of any more words that I can write on here.. I knew it was coming.. I have been showing signs of it for over a year... the constant thirst, up every two hours at night to use the bathroom, the pain in my feet, the headaches at night when I eat sugar before bed... and I sat on my fat tush making excuses... So angry!!!!

The positives are that you found this out before it went into full blown diabetes and now you absolutely have good motivation for change and you'll be able to turn it around! Maybe this is just the motivation you needed.

Hi Just me! First of all, congrats on leaving the diet soda alone, I'm very happy for you! And I looove your attitude, it's that of a WINNER for sure, let those games begin there girlfriend!

Please don't beat yourself up about the pre-diabetes thing. Many of us avoid warning signals about various things, and it doesn't hit home until we're slapped in the face with it.

The most important thing is that you're ready to move forward. You can't change the past, but like they say, "today is the first day of the rest of your life".

I suggest that you forgive yourself for anything you don't feel good about, and tackle your demons one at a time, the diet coke is the PERFECT place to start!