Before I started the Paleo challenge, I decided that I would approach it very strictly, with only one cheat day per week. This was a big deal for me because I was cutting out dairy/grains/sugar cold turkey, and didn't even realize how many things I eat involved these elements! From a small teaspoon of sugar in my coffee to a single slice of cheese on a bunless burger, I have excluded everything. Now, after a week of it, here's what I have to say...
Pros: I really like Paleo in the sense that I'm don't feel super constricted by measurements, and I essentially eat in Zone proportions anyway having done Zone for so long. Though I did feel hungry/low-energy at times, I could easily find something to fill me up and get my energy back. When I wanted something non-paleo, it was always out of craving rather than hunger (it was great to really analyze when my body is actually hungry and when it's just craving). And especially after my non-paleo day yesterday, I can tell how eating well affects me positively in terms of performance. I ate like junk yesterday, and I felt like junk as well.
Cons: Like I said earlier, I couldn't believe how many food items involve dairy/sugar/grains, and how even the smallest bit would be counted against me. I got super frustrated with how restricted I felt. But then I started to realize a pattern that I've developed...I will eat very well in terms of a challenge/for points, but then when the challenge is taken away, I feel like some sort of weight has been lifted off my shoulders and go right back to eating the way I would before. A lot of the junk yesterday was not from hunger, but just like feeling like I was free for a day, so why not take advantage of it? I'm not happy with this mentality.
I really admire people like Bill who naturally eat well, both in paleo and zone proportions, without any added system of rewards/punishment. It's just a healthy lifestyle to have, and I've been trying to consider how I can get myself closer to that point. I mean, even something like the word "cheat meal". What exactly am I cheating? Life? I want to get myself to the point where eating healthy is a dedicated, personal choice, for performance and for healthy living, rather than a strict regimen. I guess I'm sort of aiming for a 90/10 lifestyle, where 90% is eating well, and the other 10% is just for the random occasions or events, without feeling any feelings of guilt or shame.
So here's what I've decided for the rest of this Paleo challenge month: I really like Paleo, and want to continue to use it as a lifestyle for me well beyond the end of the month. I don't want to allow myself to think in terms of strict vs. cheat days. No more cheat days. That being said, I don't want to scold myself for having a little bit of milk/sugar in my coffee. To me, it's not very realistic, and if that's the worst thing in my diet, then I'm okay with that...and like I said, this may not be the same for everyone, it's just a personal choice. So for my personal 30 day challenge, I'm aiming to kick dairy/grains/sugar primarily out of my diet, but will allow for small quantities every now and then. My main goal: 90/10, and get to a healthier mindset.
2 comments:
Yay - Faith! I'm so glad you're feeling better and stronger in your workouts. We miss you, but I'm super happy for you!
FP, good points above. I think that eating healthy can become a lot easier with these sort of kick off challenges. It seems tough at first, but if you stick with it (and i mean cutting the sugar/ processed foods specifically) you will truly realize the benefits of always eating relatively well. What happens to us when we first cut faux foods out entirely is that we go into withdrawals while we detox. It seems strange to think about but the physical symptoms that people experience when going Paleo are the exact same as if you were quitting heroin: preoccupation with attaining processed food, feeling sick or tired without it, and uncontrollable desire for more food smack. Think about all the crap that normal Americans cram down their throats and it makes even more sense: chemicals, preservatives, hormones, genetically modified foods. These are all foreign to humans, and your body adjusts to living with certain levels of them in your blood. This is very much like an alcoholic that develops a tolerance over time; so too do most people develop a tolerance when it comes to poisons in faux food. When you go cold turkey into Paleo, your body will immediately begin to remove the chemicals (detox the body), and it is a painful process. This is where the 30 Day Paleo Challenge really helps because the first ten days are the hardest, and its good to have a group push you on while you rehab from grains/sugar/salt. Love the post, good work FP!
Check my blog for delicious Paleo recipes too - http://keepyourchestup.blogspot.com
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