Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Based on my last question, "Paleo & Ladie's Bodies", I have developed a new question facing Paleo/Primal participants.

If a healthy female participant in this lifestyle desired to be a little leaner (a little fat is ok), and at least have barely noticeable abdominals (all a girl can ask for..), would there be any small changes that can affect how that change is made to reach desirable effects, without steering away from Paleo/Primal ideals??

Perhaps the answer could be lower carb, or something along the lines of ketosis (can someone explain...) etc. etc.

Comments? Thoughts? Potential Answers?

flag	asked Apr 2 2012 at 3:25 MenaceDenis 293●2●7

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MenaceDenis, can you make this question a little more specific? There are several threads on paleohacks concerning ways to manipulate diet and activity to lose more weight (including threads about these issues for women). – Kamal♦ Apr 2 2012 at 3:28

MENACE! great job asking this question and rewording so that your real inquiry gets across! – Paleo4ever Apr 2 2012 at 15:11

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HAHA Thanks @Paleo4Ever! And Kamal, I think I'm just being general in terms of getting lean as a female. I understand that most of us here aren't really here to get lean necessarily, but rather for optimal health, but I'm sure that after so many years of the media pushing so many different types of images on girls, we still have these questions as we become women. Being of latin descent, there is no question as to whether being hot is important. Aesthetics absolutely play a large role in how we play in society, so whether it's important to some and not to others is a personal choice. – MenaceDenis Apr 2 2012 at 16:41

Nandalal_Rasiah · Answer 1 · 2012-04-02 05:37:05Z UTC

where are you leanest first when successfully losing weight in the past? Some people have visible rectus abdominus at bf% levels that, for other people, reveal nothing in that area. That same person with visible abs may have greater fat deposition on the glutes and thighs. It's pretty much impossible to spot-reduce permanently. Nobody believes me when I say I have about 20 lbs to lose to get into walking on the beach, vain-as-peacock shape but that's because they're looking at my face. This is partly why people do crash diets--a machinegun approach seems necessary when the area you want to be lean is the last to be so.

Corbab · Answer 2 · 2012-04-02 04:24:39Z UTC

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Like the comment says, I don't think being female necessitates any special dietary adjustments for fat loss. General paleo advice (whether it be VLC/keto, IF, etc) should suffice.

answered Apr 2 2012 at 4:24

Corbab
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I would have to respectfully disagree. Women face a lot more hormonal challenges that can affect weight loss. Anyone ever diagnosed with PCOS can attest to that. I think it takes a lot more tweaking to find what works when you're a woman, especially if you have endocrine/hormonal issues. – Gretchen Apr 2 2012 at 15:28

Not being a woman, I wouldn't know about that... :P All I was trying to say is that on the whole, diets are intended for people. – Corbab Apr 2 2012 at 22:51

jj · Answer 3 · 2012-04-02 16:47:12Z UTC

Thoughts from my personal experience:

This may just depend on your body and your genetics. I am probably never going to have visible abs. When I've been at my thinnest I don't have visible ab muscles, even though I have veins sticking out on my arms. Even at a lean bodyfat percentage, with no obvious pudge on my tummy and wearing a size 2 jeans I still carry all my fat subcutaneously and very little intra-abdominally. I'd need to go dangerously low in bodyfat to have the appearance of cut muscles in my abs and thighs. Other women have a different fat distribution, and may be able to get that appearance at a higher overall bodyfat.

Dragonfly · Answer 4 · 2012-04-02 14:51:18Z UTC

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If you are new to Paleo/Primal, then the key is to renourish your body, so that your hormones are in good balance.

Optimize Vitamin D, zinc, magnesium and Vitamins A & K. Fermented foods for gut health. Eat whatever macro ratio that works for you.

Once you've been 95% Paleo/Primal for at least 6 months, you can start tweaking. Most people try to move too fast on the fat loss and it never lasts.

What has worked for me to drop my last bits of belly fat is keeping my cortisol low (lots of gentle walking--not too much working out) and doing a protein-sparing modified fast (Low fat, high protein, just enough carbs to fuel activity.) I've been Primal for 18 months, though!

answered Apr 2 2012 at 14:51

Dragonfly
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	Dragon, how long did you do the PSMF for? what was your experience? – Paleo4ever Apr 2 2012 at 15:14
	Still doing it! I started with a 40 hour fast 2 weeks ago as a "reset" and do 2-3 days of PSMF, followed by an "eat whatever macro ratio I want" for a day or two, then back to PSMF. I am doing this very slowly, so allow eggs, but drain off cooking fat, try to eat more steaks, etc on my fast days.Have dropped 1" inch from my waist & 1 " from my hips in 2 weeks. – Dragonfly Apr 2 2012 at 15:24
	Cottage cheese is my best friend right now! – Dragonfly Apr 2 2012 at 15:29
	Congrats! thats awesome. So the 2-3 days of PSMF - are you doing what I have read, Egg whites and chicken breasts or you allow eggs and steaks? how much fat would you say you are eating on the PSMF days? – Paleo4ever Apr 2 2012 at 16:59
	Eggs & steaks. I'm guessing 100 gm of fat or less when I often eat 210. They key is to not make up the calories with carbs. The Protein helps with satiation. I also notice that I am eating smaller meals and feeling more satisfied. I give myself plenty of food, but always stop when full --no clean plate club here! – Dragonfly Apr 2 2012 at 17:46

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