Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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So, for 8 months I've been Paleo devoted. I have eaten 100% no cheats for about 6 months, and have recently tried Many different combinations from suggestions is Paleohackers- zero carb, high fat, low fat, low protein, every combination imaginable...

All with the hopes of maintaining a 30 lb weight loss from last year.

My weight and body composition has steadily been changing for the worse ever since I began this Paleo journey.

I realized this yesterday as I went to go try on a dress I would wear all the time last summer, and it barely fit, awkwardly squeaked over my now big thighs and legs and just looked ridiculous.

It made me realize that I am infact living the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing Over and over (Paleo) and expecting a different result (body composition improvements)...

I just don't know what to do next and where to go- if this is the wrong way of eating for me, how does one move away from here.. What does one do when it just truly, isn't working????

flag	asked Apr 7 2012 at 13:51 Paleo4ever 1,430●3●19

are you saying that your thighs/legs are bigger muscular or fat? Just curious if you are over exercising and building too much muscle in that area? – Kelly Apr 7 2012 at 14:14

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Are you counting calories? Weighing/measuring food intake and tracking? I know that my process is not widely accepted here, but I find that I'm most successful when I pay fairly close attention to my intake. If I eat bacon, nuts, fatty cuts of meat slathered in Kerry Gold butter, etc. "to satiety" my body composition would change for the worse. I have a measuring cup, a table spoon, and a small digital scale. It's a piece of cake and I absolutely don’t obsess over it. Keeps me in tune with what I am actually eating, rather than what I think I am eating. – Ralph Furley Apr 7 2012 at 14:28

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I'm going to go out on a limb here - but the past time you posted you were wondering about the difference between an ED and paleo, and mentioned that your family/friends were concerned about you. Have you considered that perhaps the 30 pounds you lost were too many for your body? You're a tall person. A normal, healthy bodyweight for a 5'9" woman ranges quite widely. – gydle Apr 7 2012 at 17:04

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I have to agree with gydle, given your history of posts, eg. your concern about underweight, and lack of menstruation. I know how it feels to be dissatisfied with your body, but it's hard to tell from here if you have a distorted body image or not. Is there someone you trust to give you an honest opinion about that? – Ambimorph Apr 7 2012 at 20:27

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The thing is, Paleo, if your clothes were from the time when you were underweight, they're not going to fit any more, and that's normal. You'd expect that, if you start moving to a healthier weight (which, in your case, probably would include an increase in body mass in hips and thighs), your clothes are going to fit differently, and you're going to need to consider a new wardrobe. Basing your size on the clothes you were wearing when you were underweight is self-sabotage of the worst kind. – Firestorm Apr 8 2012 at 21:56

show 8 more comments

Andy · Answer 1 · 2012-04-07 14:25:00Z UTC

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I recommend reading Anthony Colpo's Fat Loss Bible. Despite it's somewhat hyperbolic title, it's the truth and approaches the issue from a paleo approach.

answered Apr 7 2012 at 14:25

Andy
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	That is a great recommendation for you. The ebook only costs 10 bucks. – foreveryoung Apr 7 2012 at 14:37
	thanks ill check it out – Paleo4ever Apr 7 2012 at 14:57

Sigrid · Answer 2 · 2012-04-07 14:44:52Z UTC

I've found that since starting paleo I need around 200 fewer calories a day than before. My weight went up when I stayed at my previous caloric level. I'm not sure why, I think it might have to do with fat and protein digesting more completely than all the high fiber carb food I used to eat a lot of (oat bran etc).

Doug · Answer 3 · 2012-04-07 15:38:16Z UTC

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Sounds like something else might be going on. Have you had a medical evaluation? Could be thyroid issues.

There is more to weight loss than diet. Are getting enough sleep? How's your stress levels?

answered Apr 7 2012 at 15:38

Doug
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+1 on sleep and stress. Any supplements? Has anything changed in your lifestyle (not just your diet)? – Crystal Apr 7 2012 at 15:47

I wish it was medical. I had a full hormonal panel done a few months ago and everything was normal except cortisol. which i have been working diligently to lower. Adaptogenic herbs and lots and lots of sleep. I stopped going out with friends, and put myself to bed for 9+ hrs of sleep for the past month – Paleo4ever Apr 7 2012 at 16:28

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cortisol can be elevated due to too much protein and too few carbs. – foreveryoung Apr 7 2012 at 17:13

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ah! didn't know that! very interesting, since i thought that going low carb was going to help me. but things have just gotten worse – Paleo4ever Apr 7 2012 at 17:34

ulcova · Answer 4 · 2012-04-07 16:21:08Z UTC

I'm also female, 53yo, and paleo since early last summer, so about the same time. I'm not overweight, never was, and always lose weight in the summer, gain in the winter, all my clothes incl. bras, panties, pants are in 2-3 different sizes. Last summer I lost alot more weight than usual, actually too much, got better after I added back more carbs into my diet. I never weigh myself, haven't in decades, just notice from how my clothes fit. So last fall after being paleo a few months I thought I wouldn't gain again in the winter. Well, here I am again at my usual "spring weight", larger size, but with a slightly different body composition. I didn't gain my wheat belly back, and I'm in my fifties. Depending on where you live, what kind of seasons you have it is normal to gain several pounds in the winter. Even my cats do that, they are also paleo, but eat a ton in fall/winter and hardly anything in the summer.

Yarah · Answer 5 · 2012-04-07 15:43:04Z UTC

I read just read that an imbalance of your estrogen metabolism can cause fat store on buttocks and legs. You can reduce this by balancing your estrogen again, for example with DIM (Diindolylmethane). DIM is a component which is found in vegetable including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and other types of cabbage. I read it on a dutch blog: http://jessevandervelde.com/plaatselijk-vet-verbranden-op-benen-en-billen-wel-of-niet-mogelijk/
But have to say, he doesn't use scientific references, so don't know where he gets his info from.

Marcy · Answer 6 · 2012-04-09 16:39:43Z UTC

Bigger doesn't mean fatter and it isn't always clear at first that it is muscle. I have noticed that my entire body is larger after going primal, but it is really solid now. At first I thought I was gaining weight in my thighs, but when I squat down and raise my toes and feel my thighs, it is all just muscle (even though it doesn't look like ripped muscles when I am just standing in front of a mirror). I think I have been under-muscled for most of my life and now that I am getting adequate protein, I am actually gaining muscle I should have had all along. This has resulted in my pants being tighter around my thighs and butt but I feel powerful and strong and I LOVE it. I would rather have this solid body and be a size or two larger than go back to being the "thin girl" that popular culture celebrates. I might have been super thin pre-paleo, but I look back on pictures and see a mushy little waif in desperate need of a ribeye.

If you have noticed an increase in body fat and definitely not muscle, then I would ask the community if maybe yo-yoing through all the different iterations of paleo might have a negative effect on your body? Also, what is your exercise routine? And give us some numbers! I also have a sneaking suspicion that you might be being tougher on yourself about weight than you should be...

foreveryoung · Answer 7 · 2012-04-07 14:17:07Z UTC

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carbohydrate cylcing is also helpful, and maintaining a WEEKLY caloric deficit is critical. Cutting out fruit and dairy is also helpful, and limiting red meat and egg yolk consumption as well. If you want to improve body composition quickly while still remaining paleo, these tips should be of use.

IF you don't think paleo is it for you then so be it. Maybe you could do a figure competitor like diet for a few months to really get into solid condition, and then return to paleo once you've reached your composition goals? I'm just trying to be practical. I hope this helps. Oh, and mindset is critical for any fitness goal as well. you have to believe you can do it.

answered Apr 7 2012 at 14:17

foreveryoung
15.7k●2●11●54

Forever - i havent eaten a piece of fruit in 6 months or dairy since i began paleo. the limiting red meat and egg yolk is interesting...maybe i should try that – Paleo4ever Apr 7 2012 at 14:41

Forever, thank you that'd be amazing. jeni.jazz@gmail.com. Greatly appreciated. – Paleo4ever Apr 7 2012 at 21:28

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Just person experience here but my body composition improved when dropping poultry and increasing red meat (far more complete nutrition, higher in fat and lower in excess protein, higher in omega 3s and entirely more satisfying).I could eat a whole chicken yet 1/2 a steak does me in. – Chelsea Apr 8 2012 at 1:45

I guess I should have clarified with fatty red meat. i try to keep to leaner cuts. I just feel better with leaner cuts of it. – foreveryoung Apr 8 2012 at 2:01

there's no famine coming soon or anything. – foreveryoung Apr 8 2012 at 2:02

Dragonfly · Answer 8 · 2012-04-07 16:21:47Z UTC

Depending on what your diet was like, Pre-Paleo, you are likely seeing your hormones re-balance as you nourish your body with real food.

I am assuming you are avoiding all meat, farmed fish & dairy with growth hormones/antibiotics?

Is your Vitamin D sufficient?

How is your zinc intake?

Patience and perhaps a consult with a paleo-friendly naturopath are in order.

deziray Click · Answer 9 · 2012-04-08 03:54:38Z UTC

I too gained weight on Paleo, twice! My husband has lost weight and is doing and feeling better than ever on Paleo. I felt fine but my weight never dropped and went up quite a few pounds. My legs and thighs too got much bigger. I know that I was eating the "right Paleo way" because it was and is still working for my husband. He is THRIVING on it! YEARS ago I read a book titled "Eating for your blood type" I have not thought about this book in over 10 years until I saw that Paleo was affecting him and I differently. He is type O and I am type A blood. I know this sounds crazy but according to that book type O's do better on meat and type A's do better on fruits and veggies. I COULD BE COMPLETELY WRONG BUT IT DOES SEEM THAT WAY FOR MY HUBBY AND I! I am now back on Weight Watchers and I focus on lean meats,veggies and fruits. I am now finally losing again.

foreveryoung · Answer 10 · 2012-04-07 14:09:11Z UTC

You may just need to exercise more?

Try looking at how natural figure athletes prepare for competitions. They eat things like whey protein, egg whites, almonds, avocado, oats, sweet potatoes, very little fruit, and lots of green veggies spaced out in intervals of 2-3 hours. It will improve body composition naturally, which will have many health benefits in and of itself.

For instance, a figure competitor might eat this - 3-6 egg white omelet with 1/2C oats cooked in water * workout with weights and 10 minutes of cardio - whey protein shake and an apple - tuna with veggies - low or nonfat cottage cheese with almonds - chicken with brown rice and broccoli - casein protein shake

It is different than paleo but it is not all that unhealthy. Whatever unhealthy aspects there are to it may be overshadowed by the health benefits of dropping fat and improving body composition.

Hack My living the definition of insanity

10 Answers