I started eating paleo when I became diabetic, and found that I can control my blood sugar on paleo, without any additional medication, better than most non-diabetic people can on their carb-laden diets.

I started eating Paleo by accident. Although I didn't think I was overweight. I developed pre-diabetes. I'm an RN, so like a good nurse I turned to the American Diabetis Associantion. What a huge mistake that was. Those people are totally out of touch with how to reverse diabetis with diet. Anyway, when th ADA failed my, and my blood sugar continued to get worse. I came home from one doctor appointment very upset. I went to my pantry and looked around and decided I would never again eat any type of processed food or grains. Just meat, fat and vegitables. Within 4 months my oral glucose tolerance test went from 198 to 95! That was about 3 years ago. On a web search one day I ran across MarksDailyApple and discovered that there were other people doing what I was doing and it even had a name: "Paleo". My blood sugar is still normal, with fastings in the 70's and 80's. Post meal it doesn't go over 100. I've lost 30 lbs that I didn't even really know was there. I have some much more energy now I've got more active. I recently rode 50 miles in a local bioke ride, have earned an orange belt in American Style Karate and have stared Krav Maga. I also started crossfit about 2 1/2 months ago and I've got my high school body back, except even better (I'm 50).

I've always been skinny - very skinny even - and could always eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight. I've also always - as far back as I can remember - suffered from depression and anxiety, and likely ADHD.

I stopped eating beef when I was about 12, for whatever reason, and went full-on vegetarian in my early 20s. After my worst depressive episode, and a trip to the ER after waking up in a full-blown panic attack, I started researching and came across books like Potatoes Not Prozac and the Sugar Addict series by Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons.

Eventually, after not eating beef for over 15 years, and after much agonizing, I went to the best butcher in town, bought myself a 10-oz ribeye, cooked it up in a pan with salt and pepper, steamed some kale on the side and went to town. I felt better after eating that steak than I had in years. I swear I got high off it. Best meal ever. Still get euphoric after a good steak.

That was about three years ago and since then I've been avoiding wheat/sugar with varying degrees of dedication but have struggled with being strict with myself. I think years of mental/emotional problems create habits which are very difficult to break.

This year I started a new job and with the stress of it I took to eating muffins/pastries every day - sugar makes the stress go away, for about 10 minutes. I also started having headaches every day, horrific mood swings, impenetrable brain fog and just generally feeling worthless. More research and I stumbled across Panu, Drs Eades, and Paleohacks.

I went 70% Paleo (I eat dairy, fruit, some nuts, and cheat too often) about three months ago and have been in awe of the changes I've noticed. My skin is clear and bright, my teeth are whiter, I'm happy, more social and able to think more clearly than I ever have. I'm still skinny, but the "problem spots" that we all have (even skinny girls) have shrunk - my "saddlebags" are significantly smaller, the waist of my jeans fits better (the muffin top is gone), my butt is smoother - without adding exercise or strength training - and I haven't lost any weight. My arms are stronger, I can lift more, and I don't get exhausted after carrying heavy things up stairs (it's part of my job).

I still struggle to keep more strictly Paleo as I love social eating and going out to restaurants, and I hate being the one to ask "do you have anything gluten-free?" I also live in Vancouver, which is a mecca for vegetarians/vegans, and most of my friends are at least veg, so to eat in almost complete opposition to them is alienating sometimes. It's also challenging after telling friends and family for years that I don't eat beef/meat that I now LOVE steak and crave meaty goodness at most meals. I can imagine the eyerolls I get from my mother-in-law when I'm not looking. Another benefit of Paleo, I've noticed though, is that it's much easier to turn down a muffin or a snack, without obsessing about it or needing to have it. Not easy, but easier, at least.

So, definitely not in it for the weight loss, but thrilled with changes in my body after coming to Paleo for what are basically mental health reasons. I have two younger brothers who are also super skinny, also suffer from depression, and are also going through a vegetarian phase. One lives with me and I'm doing my best to get good fats in to him without him noticing. My mom was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroidisis a couple of years ago, is overweight and most likely diabetic - all things we've seen connected to gluten intolerance. I've been trying to pass good information on to her but she is not really interested and it's hard to give people what seems like weight loss advice when you're the "always skinny" one.

/life story

I didn't have a weight loss goal in mind- I just felt tired all the time, old, and hungry every two hours. After eating fairly strict paleo for ten months, I now have more energy than I did when I was twenty five, look better, and I'm not plagued by hunger. I've never eaten such nutritious, tasty food, and for the first time in my life I love to cook, and love to experiment with new recipes. The fact that I look as lean as a mountain lion was an unexpected (and delightful!) surprise.

I didn't start Paleo to lose weight... like you, I have always been thin but I had low energy because I ate like crap (a LOT of pasta, rice, bread and cereal). Since starting to eat clean I have had so many improvements in not only my physique, but also my mental/emotional well-being. I have a lot of energy now considering my schedule is twice as full as it used to be. Like Samantha, I now love to cook and post recipes on my website to share with other people who are living the same lifestyle as me. It's been awesome for me and I really don't see ever going back to my old eating habits...

The majority of our box is already thin and in shape and they do paleo for health and to improve on performance. I, on the other hand, along with a few there, do need to lose weight. It seems to work for everybody. When trying not to lose weight, I think you do need to be cogniscent about getting enough calories though so you do not get too thin. I think our guys and gals just add more good fats to their diet. Good luck!

I started eating Paleo to see if it would really help my recovery times, and joint problems. Losing weight was not a big priority. I am a very high energy person, but I would hit a wall when I knew I could do more. Paleo eating is giving me that energy and stamina back. Since my cleaner ways, I feel more rested, my body feels stronger from the inside out and my mental well-being feels the same. I even enjoy making meals for my family and trying new things.

I found the paleo-way after investigating why I had such huge energy spikes and crashes, which I've had my whole life but were getting really bad last year. But I wasn't looking to lose any weight since I've been skinny my whole life.

In the spring of this year I went 'cold-turkey' and cut out all rice, grains, bread, pasta and regular potatoes. Now I no longer have the energy spikes and crashes but I did lose some weight. I'm hoping that by adding regular potatoes back into my diet I will be able to put on some body fat.

Ditto. I'm thin and a hard-gainer. I'm paleo because of other health benefits. I'm trying to gain some lean muscle right now. About 5 net pounds.

Weight loss is definitely not on my agenda. I actually wouldn't mind gaining a few pounds, as I currently weigh around 150 lbs. (6'0 tall)

My motivations here involve simply trying to improve health and minimize illth, while striving to align my eating habits with my political/economic/philosophical views.

Yep - me too not for weight gain. To see if asthma improves - and it does. OK - I was pleased to lose weight but now,at 144 pounds for 6 foot guy - I don't really want to lose much more!!

Also, love the fact that people keep saying how well I look - AND THAT I LOOK YOUNGER!!!!

The biggest plus though - is that I love the food!

My mother started paleo only because I told her it was healthier. She was in pretty good shape already, so I was surprised how much it helped her get even better. She has much more energy now and did in fact end up losing 15 pounds, even though it was not particularly on the agenda, but she is not exactly complaining either! Well, I take that back, she did once or twice complain about not having enough pants that fit anymore! ;-)