I'll be bold and give myself a 9!

STARTING: age 23-- vegan, 'incurable' immune deficiency, amenorrhea, no libido, antibiotics every other month, apple-shaped, stringy hair, pale skin w dark circles under my eyes, fuzzy thoughts, depression.

5 years Paleo...

Age 28: symptomless with no antibiotics for 3 years, menstruating regularly, changed body type to pear-shaped, my hair got thick and curly, my skin got rosy and freckly, I've got libido, energy, general joy, and clear thoughts. I can also hear my body clearly-- what it needs and wants (more sleep/less sleep, more run/less run, etc).

I think the keys for me were cutting all carbs and sugars, adding dairy fat, learning thru trial the teas and herbs that boost my immune function and when to use them.

I've also been told I smell like a mix between maple syrup and celery. (hence the 9, not 10 :))

I guess 8 or 9. On the positive side:

• I can climb a mountain any time. I'm already packed. Let's go now!
• I almost always feel fabulous.
• I'm happy and even-tempered (before I was depressed, negative, self-hating).
• I sprint and do pushups and see improvement little-by-little.
• Aches and pains are mostly gone.
• I'm much thinner than I used to be.

On the minus side:

• My eyesight sux because I'm in my 40s.
• I'm still a bit flabby.
• I'm always sore from my exercises.
• Still waiting for that improved libido thing, but frankly, I don't care that much.

Mental health: 0.000001/10, but that's not because of Paleo and it's too long and depressing to bear whining about here.

Physical health: 9/10. I never get sick. I feel strong and healthy. Since February, I've gained 10 pounds of muscle (bodyfat % went down even as my weight went up). I lift weights; I run sprints; I do MMA training; I bike everywhere and laugh at everyone else sitting on their asses in their cars. My one complaint: persistent constipation issues. Still trying various dietary tweaks to deal with that. But all told it's fairly minor compared to how A+ I feel on a daily basis.

Most important tweak: carbs. I do not do well on VLC. Don't know whether it's just my metabolism, my workouts, or the combination of both, but heaven help the fool who stands between me and my sweet potatoes.

8.5

two things keep this from being a 10:

1) I wish I would incorporate more Movnat stuff into my workout regimine. In fact, I wish I never went to a gym and did everything outside in the woods. But I love lifting and olympic weightlifting in particular so I am constantly battling unnecessary injury. I know Movnat would be much better for my overall health and longevity but I really enjoy pushing myself in the gym.

2) Job stress. I have eliminated most of it but it still creeps in on occasion.

7 - my first attempt at the Paleo lifestyle (unweighed and unmeasured, but strict LC) saw me gain 10kgs... I have now dialled in my calories, but now have a total of 20kg to lose. I feel better internally, my IBS has cleared up, I don't get bad acne anymore, my hair/skin/nails are all soft and lush and shiny, and I have definitely built some nice lean muscle.

But my two concerns are: I want to lean out, slim down and lose 20kg and I want to incorporate more primal living in other areas of my life I.e. not working a desk job

About 7.5, I think. I still feel sluggish most of the day, my eyesight is not perfect, and I have a small surgery awaiting for me. But other than that, I'm feeling good. Paleo healed a lot of health problems for me. Up to 9 months ago, before I started Paleo, I think my health was a 2.

7 - rarely sick and seriously enjoy getting outside and doing some strenuous playing

8.5 biggest tweak, not being afraid of fat, not eating more than 3 servings of fruit. I feel fantastic so when I have a runny nose like today, I feel like a big baby. Makes me feel humble for the fact that a feel great most of the time.

2 years ago I would have said where I am right now would be an unachievable 10. But being here for more than 18 months I would say I'm more like an 8.5 because I believe I could hit that chiseled cut look pretty easily if I went 100% Paleo, lifted even a little, and put in some sprints. But I'm 80% Paleo with nearly zero exercise. I feel great all the time, but I COULD make a bit further if I put in some more effort.

• I have 20/10 vision.
• I have not a had a cavity since I was 13.
• I glisten. I don't sweat.
• I have consistent energy levels.
• I am athletic.
• have not been sick in over a decade, at least.

room for improvement: - more sleep. - less alcohol. - better fitness - better body - find out if I deformed jaw from past malnutrition.

I think I have been in something close to my sweet spot for the past 4 years. A couple big things have been (although I still struggle with these) excepting imperfection and not seeing everything as either black or white- that there is often a comfortable middle ground to be had.

I think that makes me >=7. There's always room for improvement. Who's a 10?

You will never reach "optimal". Homeostasis is in constant flux. I just continue to do things that improve my bodies abilities to adapt and move towards a state of health and balance.

I eat well, I exercise hard and brief a couple times a week, I dont sweat the small stuff...and its all small stuff. I get adjusted (chiropractor) regularly, but thats the only doctor I ever visit.

I give it an 8 due to previous sports injuries and irreparable damages done and cause I still like my booze.

I would think it would be hard to really tell what your optimum is or where on the scale you are unless you had previously eaten a crappy diet, felt terrible and had a frame of reference for comparison? I men, sometimes I think I feel crappy, but then, compared to people I know that have a Terrible diet, the way I feel would be terrific for them.

4 - I was doing great until I decided to not be as strict. 4 weeks of beer, pizza, & cake gave me 10 pounds of fat in my stomach and thighs..

It looks like i have to start over

I will never be satisfied with my health. I need to improve. I need...to be...the very best...like no one ever was...to never catch a cold again is my real test...to train my body is my cause.

I need perfection. I need to BE health.