Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I have been transitioning into Paleo. Last week wasn't 100% Paleo, but I managed to avoid the bulk of grains, oils, and dairies by eating at home.

I had been eating a lot of Kale which actually made me feel better and more energetic which I'm amazed (probably anemic but need further testing). I have been taking multivitamins (chewable), and eating things like spinach for years and didn't really feel better keeping it up or not.

The thing is I have gained 3 pounds in one week (a lot for someone who's 5'3 weight rarely fluctuates more than 2 pounds a day, my weight is extremely stable when I find a spot). I haven't really been eating more either unless it was green vegetables.

I don't really look different in the mirror. My clothes still fit the same (they are a little snug despite my initial 10 lb loss in January so I'd notice). So I'm at a loss. Am I gaining muscle? My activity has been up a little doing a few more chores here and there, but not that much.

Maybe I am just uneasy because I have PCOS and am afraid I will gain those 10 pounds back? Anyone else experience anything similar?

Details Age: 27 height:5'3 weight: 146

Week before: Food: Breakfast: none, I hate breakfast period. 1-2 cups of Green tea, nothing added. early lunch: fast food, sammich and fries. water or unsweetened tea to drink. dinner: 50/50 lean meat in olive oil with peppers and onions and salad/fast food with vegetables

Activity: Desk job. Chores such as washing dishes, cooking, grocery shopping, light walking.

Stress: Normal work stress. You know, build the space shuttle with a screw driver type stuff.

Sleep: pretty good.

Last Week: Breakfast: Whn I do have breakfast I usually wait until brunch time when I am actually hungry. I have half a pouch of salmon/tuna to tide me over as protein. Not enough money for wild caught salmon type stuff, but getting there. 1 cup Green tea to drink, nothing added. I'm not a big breakfast eater, too much makes me queasy, especially if it's carbs. Lunch: Medium Raw Kale salad with 2-3 tbsp olive oil, and 1 whole large lemon More tuna 1/2 cup of carrots 1/4 cup fruit being apples, or cherries. Snack: more carrots or fruit if I am hungry Dinner: meat such as lean ground beef (with virgin cold pressed coconut oil) with chili seasoning, Tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Or grilled pork chop seasoned with mustard powder/onion powder with grilled onions and bell peppers More raw kale salad fruit if we have any, usually we don't. *had pepperoni mushroom green pepper pizza (added our toppings) on two dinners with kale salad. Normally I'd have 3-4 slices, but I only have two this time, so improvement form last week. again transitioning.)

Activity last week: I work a desk job (blah!), I do try to get up frequently, even if it's to get water. I did fast paced walking two days last week for 1.5-2 hours each day. We've been having a heat wave with 100+ heat indexes, I managed to get outside two of the cooler evenings. added behavior. lots of standing/walking around and preparing food this week compared to my typical sedentary activity. added behavior

Stress last week: Normal work stress. You know, build the space shuttle with a screw driver type stuff. I just didn't think about it this week since it's a daily occurence.

Sleep: Pretty good, didn't need as much sleep.

Summary: Overall this last week was better than week before.

This week's goal, increase activity, get more nutrients: Started incorporating weights into my activity. Purchased a juicer. I do eat salad, but really need to incorporate even more dark green leafy vegetables since I respond well to them.

edited Jul 25 at 17:33

asked Jul 25 at 13:50

Ashley
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Please tell us the following: how much you weigh, what you are eating (in a typical day), how is your sleep and stress levels, what exercise do you do (if any). – Dave S. Jul 25 at 14:11

Miriam · Answer 1 · 2012-07-25 13:59:56Z UTC

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How often do you weigh yourself? I'm also 5'3" and my weight can fluctuate as much as five pounds in ONE DAY due to water weight. I used to get on the scale every day and worry and fret about these kinds of changes, but then I realized that for me they're pretty much temporary. Long-term changes are what matter, and as long as you're not cheating with your food, a couple pounds here and there are nothing to worry about.

answered Jul 25 at 13:59

Miriam
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I only weight myself once a day, always in the morning. I'm less likely to eat crap foods if I keeps tabs on things this way. If I do gain water weight it's usually gone by morning, but then again, I don't weight myself at any other time to know I'm gaining water weight during the day. My face has looked a little bit rounder in the lower cheeks the last few days (not the neck) which is highly unusual, maybe my lymphatic system is a little slow? – Ashley Jul 25 at 14:17

"I ONLY weigh myself once a day" !!! ONLY? Stop weighing yourself so much, it'll make you crazy. Hide the scale. Go by clothing fit; it's more reflective of what you want to know. Don't ever weigh more often than once a week, better not at all, just go by fit. – Karen Jul 25 at 15:24

I use the scale and clothing fit to get a picture of what is going on. You can starve yourself for a week and still have clothes that fit better.I also understand that daily changes doesn't result in weight gain. However, I know my body. If I gain/lose weight and it averages there for 6-7 days it's likely to stay there. I am also one of those women who's weight doesn't fluctuate more than 2-3 pounds no matter what time it is. I just find the overreaction unhelpful. I've weighed myself on and off for years and have yet to go crazy:P Who knows, maybe the water weight isn't in all in my belly? – Ashley Jul 25 at 18:09

Karen · Answer 2 · 2012-07-25 14:00:57Z UTC

Ignore the scale. Scales are useless for gauging fat loss. If you're lifting weight you've probably gained some muscle (denser than fat.) Everyone's weight fluctuates daily by as much as +/- 2 pounds. 4 pounds in question every day. Women's weight fluctuates even more.

Kick the scale under the bed, back amongst the dust bunnies. Go by how your clothes fit.

Sleepyhouse22 · Answer 3 · 2012-07-25 14:06:20Z UTC

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You're not gaining five pounds of muscle. All men and top bodybuilders would be envious of you.

answered Jul 25 at 14:06

Sleepyhouse22
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True. Natural variation + maybe a little fat loss + maybe a little muscle gain. Mostly natural variation. Of course we also don't know OPs weight. Most of us assume people need to lose when they post that, but we've certainly seen people trying to get thinner when already underweight. – Karen Jul 25 at 14:19

HSpo17 · Answer 4 · 2012-07-25 14:25:39Z UTC

I'm having the same problem so I would love to hear more. I am extremely active and in great shape. I decided to go on Paleo almost 4 weeks go because I have RA and have been having a lot of issues with my stomach. I eliminated all grains and starches with the exception of 1/2 yam a day post workout because I lift almost daily. I do include fruit, but only berries, melon, and apples and I don't think I overdo it. I use to eat a lot of oatmeal, brown rice and Quinoa so I thought be eliminating those carbs I would "lean out" but I too feel like I've put on 3 lbs. Here are my stats:

5'6" 128 lbs 15-18% body fat

Ashley - maybe we can help tweak each other's diets and see what's going on?

Heidi

Weight gain on Paleo start?

4 Answers