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So I just started paleo, and I am 15 years old.. And well alot of people suggested that I don't lose my teenagehood because of paleo. So I thought of allowing one cheat meal a week. How will that affect my body after switching paleo? And should I start now or after a month or so? I need cheat advice.

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Well are you trying to lose weight or anything? It depends on what your goals are. I find that I can have pizza every now and then and be ok. – Melmac Nov 7 at 23:07
weight loss isn't a big deal, but i recently got a concussion and im not able to workout and so i feel as if i'm endangering myself of gaining weight. – Brianna Nov 20 at 23:37
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Brianna- I think you should consider a somewhat 'holistic' approach. Mind and body should be equally happy. You're a (per definition smart, since on paelohacks) teenage girl and should have 'normal' teenage social interactions. This is highly unlikely to be very paleo-friendly, unfortunately. This is not optimal, but you should be able to manage it, and more importantly, not beat yourself up because of it. I like Mark Sisson's take on it ... marksdailyapple.com/… – Olivier Dec 6 at 0:28

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Here are my responses the last three times "cheating" came up:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/48921/what-proportion-of-your-cheats-are-planned-unplanned/49058#49058

http://paleohacks.com/questions/99475/a-newbie-to-cheating-a-litte-help/99480#99480

http://paleohacks.com/questions/84822/are-you-cheating-this-christmas/84858#84858

Another take on this that I like is that the term "cheat" in most uses means to do something as a shortcut that gets you ahead. That is, cheating on a test gets you a better grade, cheating in a race gets you to the finish faster, etc. There's nothing about "cheating" in your diet that gets you ahead.

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So when people 'cheat' on their significant others it gets them ahead? No. It's a break from values for satisfaction's sake. Just like cheating on a test. – Kashkillz Jan 17 at 1:32
@Kashkillz - technically, cheating on their partner got them the short term goal they thought the wanted at the time (i.e. sex), so I think "cheat" as miked defined still works in that case. – greymouser Jan 17 at 14:40
So does cheating on your diet, then. – Kashkillz Jan 21 at 5:49
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Hi, Brianna.

The most interesting thing for me was this: "And well alot of people suggested that I don't lose my teenagehood because of paleo."

I'm sure many paleohackers will tell you you're not losing anything, but regaining something - that's the premise of Paleo. But even though they mean well, it's not about them, and it's not about the naysayers either - it's about you.

Have a read of this from Peter at hyperlipid: "Actually, the oddest feeling I have ever had was at a goth rock concert, probably VNV Nation playing last year at Rock City in Nottingham. One of the best gigs ever. Very dark, very loud, very packed. Great lighting, what there was of it. Full dress goths with fantastic clothes and body jewelry and everyone moving to the deep roaring beat. But the weirdest thing was they all had pints. Pints of beer. Not the people actually in the mosh pit of course, but almost everyone else. It's a wheat based, alcohol fueled culture that we live in and a pint of beer is a symbol of everything I've left behind. I felt VERY strange, a real odd ball amongst the hard core goths at the gig... Despite external appearances, they were far more mainstream that I'll ever be again!"

http://high-fat-nutrition.blogspot.co.uk/2008/01/what-do-i-eat-fitday-analysis.html

His blog is highly technical, but that post is quite simple and may help you find your feet.

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thanks (: i total get how that guy feels at school people eating like cookies and stuff at 9 in the morining, i feel really different. – Brianna Nov 20 at 23:36
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I was having cheat days here and there... I honestly just got tired of the stomach ache that comes along with any flour or sugar after a period of abstinence. It took a few punishing situations for it to sink in...

Socially, I just use humor & self-deprication to deflect any awkwardness.

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Also, try to find a Paleo way to indulge... I love the bulletproof coffee. Looking forward to it motivates me to stick to my plan.

Mind you, I'm not encouraging you to follow bulletproof IF. It's just an example. I have zero knowledge on the variables of sex and age concerning this diet or any other.

You should search this site for 'paleo sweets' or something similar. Maybe even make enough to share with your non-Paleo friends.

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When your friends come down with the flu and miss prom, head off to college and get their "freshman-fifteen", and are asking you how you stayed so healthy this whole time when they're on medication at 30 you're not going to think you missed a thing.

I was raised by hippies and always brought "weird" food to school or had to explain, "No, I don't eat that" at pretty much every party, but I wouldn't trade that for anything. Being comfortable with your dietary choices is one of the easiest ways to begin getting comfortable with yourself. And that's exactly what your teenage years are really about.

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