it shouldn't be long before you start to feel really great. some people report detox symptoms from getting grains and milk out of the diet so dont be surprised or discouraged if you feel icky for a few days just get over that hump. as far as weight goes keep your fruit carbs down until you start losing then if you really want to, add fruits one at a time and check your response to them as far as weight loss stopping or slowing. congratulations on making such a healthy change!

Mark's Daily Apple has a free e-book called Primal Fitness that is great for beginners. Don't over work yourself but work hard. Give yourself a couple days of recovery time between hard workouts. And continue walking! Too few of us in the Paleo world take slow movement seriously enough.

Find a good Naturopath to talk to about how to cope with a lack of a thyroid. I imagine you have to be on thyroid hormone. Not having a thyroid is going to make things more complex and the standard advice will be more likely not to apply to you. Your version of paleo will likely have too be more strict, more regimented, and more defined. If you don't have a good doctor nearby, schedule an appointment with Chris Kresser via skype. He's a little bit pricey but good advice is worth it.

And remember, it took 47 years to get where you are today. It may take a few years to undo 47 years worth of damage. Be patient! Don't eat gluten. And since you have no thyroid, get some good advice from a well informed doctor.* It's not wise for you to go it alone.

*remember just because someone who has had 8 years of medical training can make you feel uninformed doesn't mean that they are properly informed. Take their advice and comments and research them. They are an ally or are trying to be but that doesn't mean they're always right. Not every doctor is a good doctor but they usually are sharp enough to make it seem like they are.

Congratulations! You have taken a huge step in the right direction. The hardest part for me was getting used to cooking without sugar, grains, and dairy. Once I got the hang of that part the rest was pretty easy. What's worked best for me is to plan a week of meals out in advance and shop accordingly. And remember, you can't overeat on protein and fat. Eat until you're sated and don't be surprised in a couple of months if you find yourself going longer and longer between meals. I now fast almost daily for 16-24 hours and this is without being hungry. (Keep in mind I didn't start Intermittent Fasting until three months into Paleo and I eased into it!)

As far as what to expect, I didn't have any negative physical issues - just good ones. Within my first 30 days the inflammation in my legs disappeared, my lethargy went away, my joint pain was gone, and I lost 12 lbs without exercising at all.

What's been crucial for me has been having a support system. I don't have anyone in my immediate circle who knows anything about this lifestyle so I had to go to Twitter and Facebook to find others who could keep me motivated and excited. And it's worked! I've been Paleo for nearly six months and I haven't felt better. I've lost a total of 60lbs so far and it has been EFFORTLESS. I can't imagine living any other way now. :)

Stay focused and if you feel yourself slipping back into old habits, do NOT beat yourself up! Just take a deep breath and start right back again. Some of the best advice I received was to take ownership of your choices. If you choose to eat something that you know isn't good for you - own that decision. Accept it and move on. Fixating on the negative detracts from all the good you have done and can all too often keep you from going on to do more good. Blow the bad decisions off and get right back to it. No one is keeping score and you're not on a time limit. I will only suggest that you stick to it 100% for at least the first 30 days. This gives your body time to recover from all the possible negative effects of those various deleterious foods. By the time that 30 days is over you won't even miss those foods. :)

Stay strong and positive and remember why you're doing this. Be the best YOU you can be. :)

First off, welcome! And congrats on making the commitment to turn around your health.

I would definitely recommend ditching the protein shake. You should eat calories, not drink them. Have some eggs or salmon instead. I think walking is a fantastic choice as far as exercise. You could look into strength training which is very beneficial for a lot of people but if you get your food in check your weight should normalize.

Read, read, and read up on paleo as much as possible. There are tons of easy recipes online and great resources for advice on the paleo lifestyle. This site alone will answer many questions and guide you to other sites via links. Most importantly is to find what works for you. Eat the paleo foods you like and find exercise that you enjoy. I wish you the best!

I think that Paleo is going to be a great choice for you. Think of it as a lifestyle change, not just a diet. I agree with the previous post. Read up on Paleo. There are a TON of recipes you can find online. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it will become easier once you have realized that this is a lifestyle change for you. The best advise I ever read is, when you go into a grocery store, stick to the perimeter of the store. That's where you will find the veggies, fruits, and meats. I have a blog that I was writing on, not a whole lot to it, I just write about our experience with paleo, recipes we loved, and our struggles. It's www.thecavewomanthatcould.blogspot.com. If you ever need to talk to someone about it for tips or help, contact me. Stick to walking for your workouts for now. When you feel like youre ready, add some running in with your walking. You will slowly feel your endurance build and you will feel strong enough to do it.

Good luck