I'm a cop... started doing paleo about two weeks ago. I work in a small town (pop. 20,000), so I can drive home for dinner (I work overnights). I usually already have something prepared, so this works out really great.

One of the big differences that I can tell right away is that since I'm also trying to lean out (and going lower-carb) that by taking in a higher percentage of fat to protein/carb, that I stay full a lot longer than if I had ate something that was strictly carb. In fact, I almost have to force myself to eat... now eating twice daily, and forcing a third sometimes.

As far as the effects on my body, I had bad sugar cravings the first week, but now I don't care. I'm also noticing a slight dip in my performance when I lift several times a week and on my sprints (no change on my short and easy 3 mile runs).

Overall, I've dropped five pounds, am leaning out (currently at 163 lbs., but shooting for a lean 150 with ripped abs). I'm excited, because this is working out much better than when I was strictly counting calories.

I am in Corrections so our schedule of 56 days, 56 nights on 12 hours shifts gets hard on the body. Since going paleo I drink less coffee simply for the fact that I don't get as tired at night. When I get up in the morning, I am alert and ready to go. Handy when getting those calls to come in asap. Packing lunch at first was a bit trickier with out sandwiches, but all the handy dried foods nuts and such make up for it. Being able to grab something small like that and having it last is nice though. Good Luck!

I'm a paramedic/firefighter. There are several issues with our schedule and all of them benefit by being paleo. Prior to eating clean I was a cortisol poster boy: worked out hard without result, had a big gut, always tired and always hungry.

Things are better now but shift-work is hard on your body. Getting up in the middle of the night presents all kinds of issues: should I eat? should I go back to sleep? Should I go work-out and try to gut it out tomorrow? every situation is different. Chronic sleep deprivation is horrible.

Try to maximize the things you can control: eat well when you can: keep a stash of food (nuts, tanka bars, smoked salmon) for when the meal becomes pizzas after a long fire. Create a sleep environment (blackout curtains, cooler temps, white noise) and keep to as regular a sleep pattern as possible. modify or eliminate your workouts when appropriate.

In our [dysfunctional] family there are those that try to sabotage my efforts but in my case it makes me stronger in my commitment. I've lost @20 lbs and feel great. good luck!