Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hi

I've been on the Paleo diet now for 6 weeks. Strictly adhered to its rules for the first four weeks but have recently added small amounts of rice due to a problem I was experiencing - my legs burn going up just a few flights of stairs, my arms burn with relatively few reps of a weight I used to be able to lift easily. Initially I assumed my body was just switching energy sources and I would soon be feeling "freakin' awesome" as this was the desired outcome. 6 weeks in and I don't feel any better is there a usual time frame for feeling more energetic and not "burning up" so quickly?

flag	asked Jun 13 2011 at 5:54 Tiny06 31●1

	Is it a lactic acid type burn or something else? – Noah Jun 14 2011 at 6:02
	Feels like a lactic burn. – tiny06 Jun 15 2011 at 12:38

Travis Culp · Answer 1 · 2011-08-04 20:04:10Z UTC

You probably have almost no glycogen in your muscles to fuel anaerobic activity. Eating 130g net carbs a day would replete liver glycogen only. If you're lifting weights or doing sprints, you need to exceed that amount. Your other alternative is to eat a lot of highly ketogenic fats like coconut oil, but I've never seen any evidence that ketone bodies can be converted to glycogen. Odds are that even with a heavy coconut oil intake, you're in a highly catabolic state with gluconeogenesis converting muscle and/or dietary protein into glucose, and even then it's not enough to replete glycogen stores completely.

Ben · Answer 2 · 2011-06-13 12:47:28Z UTC

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Interesting question. Probably will be better answered by someone else, but I'm curious: how much water are you drinking?

answered Jun 13 2011 at 12:47

Ben
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	Probably not enough! No more than before Paleo and usually in Green tea or black tea, little of the pure stuff. I'm guess ing I should try more water! – tiny06 Jun 15 2011 at 12:38
	I would definitely suggest more H2O :-) – Ben Jun 15 2011 at 13:09

TomInTexas · Answer 3 · 2011-06-13 13:09:02Z UTC

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What is your diet like? I'm assuming fairly low carb? A lot of people need some carbs if they're working out. Try a cyclic-low carb with most of your carbs coming post workout in the form of sweet potatos and the like. Carbs aren't the enemy, they just need to be quality and used appropriately.

answered Jun 13 2011 at 13:09

TomInTexas
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	Typical 2 days: hursday 2 egg omelette with salmon, handful of blue berries Can of tuna, cherry toms and 1/3 avocado 1 Mandarin X2 Handful of nuts Lamb and sweet potato Curry on a bed of cabbage, leek and spring onion Poached pear and apple Grapes Dark chocolate enriched with Coconut Oil and Almonds x6 pieces Friday 2 egg omelette with raspberries and blue berries Cooked chicken ~ 200g, cucumber, cherry tomato and 1/3 avocado Carrot and handful of nuts Lots of pan fried prawns and a large salad Grapes Dark chocolate enriched with Coconut Oil and Almonds x6 pieces – tiny06 Jun 15 2011 at 12:39
	I wouldn't consider that ultra low-carb by any means – jared Jul 25 2011 at 15:45

jared · Answer 4 · 2011-07-25 15:39:19Z UTC

I would submit this question to Robb Wolf @ www.robbwolf.com. This seems interesting enough to make it onto his podcast. He loves quirky stuff like this. I won't even take a stab at this one b/c you've got some serious problem going on under the hood if you're getting lactic acid type pain after small amounts of activity. Godspeed.

wheelhouse · Answer 5 · 2011-07-25 16:23:12Z UTC

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Are you getting enough salt? I've found that this goes hand in hand with water intake. People that are having trouble with cramps and/or muscle soreness are not taking in enough water or salt.

answered Jul 25 2011 at 16:23

wheelhouse
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Tim · Answer 6 · 2011-07-29 15:00:05Z UTC

From the list you have there, I see very little FAT!!

Fat is the key to all of this and making your body feel well. You are almost in what is called the Rabbit Syndrome. You are starving your body of it's basic need.

A little coconut oil and fats from the nuts aren't cutting it. Eat some Bacon! Cook your eggs in Bacon fat, Eat Avocados or guacamole, Fat is what greases up our joints, and make our brains function properly. More good quality organic meats, bacon, avocados, coconut oil (drink it straight 1 or 2 shots, yes shots) of it daily is great for your skin and your body. More eggs. Salt is key too...make sure you season everything well, There is little salt on this eating plan due to the removal of all processed garbage, so season your meats well.

And yes...DRINK LOTS OF WATER.

Please visit my facebook page for a list of Foods I eat in the notes section along with my story and first 90 day results.

Thanks.

Tim http://facebook.com/bigtimsprimaljourney

Melissa · Answer 7 · 2011-08-04 19:54:20Z UTC

You may need more magnesium so that your muscles don't make as much lactic acid. Also, anytime you increase protein intake in the diet you need more magnesium. I take this supplement myslef: http://www.wellnessresources.com/products/magnesium_muscle_mag.php

Why do my legs / arms burn with reps?

7 Answers