Yesterday I attended a BBQ at a friend's house. The festivities started in the early afternoon and it was a kid-friendly event, so several guests brought the entire family. The host had set up a badminton net in the backyard. The adults played a couple games and then mostly retired to the chairs on the deck to drink beer and chat. Well.. all of the adults except me. I ended up staying out there running, hitting, diving, rolling, sweating, and have a great time with the kids (while we made fun of the lazy "grown ups") until the sun went down.

Learning how to play like a kid again is awesome.

For me, living in NE Ohio, it has really put an end to my allergies. I walked out to my car the other day, saw that it was covered in yellow pollen and cringed, wishing I had my allegra with me. Funny thing is, I haven't had to use any allergy medication since going paleo. I have more energy and feel better overall!

being free from an 'incurable auto-immune disease'.

I have lost weight, to a point where I feel much more comfortable and happy with my body - but that wasn't from straight paleo eating - it started when I cut sugar and gradually went low-carb. But feeling like I know the 'secret' to being the size I want is fantastic. And hunger is no longer my ongoing enemy - now that I am not fuelling myself with carbs, I just don't feel ruled by hunger like I used to.

Paleo has been a miracle for me. The main positive health benefits have been insulin control, reduced inflammation and superior nutrition.

• I injured my shoulder a number of years back. Before paleo it would occasionally become stiff and sore. After paleo that has completely stopped.

• I used to get a bloated upset stomach before paleo. After paleo my gut is rock solid.

• I eat as much delicious food as I want (or can) and it seems almost impossible to get fat.

• I haven't had a cold since going paleo two years ago.

1. Lost 50lbs and still going
2. The resulting improvement in looks.
3. Energy
4. No more heartburn (unless I really overdo it with spices/peppers)
5. Cabin fever never kicked in this year
6. Allergies haven't hit me yet either.

GF is thrilled I can use more than the microwave and toaster, though she still thinks taunting me with lunchtime sandwiches is fun.

The best thing is stopping inhaled steroids which I have had for years for asthma. My GP is amazed! The asthma nurse is worried - "too much meat is proven statistically to cause bowel cancer..."

And feeling fitter - and sleeping better - and losing weight etc etc. All positive!

The tremendous weight loss (150lbs so far), obviously, but also numerous health improvements; formerly debilitating asthma and arthritis are almost non-existant and my nasty Rosacia is gone entirely. As others have reported, I never get sick either. I used to get VERY ill several times a year and now I'll perhaps get the sniffles for a day, or a scratchy throte ... then it's gone.

But the very best thing about going Paleo is the anticipation of living to be a strong, active, mentally sharp 80-90 year old! I plan to be able to do my chores, work in my garden, and heft my great grandkids at age 85!

I don't have to choke down chicken breast ever again. LOVE chicken thighs and legs so much more.

Love being able to have some heavy cream or coconut oil in my tea.

Love the energy, sense of control over appetite, and the weight flying off. Love the simplicity of this. Seems to make sense and am done with all of the carb controversy that friends bring up. I just don't care anymore. No need to try to talk anyone else into this; works for me.

I feel better, look better, eat less, and have more free time.

I'd write more, but I'm gonna go do something physical

My favorite thing about going Paleo is being able to rave about it to other people! The effects that this lifestyle has had on my performance, athletic ability and physique are so exciting to me and I love giving other people confidence in a plan that can truly work for anyone. So many fad diets are all work and no results, but a paleo lifestyle can be enjoyable and life changing.

2 meals a day is a big time saver

That I can just eat and eat and eat delicious foods... and watch others eat cakes, cookies, etc and think to myself, yikes, better them than me!

Better control of blood sugar. One hour after a primal meal, my blood sugar is 90!

i used to be controlled by my appetite! i would wake up with a sour, painful feeling in my stomach until I ate something. fasting until noon was torture.

i would feel faint and completely energy-less in the afternoons and late morning until i had a snack.

i would often somewhat binge on sweets or bready things, then atone for it by over-controlling my food intake for a few meals or days and pounding myself with exercise.

After paleoizing, i realize to my astonishment, that my body can actually regulate for itself how much food it needs-- i don't have to constantly try to control, i can just listen to it!

And my formerly ravenous sweet tooth is now satisfied by a little bit of fruit. And I am only hungry when my body needs food, not when my blood sugar crashes.

I enjoy the freedom from modern dietary dogma while pouring liquid beef fat out of my frying pan and onto a plate of arugula. Mmmmmm...salad.

Going paleo is the more recent result of a progression starting 7 years ago. Age 59, tried out the Dean Ornish diet, subsequent diagnosis; metabolic syndrome progressing to diabetes. Lose 30 pounds or else the needle. Heard a radio program featuring Dr. Nicolaus Pericone. Raided the kitchen and threw away all my grains, flours, processed food. Salmon and berries for me and get over the chicken skin. It's supposed to be there. Immediate improvement in blood glucose numbers. Doctor stunned. Went low-carb and proceeded to lose 30 pounds over the next 20 months. Doctor starts asking for medical advice. Quit my job, got in my sailboat and left Seattle for South Pacific. Age 66 floating around Thailand for the last couple years. Paleo blogs have cemented my understanding of how harmful some foods are. PUFA vegetable oils, grain and legume anti-nutrients are things of the past. Unrefined palm and coconut oils and fresh caught sea food are my way of life.
Going Paleo has given me a renewed courage to face old age in the best health I can muster. Living Paleo is the best health insurance I can think of (and the only insurance I have). I have lived amongst several small authentic paleo communities on my boat travels though the South Pacific. These are strong people. Big, strong healthy people.

I look good naked.

I don't smell anymore.

I'm a better mother. Wow, that was the biggest surprise. I have four children, and two are foster/adopt, so they have some issues that used to send my heart pounding, plus I have a stressful job, and a very stressful extended family situation. Needless to say, while on SAD, I didn't control stress well. OK, stress consumed me, and sometimes my children were the unwilling "victims" of my moods. Nothing even near abusive, but I'm sure the atmosphere wasn't always the best in my house due to my headaches, lack of energy, and sour mood swings - which I fought daily in order to be the best mother I could be in the circumstances. Since going paleo, things just don't "get" to me, I'm able to shrug off most things. If I don't shrug them off, I deal with them immediately and assertively in a much calmer way, then move on happily. Wow, that was a shock, I thought getting over the seasonal allergies and less colds was more than enough of a benefit, but this is the real payoff! Who thought a diet change could make me into a better person and mother?! Thank you, thank you, thank you paleo - this is what being a human being really feels like!