I am interested in starting a group on campus that will revolve around the paleo lifestyle. What would you like to see in such a group? I have means of teaching the ideals of paleo lifestyle but also showing how to easy it can be to incorporate plaeo into you new life. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome, thank you!!
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As others have mentioned, support is a big part of it. Staying Paleo as a college student is hard because there are so many temptations that are part of the college lifestyle (binge drinking and the terrible food choices that go with it, late night study/snack sessions, cheap meals that are almost all grains and/or processed crap, etc) and no one is paying any attention to health, so there is a constant pressure to conform and stop worrying about your health. Creating a safe haven where people can hang out and meet people without having to worry about being singled out for how they eat or having to attempt to explain why they don't eat grains is huge. Next step is to set up activities to keep members involved and informed. Outdoor excursions and group workout sessions (as Robert mentioned) are great; also, don't be afraid to contact some Paleo bloggers and see if they're willing to swing by your college and do a presentation night. The bigger names like Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Stephan Guyenet, etc., might be hard to get without a speaker's fee (at least to cover the cost of airfare) but there are hundreds of smaller-name bloggers out there who would love to help college students and get their name out there at the same time. Lastly, and most ambitiously, you could look at outreach. Firstly, getting the Paleo message out on your campus could have a huge effect on the quality of life at your campus; you could also look into getting involved in the local community (perhaps volunteering together at the local farmer's market or setting up a donation of local fruits and veggies to a food bank). However, with this step, be prepared for backlash; odds are you'll start to get some negative press from this as all those who follow CW's approach to nutrition come out of the woodwork. If you get to this stage, you may need to consult your college's details on what a club is allowed or not allowed to do; providing medical advice may be beyond the purview of a club. However, if you keep it all on the DL, it shouldn't be a problem. In the end, I'd recommend just focusing on getting people involved and making sure you enjoy being part of the group. Remember that the point of the group is to promote the Paleo lifestyle, which not only leads to better health, but (hopefully) also a happier and more fulfilling life. If the club starts to feel like work or you no longer enjoy being involved, it's no longer serving it's purpose ;) |
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Maybe eat lunch together every day? That's the best form of support group I can think of. One of the biggest hurdles of people who change there diet is the weird looks from "Normals". Also it would help the new people see what the more experienced people eat. |
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Oh wow! This sounds like a great idea! If you were an SJSU student, i'd totally help! I guess the group should get together a couple times throughout the week, educate, support is always welcomed. Heck, I wish I had some "support" out here, I feel like I am the only one eating "healthy." If there was a group i'd like to see meetings, and potlucks, and maybe outings, hiking, biking, kayaking etc. Maybe exchange numbers with newbies let people know not to hesitate to ask if what they are about to eat is paleo. Maybe have a facebook page where people can interact. Educate people on how the food pyramid of death isn't always optimal. Good Luck! |
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Try to work with the university's nutritionist to get some more paleo, or at least gluten free, options on the menu. After going with my daughter on several college visits and eating in the dining halls, I was dismayed to see the overwhelming amount of carbs offered. |
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