Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

8

Just curious, how many of us are in our [numerical] youth? And if so, how old? I'm eager to see if there are many more near my age (16) following the Paleo lifestyle.

And really, what got you interested? Fat loss, muscle gain, your parents... Too many hours logged online? Hehe.

edited Nov 9 2011 at 6:51

asked Nov 8 2011 at 13:41

McKenzie
1,046●1●3●13

7

I hope close to zero. I hate to think that young folks would spend time on a site talking about the merits of food rather than all the naughty good bits they should be seeking out – ben61820 Nov 8 2011 at 14:46

2

Kenzie - I think Ben is being partially facetious but he makes a decent point actually. Honestly... I wish I ate better at sixteen. I ate pure garbage (whoa.. isn't that an oxymoron?). It's good that are starting to eat healthy early, even though some might think you should be off being naughty. Anyway nice to have you here. Seems like a lot of cute girls are flocking to Paleo lately. I think everyone is basically ok with that. lol. – Jack Kronk Nov 8 2011 at 15:31

8

I'm sixteen too. I don't see why I can't make healthy living choices at an early age, instead of stuffing myself with pizza and cookies like most of my peers. – Adulescens Appetens Nov 8 2011 at 15:34

7

And there's plenty of naughty bits to go around when you're the only one at school with a six-pack ;) – Adulescens Appetens Nov 8 2011 at 15:38

2

I wish I'd known about paleo/primal when I was sixteen. – gilliebean♦ Nov 8 2011 at 21:39

show 10 more comments

CoconutChick · Answer 1 · 2011-11-09 10:08:39Z UTC

15 here :) I've got a few reasons!

I was in a cycle of anxiety, emotional eating (sugary foods that gave me a "lift") and sleeping issues. I am completely different from how I was before. I used to love and crave sugar so much , it was so hard to let go. I also had no idea about cooking and bought lots of takeaways. I didn't really care about healthy eating until I came across MarksDailyApple. From then on everything changed.I did tons of research and gave up the sugar, grains, processed foods, and vegetable oils. It was hard but now that i'm long past the adjustment phase I feel absolutely amazing. I sleep better, i now know enough cooking to make my own dinners(etc), I can exercise without feeling run down afterwards, my memory, mood and school work have improved and i don't get ups and downs in energy throughout the day anymore. My food technology teacher and friends have complimented me on being so healthy.

The hacker formerly knownasron · Answer 2 · 2011-11-09 02:01:57Z UTC

5

I'm 17 years old and my college essay is actually all about how I went on a healthy road no alcohol or drugs eating healthy etc. and my overcoming crap that my peers continue to partake in. Congrats for being one of the only youngins to give a crap. It's really stressful to feel like the only person who cares. Most people our age act invincible.

answered Nov 9 2011 at 2:01

The hacker formerly knownasron
2,488●5●33

2

I completely agree on the invincible thing. I know so many naturally thin people, and they brag on and on about how they eat (entire boxes of cereal? check!) and I just wish I knew how to convince them that being thin is not the same as being healthy. A lot of them have hardly any muscle (especially the women...) and I can't imagine their blood work would show healthy levels. Perhaps I'm wrong. But the crap they put into their body will most likely catch up with them eventually. I am proud I've decided to take care of my body BEFORE it gets out of control. Props to you, too :D – McKenzie Nov 9 2011 at 5:16

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 3 · 2011-11-08 22:21:27Z UTC

While I don't qualify as a "young'un" these days, my mental/emotional/psychological state regarding body image and its relationship to diet and exercise was severely deranged when I was.

Granted, I did work out and I thought that I was eating "right" (the classic chicken sandwich at McDonalds = healthy fallacy), but it was for all the wrong reasons (approval seeking, low self esteem, etc.)

However, my current perspective on diet and exercise is shaped by having had plenty of context throughout my life. I have arguably done the most unhealthy things possible to my body and am now on the complete opposite end of the spectrum (unless we find out that animal fat does in fact cause heart disease and diabetes, then I'm f'd).

This does not preclude others from possessing much higher levels of maturity and awareness that I did, however.

If you are 16 and have a healthy desire to be healthful with regards to your diet and exercise choices, then more power to you!

I was firmly anti-establishment as an adolescent, but I think that its better to focus that natural rebelliousness towards the dietary conventions rather than the legal/ethical ones!

Conn0r · Answer 4 · 2011-11-09 05:33:40Z UTC

2

Even though I am 18 (apparently not a young'un), there aren't many people my age going down the healthy route either. It is hard at younger ages due to all the temptations that are put in front of our faces, and all your friends making fun of you for being a "health freak". I don't see any reason NOT to eat healthy at a young age, as long as you are eating enough and not depriving yourself.

I keep hearing older Paleo people saying how they wish that they would have adopted this lifestyle way earlier in their life. I am thankful that I have came across it this early and I think all younger folks should be too. Being healthy this early on will probably save us a lot of stress and medical bills :)

answered Nov 9 2011 at 5:33

Conn0r
217●2●9

1

Sorry, I should edit. I didn't mean to say you're not young! You are definitely :) I just wasn't sure how else to word it. I just was wanting to see some demographics of how many technically-not-adults there are roaming around on PH. I agree, it is definitely stigmatized more when you're younger. People tend to treat you differently when it comes to eating healthy, and I've been asked a lot "Aren't you a little too young to worry about this stuff?" but really, by taking care of the present, I'm thinking about my future. – McKenzie Nov 9 2011 at 6:50

1

Dude, you're a lucky guy. It's on my mind quite a bit sometimes, that I might've been taller/grown more naturally had I eaten correctly (Paleo) when I was younger. I did grow some in my mid 20's, but I've come to terms with the fact that I'm 5'6". You, on the other hand have put yourself on the right track nice and early. If you're not lifting weights yet, I would SERIOUSLY recommend it. – Futureboy Nov 9 2011 at 16:12

Your body will attain a built in muscle-memory for better composition, even if you find yourself slacking for a period down the road. Check out the Stronglifts 5x5 if you haven't started. – Futureboy Nov 9 2011 at 16:13

Don't be sorry :) I ALWAYS get asked that very same question. People just are used to the norm, which is teenagers eating crappy and not worrying too much about their health. We just happen to be the opposite :) – Conn0r Nov 9 2011 at 16:16

1

And I have been doing Stronglifts 5x5 for about 3 months and am seeing great results. – Conn0r Nov 9 2011 at 16:40

show 1 more comment

Eddy · Answer 5 · 2011-12-17 18:59:39Z UTC

0

Im 22. UK. But I started when I was 16. I think it just enhanced my teenage years. i became more confident, even thought I was the odd one out compared to my peers lol

answered Dec 17 2011 at 18:59

Eddy
1

How many of us are under eighteen?

5 Answers