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So I've been paleo going on 4 months now.

I've lost 10 kg (23ish lbs) and feel pretty great most of the time.

But I've noticed a few downsides:

-My favorite clothes no longer fit -I'm developing Chicken Legs -I do miss some of my favorite terrible foods

What are the downsides to your transformation?

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What are chicken legs? – Ambimorph Dec 16 2011 at 5:44
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Get started on those squats Trent! – April S. Dec 16 2011 at 6:32
I have been squatting!! I just don't hve to tote around as much weight anymore, I guess. Hopefully Bike season next spring will help bring my calves back... – trentasaurus Dec 16 2011 at 6:55
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I think losing your favorite clothes would be an opportunity to buy some new ones no? I guess it depends on how you perceive your transformation – The Quilt Dec 16 2011 at 13:02
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Well I love any excuse to shop, and it's better to buy clothes in a smaller size than to buy them because you're putting on weight ;) – Nemesis Dec 16 2011 at 15:37
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26 Answers

36

Sexual mania.

Life was was less complicated when I was chemically neutered by tortilla chips and pizza...

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well at least you weren't physically neutered by a tortilla chip :S – Matt Dec 16 2011 at 17:22
Ouch! That deserves an upvote... – wjones3044 Dec 16 2011 at 19:05
It not only deserves several upvotes (one's from me), but it also happens to be true. – raydawg Dec 16 2011 at 22:07
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Knowing too much. Second-guessing my nutrition, when I shouldn't even have to think about it. I've benefited greatly from Paleo health-wise. But the amount of knowledge I've gained about omega-6s, antinutrients, insulin, leptin, vitamins, etc. is more detrimental than it is helpful. Yes I apply this knowledge, but quite frankly, it gets exhausting. I don't wanna have to think "I'm going to eat this grass-fed beef here because it has a better o3:o6 ratio and eat it with coconut oil because it has medium chain triglycerides and I'll have it with a side of spinach, but not too much spinach because it has oxalates." I just wanna be like "Me see meat. Me eat meat. Meat goooood."

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Yes. This. Absolutely this. – Dave S. Dec 16 2011 at 14:18
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While I agree, many of these things come naturally with enough experience. – Wisper Dec 16 2011 at 15:24
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perhaps this is a necessary evil, considering that it takes a lot to overcome CW, which is so radically different. I know I was convinced by the science behind paleo, nothing less – jim_bob Dec 16 2011 at 16:06
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Absolutely true. I'm a sysadmin by day, and I code for fun. All of a sudden, I seem to know a ton of bio/nutritional stuff too. All from podcasts, paleo books, seminars, and forums. I'm basking in the geekiness of it all! – raydawg Dec 16 2011 at 22:09
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what has been seen cannot be unseen – Grottenolm Dec 16 2011 at 22:22
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$50k worth of plastic surgery to remove skin I didn't need any longer. Countless thousands on new clothes and shoes. $100 for a new diaphragm (everything gets smaller with weight loss except for ONE THING which gets bigger, lol.)

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Talk to me baby...its gettin bigger. – Andre Chimene Dec 16 2011 at 16:22
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+1 About the new clothes also. Luckily I have no sense of style so instead of countless thousands on new clothes it was more like a couple of hundred dollars on new clothes. – Wcc Kamal Stabby fan Dec 16 2011 at 16:57
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I had to downvote you because the bigger snatch is not acceptable. I might have to tie a board onto me now so I don't fall in. – Aravind Dec 16 2011 at 17:07
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That little tidbit of TMI was just for you my sweet Aravind. Happy Friday!! – Shari Bambino Dec 16 2011 at 19:16
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That gets my vote for "most understated use of 'lol'" – wjones3044 Dec 16 2011 at 19:50
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14

I'm going to be running very fast and hiding after I post this, but, no downsides for me at all. I think I'm 8 months in?

My diet actually didn't change by much - just eliminated a few things and added in a few. My clothes fit exactly the same. I do CrossFit and lift and have happily gained 12lbs of muscle - tubers make me grown big and strong. My rosacea is gone.

WAIT! I have a downside! I now take longer in stores because I have to read the backs of all new products that I see in the grocery. No more running in and out. WAIT! Another - I have to eat so goddamn much more now that I must eat before I go out to dinner so I can afford the bill. Which basically means I no longer go out to dinner. So sashimi is a very fond and veryveryvery missed memory.

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I find I'm buying more stuff online in terms of food than before (frozen bison products via FedEx from Northstar Bison, coconut products via Amazon), and far less stuff in stores (well, veggies and greens mostly.) I've always read labels, and usually buy stuff that doesn't need labels (raw ingredients.) – raydawg Dec 16 2011 at 22:14
You never want to read the backs of all the shiny packages to see what is in there or if there is a magical unicorn surprise of health? I don't buy it - I just like to and find it educational and interesting. It also allows people to ask me questions about why I'm reading the packages and that in itself opens a door to nutritional sharing. Many don't know that sugar goes by other names, I find. Also, I have a tangibility issue and must see, hold, touch all my food and ask questions of the farmers and butchers so sadly no meat by mail for me. Oh! Unless it's jerky. Less chance of a FUBAR imo. – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Dec 17 2011 at 1:21
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Every time I think of something to write I'm already halfway to rationalising it into a positive. Does that count?

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That's just pure awesome! – raydawg Dec 16 2011 at 22:14
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Perfectionism. Every time I get a health problem I get damn pissed.

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I got a cold for a half-day recently (which is epically SHORT compared to how sick I used to get) and I was like, "WHAT? IT DARES???" – January Dec 16 2011 at 21:11
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TeaElf, the exact thing happened to me last week. One day of halfway-flu, and i was pissed. Last year, without Paleo, when I had the flu, it lastet at least 2 weeks.... – Severine Dec 17 2011 at 9:19
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Downside? Maybe visiting friends and having to be persnickety about my diet and clue them in on what I can eat and what I can't. However, they are usually very nice about it and seek to please. They also learn a lot by asking questions.

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Also, the Paleo diet is noticeably more expensive... so spend more on food. Also, all that whole grain I had stored in the house... gone to waste. – eric Dec 16 2011 at 19:45
Donate the grains and beans, don't let others starve, even if it's not very healthy, at least they'll have some calories. – raydawg Dec 16 2011 at 22:15
I have excommunicated one friend who just wouldn't quit bugging me about it and crapping on about balance and what about this, what about that. Toxic friends get dtiched with the toxic food. – FuelRestMotion Feb 15 2012 at 11:17
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I miss pizza, not going to lie.

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I thought that would be my main complaint, but I replaced my Friday night pizza routine with a Friday night Cajun Chicken-Shrimp Gumbo routine :) Chicken and shrimp are marinating as I write this :D – Wisper Dec 16 2011 at 15:25
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Wisper, it would be selfish of you not to post that recipe. – April S. Dec 16 2011 at 16:48
Yes Wisper, please may we have the gumbo recipe? I make a meanone but haven't tried since going Paleo, mainly on account of not being sure the best substitute for the wheat flour/industrial oil-based roux. What works best for creating that brown, nutty elixir? – Christopher Gagnon Dec 17 2011 at 14:39
I say the same thing, but then I eat a steak and.......... :) – Chood5 Nov 28 at 6:57
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Seeing friends and relatives who clearly need to get on the Paleo plan immediately, but knowing that if I push it too hard they will resentfully continue with their SAD.

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And think you're a crazy zealot who can't mind their own business! I have overstepped quite a few times. I now try to just keep it zipped unless they ask, now that I've realized I was proselytizing. :) – January Dec 16 2011 at 21:13
My plan is to nudge my family into CrossFit so people other than (and fitter than - I'm fit but I'm no crossfit games competitor) I can rant about Paleo to them. – maryeeclarkisouthunting Dec 16 2011 at 22:44
im new what does SAD mean in referance to food? – coprophagous Dec 17 2011 at 20:43
@Evzone "standard american diet". Also, I am easily characterized as a zealot for a lot of other things (opinions about bacteria, viruses, vaccines, breast feeding, age of conception, pharmaceuticals, agriculture policy, culinary choices), it is much more difficult to be the food zealot however. You know how much you hate that raw vegan that won't shut up? I picture that person, and zip it if it seems inappropriate. Food is very personal! – JeJ Dec 18 2011 at 1:19
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Okay, I'll speak for the old people--I'm shrinking but my skin doesn't keep up! My usual joke is I started as a hippo, I'm currently a rhino and I hope to become a bloodhound.

I'm probably lucky my skin is shrinking as nicely as it is, since I'm down about 40 pounds and the worst is a few more wrinkles on my face and a half-withered double chin. I asume I'll wind up with folds of skin on my underarms and I wonder what'll happen when I lose the rest of the midriff and belly mounds. At half-gone, they're just sagging a bit which is good since I thought they'd already be turning into folds.

I'll just have to be proud of the residue of my obesity because plastic surgery is not a budget possibility.

Emotionally, socially and physically there is no down side for me. Everything about my life is better than it was 8 months ago.

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Hey Nance--glad I'm not the only old-timer here! – Likely User Dec 16 2011 at 17:02
We can call ourselves the Older-And-Wisers! :-)) – Nance Dec 16 2011 at 18:17
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Nance, I also love to see your responses. I'm now 69 and feel the best ever. I am almost jealous of myself for having such a good life. I've been enjoying this life of bacon for about 1 and 1/2 years and it keeps on getting better. – Doris Dec 17 2011 at 15:03
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Upside? Improving the curves at and below my waist. Downside? Downgrading the curves above the waist.

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Improving the curves at the waist can be a downside too - see my comment. And downgrading the curves above the waist can be an upside - I've been teeny up top all my life and quite enjoy the ENORMOUS selection of bandeaus and string bikinis I can buy. – maryeeclarkisouthunting Dec 16 2011 at 22:49
That's funny, my curves at/below the waist were pretty proportional to the curves above the waist. Expanded on either side as my waist contracted. Quite a fun side effect. – JeJ Dec 18 2011 at 1:21
I'm very envious of the women who saw an increase on top. My hips didn't grow, but my waist dramatically shrunk. I'm hoping and praying that there's something I can eat or do to undo the loss above :/ – April Dec 18 2011 at 23:50
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No pants at the store in my size.

Relative to where-ever I was on the attractiveness scale, I now feel unsure that I can control this new superpower.

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LOL! Superpower, I like it. I couldn't find shorts this summer at the Levi store in my new size. Too small, of all things. And I'm not even that small -- the stores seem to be catering to the overall larger clientele these days. – January Dec 16 2011 at 21:15
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Having to buy new pants every month! Started in August as a size 12 pants and now in December am buying size 6s!

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Woo hoo! Nice! I'm down to a six, too. Amazing, isn't it, all that shrinkage? – January Dec 16 2011 at 21:17
That's great Megan! Have you thought about maintaining your current weight or do you plan on going leaner? A size 6 is a pretty healthy weight :) – Nemesis Dec 16 2011 at 23:01
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Listening to my trainer tell me I need to stop eating all fats, buy a juicer, and eat quinoa and soy--and the doubts I feel about my diet as a result. She's never had meat in her life and recently became full-on vegan....

Sagging skin.

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Banded Girl - sounds like it might be time for a new trainer? – Gary Dec 16 2011 at 9:59
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Dnot think i could respect the workout advice from a vegan – OSUfanz Dec 16 2011 at 11:26
She's an awesome trainer, really. She's the person people go to when rehab goes wrong. I just don't listen a word she says about nutrition :) – Banded Girl Dec 16 2011 at 18:16
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you call that a trainer? look at all that bad advise, fire them – coprophagous Dec 17 2011 at 2:27
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hmmmmm. Downsides- I am always thinking (obsessing) about getting stuck at work or out without proper food. I have to admit that I am a little freaked out to learn by trial and error that I only feel really good when I have a considerable amount of fat in my day- hence the getting stuck without food because everything is so freaking lean- it just won't hold me, also the lingering fear from prior thinking that FAT is BAD.

The upside however is the love affair with myself.I have always been so down on myself- not nice at all. Frankly- I am not really traditionally attractive at all- but now I FEEL beautiful. I look at myself, I pat my flat stomach- I brush my hair and wink at myself. I think that I am so hot that it doesn't matter if anyone else does or not. Me and ME are so very happy together!

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6

Loss of strength, but this comes with loss of size, can't be avoided ;)

And I miss my porridge sometimes, and my old PWO ice-cream shake

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6

Apparently so I am told, I need to buy new jeans as I no longer "fill them out" as I did before and she says I no longer have any "chicha".

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I had to replace my clothes at least three times. Still paying off that credit card... – wjones3044 Dec 16 2011 at 16:03
What's chicha?? – Futureboy Dec 16 2011 at 16:30
I think (hope) he means "chichi/s" (moobs)? The alternative meaning would be some seriously unwanted shrinkage! – Scrubjay Dec 16 2011 at 16:51
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"Chicha" is colloquial Spanish for meat "carne (de comer)". Just to clear up the unfortunate ambiguity, the lady in question was making two separate statements. One that I need tighter jeans, and two my apparent overall reduction in body-fat has effected my waist-to-hip ratio. – PolkaAches Dec 16 2011 at 17:48
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Ah, yes chicha in that context makes much more sense. And glad you didn't experience any unwanted shrinkage ;-) – Scrubjay Dec 16 2011 at 17:57
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6

I kinda miss having junk in the trunk. I want a butt you could serve tea on.

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+1 for the word picture you painted. :-)) – Nance Dec 17 2011 at 0:58
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You'll probably need a special permit for that. – Chickenosaurus Rex Dec 18 2011 at 1:47
Wanna swap? Can't rid of my trunk junk no matter how much everything else goes down. – MayaBee Dec 19 2011 at 1:14
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I filled out when I went Paleo. Now I can run for three hours whilst fasted without breaking a sweat, but my thighs and butt chafe because they're so freakin' gigantic now. It sometimes hurts to look fertile and ancestrally attractive.

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Hahaha. There are solutions to these issues! I will not run without my spandex compression shorts. And have you heard of Bodyglide? – animalcule Dec 17 2011 at 0:02
+1 for the Bodyglide mention. Great for the thighs/but/dareIsayitnipples. – JeJ Dec 18 2011 at 1:23
Chamois Butt'r is also great stuff. – Chickenosaurus Rex Dec 18 2011 at 1:52
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i miss all the food. i was so good a cook i was fat from my own cooking. but i dont miss the rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and impotence, and the GOK=God only knows.

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I have to eat more to stay full, which is difficult for someone like me who has an unpredictable appetite. I often fall short of my target maintenance caloric intake :(

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It was really hard for me to eat enough as well until I started eating lots of starch. I used to have my dinner, plug it into fitday, realize I hadn't eaten enough, then drag out 1000 calories of Kerrygold Cheese for dessert....the most delicious source of K2 one will ever taste. However $5.00 of cheese everyday is not as cost effective as $1.00 of sweet potato. – maryeeclarkisouthunting Dec 16 2011 at 22:36
I've had to up my starches as well, and have seen positive results from it. I love me some Kerrygold butter too! I even put a dollop of it in my espresso in the morning, in lieu of cream or sugar :) – Nemesis Dec 16 2011 at 22:59
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Do I understand that you find it annoying to need a new pair of jeans because the ones that used to fit are now too loose? That is pretty nearly inconceivable to me, who has had to make that shopping trip twice since July. Oh, the horror, back to the size I wore three decades ago. What, oh what, will I ever do with my old baggy clothes...

Seriously, count your blessings. Remember that most people in your life are choosing devolution. They need new clothes, too. Larger sizes...

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My jeans are getting baggy and I can't afford new ones very often! Fortunately these are pretty old but I'm waiting as long as I can because whatever size I buy I'll have to wear out. If I get down one more size the new ones will wind up about as loose as the old ones are now, but it's weird to actually need a belt since I couldn't snap these jeans a year ago. :-)) – Nance Dec 16 2011 at 15:49
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Great! Keep in mind you don't have to buy new. Lots of good second hand clothes available. Not being huge on "style," I am just plain pleased with my one pair of black jeans that fit! – Dorado Galore Dec 16 2011 at 15:58
Second-hand jeans aren't very available here. It's all thin stuff. – Nance Dec 16 2011 at 21:14
Lots of people in southern NV are transient or poor; those who stay only wear jeans 3-4 months per year so they aren't a major presence in second-hand stores. – Nance Dec 16 2011 at 21:17
Or places like Sears Outlet, where all of their clothes are under $10, and they have big sales on Tuesday where everything is $7, and you buy 4 items and get one free if you sign up for their Rewards program. – Nemesis Dec 16 2011 at 23:00
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3

Personally now that my transformation is close to over the major downside is that I now fully realize the true value of time and how precious it really is. I have wasted a lot of time unproductively not furthering my life's missions. Now that I am fully aware of deficit because I have an abundance clear thoughts from a brain without inflammation, I need to prioritize my actions to make the greatest impact that I can with the time I have been given.

My transformation has led me to begin to predict my future by inventing it in my present. Now that I think differently, my mistrust of my future is no longer greater than my trust of what I have already conquered in my life. I no longer dwell in the past and live for tomorrows and their promise. I have moved to the edge of my comfort zone where all my fears lie. I am no longer fearful of life's scars. None of us will die without scars; and we all are going to die to be sure if we are paleo or not. My goal post transformation isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will outlive me though. I am ready to change my world now today, and everyday I breathe, in this present moment I now must begin to create the changes I see before I get taken out. I now realize fully nothing is promised until we create it.

This is why the optimal life should be tied to the healthy life that is evolutionary biology. Time is my most valuable asset now that I am transformed and I no longer will waste it.

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Amen to all that Quilt. Time is my greatest treasure and I will be the one to chose how to spend it. I have an invisible tatoo on the inside of my left wrist that says, "Let Go" It is the answer to almost everything. I just don't always know how to do it. – Doris Dec 17 2011 at 14:58
Doris.......read this. This is how I do it.jackkruse.com/finding-your-primal-sense – The Quilt Dec 17 2011 at 16:10
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Most everyone that I meet who is eating a sad diet smells 'off' to me, as if they were rotting and dieing from the inside.

It's creeping me out, even if it is a valid approximation of their health level.

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That's an awesome superpower. Mine is being able to go out in temperatures as low as 40'F without a jacket, with only a shirt and no T-Shirt under it, and only barely notice that it's cold and having people stare. That and not get colds. – raydawg Dec 16 2011 at 22:21
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My tinnitus (ringing in ears) has become a lot louder since eating Paleo. Sometimes it is so annoying that I debate quitting, just to improve my quality of life. I have been paleo for 14 months now.

Has anyone else had this experience regarding tinnitus?

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I have tinnitus but haven't really noticed any difference. – Wisper Dec 16 2011 at 15:27
Are you supplementing with Mg? – Marie Dec 16 2011 at 15:42
I've been a drummer all my life, so tinnitus comes withe territory (did I mention I was quite irresponsible as a younger me, and didn't regularly wear ear-plugs?). It seems as if my tinnitus has actually become less noticeable on Paleo. – Futureboy Dec 16 2011 at 16:31
It could be a coincidence. People can develop issues with the bones in their ears that will cause tinnitus. – Chickenosaurus Rex Dec 16 2011 at 17:16
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This is preposterous (actually redickdongulous) - tinnitus and paleo are completely unrelated. – Bill1102inf Dec 16 2011 at 17:45
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Confusion. Constant frustration. Im gaining weight and storing fat and my body fat % has shot up, and everyday I don't know If I should be eating more fat/less carbs/protein --->lean meat/tubers etc CONSTANT frustration and confusion.

Im at the gym 4 times a week, eat clean as a whistle, and still pack on fat. Constant frustration and confusion for sure.

And constantly craving and ravenous...never satiated, no matter how much a take everyone's advice to eat more fat (which do) it doesn't work. I've been at less than 20g of carbs (NO Fruit, NO nuts, No ANYTHING) other than meat and green veg and other fats for a while now, and i am always hungry, and storing fat. I'd say that is definitely the worst part.

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Were you overweight when you started Paleo? Maybe try stopping your workouts to lower your hunger, add a few carbs with meals only and follow the Mastering Leptin or Leptin Rx protocols. If what you are doing is not working...STOP doing it. There is a lot of range in macronutrient composition with Paleo, keep experimenting. – Melinda Dec 17 2011 at 15:26
Melinda, nope wasn't overweight. Im eating Paleo to maintain weight. Its definitely not working. Im trying to experiment and find the right formula for me. ITs just so hard. I have tried every single suggestion that all paleo hackers have given, to no success. Im pretty much following the Leptin reset: Always Big Breaky - Coconut oil,Egg,egg white, turkey, or chicken, with little carbs - Coffee with coconut milk or cream Lunch - Chicken or Steak with some Green Veg or Broth, Dinner - Salmon or Chicken with Salad etc Always hungry after dinner, with unmanageable sugar cravings. any ideas? – Paleo4ever Dec 17 2011 at 16:42
more red meat, less white. dont add fat eat the fat it comes with. try avocados a couple days a weeks. try phasing out coconut stuff. red meat, veg but not a lot no need to use them to fill yourself up as theyre not that great in reality, good bone broth/stock, eggs good ones, plain taters when you work out – Mallory Dec 17 2011 at 16:56
OK, no problem, i can drop the coconut stuff right away. I just thought it was supposed to help with satiation. So drop coconut milk and coconut oil? What oil should I use for cooking? – Paleo4ever Dec 17 2011 at 17:15
Don't cook with oil. Easy way to lower under-the-radar intake. – Matthius Dec 17 2011 at 21:08
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