Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I have been more or less paleo for about a year this spring. I got started on the diet aspect after staying up late one night reading the articles at paleodietlifestyle.com. I've finally realized that I'm not getting the point if what I put in my mouth is the only change, so I'm trying to paleo-ize my life.

I started with ditching my bed and sleeping on the floor with only a rug, yoga mat, and blanket between me and hard linoleum. I was getting fed up with my thoracic back pain due to sitting in classes and working at computers all the time, and I came upon an article about natural sleeping positions and materials. I tried out these positions, and I can't say I'm cured, but the floor seems to be counteracting the damage I do during the day. Who would have thought?

I've also gotten started by buying a pair of Vibram's KSO 'shoes' to wear when I have to wear something, and man has that made a difference. I ran my first mile in them yesterday, and my feet, ankles, and calves have never been so sore in my life. But, my usual joint discomfort is no longer there, and I've never felt so free and simply 'present' when wearing shoes. It's also a rage wearing them around campus. I have been told that my feet are 'damaged' since I was a little kid, and I've had inserts, arch supports, etc. in my shoes since I can remember. Should have known it was nonsense after finding out about the food I was told was good for me.

There seems to be so much forgotten knowledge out there that it sometimes makes me sick to find out how simple it is to live so much better. So, are there any more lifestyle changes that I'm missing?

flag	asked Feb 22 2012 at 4:57 kashperanto 499●2●10

Suz - Paleo Oz · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-22 05:18:38Z UTC

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Getting in turne with nature. Waking up close to sunrise, keeping the lights off after sunset.

Also minimalism - get rid of everything you don't need cluttering up your life!

answered Feb 22 2012 at 5:18

Suz - Paleo Oz
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I've been trying to get more in tune, but in the winter it definitely isn't very practical when the amount of time in your day is so greatly reduced. When I worked over winter break I would have had to wake up after arriving to work and go to sleep as soon as I got home. I've also been wanting to get into a more minimalist mindset, but it is hard to break my addictions to the way I thought life was to be lived. – kashperanto Feb 22 2012 at 5:37

Cave Tomboy · Answer 2 · 2012-02-22 14:42:04Z UTC

Well, our hunter-gatherer ancestors definitely ran long distances and modern hunter-gatherers still do. So running is more Paleo than buying food with money. But the best way is totally barefoot. You gotta start slow and really listen to your body (very Paleo!), but even VFFs shield you from information that your feet are trying to give and can allow you to make mistakes you can't make when barefoot.

If you cannot follow the rhythms of the sun, at least make sure you get 7.5-9 hrs of sleep a night and in as dark and quiet a space as you can make it.

You can stop using chemicals on your skin and clothes. Many here (including myself) no longer use shampoo or even soap except for handwashing. I'm very attached to my toothpaste, but you can ditch that in favor of baking soda (or a stick if you know the right trees to use). For clothes, you can also use baking soda. You don't need makeup, thousands of types of cream, sunscreen or any of that stuff. I live just north of the Kalahari desert (that is to say, it is very dry) and I use a bit of coconut oil on my skin in the dry season if I need it, that's all.

Oh, also get out in the sun and get some Vitamin D. Let the sun touch your skin, your hair, your eyes (if you feel like you're getting too much sun, find a tree or cover up).

If you have a car, ditch it. As others have said, go minimal. Think about what you really need and whether you need whatever it is you currently have or use.

George Brodie · Answer 3 · 2012-02-22 05:05:40Z UTC

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Running a mile would fit into a non-paleo lifestyle, so stop that.

answered Feb 22 2012 at 5:05

George Brodie
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Too much or too little? Or...too structured? – kashperanto Feb 22 2012 at 5:31

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Many 'paleo' followers prefer to stick to shorter, higher intensity sprinting intervals. However, running a mile only takes about 7-10 mins which hardly qualifies as the 'chronic cardio' that can be detrimental to health. I'm sure paleo men/women had no problem running for 10 mins. – Jeff Feb 22 2012 at 5:50

^^ That's what I figured, but was wondering about George's reasoning. I'm sure persistence hunting is far more challenging than a single mile on a track. – kashperanto Feb 22 2012 at 6:10

I was assuming that this mile would become 2 miles, and then 3, etc. If that was a bad assumption, forgive me. – George Brodie Feb 23 2012 at 0:05

That would have been me not long ago, but I've "seen the light". I work out with a few non-paleo friends at the campus fitness center, and we run a mile at a conversational pace to limber up before we 'lift heavy things'. A few of them need the physical activity far more than I. – kashperanto Feb 23 2012 at 2:27

thhq · Answer 4 · 2012-02-22 14:42:21Z UTC

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What you're doing sounds so...intentional...which isn't a bad thing.

Paleo life had to be intentional to survive from day to day. I've thought about this a lot, because trying to survive is difficult to emulate. I'd suggest avoiding mechanized transportation and going on foot to accomplish survival tasks. Getting to work or getting your groceries for instance. Work and grocery stores will never be paleo, but travel can be.

answered Feb 22 2012 at 14:42

thhq
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I see your point, but to some extent one must intentionally make the change. At first I wasn't so fond of the floor, but now that I have slept there and felt the benefits you couldn't make me sleep on a bed. Same goes for running barefoot or in VFFs. I actually did ride my mountain bike to school several times last fall, but 13 miles round trip is rough when carrying books. Winter weather has bound me to my car, anyhow. I do hope to find a dwelling near my employment and near a good market when I graduate. – kashperanto Feb 23 2012 at 2:45

Suggestions for advancing from Paleo ‘diet’ to ‘lifestyle’

4 Answers