My life has needed many changes lately and one of the major changes I need to make is in how I eat. When I was a young girl I played many sports and spent my days outside running around and exploring the woods surrounding my parents home. In high school I played soccer and fast-pitch softball. In college I spent more time playing ultimate Frisbee than studying. When I got married in 2007 all of that physical activity came to a screeching halt. I started working full time as an elementary school teaching assistant and when I came home from work I made high calorie/high carb dinners. I ate huge portions too, unconsiously matching the portion sizes of my new husband. My weight quickly went up 40lbs.

4 years and 1 pregnancy later I have allowed myself to stay 40lbs overweight. Many of my current friends have never known me to look different. They are kind and tell me I look great but inside I know and remember what great felt like. I felt great for 22 year and I want that feeling back! I’m tired of feeling slow, sluggish, incredibly uncomfortable in my clothes, and embarrassed of myself in pictures. We also, Lord willing, want to have more children and I desire to be in much better shape for those pregnancies than I was for my first.

In August 2011, one year post baby, we joined the Y as a family. I have gone to the Y almost 5 days a week for 16 weeks now and have not lost a pound. I can feel that my muscles have gotten more toned but the fat stays put. This tells me that my eating is the problem. I love to workout but I also love to eat and all that eating is keeping me from losing weight. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to change for the better. Why don’t I seem to have the discipline it takes to do this?!?

Enter the Paleo diet. Along with loving to eat I also love learning about food in general. I like to read articles, blogs, and books about natural and organic food. I try to buy my family mostly organic foods and we have a garden in the spring and summer. We also enjoy frequenting local farmer’s markets. All that to say, eating organic foods does not help one to lose weight. In the last month I have been researching the Paleo diet, which I learned about through David’s cousins. They have been doing it successfully for 6 months or so now. As a Christian I do not adhere to the evolution side of the Paleo diet but I do believe that our bodies were never meant to process many of the grains and dairy products we put into them.

The Paleo diet at its simplest is eating meat, veggies, fruit, and nuts. If I want to eat bread I have to make it with coconut flour or almond flour instead of wheat flour. I have spent the last month researching living Paleo. I have gathered recipes and tips from blogs and Pinterest. My friend Michelle, who is allergic to gluten and dairy, has graciously answered my many questions regarding ingredients such as ghee, agave nectar, and coconut milk. She even let me tag along with her to Costco yesterday so I could check out all their organic items and see if I wanted a membership for my family. I am grateful for a friend like her! My dear husband, David, has lovingly volunteered to join me in this 30 day Paleo challenge, all though he is sad to leave behind his friends, bread and Basmati rice. :) Finally, I cleaned out my pantry. Yay!!

All and all I feel very organized in starting this diet. I think being organized is going to give me a higher chance at success! I am grateful to the Lord for giving me this body to occupy during my time here on earth. It is time for me to start taking care it! Starting Thursday, I will be blogging about going Paleo for the next 30 days. I will share with you what we are eating and how we are feeling. I am excited to get started! Join me in making 2012 a healthy year!

David and I pre-Paleo 30 day challenge.

-e

Advertisement