This is it, I've completed my 30-day Paleo Challenge! At first, Mo Goes Paleo seemed like the worst idea ever…week 1 was tough, but the month got progressively better as I completed week 2 & week 3. I've never felt this good in my life - healthy from the inside out.
To be completely honest, this past week wasn't 100% Paleo. I had a beer at Mai Fest. I have a million excuses as to why I drank that beer - it was the 1st festival of summer, I like beer, a new friend was buying a round for everyone, I knew I was strong enough to be Paleo in tough circumstances, one beer wash't going to kill me. At the end of the day, I realized, it doesn't matter what my excuses for drinking that beer were. I don't owe excuses to anyone. If I wanted to drink a beer, every now and then, I'll drink that damn beer. It won't be a regular thing, this I know because I don't feel as good when I deviate from Paleo. My tummy was a little upset (I did not get sick), & I felt bloated & sluggish the next day. Since I'm constantly striving to be my best self, I know straying from Paleo won't be a regular thing - I LOVE the way I feel when I am Paleo & strict about it.
The social aspect was hard, I'll admit it. People like going out to eat & drink. It's the number 1 social activity. But, it is possible to socialize & be Paleo - order the boring salad, go on the creative/non-traditional dates, drink water, always have almonds in your bag & hard-boiled eggs in your refrigerator. Figure out what works for you - I realized I needed to add more carbs to my diet. Eating a sweet potato (or 2) everyday is when I started to feel so much better & love this Paleo lifestyle. I'm not weak - I workout 6 days/week, & I have been increasing my weightlifting workouts.
I feel like everyone I've encountered this week has commented on how good I'm looking - how I'm slimming down, my lower belly (that troublesome spot every female has) is flatter, my thighs (which have been beautifully thick my whole life) are toning up, & my shoulders have more definition.
Basically, Paleo has been one of the best decisions I made. I'm kicking ass at it & I'm kicking ass at life while being Paleo. I get that it's not for everyone. I get that it's hard to cut certain foods. I get that it makes me an asspain. I get it! But, as someone who struggles with autoimmune diseases & is constantly sick & feeling crappy, this is the first thing I've tried (& I've tried a lot) that has worked for me. I'm trying not to be preachy about it - I don't want to be that person. But, sometimes I get really excited about every Paleo thing that I am learning, that I come off as preachy…it's not intended, I'm working on it.
I had originally thought that I would stay Paleo when I'm grocery shopping; but whenever I socialize, I wouldn't be a Paleo asspain - I would just eat the grains, drink the beer, & enjoy the cheese. That may still be the case, but probably a little less than I was originally thinking. I am perfectly ok with ordering boring salads, bringing my own food (in situations where it's socially acceptable), & drinking lots of water. Every now & then, I will indulge, but I prefer feeling good - not feeling gross & bloated the following day.
I highly suggest trying the Paleo lifestyle. It sucks at first. It really sucks. But, the way I feel right now was worth that first week of hell. I'm actually excited about doing this for the unforeseeable future!
Happy healthy eating :)
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