My Paleolithic Story

There are so many people I don't know doing the Paleo Challenge, and yet I feel like I'm learning a lot about everyone through this blog.  And this made me want to share my own story as it relates to eating Paleo.  This will also help frame a question I have, but asking that now would make for an even longer first post.

In December of 2008, I walked into WCCF relatively de-conditioned from 3 years of inconsistent physical activity and I weighed about 280 at about 34% BF.  I am 6'3".  In mid-January 2009, I started eating Zone percentages (but not calorie reccos) with mostly Paleo food choices.  I immediately started losing weight.  In April I attended a Robb Wolf Nutrition Seminar (back when he was with Crossfit) and gradually phased out the zone and just ate Paleo choices with reasonable portion sizes.  Between January 2009 and September 2009, I lost about 66 pounds and got a measurement of 14% BF.  

This was, for me, a monumental and life changing event and it wouldn't have been possible without WCCF, the coaches there, and all the great people I met on the way.  It also wouldn't have been possible without Paleo eating.  For all of the help and information, I am eternally grateful.

In September 2009, I injured my lower back, and had to take time off, I Crossfitted (is that a word?) intermittently, but eventually realized I needed to walk away from the gym in order to fully heal.  Over a year later I was able to return to WCCF (just before this challenge started) and am feeling really good.  However in that time I strayed from the Paleo path and managed to gain back 15 of those hard lost pounds.

Eating Paleo for the Challenge has been great for me.  I'm feeling great, I convinced my girlfriend to eat Paleo for the challenge as well, and I love to cook quality meat and vegetables (I just spent 3 days in Michigan learning how to butcher and cook Mangalitsa Hogs, a well marbled, pastured pork: it is incredible!).

And temptation hasn't been a major issue (yet).  I find I'm able to follow the path pretty well by not keeping non-paleo foods around the house, and my work place is largely free from the junk food that seems to pop-up everywhere else.  

That would definitely be a trigger for me.  I can keep myself from buying it, but a big bowl of candy sitting out for the taking is hard to resist.

I've eaten and drank some things that are decidedly un-Paleo during the challenge (mostly craft cocktails, I was working on a variation of a Sidecar with Bonded Apple Brandy and Quince Syrup), but in moderation and nothing I'm bent out of shape about.

I'm a relatively big guy and have first hand experience that Paleo + Crossfit works.  My biggest issue (so far) is trying to figure out what calorie level to eat at, but I’ll ask that question another time.