My name is Heather Graham, I’m 22, and I work at the Upper
Valley Aquatic Center in the marketing department. When I started working at UVAC, I was surrounded by people
who were healthy or becoming healthy and seeing the positive changes in their
lives. Being from a family
whose genetics are more of the ‘heavy-set’ type and always being of an
‘average’ type body myself, I decided it was time to make a change.
I started small by just working out in the gym a little bit,
and eventually moved into personal training with the wonderful Katherine
MacPhearson. When I had my first
PT session, I realized just how much weight I had put on. I was 5’7 and 173 pounds; needless to
say the freshman 15 in college was more like a freshman 30 for me. Katherine suggested I try the
Myfitnesspal app along with exercise to increase my weight loss.
So, I tried it and I became way too obsessed. All I would talk about is calories, and
it would drive not only me, but my boyfriend crazy! I stopped Myfitnesspal, and tried to eat healthy on my
own.
It was not going the way I wanted, and I became pretty
discouraged because I could not find a solution that would work (I should
mention I also do not have internet at home, so online trackers and programs
were no help). One day, Katherine
started talking about this diet called Paleo or the ‘Caveman Diet.’ That day I went home and talked
to my boyfriend, Chris about it and he was saying how he had heard of it from a
co-worker as well.
The next time we were in town, Chris said let’s go to the
bookstore and get some healthy cookbooks.
We bought our first Paleo cookbooks on February 2nd, and have
been Paleo eaters ever since (with a few cheat days of course).
 |
| Me BEFORE Paleo |
So what is Paleo?
Paleo is a lifestyle of eating that cuts out all the processed and icky
junk that we are putting into our bodies, and leaves us with ‘what we were
meant to eat.’
Paleo cuts out grains, dairy, soy, legumes, items with added sugar, processed
items, and items that have a ton of chemicals. It encourages you to eat as much natural, raw, grass-fed,
and organic foods as possible, and the biggest portion of what you eat should
be vegetables and meats. The best
part of the diet is that I do not have to worry about counting as intensely as
I did before! Paleo does give you
some guidelines of portions and encourages moderation like most diets, but
because you are eating the fats and sugars that are easier for your body to
naturally digest and cutting out the junk, counting becomes a little less
important. (If you are on Paleo and not seeing the results you want/can’t
control your portions, you can still count of
course).
This is an example of
how the Paleo food pyramid looks.
Notice dairy must be raw if consumed. You will find coconut to be the
perfect food/oil/milk/sweetener for Paleo. Also, raw honey is a great sweetener
in moderation, and spices are awesome!
 |
| Me AFTER Paleo: Ten Pounds Lighter |
So does it work?
So far I have lost about 10 pounds in a little over a month, and my
boyfriend has lost 20 pounds (darn those boys). That’s the most weight I have ever lost on a diet, and I
still eat plenty of food (a.k.a I don’t feel like I am starving 24/7). Paleo has encouraged me to keep going,
and I am happier and proud of myself which is the best feeling ever.
I encourage everyone to try the challenge to go Paleo,
whether you take it on full swing (all Paleo, all the time), a medium amount
(like a whole30 challenge of 30 days of complete Paleo), or just a little (85% Paleo 15% regular diet) whatever you choose, just try it! I will warn you that the first week is
the hardest, but with Paleo and regular exercise (I try to do at least a hour 4
times a week if not more, but my boyfriend usually does not do any) you should
see some results that will make you smile, and when your smiling you’re the
prettiest you can be inside and out (handsome for those guys out there)!
Visit these links for more info:
www.blogger.com/purelypaleo (my
blog)
You can find
many more online too, just google Paleo!
Cookbooks Owned:
Complete
Idiot’s Guide to Eating Paleo
Everyday Paleo: Family Cookbook by Sarah Fragoso
Having Trouble FOLLOWING with your Paleo Diet?
ReplyDeleteWant to eat healthy delicious recipes TONIGHT?
Check out the: Paleohacks Cookbook.