My Results - What can be achieved in 7 weeks of strict Paleo and Intermittent Fasting

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

And a few amateur bodybuilding poses for your amusement.............

And for all those who think it's just genetics, here is the old me...........

Day 40 - 'Be the Trainer' Results

Thank you for all those who wrote in their feedback on my food diary. You guys have really embrassed this challenge over the last 7 weeks and from your comments you have a great understanding of how to maintain a paleo lifestyle moving forward.

Below are a few common themes in your comments:

1. Lack of variety, leading to a possible lack of certain vitamins and minerals

Agreed with this one and no real excuses other than falling into a routine and letting convenience over rule variety.
Fruits could have been more varied and also kept to locally grown sources. Protein sources could have consisted of more fish (did not eat enough fish) and leaner cuts of locally sourced meats.

2. The use of protein shakes is not paleo (chew your food)

This again led back to convenience, I get through a ton of meat protein and on my budget couldn't quite afford enough so a protein shake was a savour for me. I find post workout nutrition makes a huge difference to my recovery and recommend it to everyone. The protein shake didn't contain any artificial sugars, colourings or sweeteners and is a great option along side paleo eating.

3. Minor slip ups....chocolate, cake, alcohol, cruntchy nut etc.....

I set out in the beginning determined to stay 100% clean. Unfortunately I didn't quite have the will power. When the chips were down, I adopted Mark Sisson's from http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ 80/20 approached and 'treated' on 85% chocolate (low in sugar), chocolate cake post workout (quickly absorbed) and wine, less sugar/calorific than beer and cider. These few fixes kept me going for the long haul.

4. More fruit and veg throughout the day to off-set my high acidity levels brought on by meat


There is a fine balance with this one. In Lorain Cordains book 'The paleo diet' http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470913029?tag=paleotop-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0470913029&adid=0WF5N6EVFAVXSW7D73FM&
Lorain suggest you eat all the fruit you can. Meat is quite acidic and fruit and veggies are alkaline so the fruit and veg can help balance things out. To much acidity is not good for things like osteoporosis.  I slightly disagree with this one when it comes to leaning out. The high sugar content (Fructose) in fruit can wreak havoc with our insulin levels which we need to keep a bay if weight loss is our goal.
   Once you have lost the weight you require and reach a maintenance stage, I definitely recommend uping your fruit intake. Moderate amounts of fruit won't make you put on weight but as Robb Wolf says, it will cock block your weight loss. In conclusion though, more veggies throughout the day would be a much better option in lowering acidity levels.

The Result


Thanks to all those who have wrote in, but there can only be one winner!

Congrates to Liam Philimore not only for his insightful comments but his overall enthusiasm and commitment to the challenge. Liam is 100% paleo plus dairy thus far. Looking forward to seeing the results big guy. You can follow Liam's experience here http://liamspaleo.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to all those who wrote in. Remember, I'm not a nutritionist  and everything I know is completely self taught. There is a universe of information out there in books and the internet, you just have to spend the time sifting through the bullshit. I'll be posting my results Saturday and i'm pretty chuffed with the way things have gone so watch this space!

Robb Wolf & Art DeVany- The Paleo Diet (Nightline)

12.30pm

Half a chicken
Home made soup containing sweet potato, brocolli, carrots (this is a really starchy soup and not ideal for weight loss but awesome pre workout!

3.00pm - post workout

Protein shake
Cold steak
2 eggs
punnet of raspberries
more soup

7.00pm - Eating out for Mr. Usher's 35th Birthday ; )

Chicken Caesar salad minus the croutons

Steak
home made chips (Starchy........ but had a big day of training so didn't lose any sleep over this)

Tomorrow, results of the 'you be the trainer competition'

Day 38 - Last chance to win the hamper!

For those of you, like me, who have a sweet tooth and often find yourself craving a treat. I may have found a solution.
Pataks coconut cream sachets!! These beauties are 100% coconut and a healthy alternative to a bar of dairy milk.
They can be purchased in any major super market and can be added to curries and sauces. I like eating them cold as a solid bar but be warned....they are super dense so make sure you have a drink on hand to help wash it down!

12.30pm

Chilli
Avocado

4.30pm

Pret Tuna and boiled egg salad

7.00pm

Roast lamb with loads of veggies!