Since I did my post on 5 Random Things, I have had people ask me what the <bleep> is Paleo? The short answer is that Paleo is short for Paleolithic and refers to a lifestyle and eating plan similar to that of our pre-agricultural ancestors. No, this isn’t an historical re-enactment, this is a way of living that gets back to eating good, whole foods that are gluten, grain and legume free with little or no dairy. Here is how Robb Wolf, one of the leading Paleo proponents explains it: In simple terms the paleo diet is built from modern foods that (to the best of our ability) emulate the foods available to our pre-agricultural ancestors: Meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers and nuts. On the flip-side we see an omission of grains, legumes and dairy. As this is directed to folks new to the paleo diet idea we need to address the “What Abouts.” This is the seemingly endless list of ingredients that folks ask: “What about artificial sweeteners, agave nectar, red wine…” In simple terms, if it’s not meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, roots tubers or nuts…it’s a “no-go.” At least initially. I like to see people go after paleo strictly in the beginning so we get the best possible results, then folks can tinker from there. I’ve detailed all of this information in my FAQ shopping and food guide, and quick start guides. These are all available for free (you do not need to buy the book to get any of the information) and it details all of the special considerations of autoimmunity, fat loss, athletic performance and muscle gain. If you have any interest in how the Paleo lifestyle can benefit you, Robb’s book and website will keep you occupied for hours. He is the witty, […]
Read more →1) You need to eat properly. You can do all the exercise you want, and if you are putting junk in your body, you will get a junk result. Not a judgment, just a fact. 2) You need to move. Just move: go for a walk, stretch on the floor, go to a yoga class, do a DVD, ride a bike. We were not built to sit at a desk all day, drive home in a seated position, sit at the table (and eat junk), and then sit in front of the TV. Do something to move every joint in your body. Every day. 3) You need to sleep. Go to bed in a dark, silent room and get 8 hours of sleep. Trust me, you do need it. 4) You need to treat yourself well. Don’t put yourself last on the list. No one likes a martyr and you really aren’t fun to be around when you are bitter. Your friends confirmed this for me. 5) You need to take care of those nagging injuries before they start screaming for your attention. Get evaluated by a physical therapist who will look at you as a whole, then work with said physical therapist to address your issues. If you are given home exercises to do, well………….do them. We’re really not mean; we just know that if we don’t hold you accountable and don’t encourage you to push your limits, you might as well be having coffee with your friends. […]
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