This is about what the Paleo Diet has done for me.  I have lost a total of 37 pounds from my peak of 210lbs since I started working out with you.  I worked out from September 2008 until the August 2009 time frame without major modification to my diet.  I got stronger, I could do more of the workouts but I wasn’t really progressing very fast.  Even though I was still eating my old way I managed to lose 22 pounds through CrossFit and a Triathlon training program.  It wasn’t until I got serious about my diet that the changes really starting showing up.

You talked about Paleo and “eating clean” and I decided to just give it a shot, see what happens.  I started Paleo during the first challenge you held.  I really got serious, logging the foods I ate, shopping differently, cutting out bread, pasta, legumes and sugar completely.  Keep in mind, I really like biscuits with sorghum syrup , I like peanuts (especially salty, boiled peanuts) and sugar was in almost everything.  It’s really eye opening when you write down everything you eat.  I had no idea how much salt and sugar I was eating everyday.

I lost another 15 pounds during that time period.  Within those 2 months my appearance changed drastically.  That’s when people started asking what was going on.  I had lost weight before just through the workouts but the Paleo diet really started leaning me out.  My shape changed.  It was after the first Paleo Challenge that I had to go buy new pants.  I lost 2-1/2″ in the waist.  I’m wearing the size I wore as a Freshman in College almost 30 years ago!  The second Paleo/Zone challenge made even more difference.  That’s when I had to start buying “slim-fit” shirts and even went down a size in some cases.  My maximum lifts went up in almost every lift we measured and my endurance has really taken off.  As for appearance, It’s more of a 4-pack but I am closer to having those “six-pack”-abs than I have ever been in my life.  I have more definition and, more importantly, strength than I had in High School.  I’ve been through 2 Paleo Challenges and the results are still showing up.  My strength has improved, my endurance has improved and my speed on the runs has improved.

I haven’t lost anymore weight though I am working out harder and running more.  I seem to be at my correct weight.   The biggest difference I notice is when I do eat “non-paleo” for a day or two I can feel my strength fade, my energy fades, my concentration fades and I just don’t feel right.  It’s almost like I am coming down with something, I feel run-down.

I may not be the strictest “Paleo man”, I still like raw honey and a biscuit now and then.  But I consciously choose lunch spots and snacks with the choices and the results (positive and negative) in mind now.   It’s really not difficult to maintain the diet, it just takes a little thought and changing of habits.  If I can find a “before” picture I’ll send it to you.  Not sure I have one but I’ll risk the embarrassment if it helps someone else out.

Doug Warren