Good grief, how did I let time pass me by like this yet again? I have nothing but the best intentions... and then just let it go... again. Is anyone still reading? Well, if not, then I'll still write this for me.
Because yes, after 7 weeks on the Paleo Lifestyle I have lost 17lbs... that's 7.7kg. And it is more than I've lost in a very long time. I don't need more convincing that this is the way to go.
Amazingly, even now I don't miss the grains the way I thought I would. I truly expected to crave bread and pasta and feel deprived and sad. No really, I did. But I started this journey with three very important things in mind:
1) Focus on what I can eat, not what I'm not allowed to eat.
2) Stop looking for alternatives for things such as rice and noodles. No alternatives are needed. And that is that.
3) And of course, don't think breakfast has to be bread and peanutbutter, or bread and nutella or whatever other sugary breakfast foods one prefers. Breakfast can be leftovers from last night. (I started my day with brats and sauerkraut... how is that for a good German leftovers dinner/breakfast?)
I feel better all around. I have more energy, and I feel good about who I am. No more sneaking candy (yes, I used to do that... when I was stressed out or bored or had that afternoon down), and I'm a better person for it. I work out differently. Not as hard as I used to. Go figure.
And finally, I have a support group. I know, there is a support group for everything. But why is that? Because it WORKS! Think about it. Do something on your own... nobody around you does it. Nobody knows about it... and when you tell them they look at you like you've gone and lost your mind. Being surrounded by people who choose to do the same, is incredibly helpful. You get to be excited as a group. You get to share your success stories. And when you really, really feel like pigging out, your friends are there to either stop you... or if it's necessary, to tell you, that you do deserve a treat every now and then.
Speaking of treats: I've heard people talk about cheating, when they ate a banana with a few melted chocolate chips... or even a handful of M&Ms. This is not cheating. It's treating. You don't stop living in the 21st century. You are still surrounded by pizza and burgers and chocolate and chips. And while I do recommend to stick closely to your new diet (which is not a diet at all, as we know by now) in the beginning... there is absolutely nothing wrong to treat yourself to something special every now and then. You may of course find, after several weeks of passing on sugar and consorts, that you no longer enjoy the sweets you used to devour, because your taste buds are now used to quality foods and can no longer handle artificial colors and sweeteners and such.
Well, it's time for my dessert. A bowl of frozen blueberries!
