30 Day Primal Challenge, Day 7: More Optimistic Than Ever

I knew it would be hard.  I knew I would struggle to avoid junk food.  And I lost my struggle, at least for two days.  I couldn’t resist temptation and ate junk food...on two of the first six days of my 30 day Primal Challenge.  More on that later.

Almost a week into Primal / Paleo living and I feel great.

Following the blueprint:  Easier than expected (except the vice)

Except for the junk food problem, it’s been easy to implement the Primal / Paleo lifestyle.  I’ve been more strict than planned—I easily eliminated most dairy and grains from my diet.  The only exceptions are to accommodate my heavy workout schedule.  I’m sleeping more and more actively playing with the kids.

Here’s the best example of the changes I’ve made in my diet.  My family visits a local diner for Sunday lunch.  The Primal Challenge dramatically affected my menu choices:

• Before:  Monte Cristo with waffle fries
• Now:  Broiled Salmon with broccoli and green beans

At dinner, I replace grains and starches with vegetables.  I replaced the bun on my Labor Day hamburger with grilled peppers and onions.  The vegetables taste better, and I don’t miss the pasta, rice, and bread.

I struggle every day with sugar.  On my daughter’s second birthday (Monday), I gave in for a piece of ice cream cake.  After all, it was a birthday.  That piece of ice cream cake led to cookies, then more ice cream, then chocolate.  I couldn’t contain the cravings.

Any results yet?

I plan to give the Primal / Paleo lifestyle a full month before I expect results.  But based on my experience so far, I’m more optimistic than when I started.

I lost weight within the first three days.  That’s obvious—when I avoid an extra 1,000-1,500 calories per day from junk food, I’m bound to lose weight.  The real question will come when I avoid junk food for longer stretches...how much weight will I lose?  Will avoiding grains and other starchy carbohydrates help me lose more fat?  I’m excited to find out.

I haven’t experienced the severe fatigue that plagued me before the challenge.  That’s also obvious—with one more hour of sleep per night, my level of energy should improve.  The real question will come with extended periods of more sleep and better diet...will I have more energy throughout the day?  Time will tell.

I need to be patient before evaluating results.  The Primal / Paleo lifestyle is not a “diet” where you take a short term action and expect it to produce results.  It’s a way of living that fundamentally alters the way your body works.  These changes don’t come in a week.  It could take longer than 30 days.  The small changes I’ve seen help sustain my efforts, but ultimately I’m seeking a long-term, fundamental change.  The results I want are more dramatic than losing a few pounds.

Get on board!

What’s keeping you from trying a Primal Challenge?

Are you satisfied with your current energy level, weight and fitness?  Do you wonder whether you can make the changes stick?  Do you believe the science behind the Primal / Paleo wave?

I’m guessing your Primal experience would match mine.  Most changes would be easy; one or two would be hard.  But that’s the perfect reason to take this challenge.  You come face-to-face with your bad habits.  You eliminate the parts of your life that hold you back.

Time has flown by.  I’m into day seven and extra motivated to crush my junk food eating habit—it’s my biggest obstacle.

Mark’s Daily Apple is starting a 30 day Primal Blueprint Challenge on September 12th.

You have less than a week to decide to try it.  It could change your life.

Photo Credit:  Be Sugar Free and Happy!