6 Week Paleo Progress

After six weeks of following the Paleo Diet and working out at Washington Gym, here are my results:

Weight: 217
Lost 5% body fat
Gained 12.19 lbs muscle
Lost 12.19 lbs fat
Lost 1" from waist
Gained .5" on arms and thighs

They could have been better, but James and Jess helped me identify what to do to get better gains. Off the bat, I wasn't sleeping right or getting enough water. I'm also going to make sure I get some morning cardio in there in my off days.

Secondly, ahem, I may have taken a few days off...

Lastly, I started a food journal. I'm not sure I've EVER put on this amount of muscle this quickly, but imagine what I could do with the right calories.

So far this week, at least, I've hit all my days.

39 Days to 30

The tragedy of my 30th birthday looms. As of two weeks ago, I was suffering from constant fatigue, high cholesterol, severe joint pain and probably mild depression. Have you ever heard the parable of the frog in boiling water?

Our green friend hops in to the pot, happy with his surroundings. Over time, some degenerate lights a fire and turns the heat up on Kermit. The change is subtle enough that froggy keeps splashing, unaware that in short order there will be several Frenchmen (or Cajuns if you're a History Channel fan) ready to celebrate his demise.

The lesson- if we take shortcuts to our health, you may not notice the subtle negative changes those shortcuts cause, and the cumulative effects make feeling like garbage the norm.

Hate my parable? Here's an illustrative quote:

"Food can be the most powerful medicine, or the slowest poison". - Ann Wigmore

I don't know much about her, but true dat, Ann.

Before I started following Paleo and working out at my new gym, I would have told you that I had been in great shape twice in my life. Now, its pretty clear to see that I've probably never been in great shape!

Admittedly, I thought Paleo was for a fringe few who were trying out a new gimmick to sell wrist bands and knock off Affliction shirts- but damn, I was wrong. It turns out it is a great lifestyle philosophy that embraces community, natural eating and an (refreshingly) unconventional view on nutrition.

Today is my fifteenth day on the Paleo Diet and I am moved enough to share my experience with the world. I have a long way to go but I hope to share my experiences with you so that I can change the way you eat, live and play!

I started my road to recovery on February 1st and my first workout at the Washington Gym on February 3rd.

I'm excited to share my journey!