Here's another email I received, from Jesse Richards. Jesse has been with us from the start, beginning his 30 days on July 5th. He shared his experience with me as a testament to how this process is about so much more than just your diet. For Jesse, this really has changed his life. Read, and be inspired.
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Dear Melissa,
I just had to tell you how wonderful this Paleo journey has been for me, and what a great impact it has had. I've been doing CrossFit since January and have gotten stronger, faster, and better at everything, but I was still gaining weight. Life has been really stressful for me the past several months, and doing this challenge has helped me put myself on the path to a better me. I started on July 5th, and as of today I've lost 17.5 pounds. I'm down from 241.5 (the highest I've weighed in several years) to a much healthier 224. I feel wonderful! I look better as well, which I know isn't the point of the challenge, but it certainly has helped me stay focused. Finally, there has not been a single workout that I haven't PR'd while I've been doing Paleo. This first week or so I had some problems with recovery, but then I upped my fat, and everything has been taking care of itself. I put 25 pounds on my deadlift last week alone (375, heck yeah)!
However, the single biggest thing for me has been that I have re-evaluated how I interact with food. I no longer feel cravings for something whenever I walk by. My friends can be having my favorite pizza, brownies, and cookies and I'll just watch them and eat my tasty meat and veggies or fruit. I am no longer bound by my past habits, and after a little over three weeks, I'm not even looking forward to that perfect cheat meal that I planned and savored to get me by in week one. I don't want to cheat anymore. This isn't a challenge to me. It's just how I eat now. For a guy who has been overweight his entire life, after 23 years I'm the one who is in control. Not the food.
So keep the tough love, sassy fun, and good information flowing! You've started something really great. I can't wait to see where it goes. Stay awesome Moxy-Boss!
Sincerely,
Jesse
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The last few highlighted lines make me want to hug Jesse, wherever he is. I GET what he is saying, and I am so glad that particular light bulb came on for him, as it did for me, and as it can for you. Thanks for sharing your story, Jesse. If you promise to keep us posted as to how things are going - I will make a giant flippin' announcement here the day you pull 4 bills off the floor. Deal?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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18 people drop some props (leave a comment here):
Wow. Awesome work Jesse! Keep it up!
Moxy-Boss, totally a deal!
MB, I've managed to get my brother to choose Paleo for his health. I asked him to send me a paragraph on his 1st month for my website. Here's what he sent, I thought readers would enjoy it. Next, CrossFit!
~Bob
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Just about 1 month ago today, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My blood sugar level was 155 fasting and 255 after meal. At the age of 35 I was a bit surprised by this diagnosis, but not totally. I ate what I wanted. I ate too much sugar, too much bread, too much pasta, too much processed crap. I am 6 foot 1 and I weighed 270 on my day of diagnosis. I also have been on medication for high blood pressure for 2 years. This diagnosis was unacceptable to me at this age with 2 young boys at home. Literally seconds after my doctor told me, I decided it was time to change for real. I’ve tried switching to diet soda before, and lowfat this and that. Turkey instead of red meat or bacon… whatever. None of that did squat for me. My brother had been telling me for some time now about how to get healthier… and I just ignored it. But now was the time to try something real. I immediately cut my sugar and carbohydrates to as little as possible. I follow a simple plan that my brother taught to me that he calls “Paleo”. It basically consists of eating meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. I cheat with some cheese here and there, and the occasional sugar free snack. But for the most part I stick to the rules 99%. Well to make this long story short, in one month I have lost as of today (28 July) 23 pounds, gotten my blood sugar COMPLETELY under control, usually in the 90 range fasting and 110 range after a meal. And I’ve gotten my blood pressure down to where I’m certain my doctor will take me off the meds next time I see her. And most impressive to me about this diet is that I feel great. I really thought that cutting carbs would make me feel tired, but it doesn’t. And I’ve learned to eat so many more foods that I never liked before. I missed sweets for maybe 3 or 4 days. But now I don’t miss them at all. I don’t think about cookies. When I’m hungry I think about a nice piece of fish pan fried in olive oil with some pepper and lemon juice on it. That’s my new candy. This is how we were meant to eat. I just feel it. ~Rich
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Congrats Jesse, awesome improvements! and NICE DEADLIFT PR!! WOOOHOOOOOO
@Bob-
Thank you for your post, my father and uncle have High BP and they eat decently, but not as well as they could! My mom and dad are actually gradually following my healthy eating habits, which is pretty awesome!! In their own time they will come around =) I know it!! I am going to send them your brothers note, hopefully it'll motivate them even more to seek out the Paleo lifestyle of eating. =) Just wanted to thank you!
You are most welcome Mindy!
Awesome job everyone! Day 25 for me and going strong. I have to make two birthday cakes on my 29th day and then go to a pizza joint for a bday party on my 30th day but I've come this far I won't even lick the bowl:) I do plan to have a cold beer once my 30 days are over but then I'll be back at it.
I'm truly proud of everyone and if you've just started, be strong and you can do it!!!!
I love reading stories like this where eating better has truly changed someone's life!!
I too am baking a birthday cake tomorrow night. All homemade including the frosting. I've asked my mom to be my taste-tester...she was eager for the job :). Today is day 21 and I am feeling really great!
You're a warrior Jesse! Nice Pull!
Hi, everyone! Sorry to be MIA when there's so much cool stuff to celebrate. My family is visiting AND the corporate overlords are on the war path... so not a lot of free time to the paleo party.
Jesse, congratulations. Truly. I as bragging on you to my husband this morning, so you should know you're inspiring and influencing people you don't even know. Sweet!
I posted a new recipe today on my blog, and it was YUMMY. Dave said, "We should have this every night." Now that I think of it, he's been saying that a lot lately -- dino-chow is GOOD. But I consider those words the Stamp of Approval™.
Enjoy! http://theclothesmakethegirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/ez-coconut-curry.html
Way to go Jesse!!
Day 25 here, just had a wonderful veggie omelet and roasted some veggies for a snack tomorrow. There is something wrong with that sentence. "roasted some veggies for a snack" What has come over me????
Weight loss is continuing and I feel great. Haven't started my crossfit workouts yet, not ready yet. But i am getting stronger.
The issue I have the most problem with is that i am running from office to office in Manhattan and its hard to pack a lunch. So i am spending a ton of money at various whole foods around the city.
I must be doin something wrong?.. I started Paleo July 3rd. I was feelin super lean last week and great!! this week I've felt bloated and grumpy and tired. This week I really didn't change much of my eating habits from last week, I've only really increased my fats but I think it was something I needed to do. Maybe I've had too much sodium?! I switched from eating buffalo and turkey burgers to chicken. I'm prolly just havin a bad week and I'm sure things will get better soon. But just curious..is anyone else feelin like they hit a bump in the road?
sorry for the negative-ish ventfest.
stay strong!!!!! =)
oh and with the increase in fat I've decreased carbs.
maybe its just overworrying/stress?
This morning I was able to put on 3 pairs of jeans that have not fit me in the last year!! Very exciting!!
Mindy – Where are you getting your fiber intake from? Perhaps you have cut back on your carbs too much. While we were supposed to have ‘some’ fruit as part of this I was careful not cut back too much for this very reason. Try adding half a pint of blueberries a day for your morning snack and see how that helps you out. I mix this in with pineapple and coconut milk and I’m certain this is why I am not all bloated and feeling like, well, crap.
@Mindy: First, is the time of the month any consideration in how you feel? That's easy to overlook. Just a thought.
Without knowing your specific proportions, it's hard to recommend exactly what to do. Your proportions may be a bit off - take a day or two and add some more carbs like Tracy said, and see how that goes. Also, again, watch your veggies and see if you notice that, say, after broccoli you feel like crap. Drink lots of water and maybe try sticking to a kind of "bland" diet for a day or two - lots of the same foods, things you KNOW you tolerate well - to see if maybe the issue is a reaction to a fruit or vegetable you've been eating.
There's a lot of trial and error involved here. You have to be willing to experiment on yourself, and you have to be patient. Try something for a day or two. Does it help? Keep doing it. Nothing? Try something else. Make sense?
Melissa
@Melissa & Tracy-
Thanks a million!!! Yall's advice makes complete sense!! I woke up this morning feeling GREAT!! YAY!! I have a constant struggle with dinner and overeating/snacking, and last night I tried my hardest to control it!! So that prolly helped!! I honestly do think my grumpiness is cuz of "that time of the month." I had thought of this too, but all my pms symptoms came at a different time than usual, so I was unsure if it was pms or my eating habits. But most likely pms is the cause. (sorry guys for the tmi)
I apologize for asking for help with a situation that is difficult to help with when I don't have a food log online or anything to look at. I have been thinkin about creating one tho! I am basically trying to zone/paleo, 3-2 blocks, I usually do 3 blocks protein, 1-2 blocks carbs, and I try to increase my fat intake based on how many carbs I have, but lately have been eating fats til I am satisfied. I really hate measuring.
I am trial and erroring and hopefully will figure out what works for me =) All in good time.
I think my body doesn't like fruits =( weird huh? But my restroom trips are regular.
I'm feelin much better today and I really appreciate yalls help and advice and I am sincerely thankful for yall bein cool with my lil ventfest =)
TGIF!!! MANY THANKS!!! =)
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