Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
First, I'll get straight to my first week's results on The Primal Blueprint:
Beginning Stats
Weight 176
BF% 31.4
I'm enjoying Primal. Not going to lie, I LOVE having the organic whipping cream in my coffee. I also really enjoy having whey protein smoothies back. Trying not to go back to using them as a crutch for my protein intake though. Overall I think this is absolutely something I can enjoy long term.
I went back and forth on the whole tracking thing for this experiment. In the book Mark Sisson suggests you track (at least at first) your food, especially your carb intake. Focusing on keeping your carbs within a certain range based on your weight loss goals. I truly enjoyed NOT tracking the 'numbers' with my Paleo experiment and wasn't sure how I would feel about tracking again. (Other than the video tracking I do, which doesn't focus at all on numbers, calories, etc). One of my favorite things about my little Paleo experiment was not feeling obsessed over calories!
But tracking carb intake seemed an integral part of this plan, so I downloaded My Fitness Pal to my new android phone. And...I love it. I am not allowing myself to obsess or even really focus on the calorie part. I try to watch my carb and protein intake, glance at the vitamin/mineral intake, and move on. It's been sort of fun so far. I only plan to do it for a while until I can better gauge my carb intake on my own. If I at all feel obsessive or bothered by the tracking, it's gone. I refuse to give up this more laid back state of mind toward my eating and weight.
As far as workouts go, the biggest change for me has been adding in more lower level activity. Mostly this has been in the form of long walks. This week I did one 5 mile and one just over 6. I am really enjoying these. Of course I can still manage them outdoors right now (and I have a friend to go with me), which makes them more fun than the treadmill! Especially where I live. It's beautiful out this time of year.
I also did some walk/sprint interval workouts and one body weight workout. I plan to get some weights in for week 2. For weights workouts I plan to do various DVDs. Some may think that's not very primal, but I ENJOY DVDs. Sisson says to always change things up. I figure it's a great way to get use out of all these DVDs I have. Hmmm, wonder how long I could do them without repeating...
So far so good with Primal. I still feel great. Things are all moving in the right direction. And I get cream in my coffee. What's not to like, really?
I am just a blogger, not a doctor, trainer, or any sort of health professional. What you read here are my personal experiences and opinions. Of course, always consult your doctor before trying a diet, supplement, or new workout program.
Beginning Stats
Weight 176
BF% 31.4
Waist 32.5
Right Thigh 20.5
Right Calf 14.25
Right Arm 12
Hips 41.75
Week 1 Stats
Weight 175.5
BF% 31.4 (using an Omron BF monitor, results can be fickle)
Waist 32.25
Right Thigh 20.5
Right Calf 14
Right Arm 11.75
Hips 41.75
My first week going Primal I lost half a pound and 3/4 of an inch total. Not bad. I suspect most people would experience bigger losses their first week on Primal, but since I was going Paleo to Primal I'm very pleased with those results.I'm enjoying Primal. Not going to lie, I LOVE having the organic whipping cream in my coffee. I also really enjoy having whey protein smoothies back. Trying not to go back to using them as a crutch for my protein intake though. Overall I think this is absolutely something I can enjoy long term.
I went back and forth on the whole tracking thing for this experiment. In the book Mark Sisson suggests you track (at least at first) your food, especially your carb intake. Focusing on keeping your carbs within a certain range based on your weight loss goals. I truly enjoyed NOT tracking the 'numbers' with my Paleo experiment and wasn't sure how I would feel about tracking again. (Other than the video tracking I do, which doesn't focus at all on numbers, calories, etc). One of my favorite things about my little Paleo experiment was not feeling obsessed over calories!
But tracking carb intake seemed an integral part of this plan, so I downloaded My Fitness Pal to my new android phone. And...I love it. I am not allowing myself to obsess or even really focus on the calorie part. I try to watch my carb and protein intake, glance at the vitamin/mineral intake, and move on. It's been sort of fun so far. I only plan to do it for a while until I can better gauge my carb intake on my own. If I at all feel obsessive or bothered by the tracking, it's gone. I refuse to give up this more laid back state of mind toward my eating and weight.
As far as workouts go, the biggest change for me has been adding in more lower level activity. Mostly this has been in the form of long walks. This week I did one 5 mile and one just over 6. I am really enjoying these. Of course I can still manage them outdoors right now (and I have a friend to go with me), which makes them more fun than the treadmill! Especially where I live. It's beautiful out this time of year.
I also did some walk/sprint interval workouts and one body weight workout. I plan to get some weights in for week 2. For weights workouts I plan to do various DVDs. Some may think that's not very primal, but I ENJOY DVDs. Sisson says to always change things up. I figure it's a great way to get use out of all these DVDs I have. Hmmm, wonder how long I could do them without repeating...
So far so good with Primal. I still feel great. Things are all moving in the right direction. And I get cream in my coffee. What's not to like, really?
I am just a blogger, not a doctor, trainer, or any sort of health professional. What you read here are my personal experiences and opinions. Of course, always consult your doctor before trying a diet, supplement, or new workout program.
I am super excited to see how you like Primal! I am still solidly Paleo, but I would definitely consider adding in some Primal elements!
ReplyDeletePRG I'm rather enjoying some of the primal elements, ha ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI love primal vs. paleo. My body doesn't have adverse reactions to dairy the way some paleos do. I stick with heavy cream, butter, minimal Greek yog, and hard cheese, but that's me.
ReplyDeleteWow... your blog is so pretty! Congrats on your weight loss progress so far :)
ReplyDeleteYou can set up My Fitness Pal to just track carbs. I did that because I started getting a bit annoyed when it said I hadn't eaten the 200 or so carbs it wants me to eat. No thanks!
ReplyDeleteErin, I'm interested to see how I react!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, thanks.
LiiV, you're brilliant!!
Primal. and someone mentioned Paleo. uh-oh! I need to do some Googling. I've heard the terms, but I need to explore indepth.
ReplyDeleteHi Kerri! Don't know if you remember me... the thing went like this. I read some of your post long ago, about how a different diet helped your husband. he was eating clean meats and veggies and fruit. I think I didn't even reply a comment... but I tweeted your link with a "Another win for Paleo/Primal diet!" or something.
ReplyDeleteYou reply with a "I didn't see that, but I guess it is like the paleo diet..." or something like that.
And know, see where we are!! :)
I think you're going to love primal. The 80/20 % rule... rules. Love it. I also have beans like, 1 time per month, because they don't bloat me (too much). And because of social eating, about 1 time per WEEK I go to a splurge of bread and beans and tortillas and corn and whatever... but since I stay primal 80% of the week, and do Intermittent Fasting 1-2 times per week ( ala Eat Stop Eat) I eat all those "bad stuff and still I managed somehow to get a 4-pack. Now, I move slowly into the 6-pack!
If paleo rocks, Primal rocks just as well but with more freedom. Keep the post coming!! Vlogs are really entertaining!
Yes! I've thought of that too. And since then he's drifted pretty much completely primal. He's just gone by his symptoms and that's where he wound up! We don't do the 80/20 so much. Because it affects his narcolepsy too much. We splurge once in a great while, like holidays maybe. Otherwise sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Marks book.
ReplyDeleteIt doesnt "work" for me 100% but overall it's what I do.
What we do.
up in herre :)
So it's switching to all organic foods and tracking what you eat basically?
ReplyDeleteErin, no, it's no grains, not much dairy also.
ReplyDelete