30 Day Paleo Challenge
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="413018" data-time="1391394256">
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<p>Yep, under settings and Goals. I had changed mine to the zone-ish 40% Carbs, 30% Protein and 30% Fats.</p>
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<p>I found the app good for getting rid of snacks, but to be honest it was massive chore (I logged everything I ate for 50 days). If you like stats though, it's interesting and they make as easy as possible to log your food. The bar code scanner was great.</p>
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<p>Cheers.</p>
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<p>I'm a pretty plain eater, I'll mostly eat the same dinner for 5 nights and a combination of 2 or 3 lunches so hopefully I can just save those settings. I find it quite interesting how they set you a calorie limit, and then add exercise earned calories to the limit ... is that a normal way of doing it (for weight loss in general)?</p>
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<p>I'm going to need to up my weight loss weekly goal as my limits seem a bit high at the moment.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="413023" data-time="1391395294">
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<p>Cheers.</p>
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<p>I'm a pretty plain eater, I'll mostly eat the same dinner for 5 nights and a combination of 2 or 3 lunches so hopefully I can just save those settings. I find it quite interesting how they set you a calorie limit, and then add exercise earned calories to the limit ... is that a normal way of doing it (for weight loss in general)?</p>
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<p>I'm going to need to up my weight loss weekly goal as my limits seem a bit high at the moment.</p>
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<p>They are working on the theory that you can "earn" extra calories during the day by exercising. So they set a target calorie goal to stay under (ludicrously low IMO), and you have to exercise if you want to eat more that a day. </p>
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<p>It's a guide more than anything, because you can't really accurately tell how many calories are in what you eat or how much you have burned by exercise. But you can approximate it and use it as structure for your eating.</p>
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<p>What I did was use this site;</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/'>http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/</a></p>
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<p>to calculate my BMR, then took off 500 calories from that to set my own target in MyFitnessPal (including the macro targets of carbs/proteins & fats). It was successful for a while, and I lost weight over the holiday period instead of my normal gain, but it only got me so far.</p>
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<p>Worth a go though, the improvement in my habits from it has made the Paleo challenge way easier than if I had gone fully cold turnkey on my November diet. I would have killed my neighbours going that route.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="413026" data-time="1391395854">
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<p>They are working on the theory that you can "earn" extra calories during the day by exercising. So they set a target calorie goal to stay under (ludicrously low IMO), and you have to exercise if you want to eat more that a day. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's a guide more than anything, because you can't really accurately tell how many calories are in what you eat or how much you have burned by exercise. But you can approximate it and use it as structure for your eating.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What I did was use this site;</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/'>http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/</a></p>
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<p>to calculate my BMR, then took off 500 calories from that to set my own target in MyFitnessPal (including the macro targets of carbs/proteins & fats). It was successful for a while, and I lost weight over the holiday period instead of my normal gain, but it only got me so far.</p>
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<p>Worth a go though, the improvement in my habits from it has made the Paleo challenge way easier than if I had gone fully cold turnkey on my November diet. I would have killed my neighbours going that route.</p>
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<p>Yeah, I think I'll use it as a guide and as a way to record what I'm eating ... so I can keep an eye on stuff.</p>
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<p>Interestingly my calorie totals from the BMR and MyFitnessPal once the 500 are taken off are relatively the same.</p>
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<p>The last time I lost a good chunk of weight I did a bunch more exercise/weights and kept eating soft lollies, it will be interesting to see the difference between less exercise (as I'm unable to do weights) as opposed to less sugar/carb intake.</p> -
<p>Used to use myfitnesspal too and still do occasionally to get details on a particular food but now I just run my own spreadsheet and track each days meals and then roll it for the next week. Very quick and easy.</p>
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<p>Just a couple of words of caution....</p>
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<p>Using +/- 500 calories for bulking/cutting is ok but you are better off doing it as a % of your caloric intake as we all have different intakes so 500 for say a small female on 1600cals vs a guy on 3500 cals has a major difference in effect. Good guideline is start with +/1 10% and then adjust in 5% ranges from there until you find your sweet spot. You may need 2 weeks at your amended caloric intake level before you start seeing the impact.</p>
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<p>Using % splits for carbs/fat/protein isn't the best approach. You are better off calculating your protein and fat needs in grams and then filling the rest of your caloric needs for carbs. This way when you adjust your caloric intake levels you just add or subtract carbs. Protein and fats should stay the same or adjust only for changes in body weight. Pretty simple way to do it. A good guideline would be 2.5 to 3 grams of protein per kg of lean body mass and 0.7 to 1.0grams of fats per kg of lean body mass. Myfitnesspal isn;t so good for this type of calc but you can work it out easy enough and then set the %s in myfitnesspal to give you pretty close to your desired numbers.</p> -
<p>I did 2 days a week <750cals, and the other days ate normally, I lost almost 3kgs in as many weeks, but I didnt really like the low cal days, wasnt that I felt lethargic or anything, I just felt hungry all the time, and the next day is probably when I felt the effects.</p>
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<p>I think calorie (or carb) cycling it dam effective for weight loss due to the effects it has on metabolism. Trying it for weight gain right now and I do not think it as quite as effective but it still make senses to me to eat less (still eat at least maintenance level) on those days I dont train and eat more on the training days when my body needs it.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="413235" data-time="1391505746">
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<p>5 days of no carbs, and it's still killing me. I just feel hungry and tired all day. Grrr. </p>
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<p>Two things I've learnt is eating this way is way more expensive and I spend a lot more time fluffing around reading websites about eating.</p>
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<p>Any reason you aren't eating carbs from veges? It will make you feel a lot better, and less hungry.</p>
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<p>You sound the same as me, it's a big transition to eating healthily when you are used to just grabbing something from the cupboard. What I've been doing is preparing everything and chucking it tuperware in the fridge, so I can replicate just grabbing something for lunch or a snack. So once a week I clean/cut up my veges and cook some kumera and beetroot, etc. I've even been cooking a lot of my meat when I cook dinner so I can use the leftovers the next days. So there are things you can do to make it easier.</p>
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<p>It's getting easier and I have to think about it less. I'm also adding a new recipe a week (so I don't get overwhelmed, I'm not a big cook) for variety.</p>
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<p>So far I've been on this diet for four days and I've lost 2kgs. Shows you how bloating sugar and grains are huh.</p>
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<p>And the big worry I had was lack of energy for the WODs, but I've been feeling awesome and the sore muscles have pretty much gone too. Had a hard workout last night and I don't feel like I even went last night, normal I struggle to get up the stairs.</p>
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<p>Think I might be fully drinking the kool aid now.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="413288" data-time="1391546314">
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<p><strong>Any reason you aren't eating carbs from veges?</strong> It will make you feel a lot better, and less hungry.</p>
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<p>You sound the same as me, it's a big transition to eating healthily when you are used to just grabbing something from the cupboard. What I've been doing is preparing everything and chucking it tuperware in the fridge, so I can replicate just grabbing something for lunch or a snack. So once a week I clean/cut up my veges and cook some kumera and beetroot, etc. I've even been cooking a lot of my meat when I cook dinner so I can use the leftovers the next days. So there are things you can do to make it easier.</p>
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<p>It's getting easier and I have to think about it less. I'm also adding a new recipe a week (so I don't get overwhelmed, I'm not a big cook) for variety.</p>
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<p>So far I've been on this diet for four days and I've lost 2kgs. Shows you how bloating sugar and grains are huh.</p>
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<p><strong>And the big worry I had was lack of energy for the WODs</strong>, but I've been feeling awesome and the sore muscles have pretty much gone too. Had a hard workout last night and I don't feel like I even went last night, normal I struggle to get up the stairs.</p>
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<p>Think I might be fully drinking the kool aid now.</p>
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<p>Sorry, I guess I misrepresented myself, I'm getting my carbs from veges ... just not the bad (but good tasting) ones from bread and processed sugar foods. </p>
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<p>TBH, my main meal have remained the same aside from getting rid of stir fry sauces with sugar, my lunch hasn't changed too much, but my snacking and breakfast have changed heaps. Giving up the sweet foods has been easier than I thought.</p>
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<p>Breakfast is the hardest for me, I'm generally dopey in the morning and putting a couple of pieces of toast down and boiling the jug is about the effort I like to make. Now I actually have to plan what I want and what I'm doing ... not good for someone lazy!</p>
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<p>I haven't weighed myself yet, I don't have scales, and don't want to buy another set (I have all my household stuff still in Hamilton in storage) so have decided I'll weigh myself once or twice a week at my uncle's. I'm trying to keep my expectations low so that I don't get disappointed though.</p>
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<p>My big worry is my lack of energy, my normal walk tends to wipe me out now.</p> -
<p>Take a page out of NTA's book and measure yourself as well (I've done this at the start of the challenge). It's a better judge of progress.</p>
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<p>(ignore me weighing myself daily, I'm addicted to it)</p>
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<p>As for breakfast, if you have a pattern of behaviour then plan for it the day before. You need a breakfast that you can throw together, so prepare it the night before (or in one session a week). I'm currently making an omlette pizza and all I have to do is throw on the meat and veges I've already prepared, takes five mins tops. Just have some protein, carb and fats and you're good to go.</p>
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<p>My energy is through the roof. Hit xFit four times last week, and doing five this week and a home workout on Saturday. Three into it and I feel fresh as a daisy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="413322" data-time="1391560421">
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<p>Take a page out of NTA's book and measure yourself as well (I've done this at the start of the challenge). It's a better judge of progress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(ignore me weighing myself daily, I'm addicted to it)</p>
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<p>As for breakfast, if you have a pattern of behaviour then plan for it the day before. You need a breakfast that you can throw together, so prepare it the night before (or in one session a week). I'm currently making an <strong>omlette pizza</strong> and all I have to do is throw on the meat and veges I've already prepared, takes five mins tops. Just have some protein, carb and fats and you're good to go.</p>
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<p>My energy is through the roof. Hit xFit four times last week, and doing five this week and a home workout on Saturday. Three into it and I feel fresh as a daisy.</p>
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<p>What's an omlette pizza? Do you make the egg part earlier and then chuck the other bits on top? Or is it just like a normal omlette?</p>
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<p>Good stuff with your energy levels and exercise. I may have turned a corner today, do not feel as low energy as I have in the past few days.</p> -
<p>Nepia. Are you a big hua or just unfit? (No offense meant by this question by the way)</p>
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<p>I'm fit but i'm quite overweight. 190cm and 115kg's I can easily run ten k's but can injure myself because of the weight on my joints. </p>
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<p>I've been reading this thread with interest.It's quite inspiring some of the results posters have made.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="413326" data-time="1391561496">
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<p>What's an omlette pizza? Do you make the egg part earlier and then chuck the other bits on top? Or is it just like a normal omlette?</p>
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<p>Good stuff with your energy levels and exercise. I may have turned a corner today, do not feel as low energy as I have in the past few days.</p>
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<p>Good, it does take a while to detox from the sugar. I had already made a big start on that before I started this challenge, so it went quick for me, but the first two days were bloody terrible.</p>
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<p>My omlette pizza is the mess I make of a normal omlette, so instead of a filling I chuck it on top and be done with it. I just like saying pizza.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="413327" data-time="1391561962">
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<p><strong>Nepia. Are you a big hua or just unfit? </strong>(No offense meant by this question by the way)</p>
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<p>I'm fit but i'm quite overweight. 190cm and 115kg's I can easily run ten k's but can injure myself because of the weight on my joints. </p>
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<p>I've been reading this thread with interest.It's quite inspiring some of the results posters have made.</p>
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<p>You're about the sixe of Liam Messam then ... are you the same shape?</p>
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<p>Bit of both (and no offense taken whatsoever). I'm about 104kg but only 173cm! Mostly I just like eating sugar and wanted to do something about since I'm highly susceptible to type 2 diabetes. I've been this weight in the past and looked fine, but I'm this weight and look like I'm trying to be the 1990s version of Marlon Brando.</p>
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<p>I don't run too often but walk everyday, twice at the moment. If I had all my my gear I'd walk once and do an indoor cycle while watching True Detective or Banshee or some other show. I have an ankle injury that prevents me from running too much - which I got while training for the Taupo round the lakes a couple of years ago.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="413329" data-time="1391562579">
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<p>Good, it does take a while to detox from the sugar. I had already made a big start on that before I started this challenge, so it went quick for me, but the first two days were bloody terrible.</p>
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<p>My omlette pizza is the mess I make of a normal omlette, so instead of a filling I chuck it on top and be done with it. I just like saying pizza.</p>
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<p>Ok, my omelettes are the same.</p> -
<p>Yeah man! I'm the same shape as Mess, we work out together. Although I try and take it easy on him when we are sparring in the ring...... :)</p>
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<p>I've got a bit of beer fat and skinny skinny legs that whack me all out of proportion and makes for Mrs Hooroo mickey taking pleasure!</p> -
<p>First weigh in since I started last week and I'm sitting at 101.5kg - I think I was around 103.7-104.7kg. Pretty damn happy with that TBH and if I hadn't lost some I might have thrown in the towel!</p>
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<p>I guess it shows the difference that diet (especially no sugar) makes, as I haven't done any more exercise than normal.</p>
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<p>Energy levels seem to have stabilised, I don't feel dopey all the time, I'm also not feeling hungry in between meals/snacks like I was for the first few days.</p>
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<p>I've been poaching chicken breasts the last few days, and man have they been turning out nice. I've just been chucking some veges in with them (whatever is left over) and it makes a nice stock that I use with my stir fry.</p> -
<p>Ok, with a day to go for my first week on this challenge I've lost 2.5kg. 50 days of the calorie counting was 2.2kg, so we have a winning approach methinks...</p>
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<p>Less than 1kg to go to my first goal of under 80kg. Have 1RM in the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk due today, so will see what impact losing 4.5 kgs in 2/3 months has had, and this weeks diet.</p>
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<p>Had a few cravings yesterday, but since I have added some fruit back I sated those with Raspberries and Blueberries (a small handful as a post workout meal). Yep, I bloody went to xFit yesterday - Beach WOD at Browns Bay, lost of squats, sit-ups, press-ups and shit tone of burpees and a nice swim between each one. Was pretty fun actually.</p>
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<p>Have done four sessions this week, with the 5th today. Body is holding up really well, no soreness or any real tiredness either. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="413506" data-time="1391719346">
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<p>Ok, with a day to go for my first week on this challenge I've lost 2.5kg.<strong> 50 days of the calorie counting was 2.2kg</strong>, so we have a winning approach methinks...</p>
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<p>Less than 1kg to go to my first goal of under 80kg. Have 1RM in the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk due today, so will see what impact losing 4.5 kgs in 2/3 months has had, and this weeks diet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Had a few cravings yesterday, but since I have added some fruit back I sated those with Raspberries and Blueberries (a small handful as a post workout meal). Yep, I bloody went to xFit yesterday - Beach WOD at Browns Bay, lost of squats, sit-ups, press-ups and shit tone of burpees and a nice swim between each one. Was pretty fun actually.</p>
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<p>Have done four sessions this week, with the 5th today. Body is holding up really well, no soreness or any real tiredness either. </p>
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<p>Yelps! Good that you made the change. Good luck with that last kg.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">cut cauliflower into smaller florets, drizzle with some olive oil, a bit of salt and pepper and a decent covering of smoked paprika. Bake at 160-170 till it starts to caramelise then finish with a squeeze of lemon juice. It's the business!
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<p>I'm definitely going to try this now ... I tried one of the cauliflower mash recipes all over the internet last night and it was tasted way too sweet. Then I had my normal steamed cauliflower today and it was still sweet. Hopefully this one wont be sweet.</p>
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<p>Does anyone know anything about cauliflowers? Could I have gotten an extra sweet one and most I buy wont be as sweet?</p> -
<p>Taste, relying on smell quite a bit, will change a little depending on the conditions under which something has been grown.</p>
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<p>I say roll with it. As I keep explaining to my kids: once you cut down the sugars, you start to detect more flavour in everything. Whenever I clean up my eating for a long period, then have something like fast food, I feel nauseous because my brain can't handle the transmission!</p>