Something new

Since I've started going to the gym on the reg, I've found I need some pretty significant distractions to take my mind off the fact that I'm basically hamster-wheeling it on my bike/treadmill. My recent 6 miler on the treadmill (can we pause two seconds so I can pat myself on the back for the fact that I ran SIX MILES, and on a treadmill?! And I felt good! Yesssss) proved it beyond a doubt: music only takes me so far until I start getting spiteful with Pandora and skip 8 songs in a row. I actively get upset with the artists. If I hear Counting Stars by OneRepublic one more time! not to mention that Team by Lorde is NOT a pump up fitness song, WHY are you in this playlist. I digress.

I mentioned before that I've started watching TED talks, which are the perfect distraction when I can't handle top 40 hits any longer.

I usually try to find a couple videos that are 15-20 minutes long each, so at least it'll last me a full workout. But a week ago I accidentally clicked on this little 3 minute shorty. 

To be honest, out of all the TED talks I've seen, it's not that great. Too short, no research to back it up, no earth shattering conclusions. But the one point that resonated with me is being willing to try something new. And only for 30 days! That's doable, eh?

Enter: The Paleo diet. 

Before you jump to conclusions, hear me out. The Paleo diet has always intrigued me, but I've never given it a real chance for a number of reasons.

One, I've always respected the vegetarian way of eating. I ate vegetarian for part of college, and I still hold on to a lot of the ideals behind a veg diet. I also agree with the research that supports the idea that a vegetarian/vegan diet has many health benefits. Paleo is the complete opposite, what with all the meat.

Two, it's very restrictive. No grains, at all. No legumes, no dairy. Nothing that comes from agriculture.

This means no cheese.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It also means no pasta, no english muffins, no rice, no granola bars for breakfast, no milk in my coffee, no cereal, no convenient frozen meals for dinner, no hummus, no beans, no Reese's peanut butter cups, no beer, etc etc etc etc. What the heck. But let's be real, it's the no cheese part that's really brutal. Give me cheese and I will easily forgo the rest.

Three, it seems that in order to eat Paleo, you need to be a part of a Crossfit cult-ish holier-than-thou lifestyle. I mean no offense to those who eat Paleo, because I know for a fact there are many out there who do not fit that description. But it's a stereotype that has impacted my opinion on the diet, true or not.

With all these cons, why try it?

One, it's intrigued me for years. Two, it's only for 30 days. Three, I'm trying to gain some lean muscle mass and I have trouble getting enough protein most days. Four, there is some decent research out there to back up its health claims.

Fifth, and most importantly, grains and dairy are my downfall. Pizza is my kryptonite. Give me an english muffin with melted cheddar and I will eat five of them. Cheese and crackers are like sirens luring me to more cheese and crackers. Nachos - don't even get me started on nachos.

I know that third panel feeling all too well.

So far, this whole foray into eating healthy, losing weight and working out in 2014 has gone better than it ever has in the past - more moderation, fewer slip ups, and when I do, I get back on track more quickly than not. I'm much kinder to myself overall these days. But I still struggle when it comes to things like nachos. And pizza. And let's be real, nachos + pizza (even in moderation) is not the best recipe for healthy weight loss. The thought is, if I have this much difficulty eating them in moderation, why not try removing them altogether?

So, for 30 days, I'll be attempting a somewhat strict Paleo diet, with room for error, for the sole purpose of Seeing What Will Happen.

My last day (which I have clearly marked in my calendar) is on April 16. I put in my calendar, "Last day f paleo." That typo of a missing "o" may be fitting, should this not go well. If it DOES go well, the hope is more muscles, more energy, and a bit of weight loss.

Currently I am on day two.... 28 more days until I reach 100% cave woman! Roar! Like Katy Perry. Until I skip her on Pandora.

Happy hump day, friends!