So you want to go paleo? What does that mean exactly? In my workshops I teach the three pillars of paleo -

Nutrition

Fitness

Sleep/Stress Management

Going paleo is about doing all three. Have an excuse as to why you cannot attempt to commit to all of these areas? Stop reading here. There are plenty of diet plans out there where you can eat processed, pre-packaged foods and feel hungry and generally not satisfied all the time. You’ll also want to  join your local globo gym and hit that exercise machine until your cortisol levels are through the roof. Get a month to month membership because you’ll be done by March. If being hungry, not enjoying your food (Don’t kid yourself, that crap in a box sucks.), feeling tired all the time in order to see numbers on a scale is your idea of a Happy New Year, then please do not read my articles. There are people out there waiting to take your money sucker! See you back here this time next year. Want to improve body composition, feel better, be stronger, look better naked and have a better sex life? Sound too good to be true? Read on.

Still with me? Good! Here is the low down.

Nutrition – Eat a paleo diet. It will give you consistent energy levels, improve body composition, reduce inflammation and generally make you healthier. This means:

- No Grains

- No Dairy

- No Legumes (including peanuts)

- No Added Sugar

- No Processed Foods

If you’re asking questions like “So can I have quinoa?” or “I can’t have peanuts but what about peanut butter?” then please get your head out of your ass and use some common sense.

Please see my article on “the paleo diet simplified”  for more info. I recommend reading The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf so that you can understand the science behind all of this. If you understand  the why then you will be more likely to stick with it. Not a big reader? Check out a Balanced Bites workshop  with Diane to get the science behind the nutrition. Or contact me to schedule a workshop or phone consult. You may fall into the I don’t want to know the science stuff yet but am committed to trying it out to see if it works. If that sounds like you then check out Whole9. Dallas and Melissa have a program called the Whole 30 that is a “just do it” program. It gives you the how and leaves the sciency stuff to those more interested in that. I applaud their requirement of 100% commitment. That’s just what it takes to get started! 

Fitness 

Get functionally fit. What is functionally fit? Check out this guest post from Clifton Harski. I suggest checking out your local crossfit. Make sure that your trainers know what they are doing. A level one crossfit certification is meaningless. If you have a grand to blow you can get one. That being said, there are lot’s of great crossfit trainers out there that have a vast amount of knowledge. Talk to their clients or ask for references. Do they have any other certifications? What is their background? If you have more than one to choose from in your area, visit several. See which one you like best. Don’t let distance be the deciding factor. Other options are locating an RKC trainer in your area or attending a MovNat workshop. You may also be fortunate enough to live near a functional fitness gym that is a former crossfit affiliate or that has great programming such as Gym Jones, Catalyst Athletics or NorCal Strength and Conditioning. 

Sleep/Stress Management

Sleep 8 hours a night if possible in a dark room.

Read “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” 

Spend 10 minutes a day of quiet time.