4 weeks of Paleo – the results
Posted at 19:19 in Food, Progress, Training
Salvete bloggers (that’s Latin for those of you that don’t know), mahoooooooosive thanks to everyone that was so kind to comment on my last post. I felt so nervous that morning and sat for at least 15 minutes trying to pluck up the courage to hit the publish button. Now I’m feeling rational again I can’t believe I was so nervous. Whenever I’ve posted pictures in the past I’ve always been totally overwhelmed with support so I’m not sure why I thought this time would be any different. I appreciate each and every comment, from the bottom of my heart :-)
Sorry I wasn’t around at the weekend to post the results of my 4 week Paleo Challenge – I was spending the weekend in Wales with my dear friend so I wasn’t able to weigh or measure. I rectified that this morning though and can proudly say that the previous 4 weeks have produced the following results:
Total weight loss:
17lb
Inches:
Chest: 1″ (the twins are frantically trying to hang in there!)
Waist: 3″
Hips: 2.5″
Thighs: 2″
Upper Arms: 1″
Not bad going at all for 4 weeks :-) I’m looking slimmer and feeling better but I realise there is still a way to go until I’m happy. I’m continuing with the Paleo eating plan simply because I feel so amazingly well eating this way – no bloating, IBS symptoms have cleared, my skin is glowing, my energy is through the roof, my sleep is better and I’m not needing as much as I previously was and most of all, I’ve not missed the foods that I’ve eliminated at all.
As well as the Paleo eating style, I also started Intermittent Fasting just under two weeks ago. I know people hear the word fasting and draw in their breath and picture a starvation diet. IF is not about starvation – it’s just another form of calorie restriction where you fast for 16-18 hours of the day (most of this will be whilst you’re asleep) and then have a 6-8 hour eating window. I’ve found since I started Intermittent Fasting that I’m thinking about food less. I know that must sound weird – surely I must be ravenous no? Truthfully, no – I’m not. I get a couple of hunger pangs throughout the day but nothing I can’t tolerate. I know had I tried to do this when my carb intake was high I would not have stuck at it. When I was consuming higher levels of carbs my hunger was uncontrollable and I would get trembly, light headed and would inhale the nearest carb source available. Since my carbs have dropped drastically my hunger has completely changed. I get physical hunger signals such as a rumbling tummy but it doesn’t interfere with my day. For someone with a history of binge eating this is totally liberating and I’m so happy I decided to give it a try.
I’m having no problems whatsoever about hitting my calorie allowance and am often over it depending on how hungry I am feeling. I’m still being guided by my body so no two days are the same calorie wise – some days I eat 2000+ calories, some days it’s as low as 1600. I know that to achieve the physique I want, I need to be eating so nobody has to worry that this is the start of an eating disorder for me.
A typical day for me would have my first meal between 2-3pm and then a second meal around 7-8pm. This means my meals are HUGE which is good as I’m a greedy bitch ;) On a training day I may have a teeny bit of dried fruit (4-5 apricots or dates) pre-workout. However, I’ve trained my legs twice in a fasted state since starting IF and both times I hit new PB’s!
The most recent was this weekend that I spent in Wales. I was 14ish hours into my fast and hit the gym with my favourite dude Emz and hit a new PB for Front Squats, Stiff Legged Deadlifts and Good Mornings – 50kg front squat (for 6 reps), 60kg SLDL (6 reps) followed by 2 reps at 70kg and 40kg for Good Mornings (for 8 reps) – fucking get in there!
I also did lying leg curls and decided I’m gonna just have to man up and do them at the new gym (I’ve always shied away from them as it means lying with my big ass is in the air!) as they hit my hamstrings like nothing else! I did standing and seated calf raises too which I’ve not done in such a long time. Well, my calves are bitching at me right now for neglecting them for so long as I can barely walk properly today – the tennis ball is coming out and they’re getting rolled to fuck!
Today’s upper body workout:
Bench Press
Warm Up – 25kg x5 30kg x5
Working Sets - 32.5kg
2×6
1×5
Really happy to have increased the weight by 2.5kg. It was hella tough though and I only managed 5 reps on my final set. It’s still progress though and something to build on and I’m extremely happy with it!
Bent Over Row – 32.5kg
3×8
Same weight as last time but I managed 3 sets of 8 this time rather than 1×8 and 2×6 last time. I think I’ll increase to 35kg next session.
Push Ups – Body Weight
1×10
2×8
Woooohooooo I did my first set of 10 – super happy with that! Previously only managed 3×8 so a teeny bit of progress there. Will aim for 3×10 next time.
Pull Ups – Negatives
3×8
Same as last time and as fucking hard as last time – no progress but they still fry my upper body so I’ll stick with this for now!
Overhead Press – 20kg
1×8
2×6
An increase of 2.5kg – hell yeah! And not too shabby with the reps either – it won’t be too long before this is going up again.
My progress is coming on in leaps and bounds right now and I am so so so happy! My motivation is sky high at the moment and I *know* I will be back to where I was by the time summer arrives – watch this space!
17lbs is amazing! Wow! Well done! Also well done on increasing your weights.
I’ve just had a month holiday with little activity other than walking, your post has inspired me to get back to the gym! Keep up all your hard work. I find your posts really motivating. :)
Thanks so much :) I’m so happy (and proud!) that my post has managed to inspire you, that is awesome :D
Good luck lovely xoxo
You are smoking hot right now. Feeling the inspiration from you post, I think I need to stop kidding myself that biscuits are the answer to my emotions and get cracking and rock this body right – not sure if Paleo is my answer but will kick it with slow carb to start.
I know a healthy body breeds a healthy mind and I want my healthy body AND mind back :-)
I wish I was smokin’ hot Lara but it won’t be long before I am ;)
I’m so happy that you guys are feeling inspiration and motivation from my posts, that is the best feeling in the world! Biscuits are never the answer chick, trust me. No need to go paleo – it’s really not for everyone – but I think limiting grains/dairy is a positive step that everyone could make.
Good luck chick, healthy body AND mind go hand in hand – you can’t have one without the other xoxo
Wow, that is what I call progress ;o)
Cheers gorgeous gal, plenty more where that came from ;)
You sound like a girl with a plan! To the critics I would say that the results and your sheer positivity speak for themselves, great job!
Thanks Rosa, I can’t recall a time I felt this super motivated – it’s an awesome feeling and I’m loving my diet/training/life in general at the moment. The results do indeed speak for themselves and I can’t wait to share the progress as I go along :
Thanks again xoxo
Great to hear from you again! And what an awesome progress! I’ve been doing the 100 pushups program for a while, starting with week four now, and I feel so much stronger already. We will look smoking hot in our summer dresses! Haha!
xx
Thanks Sue :) The 100 push ups program is brutal – maybe my next challenge?! We will indeed look smokin’ hot in our summer dresses. Good luck with the challenge sweetie :)
xoxo
Wow, those are some great results… I am doing Body For Life at the moment and losing more inches than weight, so perhaps I should switch it up with Paleo half way through : ) x
Thanks so much honey. BFL is a great program, do stick with it. Inches is what you want to be losing – scale weight means jack shit in the grand scheme of things so be super psyched with your progress!
xoxo
some people call it intermittent feeding as well. same stuff, just not as surprised a response you get from saying fasting.
Ah yes, I think maybe I will use that term to describe the way I eat to any muggles in future ;) Cheers dude :D
Jo, you are so refreshing and motivating! Just reading this blog post has lifted me up.
You are going to look even more AWESOME by the summer, go girl. :)
I already thanked you on twitter but your message really means a lot to me Alex. Knowing I am inspiring/motivating you guys is the best feeling in the world and makes me feel really proud :D I *WILL* look more awesome by the summer, you read it here :D
xoxo
Well done those are amazing results! So glad it has been working so well for you and leaving you feeling so good x
Thanks lovely, plenty more results to come :D
xoxo
Hawt diggity damn!!
17lbs hun is fan-fucking-tastic!!!!! I’m SO SO proud of you! *massive hugs*
I’ve had ED issues for 17 years now including bingeing and the IF’ing is seriously changed it, yey us! I’m so happy someone else experiences the same with eating carbs and trying IF and then going Paleo and doing IF (does that make sense?! lol)
Your PB’s are fecking amazing, you kick arse girl :D LOVE reading your progress and if I don’t have time to read all my blogs, yours is one I make SURE I visit daily ;)
Keep up the amazing work my angel xxx
Hey, my favourite gal! You are fucking awesome and I am so glad to have you as a buddy *mwah*
Thanks for the massive hugs, they are very much appreciated and reciprocated. IF is the single best thing I did to help my ED issues – I wish I had known about this all those years ago!
I’m very touched that you read my blog daily, that really means the world to me :)
xoxo
My friend and I have both started the 30 day Paleo Challenge this week and were wondering about the packets of slices of cooked meats/ wafer thin meat slices you get in the supermarket – apart from one brand I have found in Tesco they all seem to contain a lot of additives/long words that I have no idea what they are – should we be steering well clear of these and if so do you know where we can get anything similar but suitable?
Thanks xx
Hi Nicola, how are you finding the challenge so far? Processed/packet meats are not allowed on this challenge unfortunately so you will need to steer clear of them. I find cooking meats up in a batch helps – chicken, steak, pork, etc. Slice and store in the fridge for an easy, quick to grab snack.
Hope that helps chick, good luck with your challenge and keep me informed of your progress :)
xoxo
I eased myself into it the first few days and I have a few things on over the next few weeks so I’m not going to stress too much – just try and make the best choices. I’ve had a few headaches and cravings and felt a bit nauseaus a couple of days ago from all the meat I was eating but I’m just trying to focus on one day at a time so I don’t get too overwhelmed and cave.
I think your results are fantastic by the way – I’ve been reading your blog for 12 months now and never commented before but find you really inspiring and I love how much I’ve learnt from you.
Nicola xxx
Great work! Your dedication is so obvious and it’s really starting to show. Bravo for sharing your efforts.
Thank you :)
It just goes to show that you really have to find your own way when it comes to eating and fitness….training while fasting….eek!! sacrelige!! and yet you’re showing that it CAN work.
Absolutely mate – proof that one way isn’t the same for everyone. I would never in a million years dreamed of training fasted or even IF’ing but it’s working amazingly well for me and I’m loving it :D