3May

Paleo 2.0

Posted by Tarable | Category: Goals, Real Food, Training | Comments

Just when you thought it was safe to come back to my blog…well, it’s not. Mainly because I start another Paleo challenge today.

Why would I ever do such a thing? Oh, you mean besides this?

“Research has strongly associated the modern Western diet with the current epidemic levels of obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer.”

Well, one reason is that after the last Paleo experiment, I saw the results.

And it turns out I really like the mindfulness and challenge that go into adhering to a strict diet.

Of course, I picked a helluva week to start this thing. I know, I know…that almost sounds like a lame excuse. But with Boulder Startup Week taking place this week and a little event called Beer and Blogs that I’m helping to facilitate, I have a schedule packed with events featuring alcohol.

(Too bad I won’t be able to drink a beer. In a microbrewery. With a bunch of strangers. Talking about blogs.)

Reason #3? I’m running the Bolder Boulder in four weeks and would love to carve just a few minutes off my time. Totally doable.

Reason #4? I want to do an unassisted pullup. Or loosely translated, I want to get stronger.

And finally…this Paleo challenge, I’m in it for the metrics. Last time, we just had pictures to document our changes. This time, we’ve weighed in, taken measurements, and done two different benchmark workouts. Can you say science experiment?

(We did take more pictures, but this time, the picture is solely used in the case of a tie.)

In case you have no idea what Paleo is, here’s an easy list of what I can and cannot eat.

Other changes this time around…

  • no dried fruit. I believe my coach said something to the effect of “That shit’s like candy”.
  • no canola oil.
  • butter is allowed. I repeat, butter is allowed. So if I get desperate at some point during the challenge, I reserve the right to eat a spoonful of butter.
  • this challenge will last five weeks.
  • tequila and potato vodka have been added to the list of approved alcohol; still only four drinks a week though. :(
  • teams of two. I’ve partnered up with another finalist from the last Paleo challenge and between us, there is much potential for shit-talking and ass-kicking.
  • no spousal support. My husband has decided not to join me on this adventure and knows that there will be repercussions for eating ice cream in front of me. It could get ugly.

Goodbye. For now.

That’s what my challenge looks like starting today, but what does Paleo 2.0 mean for you?

More talk about eating real food, more documenting the struggle and more sharing of recipes this go-around. According to my Lijit stats, someone keeps searching for Paleo stuffed mushrooms. Since that was one of my favorites from the last Paleo challenge, I plan on making it again AND posting the recipe here.

I have one successful Paleo challenge under my belt (top five finalist, right here)–so I know I can do it.

The question this time is can I do it without my husband. And without pissing off my new co-workers. Or killing my partner.

Stay tuned. Things are about to get interesting. At least as interesting as carb-free can get.

  • Good luck with the final stretch of your challenge! I have yet to start my Paleo/Zone commitment, and I know that's what's holding me back from getting to the next level of strength.

    Thanks for the pictures too, Tara. They're quite inspirational!

  • Thanks for the kind words of support Laura! It really is the homestretch now and as I mentioned to someone else, I feel like I've incorporated enough of the Paleo diet into my day-to-day eating that when it's over, I'm going to stick with most of the main elements of the diet.

    Of course, I'm also going to have some expensive cheese just as soon as I'm done.

    And chocolate.

    Perhaps a beer?

  • andrewhyde

    Can't wait to see that first big pullup partner. I'm rocking it on the road, will have some wine with you at Mt. Sun for the beer and blogs!

  • marksulls

    As an avid crossfitter/paleo'er I am curious why you decided to cut out canola oil?

  • Mark...I have an update from my coach. We can eat stuff w/ canola oil in it (like Lemonaise) but cannot COOK with it.

    Which means that there are a host of items that just went back on my shopping list.

  • marksulls

    did she say why it's ok to eat it but not cook with it? don't bug her on my behalf, but I am interested in the biology of it all if she happened to say

  • Mark, good question. I basically do what my coach tells me to when it comes to such things and according to her...

    "Canola has a very good omega 6/ Omega 3 ratio. However, used commercially it has been genetically modified, highly refined, partially hydrogenated and deodorized."

    My husband, the chef, is a little upset that he can't use canola either.

  • marksulls

    thanks for the tip. when I started paleo I switched to canola mayo to make protein salads, but I suppose I can just make my own with olive oil. Sadly all the tuna/chicken/egg salads at Whole Foods are made with canola mayo.

  • andrewhyde

    They love their canola there, use it in everything!

  • You are a crazy woman... and I like it. I'm pretty sure by the end of this round you'll be able to crush rocks with your bare hands.

  • And hopefully, I won't be eating said crushed rocks as an appetizer.

    (It just might be a lunatic you're looking for!)

  • "So if I get desperate at some point during the challenge, I reserve the right to eat a spoonful of butter."

    I like you already. ;-)

  • You know I'm not joking about that bit, right? Because around week three, when I'm going crazy, I predict it will be butter to get me through.

    BUTTER!

    (Picture me in a tank top, standing outside Butter's window, screaming at the top of my lungs...)

  • Oh, I hope not. I would just pick up a stick of it like it was an ice cream cone. For reals.

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