Going Back to the Basics

Going Back to the Basics: Eating Healthy

I hate mathematics, except when it’s time to count my pay check, but math like calculating stuff makes my head spin. That is why I do not like counting and subtracting calories, I easily get flustered and confused. Once, I wished that I did not have to count calories to be healthy and lose weight and my wishes came true when I found and started learning about this very interesting way of dieting, the Paleo Diet.

Now, I am quite sure that many of you have heard of this type of diet and some of you have tried it. Some are sceptical thinking that it’s another fad diet but hear me out. A long time ago, we did not have agriculture and our ancestors have survived on fruits, vegetables, and meat so why can’t we do it today? Okay, so that may be a speech you have heard a million times from Paleo-fans, let me try again. I have a friend who lives and works near the sea, but not the tourist-type of sea, it is more of a poor fishing community. People there relied mostly on fishing alone; they do not have the soil for large-scale farming only a couple of root crops. It is also quite far from the city, the nearest mall is two hours away. So, people would usually eat the fish they catch, the pig and chicken meat from their little farms, and mostly root crops like sweet potato, yam, and beets. You would think that these people lack nutrition and would be thin and sickly… but it’s the exact opposite! They have bodies that any model would die for. Yes, they are shorter than most because of their race but they have biceps, triceps, abs, and calves that any gym goer dreams of. There may be a lot of factors that would contribute to their awesome bodies, the sun, the daily labor, and the diet.

That is why when I read and heard things about Paleo Diet, it heightened my curiosity and wondered if I could incorporate diet into my fitness plan. And I found that I could, I still had the energy, I did not have to drink five cups of coffee in the morning, I slept well, and I could continue with my daily work out sessions.

But… Where do I get my carbs?

Actually, our bodies have adapted to a low-carb dieting a long time ago. So, we are not really talking about carbs here but where are we going to get our daily fuel? Our bodies already have a so-called stored fat and in the absence of carbs, the body will burn that extra fat and use it as fuel. We also have our source of carbs in vegetables, root crops, and fruits; they would provide us with the necessary carbs and glucose we need so there will be no unused glucose that will not turn to fat. The good thing about eating vegetables is that you can have as much as you want without getting fat.

What can I eat?

Well, you can eat a lot of things but Paleo diet can be pretty expensive depending in your area. You can eat meat as long as they are grass fed, any type of fowl, fish captured from the wild, eggs, vegetables, oil (olive, coconut), fruits, nuts (not too much), and tubers (sweet potato, beets, yam).

You might think that this diet is very backwards thus very difficult to fulfil. It might be true in some cases since society has prescribed a certain diet that is essential for us. However, there is no such thing as essential food, only essential nutrients. There are still societies nowadays who eat and have been eating paleo and they are healthy and do not look vitamin-deficient.

Give Paleo diet a try for 30 days and see the results, it is only fair to try something for 30 days before one passes judgement. There are also many types of Paleo diet ranging from 50-50 to 80-20 to 100% Paleo. For a beginner, I would recommend 80-20 where you eat Paleo 6 days a week, then have 1 cheat day.

Paleo diet does not only work in rural societies, a lot of people have been trying this regimen for a long time and many have succeeded. Take 10 minutes to read this article and you will see healthy changes that happened to one person that could inspire you.

Also, if you happen to live close to the Birmingham, Al. local area, and would like a Complimentary assessment & nutrition consultation, then simply email me at brad@shapingufitness.com or just call Brad Pugh-your voted Best Birmingham Personal Trainer at 205-586-0662. Shaping U Fitness LLC offers Customized Meal Planning and Personal Training and is actually located in Pelham, Al. but also attracts many Personal Training clients from the Alabaster, Helena, Maylene, Montevallo, Calera, and Chelsea metro areas.