Just a quick "unsuccess" story to hopefully motivate people to start eating paleo, keep eating paleo, or get back into eating paleo...
Fourteen days ago, for no particular reason, I decided to eat some granola for breakfast. Despite the gas and bloating this caused, I felt compelled (as if suddenly "addicted") to continue eating grain-based foods throughout the day. The next day, out of curiousity and experimentation as much as anything else, I continued to eat a typical, grain-based, high glycemic index diet. Portion sizes and frequency of eating have remained moderate.
Fast-forward two weeks (and note that my exercise habits have not changed, despite decreased vitality and energy levels). My belly is noticeably larger and flabbier, my love handles have returned, and I have gained several pounds. Symptoms of environmental allergies have resurfaced with a vengeance. Farting is much more frequent and worse smelling. My joints ache. I suffer a mild headache for a part of each day. My breath is terrible. A few bouts of unprovoked, mild asthma have occured. My energy levels have plummeted. My mood is worse and my thought process is gloomier. Some areas of my skin, which is normally very clear, have developed mild acne. I awoke this morning with chills, nausea, and abdominal cramping, though whether this is from the change in diet or a mild gastrointestinal virus I cannot say (though I can attest to the fact that if I am sick, it's the first time in well over a year).
Success stories abound in the caveman community, and I've never heard of a person experiencing bad results from sticking to the paleo diet. I hope my little impromptu "experiment" also serves to inspire some people to adopt and stick with the paleo lifestyle, the "original fitness plan" for which we have all evolved.
Needless to say, I'm back on the wagon as of today, and look forward to reporting how much better I feel very soon.
Your humble and all-too-human moderator,
Tony
Matt Emery - Author and Caveman
