My Journey

So why should I eat like a "caveman"? This is the question I asked myself when proposed to try it out myself. So I looked into the subject - deeply, and became intrigued. I gave it a try. After only two weeks of actually being "paleo" as we say, I had become convinced! Now a few months into it, I have never felt better, and it will take a lot of convincing to get me to go back to eating "normal" - check that, I will never go back to that! The purpose of this blog is for me to track my journey through the "paleo" lifestyle as well as provide a convenient and accessible source of legitimate information regarding the subject.
Why am I embarking on this adventure? Well, it has become obvious to me, from all the information I've sifted through over the years, that this lifestyle is the most conducive to optimum health and longevity. I have personally seen individuals lose large amounts of weight, reverse insulin resistance, decrease anxiety, improve mood, increase energy, decrease stress, and just feel better in general.
To better understand what this is all about, check out the short "Paleo in a nutshell" video below.

Intermittent Fasting

   I like to model my eating patterns off of those to paleolithic man.  I know for a fact that none of them had the luxury of rising from a great nights sleep and immediately throwing back a bowl of Special K and a tall cold glass of OJ.  So, why is it that we have decided that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?  Interestingly, correlation studies have clearly shown that skipping breakfast is one of the most telling signs leading to obesity.  Ah, but notice how I said "correlation" studies.  As we all know, correlation does not imply causation.  Recent data has shown that people who tend to "skip" breakfast are less health conscious overall, leading to many other behaviors indicative to fat accumulation (lack of sleep, eating quick convenient meals like fast food and highly processed "stuff" out of a box and into the microwave, stress, lack of exercise, abstinence from smoking,  etc).  So, this argument is bogus.
   If reading my blog, you will notice that I get lots of sleep, maintain healthy stress levels, eat according to how my metabolism has evolved, and exercise (the right way).  With this, I have been able to adopt an intermittent fasting (IF) schedule which has helped to fine tune my metabolism.  My basic schedule consists of about a 16 hour fast (give or take an hour or two) followed by an 8 hour feeding period.  I will post a "typical" day at the end of the blog.  I put "typical" in quotes because variety is always good in everything we do (except maybe sleep - keep it regular).  Some days I will eat all day long, some days I will not eat at all (rare), but most days I follow the 16 off 8 on schedule.  I will now describe the physiological benefits of this protocol.
   Intermittent fasting has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity (meaning you don't need as much insulin = good), increase the release of growth hormone (stimulates a shift to fat metabolism for energy = good), and increases the secretion of glucagon (counter regulatory hormone to insulin) which stimulates hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) - which of course breaks down triglycerides for fuel utilization.  Now of course IF will obviously increase hunger...but we have seen that ghrelin (the hunger hormone) has so many beneficial effects such as building up damaged cells in the intestine, stimulated more growth hormone, and even enhancing learning.  So while you might be a bit hungry during a fast, realize that there are many "advantages" to this.  Also, IF will promote protein turnover leading to rejuvenated tissues and slowing the aging process through more efficient elimination of waste and inflammation control.  IF has also been shown to release epinephrine which is the "adrenaline" hormone.  It acts like growth hormone to promote fat oxidation, but also causes us to feel more alert and awake.
   I didn't think I would like IF when I first learned the protocol (because I love to eat), but I have to say I feel great and actually enjoy the hunger as I anticipate my next meal (maybe I appreciate eating more too).  Following is a "typical" day for me.

Wake up at 7:00 a.m., drink about 6-8 oz of water then prepare for my workout at 7:30.  Workout should be over around 8:00, another 6-8 oz of water.  My first meal will be around 10:00 a.m..  I make sure this meal is low glycemic (to keep the benefits of low insulin - increased glucagon, increased hgh, maintaining high percentage of energy being metabolized from fat).  My first meal will usually be my biggest (I don't skimp on this one).  Usually lots of eggs, meat, and healthy dark green veggies.  My second meal will be around 3:00 pm and it will be just a light lunch with proper macronutrient proportions of fat/carb/pro.  Dinner will be around 6-7 pm and will be enough to get me through the evening.  I do not count calories or restrict anything that is "paleo".  I eat till full because when you eat the right food, your body will control your appetite.
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