Home The Paleo Challenge Tips for getting started

Tips for getting started

Getting started can be daunting for some people. I’ll just have that last muffin, ice-cream, cookie.. (whatever your must have food is) First – this is not the rest of your life – you are doing an experiment to see what will happen to your life and health if you forgo agricultural foods for just 30 – 50 days. 6 weeks in your entire life – we are not talking about a long time here. But if you don’t try – you will never know.
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you do the better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

You just need to make up your mind!

In my observation – all YOU need to do is CHOOSE. I love this quote:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. … the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

William Hutchinson Murray

Choose now – and then start taking action in line with your commitment.
This might include:

1. Write down meal ideas for the next 3- 6 meals (if you are stuck for meals see meals section in this blog)
2. Go shopping, include a large range of food to choose from, make sure you have 2 days or more worth of food
3. Clean out the pantry and fridge – remove ALL temptation, give it away, throw it away.
4. Tell someone. Make your commitment known.
5. Whether or not your partner, kids, friends or family agree with you – remember this is your choice and your life and your health. If they choose differently that’s fine. Stay strong to yourself.
6. Take your measurements and make a note of all your health issues. In 6 weeks time you will be surprised at what will have changed.

Measurements and Health questions:

Weight __________ Waist at Navel, keep tape level – look in the mirror, in morning before breakfast ________________ Hips – at biggest part females only   __________

Body fat % if known_________________ Method used ___________________

Medical test results if you have them

Heart / circulation

Cholesterol: Total______ HDL________ LDL _________ TG ___________ Ratio ____

C-Reactive Protein ________________        HbA1c or fasting glucose _____________

Vitamin D

Other Drs test results if applicable

Blood pressure (as recent as possible)

Health Checklist – please write short note about any health problems

Blood sugar problems – reactive hypoglycemia, diabetes 1 or 2

Carbohydrate (sweet or starch) cravings – at what time after a meal / Intensity

Joints / arthritis

Muscular / OOS / Fibromyalgia

Chronic Pain, where? How long for?

Headaches / Migraines

Respiratory / lungs / asthma / breathing problems / Excess mucus / allergies

Frequent colds, flu or other infections

Food intolerance, sensitivity  (if so how was this determined?)

Digestive problems:

Indigestion / GERD / bloating / IBS / constipation / leaky gut / diarrhea / gall bladder

Liver / fatty liver / abnormal tests

Skin problems eg dry, acne, fast ageing / Eczema, psoriasis, rash

Brittle nails or hair

Fluid retention – eg. Puffy / fluidy feet hands ankles / eyes etc.

Hormonal e.g. thyroid, adrenals other

Auto immune disease – what type, what current symptoms

Kidney problems

Male problems e.g. prostate, ED

Gynecological: female hormonal problems e.g. menopausal, PCOS / PMT /Period pain

Weight gain / loss recently

Do you think your weight is ideal, if not what?

Energy levels out of 10

Fatigue – what time of day

Mental focus

Recovery after exercise

Sleep problems / Waking in the night

Alert or Groggy on waking

Mental health

Sense of wellbeing / depression