Contestant number 1, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
I felt that my body wasn’t getting the results from just working and the current eating plan I was on. This looked interesting.
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes.
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes I read the whole book before I started the diet.
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
I understood why I was eating the foods I was eating on the diet. The book educated me more on how my body works including why I feel terrible when I eat grains and dairy. Also how important it is to eat regularly and good fats are great for you.
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
My stomach is never bloated, I feel better all over.
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
Yes, all of my clothes are much bigger on me now.
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? ie. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
I was already lean, however there was that little bit I needed to work on ie) abs and legs & thighs, I feel that I am almost where I want to be body wise.
Have your energy levels improved?
100%! I’m sleeping better and thinking more clearly.
9) Have you felt less bloated?
I haven’t been bloated at all.
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
Only on weekends, when I would normally have a snack of chocolate.
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
Not eating chocolate.
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
Preparing meals that tasted amazing. I have a new found love of cooking!
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
Only chocolate on my cheat days, which will be once a week (Saturdays only) and I will stick to the diet 6 days a week.
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
I think I will continue to cut out grains and dairy as this diet has proven I don’t need them. They only make me feel lethargic.
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
I seemed to be hungry however I was eating 3 times more then normal and feeling satisfied once I ate.
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
I have already, some people at work doing it and my boyfriend has also started doing it 6 days a week.
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
I would explain to them the results that I have experienced. “It’s a caveman diet, when you think about the cavemen, they didn’t die of heart disease, cancer, strokes etc because they were eating cleanly. If someone told you by eating a specific way you would feel and look amazing, sleep better and think more clearly would you be interested? (of course they would)!!
Contestant number 2, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
I took on the Paleo challenge for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I had an interest in seeing what the Paleo diet would do for me, considering weight loss was not a priority at all. Mostly, I took it on because Troy asked us to trust him and to do it “for him”. My trust in his recommendations for my health and fitness meant that I was willing to try out the Paleo diet on his recommendation.
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
No.
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
No. Had read The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain.
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
N/A
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
Feeling much less lethargic, and less “crook in the guts”. This unwell feeling was not a constant thing before, but was regular enough to be aware of. It has not occurred at all this month while on the Paleo challenge.
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
Yes. Absolutely. I have none left!
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? ie. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
I was pretty lean to start with.
Have your energy levels improved?
Hmmm… Probably. I’ve not felt lacking in energy… so, yes?
9) Have you felt less bloated?
I never really felt bloated to start with. What I can say though is that on the one occasion on which I ate a potato-based meal during the Paleo month, I felt very bloated and lethargic as a result.
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
Not at all. I certainly had the occasion on which I really wanted a muesli and yoghurt muffin… but it wasn’t particularly hard to resist the urge!
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
Reprogramming myself in terms of what I would usually eat at each meal – replacing toast and bircher muesli with mear, fruit and nuts, replacing carb-based dinners with meat and vegetables.
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
Enjoying the meals. Food has become so much tastier!
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
I will have some grain-based foods – but certainly a whole lot less. I may have the occasional yoghurt, but nowhere near the amount I used to have (which was almost daily).
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
I will keep the milk out of my coffee, and will eliminate the toast I used to have with my bacon and eggs.
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
Less hungry. However, I was eating SOOOOO much more often.
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
Yes.
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
Go for it.
Contestant number 3, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
Because I’m always looking for ways to be healthier and feel there are areas in my health that might be improved with a better diet.
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes- and enjoyed it!
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
A greater understanding of why I am doing the diet, why I should continue doing the diet, and facts to back up the reasons I’m doing it when people ask me about it.
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
1. Stable levels of energy. I no longer wake up after a perfectly good 8 hours of sleep and half an hour later feel sleepy again. The level of energy I feel isn’t a dramatic increase as I hoped but it’s a big improvement from before.
2. Less need to eat. I’m full after breakfast and don’t need to eat until 2 or 3 pm, so my lunch and dinner are usually merged into one meal.
3. Eating high fat and high protein diminishes my cravings for sugar or unhealthy carbs. Any need for sugar has been purely mental, and I’ve felt no physical cravings.
4. Lost 2 kg after not being able to lose any more weight for a few months.
5. A joint problem that I’ve had has improved considerably on this diet, to the point that it’s barely noticeable. The issue hasn’t been diagnosed yet, but I’m fairly confident that eating sugar and excess inflammation in my body makes it a lot worse and it could be an autoimmune problem. While on the diet, the joints I’m having problems with have been consistently functioning normally, with very little sign that anything was wrong with them! I’m incredibly happy with this result, and glad to know that by following this diet in the long term, I most likely will not need to take any medication to manage the issue in the future!
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
I lost 2 kg
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? ie. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
I was 55kg and after losing a lot of weight found it very difficult to budge from 55kg; however, after starting this diet, I easily lost another 2 kg.
Have your energy levels improved?
Yes, it’s not a huge change, but I feel my energy levels are more stable than before and I feel a little bit tired rather than exhausted in the afternoon. I don’t think I have improved energy during workouts, but I feel that after the workouts I don’t feel as drained for the rest of the day as I did before.
9) Have you felt less bloated?
Yes, I generally feel lighter and have a lot less food in my stomach since I don’t need to eat as much.
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
Not at all. It was much easier than ‘’NoSugarVember’’. It was only difficult in social situations, and the fact that the month seemed to be going on forever and I’d mentally want to eat something that I didn’t necessarily crave. Also, I got sick of eggs for breakfast but didn’t really have other breakfast ideas.
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
Social situations. Having to constantly explain why sugar, grain and dairy are bad, and why I’m not eating cake at somebody’s birthday. People are so stubborn and determined to make you eat crap! Also some restaurant menus don’t contain Palaeolithic options!
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
Cooking is quick and simple.
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
I might try the diet for one more month and then try to reintroduce cheese. Also I need to figure out a system to allow myself some sweets every now and then.
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
Definitely grains. I don’t see any need to eat them. I don’t even crave them and I’m convinced they’re bad for you.
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
Much less hungry.
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
I’ve recommended it to most of my friends already, but they still don’t seem completely convinced.
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
Try it, you’ve got nothing to lose!
Contestant number 4, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
To lose body fat and to see how I felt not eating grain and dairy
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
How sensible and easy the diet is
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
Feeling far less bloated, not feeling hungry an hour after eating, my skin looks clearer
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
Yes, but I haven’t lost weight on the scales
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? ie. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
I wanted to lose body fat
Have your energy levels improved?
Yes
9) Have you felt less bloated?
Definitely
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
Only when travelling or not being organised, you have to shop for fresh fruit and veg every couple of days!
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
Going out with friends for dinner, for examplee I went out with a large group and we went to a pizza place. I could have eaten just salad but it I didn’t
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
The food is actually pretty simple to prepare
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
I would like to have a sandwich occasionally made with Mountain Bread
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
Most processes foods and dairy such as milk
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
Less hungry
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
Definitely
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
Be prepared, do lots of shopping at the green grocers, prepare lunch everyday because it’s really hard to find unprocessed lunch.
Contestant number 5, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
“You are what you eat” holds very true for me. I’ve heard of all sorts of diets, Atkins, Low-Carb, No-Carb, Vego, Vegan. I am a firm believer that I need meat to survive, and I like the plentiful nutrients that Vego diets offer. Going Paleo incorporates both. I don’t believe in Low-carb diets, but I do believe in “quality-carb” diets. For years, I aimed to consume Low-GI carbs as much as possible.
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
No.
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
No.
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
n/a.
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
When I used to have any large amount of dairy at one sitting (e.g. 600ml carton of milk), my guts sometimes wouldn’t feel very good. Flatulence etc. Going dairy-free eliminates all of that.
By avoiding eating grain and processed grain products, I have felt more stable levels of energy, and do not feel sleepy after meals.
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
Perhaps a slight lose of bodyfat based on visual assessment only (I was naturally lean going into the challenge).
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? ie. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
Naturally lean. I’d also like to add that I was worried that I would wither away to nothing on this diet, but my weight has actually increased! It’s likely to be the WODs!
Have your energy levels improved?
YES!!
9) Have you felt less bloated?
Yes, definitely less bloated. And digestive system seems to work better and quicker. I have not been constipated once during the challenge – so that’s a sign that we are quite adapted to process the food in a typical Paleo diet.
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
In terms of effort, no. For years, I used to cook most meals or eat home cooked meals, so the increase in effort was not noticeable. In fact, it worked quite well, because I had on a system of food-rotation (buying most groceries once a week), and there would sometimes be last nights leftovers already cooked, so those nights, there is no cooking and I could spend more time relaxing.
In terms of temptation, yes, there are moments where I might crave a latte’, but one full month coffee free was another plus.
However, when going out for dinners with friends is more of a challenge. Being too picky would be anti-social, so I’d make sure there isn’t too much grain in the restaurant food.
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
Eating out.
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
It was great to have snacks all the time. I’m a fan of nuts, dried fruits, and raw vegies – so it’s a great way to keep insulin stabilised.
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
Probably some dairy in small amounts – I like my milk. I’ve heard about the ‘A2’ milk which apparently is easier to digest than modern production milk. It probably still has lactose though.. I’ve also heard that goats milk is not too bad for you, but I can’t stomach it for the taste.
Maybe raw / untoasted oats, rice occasionally.
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
Modern cereals (they’re high in sugars and salts anyway, and are more than likely GM’ed). Highly-processed wheat products. I haven’t eaten any biscuits (work provides the evil things) since the new year.
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
I didn’t feel more hungry (in the way of intensity). It was more gradual – I was constantly hungry, but it was slight. So I’d snack, and it was all good.
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
Yes, I would.
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
It’ll boost your levels of energy, and food you’ll be eating will be very clean and easy to digest.
Contestant number 6, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
To lose weight primarily.
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes.
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes. Most of it. I skipped over some of the recipes and I didn’t read the exercise section because I knew you had that covered.
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
Yes, I found it very helpful. It’s really good to understand the science behind it. I wasn’t that crazy about the recipes. I think most of them are pretty boring. I know I can cook more interesting and tasty meals. I have been experimenting a bit.
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
I feel less sluggish and generally healthier. I am also eating less and feeling satisfied. It’s the only “diet” I have been on that I have experienced starvation. Starvation only leads to pigging out, for me, so it’s been great not to feel hungry all of the time.
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
Yes. I have only lost 2.8 kg. It’s not much on the scales but my clothes are so more comfortable. I have been able to fit into some things that I haven’t worn for years.
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? i.e. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
I think I definitely fall into the desperately in need of weight loss category. I am 72.3 kg at the moment, so I still want to lose at least 10 kg. I have a long way to go but I think I can do it.
Have your energy levels improved?
Yes, overall, I feel more energised and I am sleeping better, which obviously helps.
9) Have you felt less bloated?
Yes, much less bloated and more comfortable. I used to get really bad pains in my stomach, they were like cramps. Since I started on the Paleo diet, I have only experienced this pain after a couple of weak moments.
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
At times, it was hard, social situations were the worse. I don’t find it difficult when I am cooking my own food. I went out to dinner a couple of times and I weakened and ate a small amount of rice and couscous (not together). I ordered some Moroccan lamb and salad and it came out on a bed of couscous, which I ate. I didn’t want to be one of those fussy types who complain that there is nothing I can eat on the menu.
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
Eating out and giving up the coffee. I know I can have espresso but I haven’t been able to go there. It’s been hard to give up some things psychologically but I know I feel better for it, so I am hoping that will fade with time. I did find having fruit for breakfast 5-6 days a week a bit limiting, sometimes I fancied something warm and tasty. I am going to try to cook up some little egg and bacon frittata things, or cook an omelette the night before and reheat it for breakfast. I am sure I will miss the porridge coming into winter but I am happy to avoid it for now. I think it was another thing that made me feel bloated.
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
Most of it is easy, there’s no portion control or weighing food, which is great. I actually found it really easy to give up bread. I thought I would miss it but I didn’t. I did struggle with giving up rice and some of the legumes, like chickpeas.
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
I don’t know. I think I will try and stick with it most of the time. I might introduce some corn cruskits for lunch and I maybe reward myself with a bit of rice, or couscous, when I am eating out but not as much as I used to eat. I would like to stick to it at least 90% of the time.
It might be tricky to give up the rice when I go to Asia later this year. Everything comes with rice because it is cheap and filling. There is no shortage of protein in the cities if you have money but if I am in the more remote parts, I will have to eat what the villagers eat.
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
Wheat!! The stomach gripping wheat is gone forever! I haven’t really missed the dairy that much, apart from my skinny cappuccinos, so that can go too. Pasta was easy too. Rice was the one carb I missed.
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
Yes, it was miraculous. I was really surprised how satisfied I felt. This is the single biggest difference between this “diet” and others.
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
Yes, absolutely. I already have. It takes a certain amount of commitment and preparation, so you do need to be ready to take that step.
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
Just give it a go. It’s only one month of your life and you might find out how good you can feel. I did it and I was really surprised by the change. It’s worth it for the sense of wellbeing and if you lose some weight that‘s a bonus.
Contestant number 7, come on down…
1) Why did you take on the Paleo challenge?
I want to lose weight and be healthy
2) Did you buy the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes
3) Did you read the Paleo Solution Book by Robb Wolf?
Yes
4) What benefits did you get from reading the book?
Its was very helpful in understanding the science behind the diet . i had so many misconceptions about food .
5) What benefits have you seen from eating grain and dairy free?
I tried all types of diets in the market but never felt healthy before . Having paleo diet has actually increased my energy levels and i am almost never bloated.
Most important i have lost weight and i feel great !
6) Have you lost bodyfat?
Yes .
7) What was your bodyfat like before you started the challenge? ie. Were you already lean or in desperate need of weight loss?
I wanted to lose weight .
Have your energy levels improved?
Yes definitely .
9) Have you felt less bloated?
Yes
10) Was the challenge hard to stick to?
Yes .
11) What was the hardest thing about the challenge?
I had to give up my morning coffe and Indian diet which mainly consists of grains. I had to experiment a lot with food .
12) What was the easiest thing about the challenge?
The food was actually easy and simple to cook .
13) What foods do you think you will reintroduce into your diet after the 31 days?
Coffee and lentil over the weekends only .
14) What foods do you think you will continue to eliminate from your diet?
Definitely grains from my meals.
15) Did you feel more or less hungry that you normally would outside of the challenge?
I have started eating more than i usually would do and never feel hungry .
16) Would you recommend the challenge to other people?
Yes .
17) What would you say to someone who is thinking about trying no grains and no dairy for a month?
Give it a try . My body changed shapes within a month with the diet .
