Healthy Living: Paleo Challenge is Over!

It's been a grueling four weeks, but I can say I made it through Paleo!  It was tough at first, yanno... getting your body adjusted to the diet and being held accountable for what you eat, but as time went on it got easier.

My cravings died down.  My food choices fueled my workouts and guess what?! I saw results!

Did I break the rules?  Will I continue?  Questions answered after the jump!

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Did I break the rules?
The Paleo Diet lays out the guidelines to avoid these three things:

• No Processed Foods
• No Dairy
• No Grains

There were times in which I indulged in all of these items (i.e. weddings).  My body quickly reprimended my bad actions.  It was as if I was kicked in my stomach.  Whatever toxins I had ingested during that time had to go!  That's what happens when you eat healthy 90% of the time.  Your body starts rejecting what isn't good for it.

Processed foods are pretty easy to avoid.  Should I want to have a little taste, I'll be more inclined to eat foods that I know the maker instead of buying from a store.  The more authentic and organic, the better.  High fructose corn syrup is terrible for your body... just terrible.

Since I am lactose intolerant, I shouldn't be eating dairy anyway!  Will I continue to eat it?  Probably from time to time, but definitely not as much as I have been in times past.  It just isn't good for me and I need to respect my body enough to let it go, or to only indulge in moderation. Bye, bye pizza... *tear*

Grains will probably be eaten 1-2 a week.  To me, rice isn't all that bad for you.  Neither are oats.  I will try to stay away from breads of any kind, though (unless I make them myself).  Whatever I decide to eat, I know the key eating healthy is all things in moderation.

Additionally, under out Paleo guidelines we were to abstain from corn (since it's a grain), legumes, and chocolate.  I ate them all.  I'm already vegetarian, so my body cannot afford to lose large amounts of protein.  Now the chocolate... I'm just going to eat that! (sue me)

Will I continue?
ABSOLUTELY!  In moderation, of course.  My body has never felt better and I absolutely love how good I feel.  The boy and I have decided that we wanted to implement Paleo five days out of the week.  The other two days we are allowed to "cheat" but everything in moderation.  With that being said, there will be no "piggin' out".

All in all, the Paleo Diet has taught me this: You don't have to sacrifice your health for a good meal!  Paleo will force your hand at trying new foods, new recipes and new culinary horizons.

I will still be posting healthy foods on my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter, so you can follow for in the moment updates!

How has your Paleo experience been?  Will you continue?