Paleo diet?

[solobiker]

I have been off and on with the paleo lifestyle...I have eaten very clean with no cheating for close to 3 weeks and have gained about 4 pounds. I am pretty frustrated by this. I know it is a healty way to eat...but why the 4 pounds...?? My typical daily intake is below:

B: Eggs ( usually 1 but sometimes 2) with some chicken sausage and veggies

S: I sometimes do not have a snack but if I do it is a small piece of fruit like an apple

L: Chicken and lots of chopped up veggies

D: Big salad, no dressing and some meat...fish, steak.

I will occ have some nut butter with celery for a snack as well.

To me I seem to be eating pretty clean...maybe it is the nut butter's high calorie content. Any insight from those of you that had good results.. And I have been taking measurements and there is no change there either. I am 42 so maybe it is an "old" lady issue I also get a fair amount of exercise in. Sorry for the venting...just frustrated.

[GLC1968]

I know it's counter-intuitive and I would have flat out argued against what I'm about to say even just a few months ago.

1) I don't think you are eating enough fat
2) I don't think you are eating enough calories

#1 would clearly take care of #2, though. Yes, calories count, I'm not arguing otherwise...I just think that we have gotten entirely too used to too few calories and our bodies are confused. I should add up a typical day...maybe I'll do that tonight if I have time, but I am eating WAY more now than I ever have and I'm steadily losing fat even without exercise (or much of it, anyway).

Came back to add that I'm 44, so it's not the age thing!

[Catrin]

I HAVE had large issues with not consuming enough calories - you might remember my venting about this earlier in the year. When we don't get enough our bodies just don't want to give our fat stores up - and it is true that we have to work harder than men to do this.

While I've not lost a lot once I increased my calorie intake by close to 40%, I've really not gained anything either. My weight is trending about 2 pounds lower than before I added the calories. My diet is pretty clean where processed and whole foods are concerned, but of course I've still been eating sprouted grain bread and whole grains about 2-3 times a day.

GLC - do you eat snacks, or before you go on a long ride? Westtexas' comment that she didn't even have to eat before going out to ride got my attention. Obviously she didn't just start eating this way the other day...

[solobiker]

Thanks for your replies...and I knew I wouuld get called out on the age thing..

As for fat...I have been eating the skin on my chicken which I would think would be okay...or am I wrong with that? I also enjoy almonds. When I cook eggs I cook them in butter.

I track my food on The Daily Plate and usually get about 1200-1500 calories/day. I try to keep my carbs between 50-100 grams, fat between 70-90 and protien stays around 100. Hmmm.

I will stick with it for a few more weeks to see what happens. I guess I am not too concerned with the whole weight thing..I would just like to lean out which I definately could stand to do. ( 5' 6" and about 140-145) Thanks for your input and I will keep you posted. I will gladly accept any other recommendations too.

[Catrin]

Thanks for your replies...and I knew I wouuld get called out on the age thing..

As for fat...I have been eating the skin on my chicken which I would think would be okay...or am I wrong with that? I also enjoy almonds. When I cook eggs I cook them in butter.

I track my food on The Daily Plate and usually get about 1200-1500 calories/day. I try to keep my carbs between 50-100 grams, fat between 70-90 and protien stays around 100. Hmmm.

I will stick with it for a few more weeks to see what happens. I guess I am not too concerned with the whole weight thing..I would just like to lean out which I definately could stand to do. ( 5' 6" and about 140-145) Thanks for your input and I will keep you posted. I will gladly accept any other recommendations too.

I am 5'3, 134.5 pounds and get 1,650-2,100 calories, protein between 115-140 grams (rest days vs non-rest days), fat averages between 50-60 grams currently and carbs around 180 (obviously I am not Paleo right now). Long ride days, or days with multiple physical activities, I really try to NET 1,300 calories but have been unable to do that.

Your current calorie targets are the same mine used to be before they convinced me that I needed to eat more...

I don't how I am going to divide my calories up when I try my Primal/Paleo experiment but it is going to be interesting! I do wonder about the adjustment period as the body switches energy sources, but we will see how it goes. I have plenty of fat around my middle that my body can use for energy, so I want to encourage it to do so