Sometimes, I get inspired to write. Sometimes, I just feel like spilling the contents of my mind for anyone willing to read. Sometimes, I actually blog.
Here we are; this is what I was thinking of today, as I have heard so many people in the past years tell me how much they "would love to go Paleo but..." and then ramble off some excuse that I know will be less than satisfactory to me so I usually stop paying attention at that point. Look, it's not easy for anyone but you just have to do it.
So here's a little list that I came up with that may kindle some inspiration for people who have yet to take the dive. You can leave you warranted and unwarranted comments in the space below. Thank you.
1. Everything is better.
I truly mean everything. Skin is softer, nails are stronger, hair is shiner, sex is better, mind is sharper, memory is keener, energy lasts longer, the sun shines brighter. Men look more like George Clooney and women get the body of Angelina Jolie; there is nothing that does not improve when you eat a healthy Paleo diet.
2. All the cool kids are doing it.
Sure, every diet starts off this way but when you look at the Google trends of Paleo searches, you can see how crazy everyone is going over it...for several years now. If this was just a fad diet interest would be dying off quickly, critics would be throwing "diet gone wrong" examples at the media, and Paleo gurus would be filing for bankruptcy. The opposite is happening.
3. Endorse real food.
"Eat organic food, or as your grandparents called it: food." I see that quote frequently on the pages I personally follow. Truth of the matter is our food system has gotten beyond completely out of whack. GMOs pervade in every category of the food industry and terrible, unsustainable agricultural practices are only being reinforced by the majority of society buying what is presented to them as cheap and popular "foods." Going Paleo encourages buying grass-fed and free-ranged meats and organic produce. Back to basics, back to the way things should be. Every scan at the grocery store is a vote for what you would like to see produced and made available. Vote wisely.
4. Heal yourself.
Everyone has ailments. Even those who think they are seemingly healthy still get sick, some to a greater degree than others. Paleo heals the gut/digestive system and therefore creates a happier overall balance throughout the body. Celiac's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, ADHD, Parkinson's Disease, Autism, Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Diabetes are just a few of the disorders that have been greatly improved or (gasp!) even cured just by going Paleo.
5. Be a part of something bigger.
As mentioned above, Paleo is a growing trend, and for good reason. This is your chance to be a part of a movement that is about so much more than eating bacon and eggs. The more you get involved in this lifestyle of eating real food and being influenced by others who think that we should be kind to the planet we live on and create a better future for the next generation of humans that are going to inhabit this earth, the bonding feeling is that of close friends and even family.
6. Diet without deprivation.
Is Paleo strictly for weight loss purposes? No. It's more about going back to human roots, eating whole, real foods, and living a lifestyle that promotes health and longevity. That being said, many people use templates within the Paleo guidelines that are very successful for weight loss. In doing so, there are no faux-meal weight reduction shakes or chemically compounded bars that taste like cardboard but promise to get those last three pounds off. Bacon is highly encouraged, everything in moderation. The food list may be short in comparison to the average grocery list but there is no lacking in taste or creative foods to indulge in, even when trying to shed a few pounds.
7. Love yourself.
Paleo people are selfish. There, I said it. Think about it.
Paleo improves health and personal well-being. Yes, it also promotes sustainable farming and all that good stuff, but the main motivating factor is usually that one wants to live a better life. That's selfish but not necessarily in a negative manner. We are all responsible for our own lives and the footprint that we impress on our world. Why not be a little selfish in this regard? No one wants to be around a sick, grumpy, and dying person. When we invest time into ourselves the product is that we are better, happier people. Don't let others convince you to not do Paleo for yourself, because they are usually just jealous that they themselves do not have the control to do so. Care enough about your own longevity to do it.
8. Never regret it.
Know how many people I have heard try out Paleo and wish they hadn't? None. Yep, get those stats from any other lifestyle change. I dare you.
9. Make food taste better.
I swear that when you stop eating high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, genetically-modified complex starches, and other chemical crap your taste buds start their own mariachi band in your mouth and sing a little song every time you eat real food. Once the cravings stop and the chemicals are washed from your body you start to enjoy food for the miracle it really is. You don't need a pound of ketchup to make that plate of veggies taste better, you can appreciate them for the bundle of vitamins and minerals that they are.
10. Be happy.
Perhaps you will view this as an over-generalization but Paleo people are happy. As mentioned, we don't have serious health problems like depression and others that cause such drops in mood. We learn to live life making the choice to better ourselves no matter what. Our outlook is not about what society publicizes as current or trending, we know what is going to be best long term and stick to that despite the sometimes negative feedback. Happiness is a decision. Paleo people have the motivation and means to make that decision and stick to it.
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