I read this article in March of 2016 and have since gone paleo, to some extent. I've cut my carbs, long term, 80%, and dairy 90%. My BMI is now under 24, down from 27. I'm eating less at each meal, feeling satieted longer, and don't miss refined sugars at all. On the contrary, I avoid refined sugars and grains because I can now sense the resultant swings in my blood sugar levels and realize even things like a large French fries or a coke make me feel like crap 20 minutes later.
Anyone else find similar?
mk Remember the interview we listened to the last leg of the wedding? It was with this guy. Mk made an interesting point at the time. One of Sisson's premises is that 10,000 years is not long enough to substantially change how Homo sapiens metabolize wheat, gluten, other carb-centric foods and associated nutrients, i.e. the modern diet. Therefore, fats and proteins ought to be human staples. But mk said that 10,000 years could in fact be long enough. On a personal note: I encountered Sisson in 2014 and have maintained what could (generously) be called a steady-state low carb diet since. Huge qualification is that I have high metabolism and naturally lean resting body weight, most likely due to ten years of gymnastics from late infancy through puberty and high sports activity since. But Sisson has been an enormous influence for me on the margins. I have fasted intermittently for four 40-day stretches (am currently on my fifth), undergo routine sprinting, and gulp heavy whipping cream and coffee for breakfast. I think of food differently, in large part because of Mark Sisson. Can't wait to read this bio. Note: I understand people's wariness of Sisson--who wants to spend thousands of dollars on his certifications? But I haven't spent a dime on his products, and have found that his freely available material is sufficient for stimulating motivation and interest in me.
What exactly are your fasts like? I've done 72 hour fasts twice now. No calorie intake, just water and tea. They felt surprisingly good. Not something I'd call fun, but a challenge that opened my eyes to my body's resilience. I'm planning on a third one this month.
I fast for about 12-14 hours in the middle of the day. So I'll wake early and eat a breakfast and won't ingest anything except for water or coffee until about 12 hours later, where I'll eat again. I've also been eating lots of fat and adequate protein during these meal periods. If I know there's an event that day with food that I want to be social for, I'll restrict myself to just that one meal, because I don't want to be a psycho/draw lots of undue attention to myself and not eat while everyone else is being merry. I did it originally for purposes of self-discipline and mastery. Incidentally, I became much leaner. You realize how often you graze or snack. You learn a lot actually. How much time in the day is spent preparing food. How unused to hunger some of us are. How to live with hunger to the point that it doesn't rule you or your mood (I'm no longer irritable when I'm hungry). Although, selfishly, all this not-eating means not-cooking, which dovetails with my incorrigible laziness when it comes to meal preparation. I'm trying to learn to undo that.
Anyone else find similar? The times I forget to bring a lunch to work (usually kimchi or sourdough soaked in olive oil) and have to buy a sandwich from the vending machine: those are bad days. I crash hard.On the contrary, I avoid refined sugars and grains because I can now sense the resultant swings in my blood sugar levels and realize even things like a large French fries or a coke make me feel like crap 20 minutes later.
Why did you also cut out dairy by such an extreme amount? That seems like a good source of calcium and protein?
Yeah, I thought that would be problematic as well. Turns out that calcium is plentiful in kale, broccoli, and sardines. I will occasionally have some cheese, if my kids are begging for pizza and I don't have a simple alternative. Surprisingly, I've found that cutting dairy has surprisingly reduced any acne that I ever have. I'd read that acne is exacerbated in some folks by dairy. Turns out that that I was one of those people. I can now put lotion on my face without breaking out all around my forehead. Definitely helpful in the dry winter weather, and in summer when using sunscreen.