Thinking of trying paleo but... page

[confused_monkey]

Hey guys and gals. I have been reading a lot about the paleo diet and I have become intrigued by what it offers. I have had stomach problems all my life, and terrible skin conditions that just won't go away. I also suspect I might have candida overgrowth. I have tried all types of diets except paleo. I just have never had the guts to eliminate grains.

I am a bit a hesitant to to go Paleo though for a couple reasons. One being is the diet doesn't seem to suit my lifestyle. I am a soccer player and I am constantly running about 3 miles everyday sometimes more. I do sprints and weight lift about 3 times a week. On top of that I am in desperate need of gaining weight to get to the next level.

I need to consume at least 3500 calories a day just to maintain my weight. I can't even begin to imagine consuming that much calories on Paleo. Are any of you guys in the same situation? How do you manage? I really want to improve my health but there is no way I am giving up soccer, its my life!

[Mav3rick]

It's not that hard to get your daily calorie intake. This is a higher fat diet and fat is incredibly calorie dense, not to mention tasty. I do plenty of lifting and sprinting and I manage to do just fine on a paleo style eating program.

[yodiewan]

I think you should at least give it a try. Some people find they need fewer calories to maintain lean mass on a paleo/primal diet. And why do you say you need to gain weight to get to the next level? It's possible to get stronger without getting heavier at least to some degree.

[Grumpycakes]

Why do you run 3 miles every day? Sprinting alone should take care of all your cardio/endurance needs.

I have done an intense 3 and a half hour long Krav Maga test on an empty stomach, having eaten 22 hours previously, and performed excellently. After a period of a couple of weeks of ditching grains and starches and sugars, the body can adapt to most sports, if you let it. The key is to get through the downtime.

[stockjohn]

Check out Steve Nash's diet. Even if you're unsure about going low carb you can still eat a lot of fruit and veggies and easily come in under 150 grams of carbs per day. Add to that a lot of fat and protein and you'll easily hit 3500 cals and have plenty of energy to burn. Just ease into it. Don't say you're going to give up grains and legumes forever, just give it a week and plan on having some at the end of your trial period. I bet you'll be feeling so good you'll decide to skip it. If you feel like you're dragging, just eat a banana.

[soccer24/7]

I am a 46 year old female soccer player - but now only play games on Sundays. I did play in college years ago so I am familiar with your lifestyle. I really wish I knew then what I do now (but don't we all!). I do intense workouts almost every day including some days a P90X workout and a two mile walk with my dogs AND a sprint workout. I have been on PB for two months now and am still struggling a little to get it all right - but I know it is much harder for me at my age with all the changing hormones. My last couple of soccer games I got leg cramps at the end of the game (playing all 90 minutes) and I am still trying to adjust with what to eat prior and what to drink during the games. But it can be done - especially if you are as young as I presume you are. Good luck!

[confused_monkey]

I am a 46 year old female soccer player - but now only play games on Sundays. I did play in college years ago so I am familiar with your lifestyle. I really wish I knew then what I do now (but don't we all!). I do intense workouts almost every day including some days a P90X workout and a two mile walk with my dogs AND a sprint workout. I have been on PB for two months now and am still struggling a little to get it all right - but I know it is much harder for me at my age with all the changing hormones. My last couple of soccer games I got leg cramps at the end of the game (playing all 90 minutes) and I am still trying to adjust with what to eat prior and what to drink during the games. But it can be done - especially if you are as young as I presume you are. Good luck!

Thanks a lot everyone. Soccer24/7, its nice to know that there are others in my situation. It seems tough but I am sure we could pull through. Today I managed to keep my carbs very limited and only consumed veggies and salmon the whole day before going out for a run, I felt fine after, but at about 1 hour after, I started feeling off balanced and faint. I immediately ate an almond butter sandwich and felt better right away. I actually felt a bit scared, but managed to control myself (I suffer from panic/anxiety attacks). If I do go on Paleo and use fat as energy how long will it take me to adapt, and will the fat be as capable as the carbs in supplying me with enough energy?

[rphlslv]

1 or 2 weeks at most. And unfortunately no, you still need glycogen for sprinting/weight lifting. So you should keep some good carbs in your diet (NOT grains).

[Lovestoclimb]

going paleo/primal may help reduce your level of anxiety/panic as well. I know it did for me...along with learned coping mechanisms. I did my first interview today since going primal and in the past that would have sent me spiraling out of control. Not this time though!

[confused_monkey]

1 or 2 weeks at most. And unfortunately no, you still need glycogen for sprinting/weight lifting. So you should keep some good carbs in your diet (NOT grains).

Veggies right ....but are they enough?? Sorry for the questions hahah, I just want to make sure I am getting into this the right way.