Rip off the bandaid?
(20 posts) (15 voices)-
SheRa
MemberFor those of you who are successfully living the primal lifestyle do you think it is better to "rip off the bandaid" and cut out the grains, and other processed foods at once or ease in? I read the book and think I've searched for this but can't really find a good opinion.
I really believe in the science behind this but can't seem to get past a day or two. Generally, at first I just try to low-carb with the ultimate goal of switching to grass-fed beef and other naturally raised meats as well as local organic vegetables and fruits as available.
Any coping strategies would be welcome.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Rip it off. I mean I still do dairy, so maybe I didnt *totally* rip it off, but its def easier.
1. Stock up on fruits, veg, GOOD meat, GOOD fish, coconut and avocado oils, spices and seasonings. Personally I would reccomend stevia too.
2. Have a list of cool recipes to try, got excited about them (insert shameless personal blog ad rght here, see below actually).
3. Throw out or donate ALL pasta, oats, rices, cereal, grains, corn and anything tempting.
4. Sugar cravings will be crap for a few days, but if you can tough it out the REALLY go down after that. My vices are dried unsweetened cherries, dark choc, flavored coffees with cream, primal popsicles, and berries!GOOD LUCK. Start a journal and keep us updated. We'll help you along and answer any Qs we can.
Posted 8 months ago # -
RIP IT OFF!
Keep some 'sensible vices' around for the cravings that just won't go away. For instance, some people crave cereal and 'Tara tootie' here made one with nuts and dates, which may have been heavier on the carbs than she wanted, but it was a good alternative to the grains.
I found that Dark Chocolate was (and still is) a good thing to keep in my purse for the times when you think you are going to rip someone's head off for a dang cookie/ shake/ piece of cake, etc.
I think you should rid yourself of all grains, corn, starches and simple sugars and then ease yourself into full Primal with the others. For instance, I still have dairy, which is not completely primal, but I allow it once or twice a week instead of daily. Maybe later, I will only indulge once a month.
My carb/ sugar cravings have drastically been reduced since going primal 30 days ago, so further 'modifying/ easing' into PB is getting progressively easier for me.
Posted 8 months ago # -
SF- hahaha, man I have to keep reliving that cereal thing dont I?! I guess it wasnt the best thing ever, but def prefferable to real cereal or cookies or something like that. ;)
Posted 8 months ago # -
maba
MemberI ripped it off too but still haven't gotten used to the idea of eating animal protein for EVERY meal. I'm longing for some pre-primal food, not because I'm craving it but because it would provide some variety. I made a pound of salmon 2 days ago and I have enough to last me for atleast another 3-4 meals. Can't stand the thought of eating it for 2 more days in a row! What do you guys do to add variety? I can't imagine spending every day cooking 2 separate meals (HD is still non-primal and vegetarian). Apologies if I have hijacked the thread.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Tara you're fine! It could've been worse!
(My first week of going 'primal', I ate bowels of peanut butter and honey!!! - Suffice to say, I hadn't read the book yet, nor had my cravings gone down completely ;-)
Posted 8 months ago # -
Yeeeaaah but Ive been primal since JAN! ANd doing really well, up until recently. LOL. Im back on track now, well whats what Ill tell myself.
SheRa- see, no ones perfect! Case in point: me. ;)
Posted 8 months ago # -
Licarrit
MemberTEAR IT OFF!
It will suck and you'll feel like a heroin addict coming off the junk for a couple of weeks. But guess what, you are an addict! and your body will thank you. Have nuts, and dark chocolate around, binge on fats, Guacamole tastes just as good on cucumber as chips maybe better! search through the recipes here and find a bunch you like. Get rid of everything you shouldn't eat in your cupboards and fridge/freezer 'cause when you start trolling even the kid's fruit snacks will start to look good. Buy a bunch of eggs and have those for breakfast so you don't miss the carbs. Although it too me a while to be able to eat eggs without toast. If you need a fill in to get you through the first weeks pick up some eziekiel bread, it's sprouted so less "grainy" and some quinoa till you can really transition. The difficulty is really in the lack of imagination at first than the diet. I did it and I am a diabetic -I could live on sugar and be the happiest junkie alive or dead as the case would be.
Posted 8 months ago # -
LOL licarrit. I put avocadoes in everything. They really help you feel full.
I would def try to get excited about some new recipes. You might not even miss the grains if you are focused on a new food/style/cuisine.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Hello Kitty
MemberJust do it. I cut out grains, processed food, and sugars (except for fruit) over a month ago. I find it easy in the summer because I have pretty much done this in the past anyway - the weather warms and fresh veggies and fruits are everywhere.
My failure to eat properly (as a permanent lifestyle) in the past is exactly because I didn't go cold turkey. I would eat a few crackers here, a slice of bread or piece of candy/chocolate there... it wasn't that I binged, but as the weather cooled and I settled into a winter routine, I snacked a lot more on those little devils. And I had a lot less time to keep physically active. Eating that crud all winter caused fat to go straight to my thighs, even though I did not seem to be overeating.
Because I have cut the junk carbs completely, I won't be able to mindlessly INCREASE the amount I eat, because I am eating none of it. I would have to make a conscious decision to go over to the dark side. That will make it harder, and it will make me keenly aware of slip-ups.
What I especially love about this now: I have become aware of how much mindless snacking I was doing, because when I look at the crackers or leftover potatoes or pasta [that others in the house eat] I say, "Oh yeah, I don't eat that", and move on to a boiled egg or a few nuts. Or I realize that I don't need a snack after all.
No cravings so far. Probably because I am not eating anything that perpetuates cravings. What ultimately works for you may be different, but here you have the "whys" of my method, for what it's worth.
Posted 8 months ago # -
SheRa
MemberThank you all for your input and tips. I have one week left in my summer semester so Im not sure if I'm going to start Monday or when the semester ends. I don't know how the withdrawel will affect my brain and motivation to study, which is already low.
I do have lots of recipes that are pretty primal aside from dairy but I must admit I have no intention of eliminating cream, butter, and cheese at this time. I will look for better sources though.
I suppose the Diet Coke needs to go. That really freaks me out the worst. I drink a minimum of three cans daily. I suppose I can use the savings for grass fed steaks from the farmers market.
Posted 8 months ago # -
darienx19
MemberAs soon as you start feeling better from getting rid of the DC, you won't miss a drop of it. My advice would be to replace your caffeine fix with some green tea or something so you don't have to fight losing both the fake sugar and the caffeine at the same time. Then work on eliminating the caffeine addiction after. =)
Posted 8 months ago # -
musajen
MemberSo I'm going to be contrary and recommend that you ease into it. :)
Personally I'm guilty of all-or-nothing thinking and too often it results in nothing. So I wanted to ease myself into Primal and avoid that cycle of impending failure.
I started by cutting out sugar and anything remotely sweet the first week. Then the 2nd week I cut out breads, pastas, and rice. Then the 3rd week I cut out potatoes and whole grains.
I still can't say I'm 100% primal so I don't know if my baby steps have hindered progress in that regard but I'm definitely loving the process.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Try cold-turkey, but have a couple of back ups too.
I posted on another thread today, that when first coming off the carbs I swapped potatoes for the starchier veg such as swedes, beetroots, sweet potatoes. Then gradually cut down the amount of the starchier veg and upped the amount of greens (eg cabbage). I still have a major liking for beetroots!I did have to go cold turkey on sugar and grains in that if I slip up, I binge on them. Not as much as I used to, but I'm definately still a sugar junkie!
Good luck - don't beat yourself up if/when you slip up. I still do. My progress is in terms of shorter "binges" and quicker recoveries.
Posted 8 months ago # -
OnTheBayou
MemberTara, you've changed!!
I say rip it off. Now, when I decided to kill the carbs I had a few things around like Winn-Dixie BBQ flavored Frito-like chips, so I let myself eat them up as a sort of "Goodbye." And some peanuts.
You absolutely MUST have the good alternative foods available or you will be driving back to the 7-Eleven when the cravings hit. But they will (almost) go away with time.
I would suggest recording everything on Fitday or similar. If your goal is weight loss (I couldn't tell) this is mandatory. Even if you are just trying to cut carbs, you have to see what your patterns are and where the holes are that need plugging.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Trinkwasser
Member"Try cold-turkey, but have a couple of back ups too"
That's the way to do it!
When I first dropped my carbs I dropped them too far too fast and had some spectacular liver glucose dumps as my body desperately tried to overcompensate.
May or may not happen to nondiabetics, but worth mentioning.
Putting the carbs back up a bit and then reducing them more slowly got over it. The "Atkins flu" took a couple of weeks to subside. As I've become more Primal the need for snacks has pretty much gone away, but it was necessary to begin with. Your body has probably been bombarded with excess carbs for many years and it takes time to get over this. How long very much depends on the individual.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Emmelle
MemberStart now, then go cold turkey on Monday. Limit your carbs. Try going two meals a day without. Don't eat until your really hungry. If you wait then what you can eat will taste good and be acceptable. I am the Queen of the "I'll start Monday Club" and it's best to JUST DO IT.
Posted 8 months ago # -
clayberg
MemberRIP IT OFF AND TAKE SOME SKIN AND FAT WITH YOU!!
PLEASE for the love of GROK, read all these great responses! I'm guessing we the Groksters know from experience that you need to say" bye bye" and good riddance
to what caused this crazy lifestyle. I hate when friends and family say that they can't give up on NON primal foods and THEN .....complain about being fat.... HELLOOOOO, STOP THE MADNESS,simply -
follow PRimal Blueprint lifestyle
take on the attitude
be the person YOU wish or dream to be
and don't stop, focus , focus ,focus....Grab a notebook ,
and right some things that was just posted on here..... and anything you can get your hands on about primal lifestyleJUST DO IT!
Rip that baby off!!!
and
you have to go at it 100% with a positive outlook!!!!!!!Posted 8 months ago #
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