On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 17:26:04 -0500, Adrienne Smith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

 In the
>interim, I think I may try 3-4 all meat days per week.  I guess I'm still
>chicken to commit 100% for fear of constipation, thyroid slowdown etc.  I
>also wonder if those fears could affect the outcome.

 Anyway, when I start the 3-
>4 day per week experiment -- I'll report my results.  I'm most interested
>in the effect on exercise, especially interval training.  I've recovered
>from surgery this winter and am now getting back full-swing at the gym.

Adrienne,

I find this thread interesting because I am middle aged woman who loves to
exercise. Unfortunately I have a hard time
 contributing anything to the
thread since I have only started the paleo diet approx one months ago.
Before paleo I used to eat very lean meat and next to no fat - mostly
olive oil. I started the paleo diet because I have become sensitive to
gluten, dairy, soy, yeast, and corn - the paleo diet being grain and dairy
free is the "natural" choice for me since apparently I have a paleo
digestive system (the intolerances are genetic). IOW with the exception of
rice I was already grain free before going paleo.

The major changes in my diet since going paleo is eating much more meat -
I eat meat with every meal now. Also, I have started eating far more
saturated fat than before. I sautee vegetables in pork drippings and add
liberal amounts of fat when I fry anything in a skillet. I don't cut all
the fat away when I eat meat. I no longer choose the leanest cuts of meat
and leanest ground meat. Along with eating much
more meat/fat I eat less
carbs (no more rice, rarely potatoes, no grains, no sugar) - I do eat
substantial amounts of fresh fruit, nuts, and veggies.

Before going paleo I was already muscular (I have been lifting weights
bodybuilder style for 2 years) and lean. 5'3" - 110 lbs. Approx. 10-14%
body fat.

I think I have gained fat after starting the diet - I look different and I
also weigh a few more pounds. Due to severe depletion of energy caused by
the onset of my food intolerances in June of 2004 I have not been able to
keep up my regular workout routine for the last 6-8 months. I lift less -
I do more cardio (running outside).

I am trying to de-learn all the info you read in the mainstream health
magz about how to eat. Trying to stop myself from fearing eating fat - to
give my body a chance to adjust. I have noticed that sometimes I am able
to go for longer periods of time not fee
ling hungry when I allow myself to
eat plenty of protein/fat. This leads to less snacking on nuts/fruit etc.
during the day. I think it will balance out if I let go of my fear and
learn to listen to my body.

1200 cal per day sounds like a starvation diet - especially for someone
who is working out hard with weights AND doing cardio (walking) too. I
think I eat 3 times that much every day and I have maintained my body
weight for over 2 years now. Don't starve yourself - it isn't worth it.
Looking anorexic is not exactly beautiful, is it?

Adrienne, I hope some women with more experience will come forward and
share their experience with us. Thank you for starting the thread.

Karen