Been there, done that.  Actually, I'm still quite the newcomer when it comes 
to going Paleo, but I've kind of found my way to it intuitively because I have a 
pretty good awareness of what makes me feel good and what just isn't right 
for me.

I've noticed when I eat other than my interpretation of Paleo, I really don't 
feel all that good physically.  I just kind of have a little conversation with 
myself of thinking about how I feel and what it was I did that made me feel 
this way and let it sink in.  It's a matter of natural consequences.  I don't 
beat myself up for it, but I do like to reinforce the moment in my mind because 
I like to feel good and following certain rules will help me do so.  I find that the 
no-no foods and drinks hold less and less appeal over time when I do this.

My experience with cake is more kinesthetic and less intellectual than Joan's, I 
would say.  When I look at a cake, I think about how unappealing the 
shortening used in the frosting is.  While I could probably go for a genuine 
butter cream, the fake stuff just doesn't do it for me in any amount.  I think 
about the last time I got a sugar high and how uncomfortable that was, and 
that would put me off any remaining desire to dive into the butter cream or 
the cake itself.  I also think about how tired I feel after eating grains.  For me, 
it's about feeling good.

Even with all this, I'm not perfect.  My latest foray into off plan eating was 
just this weekend.  I somehow got the idea in my head that I could get away 
with indulging in my leftover stash of *gasp* NutriSystem food after having 
gone Atkins and then Paleo.  (Like I said, I really am new at this!)  I can't eat 
that stuff without consequences, though.  It gave me gas, and I was quite 
uncomfortable.  The culprit was probably soy.  The sugar fluctuations weren't 
all that great, either.  And then there was that sudden weight gain from 
having gone carby.  I really must find someone to take this stuff off my 
hands.  Maybe I can auction it off on ebay...

Roxann Higuera