Content by Sara Wahls. Edited by Kim Bimestefer
Other excellent resources that influenced my lifestyle change
I definitely recommend the book by Dr. Terry Wahls, “The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine”. It has lots of outstanding information on her recommended paleo-based protocol, the interesting and motivational science behind it, the importance of Vitamin D, as well as recipes to support your success.
Dr. Wahls offers 2 great options for you if you are new: 30 Day Quick Start Programs, which includes 30 days of menus and shopping lists to really jump start you into the Wahls Protocol and you have the 3 levels to choose from or you can go through each of the 3 program levels, and the Wahls Protocol Membership site, which enables you to get additional information about the Wahls Protocol, ask a monthly question to Dr. Wahls, and interact with your peers.
According to Dr. Tran Tien on Ideal Protein’s Website, “The cause of many weight issues in a modern society is insulin dysfunction. A diet grossly disproportionate in its share of saturated fats and sugars, such as in breads, cereals, muffins, cakes, pastries, pasta, pizza, rice, corn – very much like the North American diet – causes the pancreas to produce an overabundance of insulin, which stays in the system and puts the blood sugar level in a negative balance.”
The Ideal Protein Method is built around the concept that “An overproduction of insulin may lead to hypoglycemia or low glycemia, which in turn may induce constant sugar cravings and weight gain. One of Insulin’s primary functions is to regulate blood sugar levels, however, it is also the hormone that facilitates the transport of fat (triglycerides) into the fat cells. Even worse, it “locks” the fat into the fat cell, preventing it from being used as a source of energy. Because the blood sugar has dropped (and we can’t access the fat as a fuel source), it creates “sugar cravings’ and the vicious cycle begins again. In other words, an overabundance of insulin can cause weight gain.” For more information about the Ideal Protein Method, click on this link http://www.idealprotein.com/us/ideal-protein-weight-loss-method. I like the method they describe in greater detail on their website and have incorporated it into my own methodology. But I have not purchased any of their foods since I avoid packaged and processed foods.
The Primal Blueprint, created by Mark Sisson, is a sustainable life strategy built around a similar concept, which is to reprogram your body to get energy from stored fat, rather than allowing your body to burn sugar and carbs for fuel or in Mark’s words, become a fat burner rather than a dependent sugar burner. The idea is to basically reset your genes to become the fat burning machine they were meant to be by eliminating sugar and carbs like grains, crackers, bread, cereal, deserts, chips, candy, sodas, rice, white potatoes, unhealthy oils (corn oil, hydrogenated oil) and processed foods (that are in his mind anti- nutrients that interfere with digestion and basically cause inflammation) and focus on lean meats, vegetables, healthy oils (ghee (clarified butter), coconut and olive oil) and fruits that are low in sugar. This is very similar to the paleo lifestyle we’ve been following. Mark also talks about some other genetic expectations we need to balance-food, exercise, sleep, sun exposure (vitamin D) and play. Regarding exercise, he suggests 15- 30 minutes 2 times a week with strength building or resistance and then one sprint (quick burst of all- out effort on a bike or elliptical machine).
Additionally, he says that movement is important, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. His premise is that that doing all these things will send the genes a new set of signals and help reset them to their original factory setting, void of carbs and sugar, allowing the body to be the strong, lean, fit, happy healthy body and exquisite fat burning machine that it’s meant to be. I agree with most of his principals, but feel that food sensitivities must be eliminated to achieve results.
For more information about The Primal Blueprint, click on this link http://www.primalblueprint.com. I enjoyed watching
Mark’s video and have incorporated a lot of his principals into my own methodology; however I have not purchased any of his foods since I’m avoiding packaged and processed foods. Additionally, I am not following any of his suggested recipes, since many of them incorporate foods on my sensitivity list like eggs and nuts.
The wife of one of Kim’s colleague’s had great success with the Whole 30 Program, which mentions a lot of the foods that I’ve also been avoiding. Again, I use a lot of similar principals, but always need to avoid my food sensitivities. Click here for more information – http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules. Here’s another similar program http://30daypaleochallenge.com.
