The background

I was 30 years old, size 8, running 3 times a week, and eating what I considered a healthy diet - no dairy, very little white carbs, always chose whole meal and we cooked our meals from scratch. In theory, I should have been at the prime of my life.

Yet for two years, I had been constantly sick. I was suffering from bizarre symptoms that just didn’t add up - including, but not limited to:

• Recurring horrific multi-day migraines
• Almost constant unbelievably painful mouth ulcers
• Pathetic immune system (catching *every* bug going around the office)
• Severe adult age acne
• Severe fatigue
• Severe digestion issues (bloating, cramps, water retention, the lot!)
• Terrible mood swings

I went to see good doctors, expensive specialists, alternative acupuncturists… anyone, everyone and their dog.

I got extensive blood works done, and everything was somewhat within range. I got tested for every disease under the sun, and everything came back negative. According to the doctors there was nothing wrong with me, yet they couldn’t deny that I obviously wasn’t well.

I got prescribed with very creative cocktails of medicines - at one point I was on antibiotics, antivirals AND steroids at the same time! - but nothing helped.

Then one day, a dear friend told me about paleo and explained why it might improve my condition. The next day he handed me a copy of The Paleo Diet. At this point I had nothing to lose, so I decided to give it a go. I read the book cover to cover the same day and started my first Paleo Challenge to improve my health. It was November 2010.

The results

Within the first 4-6 weeks, all of my symptoms disappeared.

No more headaches or painful ulcers. My stomach was no longer bloated and I wasn’t experiencing constant discomfort. My skin began clearing up and I was no longer sick all the time. My energy levels improved and remained good throughout the day. My mood swings started to calm down and I felt in control again.

Obviously, I haven’t looked back since.

 

What I didn’t expect?

Never before had food been so delicious and enjoyable.

I thought going paleo meant giving up all the good stuff - I can’t believe how wrong I was! When I discarded the empty fillers from my diet, all that was left was the good bits. The mouth-watering steak, juicy fillet of fish, tasty vegetables and ripe juicy fruit.

We realised very quickly that the transition wasn’t even very hard. Once you worked your head around some of the basic substitutions (arrowroot instead of corn flour in sauces, coconut milk instead of dairy, almond and coconut flour in baking, etc), the rest was easy.

And so very, very tasty!

 

Long term approach

I don’t believe in strict, short-term diets. I believe in long-term lifestyle changes - making something work for you. Convenience shouldn’t be underrated - it is the basis for lasting change and results. I believe in aspiring to do the right thing most of the time and compromising when necessary. Obsessing about food isn’t healthy one way or another.

Personally, I apply paleo with an 90-10 rule. We cook everything from scratch in our house. We have cut out dairy, grains, legumes, processed sugar and processed food from our diets.

However, if I make mayo, I’ll add in a tablespoon of organic vinegar. When I go shopping I try to select organic, grass-fed produce, but if the product is ridiculously overpriced, I’ll be choosing the second best option. I drink coffee daily and I do enjoy a glass of bubbles or two on a festive occasion. Once in a while, I enjoy one of my old favourites like a burger or a noodle soup - I’m definitely no paleo saint, but I’ve found a level of compromise that makes it work for me.

 

CrossFit

In July 2011 I’ve started CrossFit training and added my personal journey as a part of this website.