So why Paleo and why now? I could go on for pages with background information of why I would like to start this now. For now, I will just mention five.
Top 5 Reasons for Paleo Challenge
1. Blood pressure spike after delivery freaked me out- my blood pressure spiked 3 days after delivery and people were wondering if some of my families high blood pressure genes had kicked in and this would be permanent. Had a short stint on BP meds which I hated. Thankfully it seems to be down now and I want to keep it that way.
2. I have had lifelong issues with dairy-I love dairy, dairy does not love me back.
3. It is a way of eating that just makes sense to me. All of my health related reading and research has always pointed in this direction, and the Paleo method seems to pull it all together.
4. This is a perfect time for a 30 day challenge. I am home on maternity leave, have lots of help with the bigger kids and Sienna still sleeps a lot. I don't have to worry about bringing my lunch to work or getting out of the house really early on most days.
5. I have lots of family support between my brother, my dad, my hubby and even my mom who may try to start eating this way as well. My brother is already hooked and my dad is pretty close.
I have been eating gluten free for over 3 years now so going Paleo seems like the next step to better health. I remember how I felt after I cut gluten out, especially the first few months. I lost the extra 20-25 pounds of baby weight that I still carried around from being pregnant with my son, my skin cleared up (as my friend at school says I have the glow that those eating gluten free seem to have), and my life long struggle with undiagnosed stomach problems eased up. Overall, I just felt better. I think when I first started eating gluten free no one thought I would stick to it. For at least a year after, my dad always offered me foods containing gluten and dinners (especially bread- he still occasionally does). But I have stuck to it. Now it is time to cut out the rest of the gluten free grains I have begun to rely on so much and most dairy and legumes.
