Living in the Wild

I grew up in a house full of consumer goods, that is, until my mother became a certified crossfit trainer and turned our house into a paleo wonderland. She became a crossfit addict after I convinced her to take a few classes with me at the boathouse where my team rowed in the afternoons. For as long as I’ve been alive she’s been considered the queen of hobbies. Littered around our house are jewelry-making kits, a bass guitar, expensive photography equipment, and, at one point, a Vespa scooter. I thought her fascination with the crossfit craze would die down, just like all the others had. But as we kept attending classes, her dedication would grow. Soon, she was searching for buildings to start her own gym and getting her certification. And the changes didn’t stop there.

The fridge quickly became devoid of sodas and other processed foods while water and carrots filled their spaces. Everything was replaced. Now my family, which consists of my mom, dad, younger sister, and me, had never been inclined to eat particularly poorly.  For example, we ate wheat bread, if any, and cooked meals from scratch at home most night. Yet, we weren’t strangers to the odd dessert or chip. As my mother began to eliminate crave-worthy foods, I began to hunger for them even more. I soon craved the taste of chocolate and ice cream, things I had never really salivated for before. My sister had an especially hard time and used to sneak off to Starbucks to indulge in the odd sugary treat before retreating home to feast on water.

I eventually learned, after the cravings for junk food subsided, that my body felt better and cleaner when I was taking care of it. Alas, all things come to an end. I turned 19 and went off to college, where processed food is readily available with the swipe of a prepaid card and I often feel obligated to indulge in a fourth meal. This blog is about my efforts to get back my roots. I’m going to try to become paleo on a college campus.

            I think it’ll be harder than I could ever possibly believe. Right now I just imagine a lot of trips to the salad bar and establishing a love of sliced turkey. But, it’s easy to think that way. What my mind doesn’t account for is the pressure to eat whatever my group of friends is eating, the ease of just ordering a sandwich, or even just the availability of anything I want. Since leaving home I have strayed so far from the fundamentals of the paleo diet that it will be a challenge to restrain myself and stick with my goal.

            The paleo diet consists of mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meats. There are a few other allowances as well, for example eggs and fish. As an athlete, I need a lot of protein. This protein can be found in meats and eggs. In the dining hall this is particularly difficult because meat often comes as an addition to pastas and salads rather than stand on its own. I cannot eat candy, grain, dairy, or drink anything besides water or tea. Originally, the paleo diet did not seem very limiting, but after surveying the options provided by the school’s main eating area, I can tell I will have a very hard time sticking to this challenge.

            Besides just restricting myself to the paleo diet, I want to accomplish a few other things as well. First off, I simply want to become healthier. I want to be able to cut out the high fat, crave-inducing, salty and sweet concoctions that are slowly killing me. I also want to maximize my body’s potential as an athlete. Hopefully, the paleo diet will allow my body to function at its highest ability and I’ll feel better during and after workouts, meaning I’ll be less tired, more full, and stronger. I think if I can stick to my project, these goals will be part of the result.

            For my project I will stay on the paleo diet for the next few weeks. My audience will know I’m not cheating because I will report my meals and struggles on this blog. I’m going to stick with it and not make any allowances. For food I will eat at my college’s dining hall, which is referred to as Benson. Most college students have to rely strictly on school provided options, so I will try to do so as well most of the time. By having this blog, I believe I will stay on my paleo path for longer, and I will hopefully develop a different lifestyle overall, which will include healthier eating as well as increased athletic performance.

To measure my success I will report energy levels, cravings, and overall mood. The most successful I can be with this diet would be to feel more energized before and after practice, be full for longer, and maintain an improved mood throughout the day. The energy levels will be the most important indicator. If I lose significant amounts of energy, than I believe the paleo diet will be unsustainable long term as well as detrimental to me as an athlete. From my findings over the course of the project, I will determine whether the paleo lifestyle is reasonable to remain on for the remainder of the school year and summer, or if I need to go back to my previous lifestyle.

            This challenge won’t be easy. Temptations wait around every corner, and it’s only this blog, and my own desire, that will keep me on track. I want to succeed. Five weeks, all paleo. No one promised me an easy time, and who knows what the result of this will be, but I’m willing to try. Here’s to a new beginning.