I have finished week 1 of Chris Kresser‘s Your Personal Paleo Code, and the results have been surprising. The first surprising observation has been that my compliance has been pretty bad. This was surprising because I have done these things before and had a lot less trouble keeping to the rules, as strict as they may be. And they are strict. Last week I was able to stick with the plan for the most part, including my added components of daily meditation (I didn’t do it each day, but most) and staying away from digital stimulation, especially news. I did ok with that. But I also let some beer, whisky and junk food (two slices of pizza, a little popcorn, one piece of Halloween candy) sneak into the mix. Not too much, but at least three times.
So that brings me to the notion of psychology and mental strength and excessive attempts at will power and self control. Instead of deciding that last week was a failure because I cheated a few times, and then giving up and moving on to the next impossible challenge, I have decided to accept what I managed to accomplish (there is good news at the end of this) and keep working. Maybe this week I can do a little bit better. This is not an excuse to cheat but rather an admission that I am human and I am doing the best that I can and I’m not going to give up. I was probably 80-85% compliant last week, and as a long-term goal, what is just fine. Great even.
Now, I wouldn’t be so confident were it not for the next piece of information. Despite my guilt and feelings of failure, I lost 5 pounds (down to 185), one inch off my last girth measurement (39″) and my last blood pressure was controlled (134 over 86)! If that’s not motivating, I don’t know what is!
You don’t have to be perfect. Just do the best that you can, and if you do so consistently, the rewards will come.
Form Is Everything 