OK, We need to talk...

Hello there everybody. How was your weekend?

Yeah, that's great. Listen, I need you to sit down and be quiet.

Go ahead, get comfy.....

 

Alright, ready?

I want to discuss 2 topics that have been irking me just a tad:
TOPIC NUMERO 1 - OVEREATING

TOPIC NUMERO 2 - DESSERTS

Some of you freaks are eating way too much and/or not enough of the right things.

Wait, I thought that you couldn't overeat while being Paleo?

Ok, first of all, we aren't at the Q&A section of this little chat, so at ease your face and listen. If I may continue...
Yes, I recall something to that tune. I do not remember me saying there is no way you can overeat while following Paleo. I do, however, remember someone saying, "technically, you can't overeat on Paleo" and me nodding pleasantly with an upturned lower lip.
Can one overeat? Yes, sure. If I knock out a rack of ribs with a 2 loaded sweet potatoes, wash it down with half a bottle of mead, and then sit in front of the tube mindlessly eating a bowl full of fudge-babies..... I overate. Sure I technically was 100% Paleo - Robb Wolf, himself, would attest to this. Still, is it the smartest way for me to go about it? NO, bitches, it most certainly is not. Being Paleo is not a passport to Stuffyourfaceville (population - you), it is a passport to a healthier and better conditioned you - granted you do it correctly.

Let's re-evaluate our reason(s) for trying the challenge.
If you are in it for losing some weight and/or toning up - You need to be mindful of intake.
If you are in it just to have better looking bloodwork - You should be a bit mindful of intake.
If you are in it to have better recovery following work-outs and overall athletic prowess - You don't need to be as mindful of intake, but it would not hurt for you to try not overindulging.
If you just want to be healthy, already look good naked, and need to gain some lean mass - You can take a shot of olive oil.

If, at this point in the challenge, you are not seeing any results, then you need to take a look at your daily caloric and nutritional intake. Now, I don't want you to starve yourself. If your metabolic demands are 1800Kcal to 2000Kcal, I prefer that you teeter close/above 2000 than  close to/below 1800; but you shouldn't go significantly above 2k.

This leads me into my second topic... Desserts!

Wait Manni, I was under the impression that...

Holy crap, we still aren't in the Q&A! Shhhuuuuuuush!

The topic of Desserts and Overeating go hand in hand prancing merrily through a glorious meadow. For you see, they are bosom buddies. Some people are relying to deeply on dessert foods. Honestly, I think that some of us may be consuming too much dessert foods. Again, even if it is Paleo, don't just shove it in your facehole. 

Mmmm - Paleo Brownies - nom, nom, nom.

Mmmm - Mead - glug, glug glug.
Mmmm - Fried Apples - nom, nom, nom.
Mmmm - 85% Dark Chocolate - nom, nom, nom.
Hooray - Vino - glug, glug, glug.
Mmmm - Paleo Blackberry cobbler - nom, nom, nom.
It's all Paleo, yay!
WRONG!

Yes, they are all Paleo but most, if not all, dessert foods are full of sugars and may also be a bit overstocked with fat. Of course I do remember saying that sugar, not fat, should be your primary concern during all of this, but I stand adamant to the idea that you need to monitor your intake. Not every meal needs to be followed up with a dessert. If you really need something to munch on, have a piece of raw fruit or make yourself an Almond Milk Latte. Discipline! 
Keep it low-cal and low C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
Remember, you can't always have cake because it can't always be a special day. A couple times a week is fine, but if you do it all the time, then you will sabotage your efforts and 6 weeks later you're thinking that The Black Lion and his "Paleo" rubbish were specious and unprolific.
No, no, no - let's call a spade a spade.
You were unsuccessful! You let you down. 
I have heard from plenty of people who feel better, have lost plenty of weight, are recovering faster from their workouts, and even claim to exhibit a better complexion. Is this anecdotal evidence? - perhaps. Still, why don't you take a moment to reflect on your meals for the last week and be honest with yourself? Have you maintained the guidelines? Have you been adherent? Did you really need all that dried fruit before going to bed? Just a thought...

Remember to mind your caloric (and nutrient) intake in relation to your caloric expenditure.
Now, I will admit that I, on occasion, eat a bit more than I should, but I am still meeting my goals, and I do increase my phyiscal activity in attempts to counterbalance said occasions.
I'm just asking that you monkeys be mindful of you and to be honest with yourself.  Mind this - maybe you should keep an intake journal. Write down everything (except for water) that you are consuming. It may help shed some perspective.

I am done lecturing, so I will move on to a lighter note:
For those of you that were not present for the cookout on Saturday past, I want you to know that you missed out on a spectacular feast. Marks salmon was perfectly cooked, Rogelio's chicken never dissappoints, Mike's chicken was miracoulously moist, Felton's [baked chicken and shredded apples] dish was great, the pesto chicken was on point, whatever the hell Jared's beef balls are called were delicious, poking fun at [Sumi the veggie-head] was nourishing to all of our souls, the spread of veggies was wonderful, the wine that Tristan brought was....umm,... consumed, and the several other dishes not mentioned were all scrum-diddly-umptious. The cook-out was a success and good times were had by all.

Be well.
-El Leon Negro!



now we can have a Q&A...