I request everyones assistance in helping to fund my trip to the Ancestral Health Symposium in August. As much as I wish I could just afford to go on my own, the Marine Corps will never pay me enough for that. If you have anything, please click the button and help me out. I thank you in advance.
****DISCLAIMER: I posted a shirtless picture of myself and used a curse word, if you don’t like it I am sorry. I am not posting it for vanity, it is to show people that everyone can use a reset and benefit from it. Even though I think I am perfect paleo all the time, we all need to keep learning****
I couldn’t be happier with the results I got doing the 21 Day Sugar Detox. I am writing this post because today was day 21 but I intend on going on for at least another month or so. I am currently not training due to injury so all my progress was made just by food alone. I have to be honest, before I started I didn’t think I would benefit at all. I eat Paleo 100% of the time and can honestly say in over a year I have not had any grains, legumes, or dairy intentionally and I never plan to so didn’t think I had anything to learn. Well I am glad I did it and my stubbornness was proved wrong. Just don’t tell the amazing Diane from Balanced Bites whose program this is, I don’t like having my stubbornness proved wrong, haha. A few of the major things I learned that everyone should know:
- EVERYONE can benefit from doing this 21 Day Sugar Detox. I mean EVERYONE. Paleo or not, Primal or not, Standard american diet or not, EVERYONE can benefit from this.
- I don’t care how much you think you know, how much control you think you have over your body, how perfect you already think your diet is, that you are most likely wrong and you have nothing to lose by trying this for 21 days. I was the same way and sure enough I was proved wrong.
- You DON’T need to be a workout junkie, competitive athlete, marathon runner etc to get lean and stay that way. About the only traditional nutrition advise I still agree with is that your abs are made in your kitchen, and that DOESN’T mean by limiting your calories. It means by eating what you should; a diet based on sustainable meat and in season vegetables and fruit. Rocket science time – Eat a Paleo/primal diet.
- This has to be the easiest program I have ever followed. I mean easiest. Back in the day I used to carb cycle while doing triathlons. I did that stupid P90X and Insanity stuff with the stupid diets that followed it. I did the 6-8 meals a day thinking it would make me skinny. I did the run 8 miles a day to try and wilt away my body to look skinny. GUESS WHAT?
- NONE of those things worked. You know what did work???? Sleeping 8 hours a night, not stressing, eating a crap ton of bacon, eating when I was hungry and not when I wasn’t. So pretty much what I am saying, you can be completely lazy and eat tons of delicious food and not worry about it. There should be a newsflash for this one: 21 Day Program gets you happy, healthy, and sexy and all you have to do is eat and sleep.
- There are a ton of resources for 21 Day Sugar Detox friendly recipes if you aren’t feeling creative, don’t want to use my website, or just want to mix it up. Check them out Here, Here and Here.
- Since today is Earth Day, you can do it a great credit by eating Paleo/Primal. The reasons for this is long but I don’t have time nor drive to write about it. I know someone who does though, His name is Google and he has never steered me wrong.
- If you are still reading I feel special and loved, but I will make this easy. If you want to look, feel, and perform better. Click on that lovely image below and join me for the next 21 days. I kinda need some company anyways, keep me accountable
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Closing Note:
I love being a part of this community, I know my last post was a pretty angry rant, I did not intend that to be negative at all, someone just crossed a line really close to my heart and with a dear friend. Well someone else redeemed that negativity for me on Friday. You see my day was complete SHIT, had my identity stolen again, etc etc and I go to my normal coffee shop to have an afternoon americano to calm me down after my shittastic day and was completely blown away by someones sweetness. I was standing there in my workout attire rocking my Nom Nom Paleo socks and the sweetest woman named Valerie came and introduced herself to me. She recognized me from my website and completely made my day. She has lost over 100 lbs already and completely changed her life and she reminded me why I do what I do everyday. We spent a good 20 minutes talking and I could have kept going because she is just a down to earth, sweet, amazing woman. She even scolded me for not sleeping enough and said you all wouldn’t mind if I took a break every now and then, haha. Well we shall see, but I just wanted to say thank you Valerie for bringing some sunshine back into my cloudy day on Friday.
Thanks for this post-great read! I’m on day 14 of my first 21dsd (Level 3) and I honestly don’t think I want to change anything when the 21 days are up. I completely agree with you on the sleep and eat part. I just moved to Puerto Rico and am in between jobs. Being able to sleep and spend time in the sun doing gentle activity and eating great food that I am preparing according to these guidelines has helped me more than anything!
I’ve been avoiding the limited items like bananas, beets and other slightly higher carb veggies just because I feel like I am soooo sensitive. Sounds like you do that too and still work out with a decent amount of energy. Is that true? I think I am still making the transition from carb burning to fat burning so I am monitoring my energy levels for exercise. I’m not doing much now except walking and snorkeling but I want to incorporate more strength building exercise into my routine and maybe a few sprint sessions to burn excess fat.
How was your second round? Is there a post on that?
Thanks again for an awesome/helpful post!
Juni
Hello! This is my first visit to your website. First let me say, thank you for your service. I worked for DOD for 17 years and my ex was military. I’m new to Paleo in that I haven’t fully embraced the lifestyle yet. Total believer but apparently need the proverbial fire lit under my butt. You look great and your website is wonderful. I know I need to do this. All of it. One of my issues is lack of energy and sleep issues. I’m under a Naturopath’s care so I totally get what I should do. The lack of energy stops me from being motivated, kind of like a vicious cycle. Not making excuses, just giving the whole picture. Hubby is just starting to get into the healthier eating. I’m hoping he dives even further into it. I was reading reviews on the Paleo way of eating and saw comments from women my age – mid-life. I am 52 and even with the diet switch, some claim total strictly Paleo, they are still having issues with keeping the weight off. I know the difference in 10 years at the same weight made a huge difference for me. Things shifted and you look and feel fatter. Menopause. Fun times. Obviously you are a male and much younger, but do you have any insight/suggestions on this?
My best suggestion is to read the book Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo.
Wow, that picture is inspiring…and you aren’t training due to an injury?!?! I have been living paleo for the past year, would say about 90% of the time. I had been doing Crossfit 3-4x a week for a year and had an accident in late October and needed to be on full rest for 9 weeks. Fractured the transverse process of my L3…its been terrible. Just recently got the OK to start again slowly, still have an issue with my hip, so I’m really restricted, and feel like I’m starting at ground zero. I am on day 14 of the 21 day Sugar Detox and so far so good. Haven’t lost an lbs, but sweet cravings are gone and my habit of truvia in my tea is gone! I use your site for recipes and its been a really great resource! Thanks for keeping us inspired!
I stumbled on your article through a Facebook post. I’ve heard of the sugar detox before and it makes sense that sugar is probably the main culprit when it comes to weight gain. I just wanted to ask you if you could elaborate about why P90x and Insanity is “stupid”. Are you referring to the meal plan or workout? I am currently doing P90x, and while I do enjoy it, it puzzles me that someone as fit as you doesn’t agree with what they teach. Maybe i’m wrong, but that’s the reason for this post. I would love to hear your clarification on that subject. Would you recommend doing the P90x workouts whilst doing the 21-day sugar detox plan? Thank-you!
Max,
I do not recommend either because they are chronic cardio. Insanity is horrible on your knees and it is not stuff we were designed to do. I only do kettlebells, olympic lifting, or crossfit and never workout for longer than 30 minutes. Those programs are designed around the principle of calories in/calories out which is not an accurate way to do things.
I like this, keep it up
great body, wonderful look. This is the best i have seen
Uh… Will you marry me? Just kidding.. Kinda.. Anywho just wanted to say nice pic, love your writing/ posts and can’t wait to try the avocado stuffed burger probably my two favorite foods in one) and beasty bbq sauce recipes. I will definitely be frequenting your site from now on. Keep up the good work!!
Kate
Haha Kate well I am single, but don’t you think a date should occur first :) Thank you for reading all my posts and making my recipes. I hope to hear more from you in the future now :)
Hi,
U look so amazing! Quick question – what types of sugars do you allow urself after an intense weight training session. I usually take a scoop of whey with fruits – would berries be ok?
Thanksss
When I am on a detox I don’t have any. When I am not sometimes I have sweet potatoes
This site is amazing, thanks so much for the inspiration. I’ve been on this journey to a better me for a little less than a year and have seen some awesome changes. I stumbled across your site a few weeks ago and, wow. Gave me the next push.
Just wanted to thank you for what you do, starting the 21 day detox on Sept 1. I’ve been paleo 90%/10% for 8 months or so and did a whole30 challenge around July 4th of this year.
MY concern is that I have a crossfit competition on Sept 8 and don’t want to be sluggish as there is some pretty substantial prizes that I have a decent chance at winning.
Thoughts?
Thanks for the comments Adam. What I would do is start reintroducing sweet potatoes or safe starches two days before the comp through the competition day and then drop them again
awesome work. what did you do to modify a typical 21 dsd to support crossfitting or intense workouts
Vince I didn’t modify anything. I trained about 4c a week and kept everything the same
I just finished my 21 days this past Saturday and celebrated my new lifestyle with an Argentine flank steak (bomb) last night. And a glass of Malbec, my first bit of serious sugar in about a month. And man, was it sweet!! I plan to continue on the paleo path and am actually starting crossfit tomorrow (yay!!). I’ve always been active and challenge myself at the gym, in sports, nutritionally and otherwise, but I’m hoping this paleo-CF world is a whole new thing. Thanks for the post and further inspiring, or rather, adding even more motivation to my already-fueled fire.
OMG thats so awesome. Congratulations Julia. I hope you keep it all up and come back and make some more of my recipes. Can’t wait to hear about you continuing to kick ass living this way
I have a question for you: do you think (sea) salt affects shred? I have no fear of salt, but I do wonder if any of the temporary water retention has an impact. Especially if you are getting salt in recipes, bacon, and just using it daily.
Thanks!
I think it causes a slight bloat with water retention so if your done to the last bit of shred it would make a difference
I think it causes a slight bloat with water retention so if your done to the last bit of shred it would make a difference
I think it causes a slight bloat with water retention so if your done to the last bit of shred it would make a difference
Your smiling and shredded photo pissed me off so much that I started the 21 Day Sugar Detox that day I saw the post. This was 25 days ago. MAN DO I FEEL GREAT! I allowed myself sugar on day 21, which happened to be my birthday (I ate a few gluten free macaroons, made old French-style…Dude, you would have loved them) and fell easily back into the no sugar habit. Thanks for lighting the fire!
Ted that makes me so happy. I am so glad that you feel amazing, thats what its all about. Those macaroons do sound amazing but I keep those things out of my life haha for my own safetys sake. Keep up the great work
Holy crap, you are insanely hot!! I think I may need to try this 21 Day Sugar Detox. I’ve been strict paleo for 6 months, but have stalled in progress. I heard your interview on Abel James’s podcast and thought, “I have to check out this guy’s website!” I really dug the way that you came across in the interview and liked a lot of what you had to say. You’ve overcome a lot, major kudos to you. Now to search for your crock pot pork and bbq sauce recipe!
Thank you so much. Can’t wiat to hear how you love that pork and bbq sauce
I’ll let you know as soon as I try them! I’ve been wanting to try kettlebells for awhile, and after hearing you talk about them in a podcast, I ordered a good quality one online (from Dragon’s Door). I can’t wait to get started! Any tips for finding some good instructional videos online? I’m assuming that plugging “kettlebell” into YouTube would give me a lot of options for getting started, but would love to hear if you’ve got any specific sites/videos that you like.
My old kettlebell gym offers a workout daily online with instructional video for cheap and it’s all you would ever need. Check them out at http://www.cuttingedgekettlebells.com and let them know i sent you over. And ps great choice on the bell. Can’t beat dragon doors
I’m curious – You mentioned the Marines… do you catch flack for your sleeve tats? My nephew is in the Corps and wants to get a sleeve tat, but my husband says his CO will not take too kindly to it. Just wondered :) Semer Fi
Lalli actually I have had my sleeve since 2003 when it was allowed. Sleeve tattoos are no longer authorized so your nephew actually CAN NOT get one or he will be prosecuted under the UCMJ. They are no long authorized period unless you were grandfathered in for having one prior to 2006 I believe. So if your nephew decides to do it anyways he will be charged most likely and get in trouble or processed out.
Hey, George great blog you have here! My husband and I are both active duty Marines so Ooorah! Anyways I’ve been Paleo since January, lost about 42lbs (gained a LOT due to limited duty and pregnancy) I’ve got 45lbs to go but have fallen victim to sugar. So I’m starting the 21 day on June 1st and making my husband give up bread :p It’s hard to keep that man full! Anyways thanks for the inspiration :D
Cass that is awesome, congratulations and keep up the great work. He will thank you one day when he feels amazing again.
As part of the 21 day detox, is canned coconut milk allowed?
Yes it is
thank you for responding so quickly! LOVEEE your blog. obsessively read it. haha, one more question, are sweet potato’s ok?(for the 21 day detox) I’ve read different answers from different people.
If you don’t need them you shouldnt have them Samantha. If you are training heavy you can incorporate one post workout but other than that I wouldnt. Thank you, I love your support :)
Yeah, that isn’t right. ;-) Simply amazing. I’ve only started following your blog for a little bit and picking through your recipes and finding things my bf will eat. Can’t say I’m paleo but it seems overwhelming and don’t know where to start. Looking at you makes me realize there is hope!
Oh it is so easy, you can totally do it and all my recipes are here for you :)
Quite encouraging! I’ve been paleo/primal for the past 18 months or so with a 45# loss…though search parties went out to find the sneaky bastards and some of those have returned…(NOT happy with that) I’m currently battling what I can only describe as a ridiculous addiction to chocolate…no other sweets…just chocolate…I’m going to have to give this a go and hope I can achieve as satisfactory results.
Sara you can, you will take control of it again and do nothing but succeed. Keep up the awesome work
I purchased the 21 detox at the beginning of the month but wasn’t ready to commit. Once I saw your results, I was totally motivated to start. I’m on day 5 and LOVING it! It has helped with several issues including night sweats (which my doctor had no idea why I was getting them). Not really craving sweets or missing fruit as much as I thought I would. I’m off to Mexico at the end of June with a bunch of couple and my hubby and I am hoping to rock a bikini! Thanks for the motivation and the yummy recipes!
Jbiskup that is so awesome to hear. You should go leave that In the testimonial on their page. Keep up the awesome work
I am starting soon! I haven’t purchased the program but follow Paleo very closely. Any advise to get me started. You amaze me! It takes a strong soul to be so disciplined. Keep up the good work and stay positive.
Di the best advise is just to commit and do it. Its amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. This one has a huge pay off
Alright. I’m on board. You have yet to do me wrong
Sbbachma, don’t say yet like you expect me too :( I just share my real stories with real results, if something doesn’t work I will be the first to tell you
You look fantastic! I’m on the injured reserve list too so perhaps I’ll join you! Love, love, love your blog.
Oh no sorry to hear about your injury Alicia, I hope you heal soon and thank you so much for the kind words. I love that you love it
Finally catching up on posts in my hacked email and this one made me cry… in the good way. Meeting you was such an honor. You made my day in the most amazing way too! I will always be your fan. :D
So glad you finally got to read it Valerie. The pleasure was all mine. I’m always around if you ever need anything
I have looked at all your pics as you are my favorite Paleo web-site I am reading right now. I cannot believe you are not working out right now. You seem to look the best right now out of all your old pics. amazing. Thank you for having your blog.
Thanks Amber, Just goes to show you that a majority of all your progress is going to come down to proper eating and rest. I am starting to workout again but only about 3-4 times a week and mostly strength based not a lot of metcon stuff. I will adjust my food as needed to keep my energy up but thtas all really
You are hot. The end :).
Haha thanks Allison
You’re welcome, love.
Awesome!! You look great! I have been going back and forth about doing a sugar detox. I am positive I can do it now since I’ve been doing so great with my weight loss! I love your site too, I just found it the other day and can’t wait to go through and read it all.
Well thank you so much for stopping by to tell me. Look forward to hearnig from you more and what you liked that you made :)
So My wife and I are in !!! Let’s do this!!!
Awesome, make sure you like the 21 Day Sugar Detox facebook page, thats where everyone posts their recipes, food, questions, et
I am just beginning my 21 day sugar detox, im excited. The website messed up when i ordered the pdf of the program tho…Im waiting for a response from them. Thanks for the motivation, looking great!
Sara it should be fixed now, Ill let Diane know your waiting
Sara I talked to Diane, request a refund via the email receipt and then reorder. THe site messed up earlier and it is now fixed
You look great (you must know that of course). Was curious if you had a before pic to compare? Thanks for sharing your experience!
Susan, I forgot to take one but you can click on the before and after pic on the top of my site, there are a few there
Very impressive transformation. Great job!
Tim swart….just because you were blessed with a small dick does not mean you have to hate on men that have one.
AHS is sold out, did you already buy your ticket? BTW great job!
Activia I already have my ticket, just not airfare and lodging etc yet
George, you look amazing…as for the negative comment…people like that obviously have their own issues and sometimes to make themselves feel better, they have to knock someone else…blow it off…and keep up the amazing work…and thank you for your service to our country…xoxo
Great progress man!!! I’m in with ya for round 2. Bought and read the program this morning.
To the Vander? WTH is wrong with you??!! I know people who have tattoos and haven’t paid for a single one of them. WTH does that have to do with this post? I see you so graciously didn’t link your blog under your name so we could see how awesome you are and leave irrelevant comments on your posts. Take your internet computer warrior ass and go outside and play, you could use the Vitamin D!
Interesting. I know someone who has a wife and three kids who is retiring early from the Marines. Too bad they can pay for tats but not the $249 registration fee.
Vander, may I ask what the purpose of your comment was? I choose not to delve into the details of my personal life but to be honest I haven’t gotten a tattoo in four years. Why even comment if you don’t agree? Why not move on?
Semper Fi !! the comment was pointless! We will be donating to you!! We want to do the detox
I also plan on donating in the future(this month is bad) I don’t care how you spend your money you provide a service I enjoy & use. I’ve used your caveman crunch recipe aka crunchola(this is what my husband calls it) many times, plus you are the one blog I always read besides Mark Sissons.
Keira thank you so much for being so awesome. First, you just made my night, second I love that recipe, and third thank you for everything again.
I am also a little confused as to the tattoo comment. I myself have some, but have not “inked” in a few years. I was born and raised Marine Corps. I married a Marine. My brother is a Marine… etc… I could continue the list. It is sometimes amazing how people Assume that military personnel make a lot of money. Look it up. They do not. They are in the bottom section right along with Police Officers and Firefighters. So, please make sure you understand what you are talking about before you go around saying that people have money for tattoos, but not for the registration fee.
One more thing before I end this comment, George is Active-Duty. He works his days as a Marine and yet still manages to come home and give us great insight and recipes on a website that he puts hours into. I say that if $5 from each and every one of us fans, that would just be us kindly saying “Thank You” and “Keep up the Good Work”.
yay!
Thank you Carmen
George you did well!! Kudos <3
I’ve been waffling on this one – one more tick mark on the “DO IT” side :)
Anne Marie you totally should
Amazing results!
Thank you Carol, please share. I want people to know what they can accomplish
awesome, George! I do agree, everyone can benefit from a 21day detox or a whole30. Thanks for sharing!
You look amazing. (Love the ink too). Valerie is right, get some more sleep! Congrats on the Detox.
Haha thanks Yvette, I will try and sleep more :)