Paleo Foundation
  • Certification
    • Get Started
    • Applications
      • Paleo
      • Keto
      • Grain-Free
      • Paleo + Keto
      • Paleo + Grain-Free
      • Keto + Grain-Free
      • Paleo + Keto + Grain-Free
    • Standards
      • Certified Paleo Standards
      • Keto Certified Standards
      • Grain-Free Standards
  • Certified Brands
  • Research Library
  • Blog
    • Case Studies
    • Announcements
    • Business
    • Ingredients
    • Paleo Diet
      • Recipes
    • Keto Diet
    • Grain-Free
    • Microbiome
    • Espanol
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • FAQs
No Weight Loss on the Paleo Diet

No Weight Loss on the Paleo Diet

February 28, 2014 1 Comment 6034 views

Weight loss is a common motivating factor for embarking on the Paleo Diet, and there is certainly no shortage of testimonials of incredible weight loss transformations that have occurred by following a Paleo template. However, not everyone experiences effortless and steady progress when it comes to budging the scale.

If you begin the Paleo Diet with high expectations of weight loss, it can be disappointing and frustrating if you don’t see results as quickly as you had hoped. In this “Ask the Paleo Nurse” question and answer segment, Katy helps a reader get to the bottom of what may be the cause for no weight loss on the Paleo Diet shortly after its implementation.

Question: My husband and I started a Paleo eating plan 12 days ago, but neither of us has seen any results on the scale yet. We have NOT cheated and we also joined a gym. We have been exercising four times a week. Is there a reason for not losing weight yet or will the weight loss eventually come?

Answer: Congratulations to you and your husband on investing in your health! Paleo is much more than a diet—it is a lifestyle and the benefits extend far beyond weight loss. Even if your ultimate goal is to shift your body composition, it is often more beneficial to focus first on your health and how you feel when following a Paleo template.

This change in perspective can help to take the pressure off of quickly seeing results on the scale or other forms of outward validation. It can make it easier to stick with a Paleo template long-term, increasing the likelihood that you will eventually achieve your goals.

There are numerous reasons why you may not be seeing a change in weight at this stage of your journey. Twelve days is not a significant amount of time and it’s not uncommon to see a lack of progress within the first few weeks of beginning any healthy lifestyle change. You may need to give it much more time in order to allow your body to finish detoxing from your previous dietary and lifestyle choices.

Another factor to consider is if you have any underlying health issues that need to be addressed. Weight loss may be your priority, but it may not be at the top of the body’s priority list if you have hormonal imbalances, underlying infections, remaining food sensitivities, or other health concerns.

Part of what makes Paleo a “template” versus a “diet” is that it can be customized to suit a particular individual’s needs. There are many different macronutrient combinations of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are possible when following a Paleo template.

It often takes some experimentation to discover what version of Paleo will work best for you in order to achieve your goals. It is also important to remain vigilant about the nutrient-density of the foods that you choose to include in your Paleo template. There may be a place for rare or occasional Paleo treats in your long-term eating plan, but these treats typically do not support fat loss efforts.

Since you have started an exercise plan in addition to following a Paleo template, it is possible that your body composition is in the early stages of shifting, but it has not resulted in any change on the scale. Muscle is denser than fat, which is one reason why body weight and body mass index can be poor indicators of body composition and overall health.

Nutrition is the most significant factor when it comes to fat loss, but exercise can certainly be helpful in changing body composition and speeding up weight loss efforts, provided that it is the right type and amount of exercise. Four days per week sounds reasonable, but you want to be sure that you are avoiding or minimizing chronic endurance exercise.

Chronic endurance exercise is viewed as a stressor to the body and it can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance and contribute to weight loss stagnation. Instead, opt for a combination of low-intensity exercise, weightlifting, and a small amount of high-intensity interval training (under the direction of a qualified professional, if you are not knowledgeable in this area). Also, make sure that you are getting plenty of rest in between your workouts. Adequate sleep, in general, is incredibly important when trying to lose weight or otherwise support your health.

Despite your lack of results on the scale, you and your husband are definitely headed in the right direction. It often takes a bit of experimentation, patience, and focus, but if you stick with it, I am confident that you will eventually achieve your goals!

In the new feature, “Ask the Paleo Nurse”, Katy Haldiman, Health Director of Paleo Movement Magazine, registered nurse, and certified nutritional therapist will be answering your health and nutrition-related questions. Have a question of your own? Submit it to katy@paleomovement.com.

Comments

comments

Previous article Rep Your Way to Movement Control
Next article Adaptogens: Restoring Homeostasis
Katy Haldiman, MS, RN

Katy Haldiman, MS, RN

Katy Haldiman, MS, RN is a functional health registered nurse and certified nutritional therapist. Katy earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Health Care & Nursing Administration degree from the University of Michigan. Her education as a nutritional therapist is through the Nutritional Therapy Association and she is certified as a health and fitness specialist by the American College of Sports Medicine. After several years of practicing in the conventional health care system, Katy discovered the Paleo lifestyle as a way of eliminating symptoms of her own gastrointestinal and autoimmune disease. Now, Katy's mission is to help others make healing changes in their own lives through the power of real food and other ancestral health techniques. Katy is co-creator of Paleocare: The Nurses' Guide to Real Food and co-host of the Paleocare Podcast. She consults with clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and all over the world via Skype and telephone. You can find Katy at www.thepaleonurse.com and www.paleocare.com.

Similar posts from related categories

Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

Coprolites Reveal Prebiotics in Pre-Agricultural Human Diet

Coprolites Reveal Prebiotics in Pre-Agricultural Human Diet

What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

Jack Osbourne Treats Multiple Sclerosis With Paleo Diet

Jack Osbourne Treats Multiple Sclerosis With Paleo Diet

Getting Started on The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol

Getting Started on The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol

Are White Potatoes Paleo? Consideration and Deliberation for Certified Paleo Standards

Are White Potatoes Paleo? Consideration and Deliberation for Certified Paleo Standards

Top 5 Reasons You are Not Losing weight on the Paleo Diet

Top 5 Reasons You are Not Losing weight on the Paleo Diet

Applying Paleo Principles to Narcolepsy

Applying Paleo Principles to Narcolepsy

Comments

  • Glenda Glenda March 01, 12:03

    For overweight people who have been living a Paleo lifestyle for a good while but are still overweight, there are three good sources to investigate that will help you with particular food choices and vitamin-, mineral-, and amino-acid supplementation: "The Paleo Approach" by Ballantyne, "The Diet Cure" by Ross, and "The Mood Cure" by Ross. Ross does allow for grains, however, so just eliminate grains and the rest of her advice is extremely good.

    Reply
Post Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Latests News

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

November 30, 2020 0
Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

November 13, 2020 0
4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

November 11, 2020 0
Chomps: A Case Study on Leveraging Certifications for Driving Brand Growth

Chomps: A Case Study on Leveraging Certifications for Driving Brand Growth

0
Paleo Foundation adds Maltitol to Keto Certified Standards

Paleo Foundation adds Maltitol to Keto Certified Standards

October 21, 2020 0
Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

0
30
Nov 06:04

Rickaroons: Case Study on The Importance of Community and How Certification Supports That Effort

13
Nov 08:19

Ketosis and Carbohydrate Consumption

11
Nov 01:41

4th and Heart: Leveraging Third-Party Certification for Increased Brand Awareness

27
Oct 14:14

Chomps: A Case Study on Leveraging Certifications for Driving Brand Growth

21
Oct 03:24

Paleo Foundation adds Maltitol to Keto Certified Standards

30
Sep 06:28

Prebiotic fiber, and why “Just Eat Real Food” isn’t as good of a mantra as you think.

  1. Announcements
  2. Business
  3. Case Studies
  4. Case Study
  5. Commentary
  6. Discussion
  7. Espanol
  8. Fitness
  9. Grain-Free
  10. Health
  11. Ingredients
  12. Interviews
  13. Keto Diet
  1. Methodology
  2. Microbiome
  3. Misc.
  4. News
  5. Opinion
  6. Paleo Diet
  7. Philosophy
  8. Products
  9. Recipes
  10. Research
  11. Sustainability
  12. Thanksgiving

Popular Posts

5 Consejos para el Equilibrio Hormonal Femenino

5 Consejos para el Equilibrio Hormonal Femenino

August 14, 2018 0
What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

What’s Your Paleo Poop Telling you?

August 11, 2018 10
19 Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods Busted Myth

19 Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods Busted Myth

May 9, 2016 36
Best Ever Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Best Ever Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

October 11, 2016 21
Interview with Alan Aragon Paleo Critic

Interview with Alan Aragon Paleo Critic

September 20, 2014 288
alcohol 4
breakfast 15
Business 2
case study 24
Certification 2
community 5
desserts 29
Diet 8
fall 30
Grain Free Diet 1
health 36
holiday season 10
Interviews 5
keto certification 1
keto vegan 1
main 25
Opinion 4
PCR 2
Philosophy 5
Popular 12
PRR 1
sides 16
Sustainability 6
trade news 1
why get certified 10
© 2021 Copyright Paleo Foundation. All Rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Report an Infringement
Close Window

Loading, Please Wait!

This may take a second or two. Loading, Please Wait!