Down below are the results and reflection sheet answers for the 3rd Annual 30-Day Paleo Challenge!
Please take a look at the before after pictures and their answers in the reflection sheet and leave a comment below for who you feel is the winner of the 30-Day Paleo Challenge is.
Please keep in mind that this is not a weight loss challenge. Weight, fat, and inches lost will be a by-product of this style and plan of nutrition. But it's main goal is to rid your body of the cravings for bad stuff– sugar and refined/processed carbs (breads, grains, pasta, cereal, etc….) Our hope is to teach you an eating plan you can stick with for life and never, ever have to diet again- because diets don't work for long-term health and body composition- EVER!
To check out the actual 30-Day paleo Challenge for Improvement Warrior's and to enter yourself please click here.
Good luck to everybody!
Stay Strong, Stay Positive, Be The Improvement Warrior!
Reflection Sheets
What were you fears/concerns when you first decided to participate in the 30-Day Paleo Challenge?
Brenda Reall:
After participating in the 21-Day Sugar Detox in June, I had already been adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet than I had previously been eating. My biggest nutrition mistake is drinking beer or mixed drinks. My concern with this challenge was being able to do it for thirty days. I found the 21-day detox to be challenging, so I wasn’t sure if I could do a 30-day challenge.
Jennifer Peterson:
Total Weight Loss 23 Pounds
Inches Lost: Neck .5″
Arm: 1 ”
Waist: 4″
Chest: 2.5″
Hip: 2.5″
Thigh: 2″
Calf: .5″
Total inches Lost: 13″
I was afraid I would not be able to stay away from the carbs. I had already limited my calorie intake to 1200 a day for a year and a half, but never gave up the carbs. My diet was very good, but just with carbs.
Jonna Stough:
My biggest fear was being able to stick to this plan. It made me nervous to stop eating sugar. But that was the main reason I joined the challenge. I ate candy EVERY single day. I knew if I wanted to be healthier, I needed to rid my body of the junk. I struggled with this during the first two weeks but from my FB support, I was told “this is normal” and “hang in there”. It worked. Whenever I felt like eating something sweet, I had a honey crisp apple. I found them to be the sweetest fruit and it satisfied my craving
Keitha Voorheis: Total Weight Loss 20 Pounds
I really wasn't sure I would enjoy eating like a cave woman honestly. I have never liked the idea of depriving oneself of something for the sake of a diet or weight loss in general. What I enjoyed about the Paleo challenge was the fact that I could eat as much meat and vegetables and berries as I wanted. Sugar and sugar substitutes seem to be in everything so while I was not adding sugar to my diet previously I was ingesting it all the time through other processed foods. My ‘diet' previously didn't include sweets too much but was loaded with carbs and grains in the form of noodles, breads, crackers, rice and cereals.
Nicole Stepsis: Total Weight Loss 8 Pounds.
I actually have been off and on paleo since 2010. I had been off for a year and part of that contributed to my gaining of 80lbs. However, when this challenge started, I had actually been back on since the end of August. My weight then was 235, so Paleo has helped me drop 20lbs. I had no fears except that when my stress levels in life got hard that i would want to cheat. I am a stress eater.
Tausha Carter:
I didn’t have any fears with the Challenge. My concern was that I am a picky eater and have texture issues that keep me from wanting to try things. I tried the plan because I could see where I could possibly benefit from it even if there are things that I may have some challenges with eating. My diet before was fast food, lots of soda and snacks with occasional home cooked meals.
Did you use the Facebook Group for Support at all? Did it help you in anyway?
Brenda:
I did use the Facebook Group. It is helpful when participants post support, tips, recipes, and updates about how they are doing.
Jennifer:
I really did not have the time to check into Facebook past the first week. But when I did, it was good, as suggestions were included on there for recipe’s and things others tried if they were feeling less than energetic, etc.
Jonna:
I used the group to see how and what others were doing with the plan. I liked that I could ask any question and received responses from more than just our coach. The only thing I found challenging is when people posted pictures of their meals without explaining what it was. And, finding that some people followed different versions of the Paleo diet. This was confusing to me.
Keitha:
I did not join FB group
Nicole:
I used it a little but not as much as I should.
Tausha:
I did read the posting and reviewed the educational articles etc. they were all very helpful
Were you pleased with the support that was provided? Please elaborate…
Brenda:
Thankfully, I had three friends doing the challenge with me, and one in particular was feeling great and seeing great results. Our daily texts helped me get through some hungry days. I appreciated having the shopping lists with the What to Eat and What Not to Eat lists.
Jennifer:
Although I did not post much about my progress, as I have been very sidetracked at work, I was pleased with the support. I think I would do better about recipe’s and a shopping list next time around.
Jonna:
I received unbelievable support from my family. My fiancé is a pro at the Paleo diet. He helped and encouraged me along the way. He is the main person who cooks in our family and prepared Paleo friendly meals. He always made sure I had food for dinner and the next day for lunch.
At work, all my co-workers know I’m following this plan and have been encouraging me. For some reason, they have had a lot of potlucks and special lunches brought in. They ask me ahead of time what I can eat. I found it easier to just bring my own food since I know what’s in it.
Keitha:
I was perfectly satisfied with the support for this challenge. Honestly I kept my food choices very simple and didn't need much support as it went along because I was enjoying eating meats and veggies. And was very happy to hear sweet potatoes were allowed on this plan.
Nicole:
I really enjoyed the emails. Very informative and motivating.
Tausha:
Because there is the information out there on health and fitness is so overwhelming, it was nice to have the information sharing and the FB group for support.
The personalized emails were great. It felt like I had someone really looking out and making sure I was engaged and on track.
What positive “side effects” did you notice during the 30–Day Paleo Challenge?
Brenda:
Because I have not officially finished the thirty days, I have not retaken any measurements yet. My blood pressure has been lower, to the point that I do not need to take my prescription. I do seem to have more energy.
Jennifer:
I experienced better energy, lost 23 pounds and significant inches on my lower abdomen and stomach. I definitely felt better about myself. I had hit a plateau on my weight loss journey, and this challenged catapulted me right past that.
Jonna:
I have experienced my clothes fitting a lot better and some too big; increased energy level (I sometimes find that I just want to go to the gym because I can’t find enough to keep me busy at home); .
Keitha:
As the challenge progressed I enjoyed better mobility, less water retention and swelling, more energy and definitely enjoyed the weight loss- 20lbs in thirty days is amazing to me!!
Nicole:
Lost a lot of bloat and inflammation throughout body.
Tausha:
I noticed a lot less bloating and abdominal swelling, by clothes fit better, I didn’t feel hungry or crave anything in particular. I just ate to survive not survive to eat.
What would you say to a friend considering the 30-Day Paleo Challenge at Improvement Warrior Fitness?
Brenda:
I would say that it is worth a try. The plan takes more preparation time and eating out can be a challenge. Fruits and vegetables are not cheap. But, our typical diets are full of crap, so these changes are for the better and should become a part of your life and not just for the duration of the challenge.
Jennifer:
I already encouraged a couple of friends who were frustrated with their weight to consider trying it. It is definitely worth the time and effort.
Jonna:
“If you want to rid your body of toxins, feel better, have more energy, and just feel better overall, then they should join the Paleo Plan Challenge at Improvement Warrior Fitness.” I have actually already shared this with all my co-workers.
Keitha:
I've already been recommending the Paleo challenge to friends and family members letting them know how easy it was to follow whether dining out or at home – just stick to meat, fruits ( berries in the first 30 days) and veggies. Sweetie simple and great results!
Nicole:
It's easy if you're willing to plan ahead. Takes the stress out of trying figure out what to eat. Just eat real damn food!
Tausha:
I would say that the Paleo Plan is more of a lifestyle change and not a diet. That it is very realistic and easy to follow. It can be altered in a way that works for everyone and still see and feel the results of the change in ones eating habits
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about the 30-Day Paleo Challenge?
Brenda:
Thanks for the challenge! I would not have done it alone!
Jennifer:
I don’t like the fact I can’t have access to endless recipes without paying for them, but I understand. That’s why I liked the facebook page. It allowed me to see some recipes I might not have otherwise.
From Jason Yun: Jennifer, Be sure to check out Fast Paleo (app and website), Nom Nom Paleo, Paleo OMG, Against all Grain, and many many other sites that offer free recipes online.
Jonna:
My biggest surprise is that this plan really does work. I did experience sugar withdraw symptoms and felt twinges of a craving throughout the entire 30 days. I gave into one of those toward the end of the challenge by eating one homemade choc chip cookie. It didn’t taste as good as I imagined it would and felt a bit nauseous afterward. I have no desire for another. That speaks volumes to me about getting rid of the bad stuff and my body only wanting good stuff.
Keitha:
I was able to follow it well until my nephews wedding rehearsal dinner just four days before the end of our 30 day challenge. They served pizza from the hometown pizzeria. I ate two and a half small squares ( literally 2inch squares) and felt so incredibly sick afterward it was awful. Tasted delicious but not worth how I felt physically afterward.
Nicole:
I wish it would continue for those who want to keep going. I have lofty goals and I like this accountability and competition.
Measurements and Before/After Pics
Jonna
Before/After
Arm: 12.75/ 12 -.75
Chest 39/37.5 -1.5
Thigh 24.5/ 24 -.5
Waist 30/28.75 -1.25
Neck 13/12.75 -.25
Hips 41.75/ 39.5 -2.25
Calf 15/14.75 -.25
Total Inches Lost– 6.75″
Nicole 
Congrats to the winner of the Paleo Challenge for 2014: Jonna Stough!
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