But It Doesn't Taste The Same...

So you say you're ready to lose weight, lean out, enhance your performance, etc...  You're going to make the commitment - jump in with both feet.  And then the harsh reality sets in...all this Paleo/Zone stuff sounds great until the first day or week you try it.  It hits you hard everytime you walk past the Coke machine, realize that you won't be having a sandwich on bread or with cheese and mayo at lunch. Oh yeah, and the ice cream you eat every night - that's scratched too.  I will be the first to tell you that this is NOT going to be easy...at first.  There are lots of ways to alter recipes, change ingredients and modify foods to make them Paleo friendly, but you have to come to terms with the idea that cauliflower rice and lettuce bread are never going to taste like stuff you've been eating to this point. 

I know all of this might seem like a total "buzz kill", but it definitely gets easier.  Pretty soon your tastebuds will crave a salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice and fruit will start to feel like a normal dessert choice.  A "cheat meal" (yes, you get those) will leave you feeling like you did the day after an awesome college party, a "food hangover" in a sense.  At first you may not like this at all, it will feel hard and you may want to quit - but ask yourself, Do I like being overweight, performing at less than my potential, being at higher risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancer, etc...  If you answered "yes" to any of those questions - by all means head to your local McDonald's order the Big Mac with cheese, Supersize fries and a large milkshake, and next time you need a snack, I see nothing wrong with a stack of OREO's and a big glass of Chocolate milk.  On the other hand if you answered "no" to any of those same questions - keep working on it, you are on the path to optimal performance and a long, healthy life.  I promise you it will pay off and - it WILL get easier!!