Team,
Our Paleo Challenge winner is…….
Capt Andy Waterworth!!!!
Organization: ASC
Original Goals: Decrease ab circumference from 37” to 34” and decrease body fat from 31% to 21%
Results: Lost 31 pounds, 5 inches of ab circumference, and 11.6% body fat while gaining back 20 years of metabolic age!!!
Testimonial: When I first heard about the 88 Day Paleo Challenge, I had already been attending Crossfit regularly for about 5 months. Crossfit definitely made me feel stronger and provided a great work out, but the overall results were minimal. As much as I hate to admit it, I was having a hard time putting on my shoes and socks because I was so overweight and crossfit alone wasn’t making it any easier.
The only way I had been able to lose weight in the past was either through running nonstop for days and days on end, through Basic Training or through Combat Survival Training. All of these provided a good temporary fix to an overarching problem that I didn’t know how to address, my diet.
The morning I started the paleo challenge, I was at the highest weight I’ve ever achieved, a hardy 213 pounds. I was really unexcited about the whole concept of changing my diet, getting rid of my comfort foods and coming to terms with the fact that I was grossly overweight. I sent in my goals approximate goals that day of decreasing a 37 inch waist to 34 inches and decreasing my body fat percentage from 31% to 21%. I weighed in and got my measurements taken two days later to find that I dropped 4 pounds and my waist was actually 37.5 inches.
The first two weeks were a constant battle. Thankfully all the bad foods had been placed in a big box in the garage. I had done thorough planning and research to make sure I had access to foods that were within the diet at all times. I know that we’re not supposed to play the weight game and weigh ourselves every day but if it wasn’t for that I don’t know if I would have stuck to the diet. Within the first two weeks my results were dramatic. I lost about 10 pounds, I was having less trouble putting on my shoes and socks and I had a ton of energy that I didn’t have before. These instant results steeled my resolve not to cheat or give up the diet and to try to see how far I could really go.
Needless to say it was incredibly difficult. I went to events, celebrations, camp outs and hunting trips where all the worst and most delicious foods were available. But the results I continued to see were so impressive that I refused to cheat. What was even more incredible is that I could go out to dinner somewhere, order a delicious meal that was within the paleo requirements, be full afterwards and still lose weight the next day.
I planned all my meals, worked out hard when I could and had the support of my amazing wife. At the end I weighed in at 177 pounds, my waist was 32.25 inches and my body fat was 19.4%.
The paleo diet is something that I think anyone can do and I would encourage everyone to try. The results came fast and it was so encouraging to be doing something that actually worked. I didn’t have to work out nonstop to lose all this weight, I didn’t have to stop eating and this isn’t a temporary fix. These 88 days taught me how to manage a good diet and I look forward to continuing a modified version in the future. The best part is, I know if I eat something bad or gain a little weight, exactly how to get rid of it.
Congratulations Andy!!!!!!!
