Paleo for Strength athlete

[Steve Shafley]

Whey is processed quite a bit. I am unconvinced that there is a big enough difference to warrant the significant extra expense.

I used to use a lot of protein powder, often 100+ grams on training days. Then I stopped. I didn't notice any adverse training issues when I did.

[Chad Cilli]

Originally Posted by Steve Shafley

Whey is processed quite a bit. I am unconvinced that there is a big enough difference to warrant the significant extra expense.

I used to use a lot of protein powder, often 100+ grams on training days. Then I stopped. I didn't notice any adverse training issues when I did.

100g of protein powder is quite a bit, what did you replace it with?

I've never tried keeping the milk in my diet without whey protein, maybe I'll try a month using egg protein and see if there's a difference.

[Geoffrey Thompson]

Originally Posted by Chad Cilli

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, there are some beasts in CF. I mean, they just had that olympic weightlifting competition in Colorado, and some of those guys put up numbers that are nationally competitive. I trained with a guy at a CF affiliate who was power cleaning over 400 pounds, often for reps, and could squat 500 for a set of 8 sending the bar airborne every rep. However, I think guys like that have the genetics to be strong on any program. His flexibility, proportions, and build in general were definitely factors in his strength. He was strong before CF, and he just kept getting stronger.

They didn't put up really competitive numbers (except for vaughn), they put up numbers that would qualify for nationals. Spealler's total was okay.

That guy does sound like a beast, though.

[Chad Cilli]

Originally Posted by Geoffrey Thompson

They didn't put up really competitive numbers (except for vaughn), they put up numbers that would qualify for nationals. Spealler's total was okay.

That guy does sound like a beast, though.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to imply that they'd medal in the Olympics, but there were some very respectable numbers there. Speal is an incredible athlete. The numbers would be competitive on a national level, but certainly not on the world stage. Not to be a downer, but the US isn't particularly competitive in international weightlifting. We get a few here and there, but it's not like we dominate weightlifting the way we do other sports.

[Dean Redzic]

So its been nearly 2 weeks.
I have lost a few kilos, some water, but there is a visual difference in some parts of my body.

Deadlifted today, and pulled a weight that was very respectable for me. It was a weight that would need some kind of peaking or prep to hit. But I hit it today no troubles.
No stims, no peaking, no carbs and no energy (it has been a massive couple weeks very emotionally draining)
I am sure I will be able the hit a PB for the first time in a couple years

Had a band bench Thursday that was ridiculously strong...I have nothing to compare it too but I dare say it would be the heaviest lockout I have done in a year (more band tension than I have ever attempted)

I have to mess around with the calorie levels some more...but I am happy!

The only thing is on one day on the weekend I had a few no paleo things.


....so yeah at this current stage my strength levels have not suffered

[Chad Cilli]

Originally Posted by Dean Redzic

The only thing is on one day on the weekend I had a few no paleo things.

Call it a carb up, gotta reload sometime.

[Hugo Duarte]

This is an interesting thread.

I have been trying to eat more paleo-friendly foods, specially after reading about the benefits of a paleo diet and the problems of foods we are not supposed to eat.

However, being a strength athlete, I do worry about the lack of carbs of a paleo diet. It would be interesting if paleo strength athletes detailed which foods they eat to get carbs and/or carb feed strategies.

Moreover, I do think it is important for people to learn what works with them. If you are actually able to process wheat, rice or oats well, then there is no reason avoid them.

[Tobias Akeblom]

roots and tubers works great for me. I totally love owen roasted Sweet potato.

[Steve Shafley]

Sorry Chad, I missed this:

100g of protein powder is quite a bit, what did you replace it with?

Initially, nothing. I did figure out I was only getting 120 or so grams of real food protein without the shakes, so I made a point to eat more protein, gradually. I eventually settled on fish, usually farmed tilapia, as a cheap and easily prepared protein meal.

200g of protein a day from real food is a bit of a hassle, but it isn't hard. I tried for a while to get to 260g daily, but this wore me out.