Diary of a Paleo Kid – My 30 Day Paleo Interview!

This is Shane.  When I hit the 30 day mark, my dad interviewed me.   Here is the interview (questions and interview typed by my dad)!

Shane’s 30 Day Paleo Interview

What made you decide to start the Paleo diet?

My family and friends (CrossFit by BodyFit gym) were doing it, so I thought why not?   I wanted to eat more healthy!

You went pretty strict for your first 30 days.  How difficult was that for a 9-year-old?

In the very beginning, it was very hard for me.  In the first 2 weeks, I had 2 birthday parties where it was very difficult to pass on Pizza, cake and ice cream.   At one party, I think it was the first one after I went Paleo, I couldn’t take it and had to have some cake.  Ya, that was pretty hard for me.   It was hard at school too.  All my friends eat junk food.  Pizza, cupcakes and chips.  At first that was really hard, then after a while, it didn’t really bother me anymore.  Now when my friends eat their junk food, they joke that I’m going to be the one that is strong and will have to carry them when they are too fat to walk.  Kind of sad really, if you think about it?   When I’m around my gym friends, they support and encourage me!   I feel great now, and Paleo is a lot easier.

What did your friends at school think?

they pretty much think I’m crazy!   Cause no one at school eats healthy, accept for my sister!   They eat pizza almost every day! 

What are some of the difficulties or emotions that you experienced?

Birthday parties for me were really difficult.   Pizza at school is really hard to pass up.   My school sells it daily, so in the beginning, it was really hard seeing all my friends eat one of my favorite foods and willing myself not to just take a slice.  It was really difficult eating my Paleo lunch sitting around with all my friends watching them eat their junk food!  Now it’s easy for me, at they actually have asked to try some of my food!  

Do you think that your new way of eating has had any effect on your friends?

No, they still eat Pizza, cupcakes and crap pretty much!   I don’t think most will ever change.  But I did, so who knows, it could happen?  I’m hoping I will be a good influence on them.   Maybe one or two might change as they see me sticking with it.

Do you have any tips or thoughts for kids that are considering starting Paleo?

Don’t cheat alot and don’t eat sugar!  It’s easier if you have parents and friends that are eating healthy.  So, I’d say get your parents eating healthy and this will help with the food and snacks they buy for you.   Eat healthier snacks.   Skip the Pizza and cupcakes.   They may taste good, but they are horrible for you!   Just start it, do it, and you will be happy!

Did you have any cheat meals during your first 30 days strict?  If so what were they and how did your mind and body react to them?

Yes, I had a small piece of birthday cake on my 7th day.   It was difficult for me not to at this point, at the start.   After I ate it, I felt as though I had failed.   But the support of my family and friends helped pull me through.   After that cheat, I just decided in my mind that I was going to stick with it no matter what,  and I did!   Now, I have a cheat every couple of weeks at the most.   Mostly a mango tango or a decaf skinny latte!   Both are my most favorite.

What are your favorite Paleo meals?

Oh there are a lot of them!   I love almost everything Paleo!   I really love the Sarah Cha-cha-chia pudding!  I also love spaghetti sauce chicken!   We just had it tonight!  Oh is that stuff yummy!  

What’s your favorite cheat meal?

Meal:  Tortillini.   Dessert:  Mango Tango frozen yogurt.

How do you eat Paleo out of the house?

I go to Carl’s Jr or In N Out and have the protein burger in a lettuce wrap with no cheese or sauce.  Just pickles, tomatoes and mustard, sometimes I have the ketchup.    I order my meals with no fires and a water.   If I go to El Pollo Loco, I can have the chicken drum sticks with steamed veggies!   I also go to Ya Ya’s and Las Bonitas, both these places serve the food Paleo style.   At Las Bonitas, I have the grilled fish tacos, with the grilled fish in a lettuce wrap.   This is my favorite for sure!

Talk a little bit about your feelings and success with Paleo.

Well, I did loose 6 pounds in the first 30 days.   I felt great, and had more energy from the very start.  I like it a lot!  I think it my parents would have forced me to do it, I wouldn’t do it.   No, I definitely wouldn’t do it.   Since it was really my own decision, it was easier for me I guess.   I’ve received a lot of praise and good job Shane from all my friends.   This makes the first hard part and continuing on, easier for me.  

As a 9 year old busy boy with the ins and outs of daily kid life, how did you stay motivated and remain so consistent?

All my family and gym friends made it all real easy for me I guess.   Since my parents eat paleo, all my meals were pretty easy!  The paleo food was already in the house and my mom quit buying all the junk food so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat it.

What are your goals for the future? 

Yes, I plan to stay Paleo and to go 100 days Paleo.   Ya that’s my next biggest goal to go 100 days!    I will still have a cheat here and there, but not too many!  I’m pretty much focused on the 100 days!  I have a long plan to stay Paleo to be more healthy and loose a couple more pounds.  Not a lot of pounds, just a few.   Loosing a few more pounds will help me with my handstand holds and pull ups!   I’m excited about that!  

What impact has Paleo had on your life? 

I would say huge!  I’m more healthy and I’ve lost some pounds.  I was super stuffy and snored when I was eating junk food, now I am not.    I have more energy.  Ya, definitely a lot more energy since I’ve been eating healthy!

Thanks for checking out my interview!   I had fun talking about my first 30 days, Shane