Paleo Journey: Angie Queener

We just recently launched this new weekly column on our website where we are asking our followers and people in the community to share their Paleo journeys and explain how their change to a paleo lifestyle has been a success. We were fortunate enough to team up with HooftyPrimal to jump start this by offering a $100 gift certificate to a participant who shares their story with us. HooftyPrimal’s very own Phillip Williams was also generous enough to provide us our first Success Story post. If you haven’t seen it yet, you must read it here!

This contest was quite a success for us and we have received an overwhelming amount of response from people all over the world! We are a little late in announcing the winner and this is simply because it took us so long to get through the submissions. It was extremely important to us that we took the time to read each and every story we got. After much consideration, we are excited to announce Angie Queener as the winner! Much like Phillip, Angie had found herself in a never ending battle with her health. Only 7 months in to her Paleo journey and her story thus far is not only inspirational, but extremely motivating.

“My journey into and through the Paleo lifestyle started a couple years ago when I was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. I started eating gluten free. NOT Paleo, mind you. And pretty soon, actually in about 2 months, that quickly fell by the way side. I didn’t like gluten free food. It tasted horrible, and I was not at a place in my life where I was wanting to change. Even though I was horribly unhealthy, I hurt all the time, I couldn’t go up or down stairs very well, I was HUGE and most of all just downright miserable. How can you get to a place like that in your life and not want to change? I just don’t know why I felt comfortable stuck in that rut. So, I continued to eat the processed junk that I had been accustomed to eating for so many years. And I got sicker, and sicker, and more miserable, and larger, and I just didn’t seem to care.<

Then in July of 2012, I started reading about Paleo. I even got The Paleo Recipe Book and enjoyed a couple recipes. But that’s all I did. Then towards the end of August, my sister-in-law asked me if I was going to do the Paleo Challenge? I didn’t know if I was ready for that or not. I knew deep down I needed to do something, but I just wasn’t going to committ to something like that and fail again! But I just decided - I NEED TO DO SOMETHING!!! I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!! I really didn’t have a choice if I wanted to feel good again and start to fit into normal clothes and just be over-all more physically and mentally healthy! So, September 1st, I took the plunge.

I weighed more that day than I EVER have before. But I was determined to make a lasting change this time. I gave up so much stuff all at once, I’m not sure it was a good thing, but in the long run, totally worth it! So I gave up gluten, sugar, caffeine, dairy, processed foods, etc., and so on all at once. I was basically eating proteins, healthy fats and veggies. That was all - for the first 6 months of my journey. I hated the first month. Even though I stuck to my guns, I craved things so badly, and I had the worst headaches, stomache aches, cramps, my entire body was in revolt. But I did it. The second month was better, and the third was even better. I was enjoying cooking again for the first time in at least 3 years (cooking for my family and friends is an absolute passion, so to not want to cook was a serious issue for me). I was experimenting and learning new cooking techniques, ingredients, and just really enjoying myself. And even my teenage boys, who refuse to eat healthy, let alone go Paleo, are enjoying my dishes. My husband is totally on board with what I fix even though he will eat what he wants when he is craving something. So, technically, I am alone in my journey…

It is now March 27th, 4 days away from a total of 7 months Paleo. I am down a whopping 91 lbs. Definitely not done with the weight loss part of this journey, but that’s a pretty good chunk of fat! I got into a pair of jeans that I haven’t worn in 7 years, and I got my wedding rings back on. I am feeling SO much better, my knees only hurt when there’s a change in the weather when before they hurt literally all the time and I could hardly get up from a sitting position. My entire mental state is stronger, and emotionally I am doing well! My menstrual cycles have regulated again, and I’m just so tickeled to be doing this.

I don’t know if anyone else can relate to what I’m feeling, how I’m doing, or anything, but if I can be a help or support to anyone either wanting to live Paleo or struggling with it, I want to be there. I’m not an expert, and I certainly don’t do it perfectly, I know. But I’ll be doing it til my dying day. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story.

I have attached a couple of pictures. The big family picture is the Sunday before I started my journey. The second one I took today. Check out the dramatic change with my throat area and how skinny my face has gotten in 7 months. Like I said early, I still have a long way to go, but I’m pretty sure this is still an awesome trip so far!!”

Many thanks to Angie for taking the time to share her story. If you are interested in sharing your story, we would be honoured to hear it! Send it along to us via e-mail.