One of the most frequent questions I have been getting since I have started the 21-Day Fix Program is if we can follow the Paleo diet while on this program. Well, this blog post is in reference to that question. So, guys, as you know, I had been following this program for a week last year and I lost about 8 pounds and a LOT of inches while following the 21-Day Fix program Paleo! After my first round I was down a total of 15lbs and have never seen them again. My “happy place” was 150lbs and now a year later I walk around at anywhere between 135-140lbs and I’m 5’9″ and don’t feel deprived at all.
When I started this program, I didn’t really expect a lot of results, simply because I was already working out every day and on a mostly Paleo diet. It came as a great surprise for me, when I discovered — through the 21 Day Fix container system — that the portion sizes I considered normal were actually MULTIPLE times of what I should be eating. DUH MOMENT!!!!
As you know and I have mentioned a few times in the past, the 21-Day Fix Program comes with color coded containers that are used to measure your portion sizes so that you can be sure that you are eating the right amount of meats, veggies, fruits, carbs (paleo friendly), and fats throughout the day. It’s so easy a kindergartner can follow it and for me, I needed something EASY and VISUAL that I could plug and play. A year later, we still use the containers and they keep my eyes from getting too big.
Eating Paleo while on the 21-Day Fix Plan
Each 21 Day Fix container (included when you purchase the full program) comes with a long list of foods that can be eaten using them. For example, if we look at the yellow container (carbs) that came in this program, it says it should be used for peas, beans, lentils, yams and potatoes. However, it’s easy to eat Paleo while you are following 21-day fix program, just by substituting that long list for only yams, plantains or sweet potatoes.
Now, many of you might be thinking that you already know what a portion size looks like, and I did too.
But I was SO WRONG!
This part of the program is where I was truly amazed. Previously, I was eating a whole yam in one serving and I had no idea that this yam was actually equal to about 4 portions!!!
I was eating FOUR portions of yams in one go, which is equivalent to two days of the macronutrient serving. So, now I divide it into four servings using the yellow container to measure every serving size and I get to eat one of these with each of my meals.
This is just one example of how I was eating all wrong. One of the biggest ‘AHA’ moments for me was when I discovered that even if you are eating healthy, if your portion sizes are wrong, you will gain weight. Calories in, calories out. I know, makes total sense right? Except counting calories drives me crazy and I think is totally mentally unhealthy. This is way less obsessive in my opinion and just teaches you the proper way to eat. The way we should all be eating any way: whole foods, healthy fats and smaller sizes that fuel us. At the end of the day, it is all about that ‘deficit’ which you need to create in order to lose pounds.
So, following Paleo on the 21-day fix program is not only possible folks but it is rather enlightening. I discovered a lot of mistakes that I was making and I realized that by simply correcting these mistakes I can start losing weight fast and a lot of it, in the healthiest way possible.
If you have an occasion or an event coming or even if you just want to rock your bikini this summer and want to lose weight and look your best, I would STRONGLY suggest that you get started on this program immediately for some of the most amazing results you can achieve. I will also become your coach for free if you order it HERE.
hi amy, i just discovered you on instagram, and b/c I literally have the SAME body type/composition as you I was wondering what really did it diet and specific exercise program wise to get your abs to start to show?
I’m fit but not lean/toned enough in the stomach. Please help, I’m ready to order whatever will give me these abs!!!!!!
Hey love!! Why don’t you email me at amysilvermanfitness@gmail.com and we can chat!
Ahhh! You inspire me so much. It’s insane.
And I am typically not easily inspired.
I am beginning PiYo with the 21 Day Fix meal plan and was just wondering if I could do it Paleo. Thank you for reading my mind.
Can’t wait to get started.
Can’t wait to be a part of your team soon too!
I’ve been told that before oddly enough LOL!!! If you need support just let me know, I have a wellness group you can join & coach it for free 🙂
Hey Amy! I have the 21 day fix & I have done it before. Loved it! However I want to try it with the Paleo diet.. Do you have a meal plan laid out for this?
No — not yet! But you can simply just replace the yellows with the carbs mentioned above!
Hi, thank you for this! I am going to do my next round paleo. I am on the highest cal range. so I get 4 yellow and 4 fruit. Do you cut back on fruit or keep them the same as what Autumn reccomends? Also, I’m assuming you don’t do any dairy either with that being said are your red containers are mostly meat? Also, if you do any almond milk do you still count it as a treat?
A friend of mine recommended the 21 Day Fix. It sounds pretty good except for the dietary part. I do the ketogenic diet, which I love because of how I feel, how easy it is, and the relief of frequent stomach pains. Is there a way of doing it for the keto diet? Thanks
Yep! shoot me an email at amysilvermanfitness@gmail.com
I really needed your post tonight! I lost 100lbs in a span of two years (2011-2013) and started eating Paleo in 2012. Up until mid year or 2014 I had kept off all of the weight and eating was stress free. After having major surgery in May of 2014, I was so riddled with stress (and the physical pain/limitations from a uterine surgery…my second lower abdominal incision included…) I started having major issues with stress control and even though I started training really hard…my portions have been so out of whack and of course I’ll agree eat (used to be a loser e,optional bi be eating when I was 260lbs). I’m now up al,oat 20lbs in a year and while some is muscle…some is not and I’m so uncomfortable! I had been considering the 21 day fix, but was concerned about how to organize it with Paleo so thank you! Also, it’s so great to know I’m not alone in the portion distortion…I used to be able to just eat Paleo and weight would fall off…but I had my portions right without even thinking! Gotta get back to it! Thanks again 🙂
Omg…I totally typo’d! Thanks iPad! I meant to say stress eat (not agree eat) and also that I was a closet emotional binge eater….not a loser! Haha!
Hello!
I am going on my 2nd round of 21 day fix and I am going to be doing Paleo. I am preparing for the military and I have been told to cut out carbs so I will be substituting my 3 yellow containers for 1 sweet potato, 1 fruit, 1 veggies. Any advice on how to be more successful while Paleo would be very helpful? Thank you.
Yes! Can’t wait to get my fix in the mail! Thank you for writing on this ?