Let’s end the week on an inspirational note. I’ve been chatting with Karl Schirrmacher, a Staff Sergeant in the Army and currently deployed in Iraq. Karl wrote to tell me about his efforts to change his diet, and the specific challenges he faces as a result of his deployment. After reading his note, I will never again bitch about having to drink my coffee black. Karl wrote:
________
Melissa,
Our adventure started while surfing a CrossFit forum where I stumbled upon a link to the blog. I dug. I read. And I found an attitude and approach that I really appreciated–sprinkled with f-bombs. Fanfreakintastic! (Note from the Author: We haven’t dropped the f-bomb since the inception of the the “Maureen Martone Rule” almost a year ago.) I was hooked and I wanted in. I printed the “Change your life in 30 days” page, and one of our other Team Sergeants wanted in too. We started right there and then.
The tough part is that we are currently deployed in Iraq. That means we have some limitations to the “super strict, no cheat, by the book, Paleo” concept. We are limited, for the most part, to what we find at the Dining Facilities (DFACs) and PX where we live and work. So, that means we have to cope with the following:
- Little or no control over the cooking process. Our control comes in our choice of what goes on our plate, but we don’t cook it; little men from Sri Lanka, India, and the Phillippines do.
- We still have to live with vegetable oil. Olive oil is available in squeeze bottles to add to veggies and such, but nothing is cooked in it–it’s all industrial vegetable oil.
- No access to anything raw, organic, or grass-fed. We have lots of fruits and vegetables, but again it’s all industrial grade picked and prepped by little men from Sri Lanka, India, and the Phillippines.*
- Limited on meat, nut, and seeds options. We only get big brand almonds and cashews at the PX, and we are at the mercy of the DFAC on what meat is available every day.
But, we can hold to eliminating dairy, legumes, grains, and sweeteners from our daily intake. Alcohol is taken care of by General Order Number One (no alcohol in theater), so it’s not even a temptation. But the temptation to cheat is a constant, as at every meal we see piles of burgers, fries, chicken fried steak, desserts, ice cream shakes, and… it’s everywhere. Most military people eat terribly. We have resolved to do otherwise.
When we looked at the calendar to figure our 30 day window, we realized we would finish the cycle just as we get back to the United States (we’re at the end of our tour). So our countdown to completing the challenge is also our countdown to the end of a very long year filled with suicide bombers, grenade attacks, politics, heat, and dust. I can’t think of a better way to set ourselves up for continued success. Again, Melissa, thank you for opening this up to us.
Feel free to hit me up with questions (email, blog comments, wherever). Otherwise, I’ll be keeping up on regular check-ins with the rest of the community.
Regards,
SSG Schirrmacher, Karl M.
________
I can’t thank Karl enough for his note. In an environment as stressful as his, with challenges as life-threatening as they get, I would imagine it would be all too easy to abandon something as “trivial” as trying to stick to a strict Paleo diet. However, Karl has made it a priority for his health and wellness, and is choosing every day to do the best with what he’s got. It sounds like you’ll be coming home soon, Karl – until then, stay safe and keep leading by example. I’m honored to have you as part of my little community.
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Karl rocks!
My sister Sarah from Crossfit Cape Cod directed me to your site Melissa, she's addicted and I can see why.
I've given birth without drugs, climbed mount washington fat (you get the point right?) yet giving up cream in my coffee is akin to losing my firstborn. What the hell?
Karl made me blush in shame.
So I tried lite coconut milk from Trader Joes this morning, not bad!
Thanks for your blog and all the comments, it's really helping me to do it 100%.
@Karl
Thanks for serving our country and props to you for taking on the Paleo challenge. I must admit I'm a little offended by your references to the Indians, Sri Lankan, and Filipinos that make your food as "little men". The term could have been omitted but maybe this little filipino woman is just being too sensitive.
I have a painfully humongous crush on Karl right now.
There, I said it.
Loved the email Karl! And loved that you shared it Melissa. Karl…thank you and all your brothers and sisters in arms out there, away from home, doing a job that most people would never even consider! And Serena…I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say that I'm sure someone with Karl's great attitude meant no disrespect. I think he was using 'little' as a descriptive term, not a derogatory one!!!
Jen
As someone who is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, it is always on my mind whether or not I am going to be able to do the Paleo path while deployed. In tribute to Karl, I am going to do my thirty day challenge the FIRST 30 days in country. Thanks, Karl. Stay vigilant and come home safe! ~Jay
If you are going to deploy, and are going from a strict (or pretty strict) gluten-free diet, remember, adding gluten will initially cause some havoc on your GI system. One of the "case studies" we had in Robb Wolf's cert was about a soldier that was on a very strict Paleo diet, totally gluten free. We discussed that he may want to slowly introduce some "less desireable" foods into his system prior to deployment. Those of you who have chosen to re-introduce dairy and gluten may also have similar responses. Not so bad while at home, but if I'm on patrol somewhere, and my body decides to let me know how it apporeciated the MRE's I just had to eat, well……..
I found myself liking this blog for the same reasons mentioned. I just started yesterday trying to get into better shape to kick ass on a pt. That doesn't even COMPARE to combat, so who am I to complain. Karl, you are a total inspiration. Kick ass out there, man and come home safely. Now you have a LOT more people waiting to hear from you in 30 days.
I completely sympathize with Karl. Dealing with the same circumstances, and maybe a little more pronounced since I'm on a small FOB here in Afghanistan, it's not easy trying to go strictly Paleo. However, just like him, I've been doing it to the best of my ability based on what I've got available. I've had family and friends back in the States ship me over nuts since all the PX here has are peanuts.
Good luck to Karl as he gets ready to rotate back to "the world." I'll be right behind you from here. 84 days and a wake-up!
WOW! Super impressed with Karl's determination and commitment!
Just a thought….could we organize up some "Paleo" care packages to Karl and his group from all of us? Not sure how the logistics would/could work but I sit here thinking that there must be something we can do for these guys to help them out.
i can't imagine even trying to do that. i mean, college meal plans don't let you cook your meals either, but the food definitely has a lot more variety, i would imagine.
I'm with Serena though. I was irked by referring to the cooks from Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines as "little men." Maybe "little" was meant as descriptive, but to me it comes off as derogatory.
Thanks to everyone for all the supportive comments. They are appreciated in so many ways–I can't even begin to tell you. For you guys out there or getting ready to deploy, best of luck to you as you step into harm's way.
I have two points I'd like to address:
First: "Little" was most definitely meant as descriptive. They really are little! Seeing them next to most American military folks just makes it that much more obvious. Nonetheless, they work really hard in the jobs that they do, and they always greet us with great respect and a big smile. Emotionally, we feed off their happiness, as there is nothing better than to finally get chow after ten to twelve hours of patrolling and see people who are happy to be there.
And I hope their time here is well spent and it puts their families on better ground back home. I know some of them are on their way to becoming Americans too, and I can't think of better people to have standing next to me on the 4th of July.
If I wanted to be derogatory, trust me, there would be no two ways about it (you military folks know what I mean). There would be no doubt.
Second: With all that I learned in the last few months, culminating with going Paleo, I am committed to taking this elsewhere in the military and law enforcement community. I feel like I've been pulled out of The Matrix and finally see with a mental and physical clarity that I've been searching for over the last twenty years. Now I want to pull others out of The Matrix too–particularly those in the tactical community. I'm not sure how, but I'm out to spread the word and teach to all that'll listen. Anyone else in?
Any suggestions?
Thanks again to all of you for the support and comments. Day 20 for me today!
Karl
P.S. Melicious, thanks. *blushing* That completes the crush circle.
I am also in the military and deployed. It can be difficult eating strictly paleo out here, but more because the choices are so limited that it gets very repetitive. No looking up new recipes for us! If the chow hall is serving fried fish and potatoes that day, you're eating almonds and drinking water for lunch.
FIrst Karl thanks for your service and please stay safe. Our Family keeps you guys in our prayers every night.
Today is my first day doing paleo. My first meal was stir-fry made with green peppers, onion, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, shrimp and chicken. I found it really filling and hard to finish. But after I finished my Stir-fry I had cravings for non paleo food and I hoping they will go away over time. Strange I am full but still crave junk food. Maybe old diet is toxic addicting drug that was leading me to an early death.
I need to lose 70#s and I hope eating paleo will allow me to reach that goal.
Hiya, Steve!
Congratulations on Day 1!
Keep fighting the good fight against those cravings — they go away eventually. I've been eating paleo for about 2 1/2 months, and trust me, the cravings will vanish.
Thanks Melicious
What is the "Maureen Martone Rule"??
when adhering to the paleo diet is it all you can eat paleo as i've heard it called or do you balance like the zone?
@Dynamic: Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'd scrape off the fried part and double up on the fish, extra veggies (if possible). I admire your dedication. Stay safe.
@Steve: As Mel said, the cravings will probably continue for a while… it takes the body (and the mind) time to break those longstanding habits. Just stick with it, and they will pass. (And, welcome!)
@NathanM: That deserves its own post. It's kind of a fun story.
@John: There are a lot of ways to work this – some people just eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full, others take a more scientific approach and eat Paleo food in Zone proportions. Long story short – it's up to you. Play around with quantity and macronutrient proportion and figure out what works best for your performance, energy levels and mental health and sanity.
Melissa thanks for making me feel welcome. Second Day with no mistakes yet. Cravings are not as bad.
BTW over at the CrossFit HQ website there is a paleo club inspired by your "Change Your Life in 30 Days" post.
Check it out: http://www.board.crossfit.com/showthread.php?t=49476
Melissa it seems to me you are helping people change their health for the better. So again thank you.
Melissa, I need some tough love.
For 99.5% of this challenge, I'm not struggling at all. The only thing I've really changed about my diet is cutting out dairy and NOT indulging in special events where i would generally say to myself, "it's one meal…not a big deal in the long run. have some cake." The fat loss I've seen in the last 19 days has been pretty astounding. I never would have guessed that dairy caused as big of a stall as it did. I'm SHOCKED.
My .5% struggle has been not being allowed to eat coconut milk ice cream. Sweetened with agave, it's low GI and deliciously filled with healthy saturated fat. With the absolutely disgustingly heat the northeast has seen the last few days, all I seem to be thinking about is having some. I'm struggling because I don't see it as an evil food like i do everything else I'm not eating.
I only have 11 days left of the challenge, and I won't be ruining it…but I'd really love to stop wanting it. Thoughts? Tough love: ready? Go.
(Also, I think i'll be up in the Tilton area at the end of September. I'll shoot you an email when I know more)
Renee, if "For 99.5% of this challenge, [you're] not struggling at all" then that .5% is your challenge. Stay strong.
"Principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient."
From the movie "The Contender"
This is a great line from one of my favorite movies because it is really true. Just a thought Renee
Renee
This post may help, I believe this is paleo allowed.
http://www.choosingraw.com/this-post-will-change-your-life/
Hope it can help:)
@Littles and Katie: Sorry I missed you guys! Welcome, and keep up the good work.
@Renee: I'm ridiculously stoked to hear of your success. I'm going to approach this from the standpoint of "things to get you through the next 11 days without coconut milk ice cream", since that's what you asked me to do. Big picture, though, eat the damn ice cream once in a while.
You're craving ice cream because you're dehydrated. Drink more water, and eat cold, juicy fruit like grapes, watermelon and plums. That should help with your cravings. (I've been hoovering grapes these past few days – the heat is killing all of us.)
Email me before you plan a trip up here, I've got a ton of stuff going on in the next month or two so we'll have to coordinate.
@Renee
Freezing fruit may help you in your last 11 days. Trader Joe's has a great selection of frozen fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya. I like to cut up big pieces of watermelon and cantaloupe and freeze it-kind like eating a popsicle.
@Justin, Steve, Mox and Serena: This is just what i needed, thank you!
@Barbara: I've tried something similar. the banana destroyed it for me. not my favorite fruit by a long shot. It's flavor is overpowering. But it'll do in a pinch! Thank you :)
Just an idea for the ice cream cravings…if you have a little ice cream/sorbet maker, puree some fruit like mango, pineapple anything really and freeze it in the machine. You need to eat it right away because without sugar it'll get rock hard if frozen for any length of time. If you don't have a machine pour the puree into a baking pan, throw it in the freezer then scrape the surface
with a fork every 20 minutes to create sort of a granita slushy.
It might help!