What’s the #1 reason you’re not losing weight on paleo? Google and I are very familiar with this question and if North Korea hacked my computer they would show you that between the years of 2007-2010 that was my risque hobby (take that Jennifer Lawrence).

I used to spend hours upon hours reading blogs and listening to podcasts in search of that one thing that was missing: a nutrient, a gut microbe, a macronutrient ratio, magic fairy dust that would allow me to complete the puzzle I’d been trying to solve for decades.

I’m eating 100% ‘strict’, sleeping 8 hours every night, exercising ‘intelligently’, healing my gut…what the F is wrong with me? Why can’t I lose weight?

I saw Naturopaths, personal trainers, functional medicine doctors and no one could figure it out for me. What the hell was missing?

I tried cutting back on carbs. Adding carbs. Adding carbs after workouts. Eating less nuts. Trying Bulletproof coffee. Intermittent Fasting. Adding kelp. Reducing goitrogens. Removing all xenoestrogens. Getting a water filter to remove said xenoestrogens. More cardio. Less cardio. Eating Carnitine like it was PEZ. Intuitively eating paleo. NOTHING. WORKED.

I was beyond frustrated and yet, the answer was so clear.

The reason I wasn’t losing weight on paleo?

I didn’t need to lose weight.

This is where my body wanted me to be.

In fact, my body was meant to be at a higher weight which is why I kept rebounding between paleo perfection and full-on Haagen Daz meltdown that was nicely topped off with complete hormonal malfunction.

BUT WAIT!!!

Isn’t every woman supposed to be able to ‘lean out’ and be a #beastmode machine? Aren’t we all supposed to look like we can strike a book-flap worthy glowing health guru pose?

It took me far too many years to realize that no, MOST of us are NOT meant to.

It took me far too many years to decide that loosening the reins, creating a life outside of my nutrition and exercise obsessed head and finding purpose beyond meal planning was more emotionally satisfying than my quest to have tricep definition.

So maybe you need to ask yourself the same things that I needed to ask myself:

Is this worth your time? To be so hyper obsessed that you no longer have an answer to the question “what do you do for fun?” that doesn’t include nutrition podcasts, self-loathing and pinning recipes.

Is this worth your money? Would you rather put money aside for a trip to Costa Rica than your $200 / month supplement and superfood routine to purge you of any toxics that “could stall fat loss?”

Is it really making you healthy? Do you really think tweaking to 100% perfection in the pursuit of less cellulite (which is totally fucking normal) is going to make you live longer? Freeing yourself of the stress of obsessing over food and your body is one of the greatest things we can do for our health.

Is it helping you to be joyful and free? Do you really want to skip out on that glass of wine that you love so much on Friday nights in the hope you’ll lose your muffin top (which is the most delicious part of the muffin, BTW)? Do you really want to turn down a raunchy escapade with your partner because you’re too exhausted from your sprint session?

What do you want to get out of life? Look at the big long-term forecast picture…Is this giving it to you?

How much longer do you want to keep this charade up? Do you want to be a 63 year old counting macros and committing to getting back on the wagon every January?!?! Hell no, you’re gonna be the queen of the bocce ball tournament.

If the answer is no, then consider this your official wake-up call. It’s time for you to stop diving down the rabbit hole of biohacking and start living your life. Learn to unconditionally accept your body. The rewards will be greater than a smaller jean size could ever give you.

It’s the best decision I ever made.