The second post in the “Hit it Like a Caveman” series covers the Paleo lifestyle that I’ve adopted over the past 3 months. There are an infinite number of possibilities in living a Paleo life – this is how I choose to do it.
True to the nature of my Paleolithic ancestors, I’ve sort of adopted a type of modern hunt/gather routine when it comes to groceries. While you’ll probably never catch me in the forest donning a bear skin armed with nothing more than a sharpened bone knife, you will find me at the local produce market a couple times a week. I tend to forage my veggies and fruit every few days for a couple of reasons: First, I like shopping. I know, I’m a dude and by the guy-code we are sworn to despise shopping but I quite enjoy it. I also do all the cooking and eat out very little so I like to be involved with my ingredients as much as I can. Of course there are other reasons like the awesome staff at the deli counter. As far as meat goes, I simply don’t hunt. There’s no analogy I can use unless you count ‘hunting’ for sales. Still my way of procuring vittles is very spontaneous similar to how it may have been back in the day.
I don’t have a bed. There, I said it. I’ve been sleeping on the floor for a couple weeks now and I’m digging it. My back feels much better, I’m sleeping deeper and I wake up feeling refreshed. I certainly draw strange looks and off-kilter comments when I tell people that I sleep on the floor. Our cave brothers slept on the ground, sometimes in rustic shelters and maybe on a little hide padding and they turned out OK. They probably wouldn’t have had the comfort of a perfectly flat surface or carpet but the idea is the same. The bottom line is: I like it and that’s what matters. Of course that would probably change assuming there was someone to share the bed with me. That’s another story not appropriate for my audience.
I can’t live without my computer. Well, maybe I can but why the hell would I want to? I still have the modern conveniences that one would expect a near-thirty fella to have. My computer is certainly at the top of my ‘necessary modern gadgets’ list. It’s how I communicate with my tribe. It’s how I learn. It’s how I earn money. I NEED it. I could go full-on cavedude and nix the cellphone, PC, car but why stop there? Let’s toss the deodorant and toothpaste too… see where I’m going with this. I’m not going to do it.
I’m sure it’s a combination of losing weight, finding a new sense in confidence in myself and knowing that I’m doing everything I can to be a better me but living the life I do really makes me proud. I’m proud to talk about my lifestyle with others. I get an immense satisfaction from people reading my posts. I know, in my heart, that I’m becoming a better father to my son, a better son to my father and I know I would be making my mom proud. That means more to me than any number on a scale.
While taking certain measures in Paleo living may not be for everyone I’m happy with it. These are obviously not required by any means nor is this list exhaustive. I’d love to hear what you’ve done to live like a caveman.
Good post. I need to try out the sleeping on the floor. I always find that 2 hours of sleep on the couch is awesome – I wake up refreshed and jump right up ready to tackle the day. In a bed (even the 8+ year old one I’ve got) I tend to stay in it much longer, try to go back to sleep, etc.
And as for how I’m living like a caveman, I keep trying to grow my beard out but I’m told that if I do, I’ll be single lol I need to start looking into the paleo diet more.
Oh, and I also need to get my blog going. Jan 1st is the “launch” date. I’ve removed everything and am starting fresh with a brand new plan of attack.
Sorry for the ramble. lol
Right on man! Honestly, I’m not sure that I’ll continue sleeping on the floor much longer. I like it but I think it would make for awkward ‘after dinner conversation’ in the future. I may get a bed and STILL sleep on the floor sometimes though.
Keep on it bro and let me know when you’re blog launches!