Kirby Cohler

I Moved to Drayton Valley in October of 2010 for a job as News Director and Morning Show Co-Host with Big West Country. As soon as I arrived I mentioned my desire to join a gym in town and start the weight loss I had been talking about starting for years.

My coworkers, Al and Aretha, mentioned to me a gym in town that was interested in doing a partnership. I was on board!!

Beofre our first class Al mentioned to me that there was a nutrional aspect they expected us to follow. As soon as Al said that it included cutting out grains I was skeptical. Not that I wouldn’t be able to do it but that it was similar to Atkins which I had heard so many bad things about.

I decided to go into the nutritional class with an open mind. I sat and listened as Phil explained about what havoc grains wreaked on our bodies and how the human body was never designed to digest the grains we all so heavily enjoy. I really have no idea about the science behind it all, if you’re curious ask Phil, Corina or Tina the three of them could talk for hours about the wonders of the Paleo/Primal lifestyle . I’ve had a few friends who have told me what I’m doing is actually bad for me, Corina and Tina promptly come at  them with articles and proof as to why this is the way humans were meant to eat.

What I can tell you is what I’ve experienced.

Besides the obvious, the weight loss, I’ve noticed many changes in my body. The weight loss is the biggest. My clothes are all too big, I contanstly get comments from people whenever I head home to Edmonton. Even people in Drayton Valley who have only known be for 4 months are commenting on how good I look.

Another big change I’ve noticed is how well I sleep. Being on the morning show I get up at 4am. After the initial groan at my alarm clock I get up without any problems. If you were to tell me a year ago I’d be coherent 5 minutes after waking up at 4am with no Red Bull (I used to be a Red Bull JUNKIE) I would have told you you were crazy.

Possibly my favourite change in my body is my excema clearing up. Since I can remember I have battled with excema. I have tried every cream, oil, ointment, pill EVERYTHING. I pretty much just accepted that my body was going to be covered in that rash my whole life. Cut out the grains and the artificial chemicals that we all adore so much and my skin cleared up like mad. Not only do I not have excema any more my skin is no where near as dry as it used to be.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I never cheat, I do. There’s just sometimes I can’t say no. But, when I do, I pay for it the next day. I get cramps, I don’t sleep and my skin almost immediately gets really itchy.

I was skeptical about this at first but now I can’t imagine eating any other way. Long after I leave Drayton Valley and Crossfit DV I will be a dedicated Paleo/Primal eater.