One of the things that keeps me motivated and compliant with the Paleo Lifestyle is the desire to see if making these changes in my nutrition and lifestyle will get me the same results I see touted around the internet.  Here’s a representative sample from Mark’s daily Apple.  I don’t want to skew the results of the experiment by not following the plan.  It’s a very compelling motivation for me.

I have mentioned before that I am a frustrated scientist.  I love to experiment with things.  As I listen to podcasts and read blogs, I get ideas about more things I want to test.  I make an effort to resist many of these things.  I have ADD, and it’s really tough for me to not grab on to a new path or idea and lose focus on what I am trying to do.

I have been valiantly resisting my desire to obtain a glucometer so that I could see how my blood sugar reacts to different foods.  The primary reason I have been resisting this is not because I think it’s ridiculous to do this, but because I do not want my loved ones (TMOTH and my offspring) to think that I have gone over the edge into obsessive-compulsive behavior.  I’m already pretty close to the edge with this since I use Keto Stix to check my urine every morning to verify that I am in ketosis.

I first became fascinated with the idea of having a glucometer when I happened upon Jimmy Moore’s n=1 experiments with various foods in his blog.  Then I heard a podcast with Dr. William Davis.  He recommended testing after every meal and eliminating foods that made the blood sugar spike above a level that caused Advanced Glycation End Products  (140 mg/dl).  A chance remark by my BFF, She-Ra, nearly threw me down the slippery slope.  After I posted about my food fail, She-Ra asked if I tested my blood sugar.  I thought to myself, if She-Ra can ask me if I do that like it’s completely normal, maybe it is…  However, I managed to resist.

The thing that tipped me over the edge was listening to Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast with Jenny Ruhl.  Ms. Ruhl has a website called Blood Sugar 101.  It details how to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.  The procedure involves testing with a glucometer.  Once again, resistance was futile.  I ordered a glucometer.  I should be receiving it any day.  You will all be subjected to my n=1 experiments with it.