I think one of the reasons Sherry and I are as successful as we are with the Paleo lifestyle is because we have turned it into sort of a game. We try to find new foods all the time, and we experiment with recipes and flavors we wouldn’t have otherwise tried. It makes meal time interesting, and it also makes failures a little easier to take. If something turns out less than expected, then we chalk it up as a failed experiment and move on to the next meal.

So far, it’s really helped us. We are always challenging ourselves to find new things, or to come up with new recipes on our own. Sherry, traditionally a holiday baker extraordinaire, has been experimenting with and coming up with some really great cookie recipes that are 100% Paleo compliant. She’s begun the second part of the process: verifying her recipes. Once she’s finished, she will be publishing her recipes online for all to use! The cookies really taste great, and are a wonderful alternative for those of us who don’t want over-sweetened cookies for the Holidays that happen to be made with good ingredients.

Three months ago, I incorporated running into my lifestyle change, and it’s added an element of fun I never expected. I look forward to my runs now, and I’m now looking to add something on my off-days from running to do as exercise. Maybe some Yoga may be the answer. I am not into weight lifting and I don’t want to bulk up (heck, I want the exact opposite, frankly!). I just want to let my muscles get leaner and maybe increase my flexibility. I also don’t want to do physical activity that leaves me sore afterward from over-exertion. I’ll continue to research this. Oh, and it has to be FUN!

We’ve also been taking part in a lot of activities that we couldn’t do when we were heavier, and it’s helped fuel our desire to continue on the path of our lifestyle. We want to continue being able to do these fun things and we know that we couldn’t do them if we went back to being heavy again. Hang gliding, indoor skydiving, zip lining, hiking, and running are among some of the things we enjoy doing now that we couldn’t do even a year ago.

Make it fun. I believe in, “Fake it ’til you make it,” and it’s served me well throughout my life. If adopting a healthier lifestyle doesn’t appeal to you, make it fun. Make a game out of it. If that doesn’t work, then just fake being happy and excited about it until you are. It hasn’t failed me yet, and it can work for you, too!