I still feel like I’m living in the body of a much younger person. Well, except for those running injuries I get every now and then, I feel pretty darned amazing.

I find myself feeling sorry for anyone who isn’t healthy, and while I used to feel compelled to tell people about Paleo and Whole30, these days, I keep to myself a lot more. Sure, I keep this blog up, and I’m very passionate about health and fitness, but I no longer feel like speaking to anyone without being asked for my opinion is something I’m comfortable doing.

Invariably, when eating with friends, they will order something non-Paleo and begin apologizing. Even after two years. I have to remind them that I’m not the Paleo Police, and I don’t care what they put into their own bodies. That’s not exactly true: I do care. The people I surround myself with are people I love, and I want them to be healthy and to be around as long as possible. But I do not want them to feel judged or guilty for eating food they want to eat. As long as I’m not forced to eat the same, we have no problems.

I make much better decisions, not just with my health, but in life overall. I have found that once I took control of my health, it became easier to control other aspects of my life. The discipline I learned through making wise food decisions has crept into other aspects of my life which has resulted in a much more fulfilling life. I feel I’m much more calm now, as well, since I have a lot less stress than I did before.

Being active has allowed me to take part in activities I never though I would be able to do, let alone enjoy. Running has become something I enjoy, and if I am unable to do it for any appreciable amount of time, I get cranky. I’ve also been able to do things like hang gliding, riding in a NASCAR race car, hiking, and even going back into military service as a soldier in the National Guard. Who’d a thunk it?

I’m in an area that defies the odds: I’ve kept the weight off for over a year now, and I continue to stick to the Paleo Diet. I’ve done three Whole30’s, and I can see me doing another one after the holidays. I can never see myself going back to eating anything and everything, and I can’t see myself without fitness in my life. I just feel too damned good now, and it’s nice to not only feel good, but to look good, too. I don’t want to give any of this back. Ever.