Paleo & Strength

This may not be the most popular post in the CrossFit community, but I'm really looking for insight here from anyone.

I do not believe anyone will develop optimal gains in strength or muscle mass following a Paleo diet.   I especially do not believe that a female can progress to a muscle up, pull up, ring dip, sustained L-sit, hand-stand push up or   2X  bodyweight deadlift  & other strength events when following a strict Paleo diet.  I believe that a diet like Paleo is not sufficient enough in calories to elicit muscular growth/hypertrophy required for improving strength.  Individuals may be able to maintain muscle mass while on Paleo, however they would need a sports nutrition diet to see increases in muscular size and strength for optimal performance.

Outside of the a new client to CrossFit or any periodized training routine, an experienced fit pro will most likely plateau due to a lack of calories while on Paleo.  The following is an example of the caloric expenditure of the average female CrossFitter:
1) Resting metabolic rate  (RMR) 1000cal/day
2) Daily activity 700 cal/day (very low and conservative)
3) WOD                600-700 cal/day (one hour session)
4) Total = 2300-2400 cal/day

In order to simply maintain their current mass & strength, one would have to consume an equal amount of calories.  To cut weight, one would reduce this number by 10-20%.  To build, one would increase this amount by 10-20% and be on a strength training program, not the MetCon that is often associated with CrossFit.  If you're trying to get close to 3000cal/day on Paleo, good luck.  It's not impossible and I really would admire your dedication.

If your a man or woman and your not seeing the gains in strength you REALLY want, this is the reason why.  Remember ladies, us guys have a nice little gland that produces testosterone, so we have the unfair advantage to build mass and burn body fat quicker.  There are also genetically gifted people who will get stronger simply by walking to the bathroom & eating a big mac for breakfast.  I'm not one of those, but these outliers do exist.    

Essentially, you will have two choices: 1) Build strength or; 2) Tapper/cut to your desired weight.  It's not impossible to do both, but it's very, very time consuming and difficult.

Don't hate me, I'm sensitive.