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Lose weight by eating like a caveman?

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NEWNAN, Ga. -

A Newnan chiropractor is working to get his patients to lose weight and live healthy lives. Dr. Jason Bailey is putting his money where his mouth is by challenging his staff, patients and the surrounding community with a "prehistoric" diet.

Bailey says he sees how a little extra weight can affect his patients.

"Our body can only handle so much stress. And as that stress increases, the body will wear out much faster. That explains more joint pain, more back pain, more knee pain, pain in osteo-arthritis of the hips. These weight bearing joints are under tremendous amounts of load," said Dr. Bailey.

He knows from personal experience what that extra weight can do.

"I finally looked in the mirror and was sick of what I saw. And I was like, I'm going to make a change," said Bailey.

He says that change came in the form of a unique diet called the Paleo Diet. It's also called the Caveman Diet. It's a nutritional plan that centers around the idea that we should eat what cavemen ate -- more fresh foods and less processed foods.

"We're simplifying our dietary choices. We're eliminating certain things. The big ones are sugar, gluten from the grains, dairy. I know a lot of people have a hard time giving up milk and cheese. But we're going to substitute for healthier things," explained Bailey.

He's lost 25 pounds, but that wasn't enough for him. Dr. Bailey wanted his staff and patients to make the same lifestyle choice, so he issued a 30-day Paleo Diet challenge.

"I've done cleanses, Atkins Diet, you know, low fat," said staff member Lauren Bennett.

She's now taking her boss up on his challenge and trying to eat the Paleo way. Patient Melissa Kirk says she's lost three pounds in three days.

"I want to feel better. I want to live longer. I want to eat healthy. Scientifically, it made a lot of sense. And chemically it made a lot of sense," said Kirk.

So far, 60 people have stepped up to the challenge. After weighing in, all of the participants are given recipes, workouts of the day, and shopping lists. The person who makes the most dramatic transformation will win $250. Dr. Bailey is convinced the real prize is a healthier lifestyle.

"I can't do it for them, but at least if I give them the tools, they feel like somebody's giving them a hand in this process," said Bailey.

All the participants paid a $29 entrance fee, and it included a book about the diet in addition to the meal plans, shopping lists and workouts included in daily emails. The challenge ends September 18. For more information on Dr. Bailey's 30-day challenge, click here!

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