100 Pounds Was My Initial Goal
A year ago, Wade realized he had a hundred pounds to lose. Today he shares his journey. Read on to find out if he pulls it off.
And if you have your own Primal Blueprint success story and you’d like to share it with me and the community please contact me here. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone, and thanks for reading!
Hi Mark,
After a life-long struggle with weight, I began my most recent weight-loss journey in January 2010. At 5’10″, I tipped the scales at a whopping 325, had a BMI of 47, was on three medications for asthma, had severe acid reflux medicated with expensive prescription acid reducers, and suffered from obstructive sleep apnea which necessitated the use of a CPAP machine to breathe when I slept.
With the help of a professional physical therapist trainer and nutritionist, in January 2010, I committed myself feverishly to those things which conventional wisdom dictates: daily torturous battles with my body at the gym, and a low-fat, high-fiber, high-carbohydrate diet.
After two months, I was seeing some modest results, but I could tell that my body needed something different. I had an instinct that I didn’t feel well eating all of these refined carbohydrates. I had a battle with my nutritionist/trainer who swore that my instincts were wrong and that I would be doomed to failure.
In March, I followed my gut and set out full-steam-ahead down my Primal path. I had had success with low-carb diets such as Atkins and South Beach before, but I was never able to maintain the short-term success they offered.
A friend recommended Primal Blueprint to me, and I immediately started changing my life to follow more Primal edicts.
Within a month of ceasing my refined flour and sugar consumption and adopting the Primal Blueprint, I began to see immediate and dramatic results. My lifelong symptoms of severe asthma immediately disappeared, my painful gastric reflux abated, I dropped 15 pounds that first month, and I was able to cease all prescription medication almost immediately.
I was able to reduce the intensity of my workouts and maintained 70 percent of my maximum heart rate comfortably. I follow a three-days-on, one-day off workout schedule. Each workout consists of 35-45 minutes of varied cardio at 70-percent heart rate, followed by varied weight-lifting regimen focusing on lower weights with higher reps. I will probably start “lifting heavy” toward the end of my journey to pack on a few pounds of muscle.
Now, 11 months after beginning my weight loss journey, and 8 months after going “Primal” I see dramatic results. My weight has dropped about 105 pounds to 220, with my average monthly weight loss being between 8 and 12 pounds consistently. My BMI is now teetering around 30, 17 points lower than a year ago. I haven’t taken a single prescription medication in over six months, I have no symptoms of asthma, no gastric reflux, no painful sleep-deprivation headaches, no weakness from chronic workouts, no lethargy from insulin crashes, and I no longer require my CPAP to sleep. And if that weren’t enough, my cholesterol is great at a mere 120.
My life has dramatically changed! I have gone from a 50″ pair of jeans to 34″, a size 54 suit coat to size 44. I am almost NEVER hungry, have no cravings — even when I skip a meal, which I often do!
I probably have another 20 pounds to my ultimate goal, but 100 pounds was my initial goal, and I’m going to relax and enjoy my success!
Wade B. — Portland, Oregon
Update: 07/11/11
I wanted to shoot you a quick update to my progress since you featured me last December.
I have lost a total of 137 pounds following Primal Blueprint. I’m doing great, lifting heavy, working hard with a trainer. My success even convinced my trainer at 24-Hour Fitness to start Primal Blueprint diet himself, and he now recommends it to his clients!
Thanks for everything.
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Jen, GREAT question. I actually did send a recent update about my success, detailing how things turned out, but have not received a reply! Don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot about proper strength training techniques, just wasn’t able to put the entire puzzle together for what I needed.
It’s not surprising that a trainer wouldn’t be ‘hip’ to the primal lifestyle, after all they learned the nutrition piece from someone so it’s just a result of his/her training. So I’m glad you sent an update, let’s hope the delay in a response is due to the nutritional re-education s/he’s currently undergoing!
I bought the Primal Blueprint for a friend that recently had to begin using a CPAP machine. His story is very simular to Wades. I myself have lost 50 lbs this year following the Primal Blueprint and feel fantastic. Thank you Wade for sharing your story. It is one that I know is true and sustainable.
Holy crap Wade — you lost an entire person! Congrats!
Yes! Lost an entire person and became a “Hollywood-gorgeous” person!
The Biggest Loser tv show should break groups up into various protocols including the Primal Blueprint group and see who loses the most FAT not just weight. I’m confident that Mark would kill the current trainers’ numbers.
Thatk’s a great idea!
Bill, AWESOME idea! I used to watch BL religiously…but always had a problem with the contestants fainting, getting hurt, barfing during the workouts. It’s your body getting rid of the toxins?? Try eating a healthy ‘primal’ diet instead of those dorky energy bars and oatmeal, work out minimally, and see how much you faint, get hurt and barf…DUH!!
By the way, Wade…You look sensational! Great job!!
Great job, Wade! You look great and I’m sure you feel sooo much better. I love how people just find something that works, and stick with it. I’m working on that myself. R.L.
Congratulations, Wade! Thanks for sharing your story with us. It’s SO IMPORTANT for us to feel confirmation of what we’re doing. You look pretty hot in your After pic, I must say…
Awesome Wade–this brought tears to my eyes. I know what its like to be overweight and feel awful and try and try and try to get healthier using methods that just don’t work for you, and then to find primal and just soar.
I LOVE these success stories.
holy baloney! (so to speak) Congrats!
I’m sitting here eating a bowl of Transylvania Stockpot while I read this. Great job Wade!
Wade:
Great job! You look awesome
Congratulations, Wade! You give me inspiration, as I’m in a similar situation. I just found this site after a similar experience with bad advice that I inutitively knew didn’t work for me.
You look fabulous!!
hot damn! nice work.
Wow! You look great! Big congrads!!
I bet you get lots of puzzled looks from people who haven’t seen you for awhile, thinking “Hmm, that dude looks familiar, but I can’t quite figure out who it is.”
Great story!
Fantastic Wade, what you have accomplished is amazing and of course, life-changing. I wish you all the best!
congrats Wade !!! awesome job man !!! I just recently surpassed the 100 lb mark myself , it’s is an awesome feeling . I know you are proud , and should be !! thanks for sharing your story
Be very careful with the “relaxing” Wade.
I dropped 60-70 pounds in 2009 (on a shake diet) and put most of it back on in 2010.
I’m torn at the moment between using what I know to do it again (and more) and then going primal, or starting primal. I know I will be the only one in my house doing if it I go primal which I find is the hardest thing.
Anyway congratulations and good luck.
Marcus…GO PRIMAL!!
That’s because shake diets have to end, you can’t live on shakes forever (and who the hell would want to?). You CAN live on primal foods easily and happily for life!
Listen to Ricki! Relaxing on PB isn’t the same as relaxing with a grain/sugar and shake diet. You can do it and we are help to help and cheer!!
Thanks for sharing your story, it’s very inspiring. And I have to say, yeah you are looking good! You have such a glow of health about you in your “after” pic.
I have over 100lbs to lose after doubling my body weight over 4 years whilst ill with food intolerances. I’m already grain free but am planning to take out the rest (dairy etc) in January, who knows maybe I can post my own success story at the end of 2011.
One of the things I’ve really noticed since going primal is a significant healthy change in my skin tone.
Thanks for all the awesome comments, for the first time in my adult life, I actually feel good about how I look, and it’s great to take it in.
I refer everyone who asks about my noticeable success to MDA and Primal Blueprint!
Congratulations, Rosemary!
super awesome!
Congratulations, Wade! You look fantastic.
Awesomenes!!!! Way to stick with it! Love my primality! It has changed my life for the better….I am so lucky to have a sister and brother inlaw that own a crossfit gym.
)
Wow..Wade..you look amazing! Huge congrats on your incredible transformation!
Everything I was thinking has already been said, except that I think Mark’s next contest prize should be a date with Wade.
lol
You look amazing Wade!!! Great Job!!!!
From one guy to another…you are ONE good lookin’ dude! Awesome! The years you have added to your life will be spent enjoying your health and wellness!
Congratulations on your primal transformation! You look absolutely terrific!
So glad you trusted your instincts Wade. You look hot!!
Gorgeous. I’m loving these success stories.