Last month, I wrote a couple articles on akrasia, or the phenomenon of acting against one’s own better judgment. First, I introduced the concept and described a bit of research surrounding it. Then, I discussed 8 reasons a Primal eater might suffer from food-related akrasia, including cravings, nutritional deficiencies, and mismatched Paleolithic genes trying to navigate a modern food environment.
Today, I’m restarting the discussion with a list of novel tools and techniques to help in the fight against fitness-and-health-related akrasia. As I mentioned in the first post, akrasia is universal, transcending culture and age and dietary persuasion. Whether we like it or not, we don’t always do what we know we should – myself included – so this post is for all of us.
Here are twelve online tools that will give you that little nudge you need to stay on track and do what’s best for yourself:
Posted By: Mark Sisson
“Everyone has a physician inside him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick is to feed your sickness.” – Hippocrates
and:
“Instead of using medicine, rather fast a day.” – Plutarch
or even:
“No kibble today, thanks. I’m feeling a bit under the weather.” – Fido
For thousands upon thousands of years (during most of which overweight, let alone obese, people were fairly rare), therapeutic fasting was a common protocol for the healing of many a malady. From famous sages like Plato, Aristotle, and the aforementioned Hippocrates and Plutarch to cancer patients unable to eat during chemotherapy to pet dogs and cats who suddenly lose once-voracious appetites upon falling ill, it seems like the natural response to – and perhaps therapy for – major illness is to stop eating for a while.
Posted By: Mark Sisson
Today’s Dear Mark topic is a sensitive one: excess, or loose skin after major weight loss. This is a problem for a lot of people, and it can really take the sails out of someone who’s had otherwise seamless success losing weight. I may ruffle a few feathers here, but I assure my intent is merely to give folks who have loose skin the best shot at reaching their desired body composition. So, as you read my response to the reader question, keep that in mind.
With that said, let’s get to it:
Hi Mark,
Excess skin after weight loss is a big topic in most weight loss communities, yet I rarely hear about it in the Primal community. Does the Primal lifestyle prevent excess skin? Are there any tips from either yourself or from the members of the community about avoiding or preventing excess skin after weight loss? I am currently approx 100 lbs overweight so this is something that really concerns me.
Gabrielle
Posted By: Mark Sisson
This past Wednesday was National Potato Chip Day. How did you celebrate?
Gary Taubes tackles the latest red meat scare study, and discusses the problems with epidemiology in general.
As if exercise wasn’t already hard enough for heart disease patients, a recent study now suggests that taking statins increases cellular oxidative stress in muscles during exercise, thus reducing their efficiency.
Hey, did someone finally listen to me? Saratoga High P.E. class just got a whole lot better.
Next time you’re in Copenhagen, be sure to swing by Palæo, the soon-to-open “Primal gastronomy” fast food joint founded by Michelin starred chef Thomas Rode Andersen.
Posted By: Mark Sisson
If you love seaweed and are looking for a new way to eat it, this recipe is for you. On the other hand, if the word “seaweed” makes you lose your appetite, this recipe is actually for you, too. Sesame Coleslaw with Seaweed is heavy on the coleslaw and light on the seaweed. Depending on the type of seaweed you use, the slaw will have a subtle seaweed flavor or none at all. This coleslaw with an Asian twist is dressed in rich sesame oil, tangy rice vinegar, salty tamari and spicy ginger tossed with cabbage, avocado, carrots, jalapeno and green onion. With so many bold flavors vying for the spotlight, the seaweed simply blends in without being overpowering.
Posted By: Worker Bee
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