Ask Carrie a Question
I’m not sure if I’ve ever formally introduced my wife, Carrie, to the Mark’s Daily Apple community. (That’s her to the right. 53 years strong and on her way to the gym today.) She’s shown up in some posts in the past and we’ve talked about her contributing to the blog, but it just hasn’t come together until now. I’ve done my fair share of encouraging, but it’s been your interest that finally convinced her to share her experience.
As a number of women readers mentioned, it’s nice to get feedback from the female persuasion. Carrie has lived her own version of the Primal Blueprint for years now, so she can offer some valuable, personal insight. Some of you have asked how living Primally influences women’s aging issues. Others have been interested in how she has raised two Primal seedlings. Whatever your question, this is your chance for some feedback. She’d love to receive any questions you have for her, so drop a line in the comment board. Next week she’ll be back with her own “Dear Carrie” answers. Thanks in advance for your questions, everyone! We’ll look forward to reading your comments. Have a great week!
UPDATE: Read the follow-up to this post where Carrie answers all your questions
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Hi Carrie,
You look awesome!
This is an issue that has come up in the forums more than once.
Since women need a higher percentage of body fat than men in order to maintain normal biological functions such as their monthly cycles, do women in general have different dietary requirements than men? (for example, more carbs? more fat?)
Thanks for agreeing to answer questions Carrie. You look amazing!
I have the same question as Madame P. Do women require more carbs and fat than men?
Also,I would like to see a 5 day meal plan for your typical day to day diet.
Thanks again.
Carrie,
I like that you look fit and lean without being bulky. All of the weight lifting mags swear a woman won’t get bulky… and then proceed to show women who, though they may look hot in workout out gear, look ridiculous and unfeminine in a dress.
So then, I would like to request that you share your workouts with us AND please, show some photos in clothes.
Also, how do you feel? what does being fit mean to you…how does it help you in your every day life. Mark may have great ideas…but he’s still a guy. As a single mom of five, I am not spending my weekend playing ultimate frisbee
Do you ever just want a huge loaf of really good bread and butter? I am a mostly vegetarian too. I wish I could eat meat, but it’s just too disgusting to me. Sometimes I can manage a little bit of chicken for a few months…then I just get too grossed out. (Fish is not a possiblity!!) I am very interested in hearing about your diet.
Last but not least, I am really interested in how you’ve kept your skin young.
Glad to have you aboard.
I am pretty lean but would LOVE defined abs like that. What’s Carrie’s abs routine?!
Hello Primals!
Carrie, you look awesome. When I first saw the picture, I thought that you were somewhere between 20 and 30 years old. Unbelievable to me that you have already exceeded 50 years of age.
This is what proper nutrition and exercise can do to a body. I am amazed.
I guess your body is ‘all natural’ – you still maintain beautiful female curves at a low body fat percentage.
My question to you is: How sensitive for carbohydrates are you really?
In love for life
Simon
My whole family has diabetes, then my two younger sisters are obese. I have managed to lose about 35 pound in two years but need to eat primal to keep my weight down. My questions pertain to my 16 year old daughter who is a junior in high school.
Her kidneys never separated during development, we found this out during her freshmen year of high school when she was rushed to the emergency room after one of her kidneys burst.
She has regained her health back after 7 months, she finally had her 1st period after 15 months; however, she is maybe 20 pounds over her healthy weight.
I do not want her to become obese since I believe our side of the family is affected negatively by insulin, how can I approach this subject with her after the health issues she had and the young female mind.
No questions that haven’t been asked, really… looking forward to the “Dear Carrie” posts though!!!
Hi Carrie! WOW! You look amazing! Thanks for agreeing to answer questions.
My question is more for my kids. Do you have any tips for packing them good “primal friendly” lunches for school? Some variety would be nice.
Carrie & Mark – though I really enjoy MDA and the great (and helpful) information Mark provides, he still is a primal GUY, and we all know guys and girls are different critters. I am very interested in the primal female perspective and how it might differ, even if only slightly, from the males. Mark – I think you’ve opened Pandora’s box here!
Carrie & Mark – though I really enjoy MDA and the great (and helpful) information Mark provides, he still is a primal GUY, and we all know guys and girls are different critters. I am very interested in the primal female perspective and how it might differ, even if only slightly, from the male’s. Mark – I think you’ve opened Pandora’s box here!
Just one question from me.
How many grams of carbs does it take to activate fat deposition? (i.e. Mark’s carb curve is an excellent guide on a daily basis but what if I had 75g at one meal – would that have an adversely different impact than having 3x 25g meals over the course of a whole day?)
Many thanks (btw – you look great!)
Paul
Wow! Looking forward to your contributions!
I am also curious as to your workout routine and carbs/calories per day.
Thanks!
If I can look like you in 8 years I will be a very happy woman! I almost completely discounted MDA because one of the first pictures I saw was Mark with you and I thought “Figures! He writes all this health stuff and then goes and marries a 25 year old!” Glad I read the caption and found out the truth. I am still working on not jumping to conclusions but the eating and exercise are coming along better!
WOW! A wonderful inspiration you are to all of us women out there! I’d definitely be interested in your diet…how many carbs you eat…your protein sources…calories. Can’t wait to see more of your contributions.
Another question: What is your body fat percentage in the picture at the top of this thread?
I, too am a primal pescetarian and a mom to two! I have reached my goals in the past year or so and now share what I’ve learned with others through my fitness business where I incorporate primal principals into my training and nutritional counseling. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a superior role model for us all– I’m 34 and know for a fact that if I stay the course I will continue to reap the benefits and you are the proof. Awesome.
Now share some workout with us (if you please), I’m always looking for new ideas to keep it fresh. And I hope to see you regularly on the site.
Hi Carrie
I am just starting this journey towards eating more paleo. I am just wondering how much I should be eating. I am a crossfit member and do their workouts about 5 times a week. I don’t know what is too much or too little as far as calories go. How can I figure out roughly how much I need without eating too much or too little and not always hungry in between meals?
Thank you so much for helping out!
I was just wondering as an almost 50 year old woman with larger breast, is there a weight lifting regiment that would help reduce or tone them before they are completely bopping my knees when I walk?
OOOH. Great question. I think the answer is no, but interested in hearing from Carrie, because I too have WAY more than a handful!
Aw come on folks! Carrie looks great because she eats animal products! Lets stop giving the non-animal eaters undue credit. There are only two types of people in this world, those who eat animal products and those who don’t.
The red meat versus no read meat is an intramural debate among…ahem…flesh eaters.
Thanks Mark and Carrie. I’m looking forward to reading Carrie’s responses.
Michael
Nutrition and Physical Regeneration
WOW. You look absolutely fantastic!!!
My only question is that of many others: what is your ab routine????
Thank you!!
Someone else asked about “reproductive health” and specifically cramping. I have found that eating primally has drastically reduced the discomforts of having my period.
But what I want to know is how other women deal with the food cravings of PMS? I’ve been primal for a couple years now, but I actually feel like I spend every single month trying to get back on track after falling off the wagon during my previous pre-menstrual time! I do always get back on, then wham! The cravings, eating, and bloat of PMS hit again!
How do others deal with this?
I’m still anxiously awaiting Carrie’s first blog with answers to all these questions, but I thought I would respond to this specific one:
I, too, have noticed a reduction in cramps and such, but still the “same old” craving. I actually deal with them by giving in to them “primal style”…or what I perceive to be, anyhow. For me, chocolate is the key, so I immediately grab more almonds and enjoy organic dark chocolate. Sometimes I eat it plain. Sometimes I melt it and do a ganache style thing (I do dairy so I add cream, but you could totally use coconut oil or whatever works). And I’ll do this every night I feel the need to help satisfy me. I really think it’s helped keep me on track.
Mark, I’ve always thought you were in your 30s…. Haha!
Have you seen this article? I thought of you and your wife when I saw it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6219416/Middle-aged-women-who-exercise-turn-back-clock-by-16-years.html
Carrie, I have to echo everyone else’s comments that you look terrific (and happy! Which I think is a big part of ageing well).
I’m 42 myself, so wanted to know if you have any experience and insight into the big “M” (aka menopause), since the thought of going through it scares the bejeezus out of me. I think I’m a way off yet but am worried about the sudden ageing effect and weight gain that a lot of women seem to suffer (not to mention the brain fog, hot flashes and other symptoms). As I’m in Britain it won’t be easy to get nature identical hormone replacements unless I suddenly get rich so I’d like to know how best to combat the side effects and stop everything heading south, so to speak.
Hi Carrie,
You look fantastic!!!
I’d like to know how is a sample menu for you? And how do you workout?
Regards,
Susana
Well Mark, I think you found one of the most effective “click me” FB motivators by posting such a fabu pic of your wife!! haha
I thought I looked good for MY age, which I’m a 45 yr-young crossfitter who follows the paleo diet. I’m an Amer-Asian so good genes help my skin — but I’d also like to know what Carrie’s regimen is for that & her hair too.
Hi Carrie- how wonderful to see you!
I’m curious as to how you would have handled the hormonal issues listed above. BTW- I’m on a ton of excellent supplements & take natural dessicated thyroid for my hypo.
I second what Indiscreet says. I’d like to know how your dealt with perimenopause or menopause. I’m 47, hypothyroid, estrogen-dominant, insulin sensitive, have low testosterone, am GABA deficient, perimenopausal and despite my best efforts, am gaining weight (fat) on the PB (sigh). I eat & exercise according to Mark’s guidelines but have read that it’s really all about the hormones (not genes) and that we middle-aged gals need to work out more rather than less (yes, more that Mark recommends). You are obviously genetically blessed
wow, carrie looks fantastic! I’d LOVE to know what her workout routine is like!
Carrie, I’d like to know what your body fat percentage is, and what it was prior to becoming more primal. Thanks!
i have a girl crush on carrie.