Contest: Ask Me a Question. Win a Book.
The Prize:
The book, the whole book, and nothing but the book. I’m giving away a copy of The Primal Blueprint to five lucky readers. Already own a copy? Win another and give it to Uncle Wilbur. Everyone knows he could use it.
The Contest:
Ask me a question about the challenge. Leave your question in the comments section of this post. I’ll pick 5 questions and answer those questions in my video post on Monday, August 10. If I read your question on the video, you’ve won! Be sure to use your real email address when leaving a comment.
Examples:
“Is it okay to adjust my goals halfway through the challenge if I don’t think I’ll succeed?”
“I’ve dropped 3 lbs so far, but I’m insanely hungry and I can’t tell if it’s body fat or water weight I’m dropping. I’m happy about the weight loss, but I don’t feel vibrant and energized. Do I change what I’m doing or muscle through?”
“How much can I really expect to change in one month? It doesn’t seem possible to go through a complete body transformation in this amount of time.”
“I’m 65, decided to add sprinting to my list of goals, and very quickly realized my knees aren’t yet ready for it. Is there a good alternative to the wind sprint?”
“Boxers or briefs?” (Kidding! Please don’t ask that.)
Eligibility:
From the United States to the United Kingdom and from New Zealand to New Delhi everyone is eligible. No restrictions.
The Contest End Time:
Midnight tonight. So ask those questions now!
How the Winner Will Be Determined:
- Executive decision. I will pick 5 questions to answer.
- If multiple people ask the same question I will hold a random drawing to decide which one will be answered on the video.
To track all the contests visit The Primal Blueprint Health Challenge Contest Page for daily updates.
Visit The Primal Blueprint Health Challenge for challenge details.
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Can one overindulge in the primal concept so heavily that it will deteriorate instead of promote health, or is this truly the exception to balance and moderation?
I have done well on changing my dietary habits and have lost quite a bit of weight and overall have been feeling pretty good… the one bad habit I haven’t had success changing is smoking…
my question is: are there supplements or suggestions that will help reprogram the brain so I can be successful in my desire to quit smoking?
I realize that I can’t get totally on board the program until I lose the smokes, unfortunately I haven’t been able to do that yet, but it one of my goals for this month!!!
Regarding (re)programming our minds, what are your thoughts about using subliminal mind tapes/cd’s to influence our subconscious minds into aiding in thinking in a positive PB state?
Dear Mark,
Thanks for your challenge! I have been eating mostly primal for eight years now. Initially I lost 140 lbs but as time has gone on it has slowly creeped up a bit. I don’t believe the Dr. is right telling me its because I am over 40, so when you presented the challenge, I decided to look at my carb intake. I ate around 50-75 carbs a day eating veggies, berries, nuts and seeds. What I am doing for the challenge, (actually I started one week ahead) is cutting back on those things and eating only a few seeds on my salads and low and behold weight loss is happening! (About 20 grams of carbs a day from veggies) Here is my question: Is that carb intake too low to continue for a long period of time? My body seems to react well to a low amount of carbs, but I don’t want to eat too little. I know everyone is different, but let me know what your opinion is on this please.
Thanks!
Is the very point of your existence to ensure “maximum survival?” Or Is the objective of health, fitness and longetivity a means greater end?
Contest aside, I would like your thought sometime. As much as I love the concepts you’ve put fourth, I can’t help but ask “for what purpose?”
So I have been eating a variety of nuts. 32 years old, 187 tall, very fit at 95 kg, (no sixpack, but a solid build and a fourpack),
No rice, no pasta, no potatoes, no grains 8even cut the oatmeal), but yes to fruit and veggies.
The occasional cheat.
Now the question is, is there an upper limit for nut consumption?
I limited my daily nuts to 100 grams (brazil, almonds, cashew, etc), and feel it is too little. This is a test, as I usually just measure with my eye, and wanted to know what would be a suitable number in grams…
Any recommendation?
How does the Primal Blueprint/the primal way of life in general affect your sexual life? You’re obviously married and have been doing the primal thing for a while as well, so can you make any positive comments towards how becoming primal might improve this area of a person’s life?
Thanks, Isaac
When I try to explain my diet to people, they immediately say “Oh, you are doing Atkins.” Well, no, but it can seem similar a bit. And then I get criticized for all the faults with Atkins. People tell me that Atkins is bad for the liver, that you end up getting fatter if you ever go off of it than you were to start with, and other general “that’s BAD for you” claims. Are they just wrong? I read your chart comparing the PB with other diets, but I was wondering if you could go into more detail about the possible negatives to low-carb diets?
What would you say to doctor’s recommendations to have large amounts of grains in one’s diet for the purpose of getting enough fiber moving through your system?
Dear Mark,
Say what you want about carbs, but they’re CHEAP! I can get a 20 lb. bag of rice for about the same cost as 1 lb. of steak.
For those of us on a tight budget, is there an inexpensive way to go Primal?
Dear Mark,
I’m currently having a hard time following the Primal Blueprint, as I am preparing for a fitness model competition. I have to constantly watch what I eat (foods are primal though) and I have to do way more exercise than you recommend.
Do you have any advice for us who want to get super lean and still be Primal? What would be a perfect compromise?
Hi Mark,
A couple of foods I am wondering about, carrots, radishes, green string beans.
I also make pickled asparagus, cauliflower and peppers is that ok with the vinager, salt, red peppers, garlic and dill.
Thanks I really enjoying the diet and trying really hard, as soon as my daughter leaves for college I am cleaning out the kitchen it will be totally primal.
I have been keeping track of protein, carbs, and fats to see what proportions I end up with following the primal way of eating. The fat is usually around 50-55%. I am not fat-phobic at all, but I am wondering if that is an expected range on this way of eating?
Hello Mark,
I’ve been wondering this for a while – are there any posts in particular you recommend for convincing people that calories != weight gain/loss?
One of my goals is to get more and better sleep. I order to do this I’ve been taking 1 500mg chewable melatonin before bed. I does seem to help me get better sleep. I’ve heard that is perfectly harmless and even an antioxidant. Are there any potential drawbacks to using melatonin longterm?
In order…
It does…
woops!
True or false: Milk, it does a body good.
My kids (2 & 4) love milk. Should they be drinking so much? I give them organic whole milk. My wife thinks we should use skim. (Fat is good, right?) What do you recommend for children?
I think this is an interesting inquiry Mark, let’s see what you think. There are several constituents of armed forces around the world attempting to live out the PB beside “junkers.” During this time expressed pressure during training can cause a soldier to revert to their previous, and perhaps more unhealthy eating lifestyle.
My Question… is it entirely possibly that the PB provides superior / refined results that are quantifiable; and how could any results be measured beyond logical competition.
P.S. Please inscribe “To immortal0ver¢r” when autographing my copy.
How do we ensure that we are obtaining enough dietary calcium without consuming dairy? Im a former skim-milk-and-yogurt-lover, but my father has problems with bone density. So to my family, it seems almost blasphemy to suggest dairy elimination. Are there particular vegetables to eat to obtain calcium? And it must be absorbed with vitamin D or magnesium?
Hi Mark and Crew!
I just read through the questions others have asked and the one I really want to know about is how much fruit? I am a sugar JUNKY and have gone primal as of Monday this week. I am very, very proud of myself because it’s a challenge living in the land of meat and potatoes (MN). I have been eating berries and some peaches – this curbs my sugar jitters, but I’m noticing NO loss on the scale. None – and of course in my mind I should have lost at least 5 pounds this week! Is it possible that even though I am eating primal I’m still just eating way too much? Are the fruits holding me back from my goal of weight loss?
Also, I have incorporated sprints into my workouts. I KB, lift weights, jog (no more than 4 mi) and now sprint. I notice after sprinting my knee feels funny – I wouldn’t call it pain exactly – it’s more like it needs a good stretch on the front and back of the knee. I haven’t had this issue before so I am attributing it to the sprinting (which I love by the way). Any advice on keeping the knees healthy?
Thank you so much for your time.
Mark, What about fasting? do you perscribe to the notion that intermediate fasting a good idea, between meals and excerise program.
Hi Mark, I’ve been following your website pretty much everyday for the last month.
I’m a big fan of Cordain’s work and digest almost everything he puts out. I’m interested in your book, even if I don’t win your book, what can I gain from your book that may add to my Primal/Paleo routine. How does it differ, what do you go over etc.
Consider my question an infomercial for your book as compared to what else is out there.
Great work and keep it up.
Hi, I have been following the Paleo diet for 5 day’s now and feel so much healthier and overall lighter. My questions is what is the difference in the Paleo Diet and Primal Blueprint?
Thank you,
Leigh Ann
Hi Mark,
I’ve started growing my PB lifestyle about 9 months ago. 90%+ of the food and fitness behaviours are in place. At this stage of my development, the psychological part of PB is where my focus goes.
That there is one aspect where I’d like your advice: it’s what you could call “PB and the Power of Now”. Allow me to explain.
One of the essential differences between human beings and animal is the ability to dissociate (ie: the ability to see their life like a movie, and from a distance). For example, dissociation is what makes it possible to project oneself into the future or in the past.
Seems to me that Grok was a lot more associated, a lot more “in the moment” than us modern urbanites. To check it, you just need to refer to the way of processing of tribes, early generation native Americans etc…
Practically, I’ve been taking myself through periods of the day where I make the conscious effort of “staying within” or “in the Now”. As new-agey as it sounds, my stress levels and ability to connect with others and the world around has significantly improved as a result.
What’s your take on this? It may appear a bit like lateral thinking initially but, if we may consider taking up hunting in order to live like Grok, shouldn’t we also put ourselves in his shoes and think the way he did?
Here’s a question. I’m lean and trim now, but have that last stubborn 2-3 lbs of fat that covers my abs. What’s the best way to get rid of it, (the fat that is, not the abs!). I’m already pretty much 100% primal, but at 49 is it too late to define those abs?
I’m in my 40′s and sport 6 pack abs.
I’ve asked Mark below whether this is optimum for health but personally I’ve found gymnastic type moves, such as planks, levers and planches, pull everything in right down to the lower groin.
I even avoided hernia surgery by performing high bar levers to stengthen right down “below”.
I used to do gymnastics so have an advantage but build up over time, include some vacumns and the abs will come.
Bodyfat <=10% normally displays the abs.
As you’re someone who sports six-pack abs., how important do you think bodyfat levels are for health and longevity etc. within a primal / paleo context.
If your abs. show ~10% bodyfat is there a benefit? Would Grok be ripped or would he have been better off with a 20-25% bodyfat as outlined by Peter (Hyperlipid) for times when food was sparse?
Although all the proponents of sleeping in pitch darkness (a la “Lights Out”) for benefits to recovery in accordance to our circadian rhythms, it seems that they usually always think that Grok had access to a dark cave to make his abode. They don’t, however, mention the effects of moonlight nor morning light, and the effects that may have on recovery. Afterall, Grok probably did sleep out in the open most of the time, and thus, these things should not be discounted as far as healthy sleeping habits go. What are your thoughts on this?
Two questions:
1. What do you think about eating once a day?
2. How did you get the idea for this contest?
/Fanny
I have celiac disease. Do you think that Primal Blueprint will help the villi in my intestines heal faster than what a basic gluten free diet would???
Thank you!
Crimson
Mark,
How would you suggest helping small children (who are very picky) transition to the primal diet with their parents?