Finally, I Am Me
It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!
Last September marked the one year anniversary of the beginning of my Primal Journey. It’s been a life changing year for me and my family. I finally feel ready to tell my story. So here we go…
I can honestly, whole-heartedly say that my whole life, I felt like I was way off course. I am smart, athletic, was always successful in school, came from a good family, knew my career choice (teacher) at a young age and was passionate about everything I did. Despite my “normal” life, I struggled deeply with anxiety as long as I can remember. I never felt normal, or like I could handle anything. The slightest bit of stress sent me into a life or death reaction. I honestly thought I was crazy, but I knew deep down that this wasn’t how I was supposed to be living my life. This wasn’t ok. I knew that for sure.
I was in constant pursuit of changing my outlook on life, but I just couldn’t make it happen. My anxiety spiraled out of control in my mid-twenties and I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My doctor suggested I go on Cipralex, a medication for anxiety and depression. It helped with my mood and I guess life went on, but the anxiety was always lurking in the background and it never felt right being on medication. My husband and I decided to have a baby, so I went off my anxiety medication. The anxiety symptoms returned full force and I was once again feeling out of control. I continued to try and manage it as we added a second beautiful child to our family, but I generally could not keep myself together. It was a tough couple of years. I was unhappy, moody, lost and felt completely alone.
On top of my ever present anxiety and all the other struggles that came with it (weight gain, strain on relationships, lack of sleep, isolation, depression) I was quickly developing horrible digestion issues and felt sick to my stomach after every meal. I had knee pain, back pain, bad seasonal allergies, acne, tendinitis, constant migraines, I was tired all the time, but suffered from insomnia for many years. I felt like I was falling apart and I was only 29. I was really struggling with my weight, which had been creeping up slowly since high school despite being involved in many sports, and eating “very healthy” according to the Canada Food guide. When I say healthy, I mean, “egg whites-whole grain bread-brown rice-oatmeal-no fat yogurt-no fat cottage cheese healthy.” We thought we were very aware of our diets, but I just couldn’t keep a healthy body composition. I was baffled. What was I doing wrong? I was at my worst when I should have been at my prime.
Finally, June 2011, I saw a naturopath who recommended that I give up Gluten and Dairy. I think I actually laughed at them. I thought in my head, there’s no way I could EVER do that. Coincidentally, soon afterward, I started talking to an Ultimate Frisbee friend who ate Primal (I know! Ultimate players know best!). He started talking about inflammation, omega 3-6 ratio, etc… To be honest, I was a bit lost in the whole conversation, but the simplicity of what he ate intrigued me. He told me about your site, I wrote it down on a napkin and checked you out the second I got home. I was hooked immediately! I bought The Primal Blueprint and The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation and started my research. I downloaded your fitness ebook, bought a few cookbooks, read every article I could cram in my brain and dove right in!
Exactly a year ago, I told my husband we were changing our lives and going Primal. He was amazing and 100% supportive from the start (despite his love for sandwiches, crackers, cereal and other high-carb fillers). We went cold turkey (ummmmm!) and our kids are Primal too. A month in I started seeing the changes…changes I didn’t even know I needed! I began to sleep better, wake up refreshed and maintain that energy throughout the day – it was incredible! A few more months went by and my acne disappeared, my knee pain, back pain, tendinitis and allergies were gone. The debilitating migraines that I was suffering from on a sometimes daily basis ceased. I lost 40 lbs and who knows how many inches, gained muscle and leaned out. My husband tells people I look like I did when he met me at 19. I feel younger and am so energetic. I am in the best shape of my life! And the most phenomenal benefit of Primal for me has been the complete change in my anxiety. I no longer feel like I am out of control. No more panic attacks, breakdowns, or feeling sorry for myself. The symptoms of GAD are non-existent. I finally feel like I am living my life the way I should be. I am a better mother, a better wife, a better teacher, a better Me. I am Me. I am truly happy. Finally. I have never been able to say that.
Primal living has changed my life and this passion could not be contained. People were asking me what I had been doing so often, I decided to start running Primal Information and Cooking workshops in my community. I am a full time teacher and love Primal, so I thought I’d combine the two. It has been a great success and I have inspired many people in my community to take control of their health. This past year has been amazing. I feel like I am just beginning. Thanks for all your amazing inspiration, Mark. I can’t wait to see what I can do next!
Nikki
P.S. I am looking forward to taking a Primal Blueprint Certification course through Mark’s Daily Apple…hoping you have one in the works…wink wink.
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Way to go! Your story is similar to mine (and so many others, it seems). I always felt like something just wasn’t quite right. Now, I’m switched on and ready to go all the time. You look so content and at peace in your own skin. All the best for the future! I’m 5 months primal and can’t wait to see what the next 7 months bring for me. – a fellow Canuck
It only gets better! Thanks so much!
Holly cow girl! Your story just dropped my jaw!
Although I have never been a huge person… I did struggle to lose the weight after my first child.
I now know that it was the serious malnutrition that kept me fat and was the foundational cause of post natal depression. Girl, I relate!
I have just recently decided to eat paleo… and raw besides cooking my meet.
Like you, I keep wondering when am I finally going to be happy with the life I’m living? Thanks for sharing your amazing story. It’s so beautiful, you are beautiful.
Love Madelain
p.s. is that your veggie garden… totally jealous! can’t wait to keep my own organic garden.
Wonderful story, I am so happy for you and your family! What stands out to me is how much your outlook on life has been affected in a positive way, not to mention your rockin’ bod!
This is just one of the best Friday stories I’ve read so far. Your story has elements that anyone and everyone can relate to and your transformation is inspiring. I love it! Congratulations to your entire family.
Thank you so much! I am overwhelmed by the response. The Primal community is so AMAZING!
Your story sounds so similar to mine I felt like I was reading my own story! The anxiety… my goodness I’m so grateful it’s gone!
I am overwhelmed by the response. The Primal community is so AMAZING!
Wow, the after pictures look incredible. What a transformation! I recently looked at a picture of myself from a year ago and I can’t believe how bad I looked before I dropped 35 pounds.
It’s tough to believe that our diet can affect our brain so much and cause problems like anxiety. I’m glad that primal was able to help her solve all her problems.
Your story is awesome. Anxiety sucks and it’s so demoralizing to suffer in silence, feeling broken when comparing yourself to those around you. I found that when switching to Primal, the increased consumption of fats helped soothed anxiety.
It’s one of the dirtiest secrets in Medicine that I wish more people know about. Low fat diets are linked to depression (and even suicide)….
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/the-risks-low-fat-diets
Yes, and also linked to Alzheimers. Thanks for the article!
Congratulations! Fabulous story! Thank you so much for sharing. The world needs to hear more stories like yours. Kudos also for educating your community and sharing your new passion for life and health. Warm wishes to you and your beautiful family.
Wow. Great story Nikki. You look great, happy and the “former” you looks like a stranger relative to the new you. Amazing what “real” food can do for a person!
This is such a beautiful story. I am soooo happy for you and your husband. Each of these Friday stories sound so much the same, but each one is utterly unique and empowering. Yours is truly beautiful. You’re now super hot, got some rockin’ abs, and your outlook and emotional health looks like they might have improved more than your body.
What is always so great with getting control of one’s nutrition is all the other benefits that come along with it that one never even knew were problems associated with nutrition to begin with. And your story just beautifully highlights that facet.
Congratulations, and enjoy your new life!
Loved your story. You are an amazing inspiration. I am 3 months in today (I have the 90 day mark circled on my calendar). It was so easy to make it this far. 25 pounds down and counting. I can’t believe how far I’ve come especially since everything else I’ve ever tried did not work. Seeing the transformation is just another push for me to be the best I can be as a primal woman. Best of luck to you and your family!
GROCK on and Carry on!
Congratulations, Nikki! The difference in is remarkable. I’ve read before about diminished anxiety on primal which is truly an amazing and not-so-well recognized benefit. But for those who suffer from it, lessening the anxiety is huge! I, too, am looking forward to hearing more about the certification process.
Good luck!
Way to take charge of your health, and it’s great you’re helping other people find their way as well. You’re also doing your kids an amazing service by modeling for them the primal lifestyle while they’re so young.
Wow, amazing story. I know everyone wants to look great and all (which btw you do), but whats really inspiring is how much better you feel! Pretty cool that your running those workshops, keep it up.
How did you do going cold turkey? Personally I’m a fan of that approach, but how did it work for you?
For me personally, cold turkey was the only way. I do things %100…that’s my personality, and I saw results quicker, and started feeling great pretty quickly, so that made it easier to stay committed and make it my family’s lifestyle. Not everyone is like this, I know and it gets tricky with kids involved, but mine are young, so they didn’t really know the difference.
Holy WOW! Great story. Congratulations on your success and how you’re helping others. I’m always so happy when the next generation “gets it”.
FanTAStic, and way to go on making it a whole family endeavor. My wife and kids aren’t there, and that’s hard for me. Congratulations.
It’s definitely more of a challenge with kids, but mine were young. It was also almost more important for me to get it right because of them. Just lead by example with them, and stay positive!
You look wonderfully healthy! Awesome job!!
Congrats! So wonderful that you discovered the primal lifestyle at young age. Your kids don’t know it now but you have given them a precious gift – your health and their future well-being.
Mark, honestly, what would we do without you. You are saving so many lives
Congratulations, Nikki! You look fantastic. What are you doing in the way of exercise?
I have a gym membership, which isn’t really necessary, but I enjoy getting out and getting that break from the kids. BUT, I could realistically only make time to get there once a week, SOMETIMES twice. The key for my fitness was Mark’s fitness ebook. (The link is in my story). It was so simple, natural, and easy to use, but versatile at the same time. I never got bored of it. I did that workout at the gym, once a week. I added some new stuff here and there (free weights, skipping for warm up, etc) to get the most out of my time there too. I also play Ultimate once a week over the summer. But, honestly, no cronic cardio. I get out an walk with the family, hiking, and am always actively playing with my children. I am also a Kindergarten teacher, so I am constantly on the move during the day.
This is great stuff, thanks for sharing your story Nikki! How has going Primal affected your husband (wieght, health, etc.) and what was your workout routine during the past year?
My Husband noticed the most improvements in his energy level. He toned out even more than he already was, and started to see more muscle without working out. I explained above what my workout routine was. Nothing hardcore, once a week, or whenever I could fit it in. Basically used Mark’s fitness ebook, and ultimate frisbee. BEST SPORT EVER (well, hockey is pretty close!).
Always nice to see a story of someone else who dropped anxiety after going primal. I think that may be the greatest thing about the lifestyle, far more impressive than weight loss alone!
Man, you must be an AWESOME inspiration in your community! I love this, totally relate: “…changes I didn’t even know I needed” That’s the best thing of all, I think, is discovering all the stuff you didn’t even know you were putting up with.
What an awe inspiring story! I am now going to model myself after your story. I’m so excited for you (and me, modeling myself after you).
Wow, how great that you got life back in spades, and a new calling, too! It’s great to be healthier and have energy–I second that!
Great stuff Nikki. Wonderful story and transformation. It’s not easy getting the whole family to go primal. And awesome that you are spreading the word!
Sooo proud of you Nikki! Thanks for all the support everyone. answering a q, I’ve always been lean, but have noticed some further toning even, and the energy for family life is infinite now! Piggy back hikes and dance parties in the living room, bring it all on!
Congratulations!!! I love reading the success stories.
Awesome transformation!! It never ceases to amaze me just how profound the benefits are of a Primal lifestyle. For me, it’s increased creativity as well as everything else. Keep it up, chick!! The gift you are giving your entire family is priceless.
As a fellow Ultimate Frisbee player of Nikki’s I can vouch for the amazing transformation she has gone through. Nikki you are an awesome woman, wife, mother…& ultimate player . I am glad you told your story, it brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks Leah!
Nikki, I got teary reading this. I have had similar symptoms for much of my adult life (I’m 44, and a former ultimate player) – anxiety, depression, acne, bloating, lack of energy, belly fat (that I thought was genetic), although not overweight. I’ve now been gluten free for about 3 months but not 100% primal.. I feel so much better than I did, but you’ve inspired me to go all the way primal (no more corn tortillas…). Thank you so much for your inspiration!!
Awesome! What an amazing experience this has been for me. If I can do it, you can do it! To inspire others is an amazing feeling. WOW!
congrats on the anxiety cessation! how weird it is to wake up one day and say to yourself, “woah, i’m not panicking like i normally do.”
I know you are married and all but hot hot hot.
Shame on me. Blessings on you. Well done!