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Hello all,
The title of the thread says introducing myself is obligatory, so...here we are.
I've been doing my best to follow a Primal lifestyle since about May of this year, having gotten fed up with a higher protein/minimal carb/low fat plan I was following previously, to some success. I got to the point, though, where I would beat myself up for giving in to a craving for an apple (!) and that's when I decided to start looking for a better way. A friend who has had great success with transitioning to a Paleo lifestyle put me on to MDA and I plowed through the website, books and forums...and there is still so much information I haven't been able to get to.
My goal is to be as healthy as I can, period. I don't feel the need to be a size 2 or have cut abs or the tightest ass imaginable. Do I have plenty of fat to lose? For sure. But I know under that fat lies a strong body that I appreciate every day for what it does for me. I crave a healthy relationship with food, something I've never had as long as I can remember. I've been overweight since I was a child (first trip to the nutritionist at age 6!), hitting my highest weight of 344lbs at the age of 23, the day I underwent gastric bypass surgery. I absolutely do not regret choosing the path I did because at the time I felt there were no better options, but the years since then haven't been without struggle in some form or another.
I learn something new every day reading through what is posted here on these forums, and I will continue to do so, figuring out my path as I go.
On to the Q&A!
Your location: Calgary, AB
Age (If you want): 32
How Primal are you: I strive to be as fully Primal as possible, but still have kinks to work out...still need to sort out the fitness aspect - although I do work out (and enjoy it!), I still haven't started incorporating sprints and my workouts are less consistent than I'd like.
Do you consume dairy: Rarely - my current treat is a bit of Kerrygold butter now and again, which I had to smuggle home from overseas as it is! Once in a blue moon I will add some full fat cream to a coffee if I'm out (coconut cream is my go-to coffee add-in), and I won't pass up a bit of cheese now and again, but I don't keep it around.
Do you drink coffee or tea: A cup or two of coffee in the morning, herbal tea for the rest of the day (4 or 5 cups - rather tea than water).
Motivator for switching to Primal: It makes sense.
Favorite exercise: I love kettlebell work (not swings so much, as I have some spine issues) and am a huge fan of sledgehammer workouts.
Favorite Primal food: Hello, Alberta beef...? Steak. Gimme.
Best part about being Primal: Knowing that I am doing right by my body in by treating it in a way it's meant to be.
Worst part about being Primal: Trying to sort what's really best for me, because nobody's Primal journey is the same as anyone else's.
So, there we go...now that the intro's out of the way, I'm off to post a thing or two :)
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Guess I'll add my own reply to this thread! After all, we need to get it to at least 500 pages;)
[B]Your location:[/B] Ohio! Just moved to a different part of the state and am loving it. Former Colorado gal. I miss my mountains but love the humidity here.
[B]Age (If you want)[/B]: Not 30 yet! That comes next year
[B]How Primal are you:[/B] Primal enough to be able to spell Quetzalcoatlus and say it correctly! Seriously though, probably about 95%
[B]Do you consume dairy:[/B] YES! Milk and cheese and yogurt are delicious, amazing foods. Soon as I get a job, I'm buying into a herdshare so I can have raw milk
[B]Do you drink coffee or tea:[/B] Tea only, no coffee. Peach Green Tea is my favorite, but I'm now in love with a vanilla green tea from Germany.
[B]Motivator for switching to Primal:[/B] Cavities. I went to the dentist in November and he said I had five cavities and needed to get fillings. I said no thank you and went home to do some research. After reading Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel, I started eating what turned out to be pretty primaly. I'm sticking to this and can't wait to show up to the dentist in May and show him a perfect mouth.
[B]Favorite exercise:[/B] Walking, stretching. I'm not much of an exerciser and wish I would do it more often.
[B]Favorite Primal food:[/B] Mushrooms!
[B]Best part about being Primal:[/B] More energy, knowing I'm making myself strong and healthy
[B]Worst part about being Primal:[/B] I miss my brownies. However, my coconut oil/cocoa powder/honey/vanilla fudge is a nice substitute when the chocolate urge must be satisfied.
So, there you have it! A quick intro about me. Now I think I'll go poke around the boards a little more and see what's up!
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Hey gang...I see that an introduction is obligatory, so here goes...
Your location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Age (If you want): 31
How Primal are you: I'm mostly primal...my non-primal splurges are white rice (a few times a month), corn very infrequently (only when having tacos), and full-fat dairy (oranic whole milk in post workout shakes and all types of cheese). I also loves potatoes, which I believe to be primal, but that seems to be debatable.
Do you consume dairy: Yup...see above.
Do you drink coffee or tea: Only one coffee in the morning (I used to drink about 12 cups a day, but it had started to cause bad anxiety) and herbal tea throughout the day and at night.
Motivator for switching to Primal: Digestion issues. I know something is not right inside of my belly, and it has only been getting worse as I get older. I'm pretty sure gluten is the main culprit (which is why I'm cutting it out completely). I also get a lot of aches and pains and injure myself frequently which stops me from doing the things I love...I think a primal approach will help with this. Of course, there's also the vanity motivation :)
Favorite exercise: Squats! I used to hate them, but I've come to really love them.
Favorite Primal food: Prime rib roast...mmmm!
Best part about being Primal: No digestion issues. I feel that my teeth are cleaner too...more smooth, like when you get a dental cleaning done.
Worst part about being Primal: No Guinness! :(
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Your location: Chicago better known as the windy city
Age (If you want): 27
How Primal are you: About 65 - 70%. It's only been a few weeks, so I am making progress.
Do you consume dairy: Yes, only cheese with my breakfast and the occasional yogurt snack (I know, I know).
Do you drink coffee or tea: Tea primarily, I've have coffee every blue moon
Motivator for switching to Primal: Just trying to get into better shape after years of battling the bulge :)
Favorite exercise: Hitting the heavy bag, nothing like reliving Rocky IV or my favorite UFC moment!
Favorite Primal food: Spinach or Turkey
Best part about being Primal: Feeling great and the difference in my body composition
Worst part about being Primal: I miss my chips, I love chips.....
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Your location: Worcestershire UK
Age (If you want): 34
How Primal are you: In the last 3 weeks, about 95% - early days but feel superb
Do you consume dairy: Yes - mainly butter for cooking, and still small amount of milk, but considering a trial period without the milk
Do you drink coffee or tea: Switched to tea only since I started out, again considering a trial without it, in week 5. (I have a structure for going primal which has helped me to change habits gradually)
Motivator for switching to Primal: Got sick of feeling awful, yo yo weight all my life, massive sweet tooth, had enough if it. Nature knows best.
Favorite exercise: Hiking and calisthetic type stuff - swinging sticks/axes and other 'natural' weight training
Favorite Primal food: To many to choose from, possibly streaky bacon cooked until crispy + scambled eggs + whatever greens. I cooked the shepherds pie using cauliflower from the recipe book last night, used Turkey mince and it was amazing. I am a foodie - I could go on for ever - smoked or salt cured salmon, fresh salads simply dressed in olive oil, black pepper and lemon juice, cooked chicken refried in olive oil and fajita seasoning (you must try that one) throw it on top of the fresh salad, mmmmm...., my own recipie dried coconut, nut and dried fruit museli....ok stop now. Basically I love the fact that going primal guarantees quality in what you eat and makes cooking everything very rewarding.
Best part about being Primal: Knowing its the right move, feeling way way way better, weight loss. Muscle tone appearing with little exercise, and not feeling the cold in winter (a surprising one, but in this climate, rather welcome). Growing a beard :D
Worst part about being Primal: Well, going out with some mates to the christmas market, I started off refusing beer and burgers, but ended up feeling left out, so the hardest part is knowing when to derail for social reasons (but I guess that can be worked out over time)
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Your location: Alexandria, VA
Age (If you want): 44
Do you consume dairy: Little
Do you drink coffee or tea: Yes, to both
Motivator for switching to Primal: Lifestyle change
Favorite exercise: Running on the treadmill
Favorite Primal food: My guacamole
Best part about being Primal: Better health
Worst part about being Primal: Haven't found one
Since starting a Paleo/Primal Blueprint lifestyle change, I've lost 30 pounds in 7 months and I don't experience daily chronic heartburn - I never knew about gluten until reading Mark's book. There are a couple twists to my lifestyle change: I IF in the evenings (no foods after 6:30pm; liquids are OK), and I apply a Raw approach to vegetables (sans the seeds, grains, etc). Evening IF eliminates a bedtime bloating sensation.
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The Questions:
Your location:London
Age (If you want):31
How Primal are you:90%
Do you consume dairy:Yes (only raw unpasteurised)
Do you drink coffee or tea:Yes, I drink tea, one of my vices I guess...:-)
Motivator for switching to Primal:I read the Wheat Belly blog and then came across the Primal Blueprint and MDA and noticed immediate difference in energy levels (through the roof), general state of mind (very happy and no SAD syndrome anymore), weight loss (can actually see my stomach muscles, for first time ever).
Favorite exercise:Not started yet, but will start with bodyweight excersizes and like the idea of going swimming again!
Favorite Primal food:Everything really, although I will have to give the bone broth a try...
Best part about being Primal:That I feel great and know I am doing myself a huge favour by going primal.
Worst part about being Primal:Nothing whatsoever!
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Hello Guys:
I'm initiating a Primal lifestyle as of today. I'm currently 34 years old, 269 lbs and with a total lack of energy, anxiety and bad mood. I'm considering the change since I have tried every single diet since I was 18, I lost 70 lbs last year and gained back 20. I don't want to yo-yo all of my life and my cousing who is an MD, suggested I read the PB. I have read the whole book and decided to start asap. My main concern is how long it will take to see real results and if consuming so much fat reflect on my blood work. I don't have any problems or suffer from anything other than being obese, but I really need to make a change in my life. To anyone that can offer their advice it would be rally appreciated. I plan to write often to update my results, hope all goes well.
Your location: Lima, Peru
Age (If you want): 34
How Primal are you: Beginning, will be totally primal.
Do you consume dairy: Yes, but quitting.
Do you drink coffee or tea: Yes, but quitting.
Motivator for switching to Primal: Obesity, lack of energy, lifestyle change
Favorite exercise: walking, squats, pushups.
Favorite Primal food: Eggs, bacon.
Best part about being Primal: Don't know yet, hope it works.
Worst part about being Primal: No sweets, will be a major challenge for me.
Regards,
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Hi to all.
Interesting reading :)
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Your location: Derry NH
Age (If you want): 52
How Primal are you: 80% I don't get grass fed and wild caught meats and fish but I don't eat any processed foods or grains. I try to sleep at least 8 hours, exercise regularly.
Do you consume dairy: I use butter in cooking and cream in coffee.
Do you drink coffee or tea: Coffee but I am cutting back slowly
Motivator for switching to Primal: Did not feel well for years. Diagnosed with everything from Fibromyalgia to atheritis, to asthma and anxiety. Since change of diet health has been great.
Favorite exercise: Step but I am starting to love lifting
Favorite Primal food: meat(red)
Best part about being Primal: Being able to get in the morning and feel good instead of being in constant pain.
Worst part about being Primal: Having to plan out my food. I am not a good planner. Now I have to plan out my week to be sure I have food I want to eat for lunches.
