Obligatory forum Introduce yourself thread page 482

[252dlp]

Your location: California

Age (If you want): 57, soon to be 58

How Primal are you: almost there; haven't quite given up my liquid Splenda or ocassional cheese and am using frozen veggies and fruits out of necessity.

Do you consume dairy: Not a lot, but will eat the ocassional piece of cheese. I am intolerant to the casein in milk products, so really do try to stay away as they cause sinus infections. The cheese seems to be okay, but I don't eat a lot of it.

Do you drink coffee or tea: Yes, this might be a hard habit to break...not because of the caffeine (I drink mostly decaf), but because of all the junk I put in it. I love my iced coffee in the morning, but mostly because I like the taste of it with the junk in it, and Starbucks is a special treat for me on weekends. Sigh.

Motivator for switching to Primal: I have reached my all-time high weight. I've gained about 30 pounds since the beginning of last year, my feet hurt, and I feel sluggish and tired all the time. I've lost most of the fitness I once had. I have a huge addiction to sugar, and most of the 30 pounds has been from stress eating fatty, sweet stuff. I'd really like to break that habit. Another reason is that I have some abnormal cells in an area where a precancerous growth was removed. I'm hoping that if I can reduce the inflamation from the stuff I eat, the cells might either never progress, or might actually go back to normal. Can't hurt.

Favorite exercise: Walking, used to LOVE weightlifting (I'm female), but lately can't seem to get motivated for it. I once did 2 rounds of P90X, and while I don't think I want to work THAT hard anymore, I DO want to get fit and toned.

Favorite Primal food: Ribeye steak.

Best part about being Primal: I do not have to track what I eat if I don't want to and I can take the principals anywhere I go...pretty easy to remember "eat plants and animals". I like tracking, but I also like the freedom to miss it once in a while.

Worst part about being Primal: Too new to have a worst I think. I'm eating plenty of veggies and fruits, so I'm not missing the sweets, which is what I thought might be the worst.

I'm not new to a lower carb diet; I've never felt better than I did when I was eating protein, fruits and veggies. I followed it for several years...my blood work was exceptionally good that whole time. Eventually I relaxed a bit from it, but still maintained my weight and fitness. Eventually stress took over and I started eating sweets...once I tasted that, it wasn't a pretty picture.

[Foodie]

Hi, I am going by the Username Foodie. I elected to give up wheat recenty to experiment what benefits I would experience and have been at it almost 2 months and have lost 12 pounds. Part way through I heard about the book Wheat Belly and read it and it convinced me to stick with the plan of giving up wheat and eliminating sugar too. My Naturopath once hearing I did this on my own, recommended the Primal BluePrint, which so far makes a lot of sense to me.

[KarenCreftor]

Hiya,

I'm semi-primal at the moment whilst finding alternatives that suit my health and tastes, but making gradual changes and really enjoying it
I've not read the book (I'm starting it tonight!) but have read a lot on this site and it makes sense to me. It fits in with what I already believed.
I'm currently 4 1/2 stone overweight and have lost 7lbs so far. I have hypermobility and I'm currently recovering from long term (about 25 years) heavy metal poisoning which I only discovered 18 months ago~ it's frustrating when it comes to exercise and allergies, but I'm getting there!
I'm totally a sugar addict~ but have managed to cut out sugar for three months with only the occassional slip (so not really totally cut out haha)~ but finding primal treat recipes online has helped when I do crave.
I'm increasingly getting obsessed with natural health (including beauty) and find it fascinating. I can't wait to get to know you all and love what I've read on here so far...It's so nice to find an online community that agrees that sugar and grains are not safe just because they're legal!
Anyway enough rambling, I'm off to read PB.
NN ~ Kaz x

[Firebear]

hi, Im in the UK, and started eating paleo a few years ago, with fabulous weight loss results. then for various reasons and gained some again, and am now eager to get back primal again. stumbled across this site and love it! thankyou for the inspiration and motivation!

[judyodonnell]

Hello Firechick,

I joined yesterday, and signed today to see what's happening - and your post came up..

Do you know, although I have been blessed with good skin, I used to go to school with a girl who had the most terrible acne I have ever seen (to this day). She had to get infra-red treatment ultimately as it was the only thing that would get rid of it. It was SPECTACULARLY successful. Okay, she was 18... but it was a miracle how she cleaned up. My step-son suffered very badly too for years - he is 32. He has successfully been treated via acupuncture.

I saw this too...Acne Eradicator - I don't know if it could help.

Blessings
Judy

Hi all ~ I'm Jen, a mom of 3 and a 9 year FF/EMT. Prior to that I was a fitness trainer for 10 years, well-versed in all the misconceptions that make up our society in regards to diet/fitness. I taught them and lived them... and did fine until I grew older, kept getting hurt, and finally had twins at the age of 31. To get weight off I'd use sketchy supplementation, extreme caloric deficits (1500-1800/day), high mileage running and weight resistance 3-4 x/wk. I was exhausted and constantly injured, and stretching more than I was running in a given day to keep from hurting. Finally I literally hit the wall - 9 weeks of above diet/exercise (up to 30 miles/wk) and a total loss of 3 lbs body fat. So I quit. And gained 15.

I have many friends in the fitness industry and heard "paleo" now and again, but I've always shied away from "fads" so didn't give it much thought until I talked to my doctor. We realized a problem was hormonal imbalance, and she encouraged me to try changing my diet to eliminate grains, sugars and dairy (yeah, right) in addition to starting hormone therapy. Well after seeing some, but not great, results I went to a highly-regarded friend and trainer and he sent me to this site. I devoured the book in 3 days and I am a believer! I have completely altered my eating (not overly difficult since I was basically doing everything anyway, just incorporating gluten-free grains). Changing my exercise regimen, however, was hard to do - everything that has been ingrained in me for years thrown out the window. And go figure, not only do I love my workouts now (sprints, HIIT, Tabatas, hikes, mixing it up!), I feel no guilt when I don't work out. Bonus - my plantar fasciitis pain has significantly decreased since I started using five-fingers.

This is a realistic, practical and fun lifestyle... I live in OC and commute to Vegas for work - the time spent preparing and packing my food is SO worth the benefit of eating primally and feeling great! My energy levels allow me to accomplish more when I'm home, even after a sleepless night (yes, I know it's part of the program but tell that to the dispatchers). I enjoy my children more and relax at home, and I'm more productive and awake at work.

A bit of advise-seeking real quick - since I started the program I have developed full-blown acne on my face. I've always struggled with it but it is BAD. I have been undergoing some changes with the hormone therapy, trying to get within the proper ranges (and hoping at some point eating primally my body will adjust its own levels) but the past 2 weeks are severe and very embarrassing. Advice please!

The Questions:

Your location: Orange County, CA/Las Vegas, NV

Age (If you want): 35

How Primal are you: right now about 95% (only 3 weeks in, 2 non-primal meals)

Do you consume dairy: 1-3x/wk (full fat cottage cheese, sometimes greek yogurt)

Do you drink coffee or tea: Coffee in am

Motivator for switching to Primal: Sick and tired of being sick and tired! And weight loss is a motivator as well.

Favorite exercise: HIIT, Tabatas, Running ... changing it up all the time

Favorite Primal food: almond butter, coconut milk

Best part about being Primal: constant energy throughout the day, feel lighter and more bouncy

Worst part about being Primal: that DH thinks I'm loco and refuses to get on the wagon (although he has RH, and DS3 has some mild PDD, so rather than primal, trying to transition my family to primarily gluten-free, organic, and eliminate a lot (not all) of processed foods.

[jlhdc]

In other forums I've been a member of in the past - at least for small communities - there's been a 'introduce yourself' thread with some questions that people can answer. I know that there are people reading this forum that are fully primal, partially primal, and are considering it. I thought that I'd put some questions together to cover these things just to get an idea of who's out there.


The Questions:


Your location: Wyomissing, PA

Age (If you want): 53

How Primal are you: partial, working toward fully

Do you consume dairy: minimal

Do you drink coffee or tea: no coffee, occasional tea, unsweetened

Motivator for switching to Primal: Dan Murphy, D.C.

Favorite exercise: peak fitness interval training, soccer

Favorite Primal food: meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables

Best part about being Primal: lose and maintain weight, good health and longevity

Worst part about being Primal:

staying away from pasta, bread, rice, and beans.

[CavemanInTraining]

Your location: Little Rock, AR

Age (If you want): 49

How Primal are you: I'd say 75% but I'm planning on getting closer to 100%.

Do you consume dairy: Heavy cream and some hard cheeses, but when I fall off the wagon I can put away some milk. Right now I'm avoiding everything but the heavy cream. Does butter count?

Do you drink coffee or tea: Please don't make me give up my coffee yet! I'm on the road a lot but I French press a strong pot every day I'm home.

Motivator for switching to Primal: Hot babes! OK....well I have a strong propensity for being a carb addict, and I've had a sibling die of type 1 diabetes, with a smattering of type 2 in my family, as well as some cancer, heart disease, etc.

Favorite exercise: Pumping iron. I've run a few 1/2 marathons but I'm built more for pushing the irons around. I'm changing that towards being more balanced though. I'm hoping being leaner and less inflamed due to the elimination of toxins will help the low back and some of the other aches and pains.

Favorite Primal food: Beef

Best part about being Primal: Eating fat. And the hopes of finding a hippie cave girl.

Worst part about being Primal: When I cave on the carbs I fall hard.

[vyieort]

Your location: Brooklyn, NY

Age (If you want): 35

How Primal are you: Right now, strictly 100% paleo actually

Do you consume dairy: Last week I did, but for the next month I won't

Do you drink coffee or tea: Nope

Motivator for switching to Primal: I know I have an autoimmune condition (spondylitis) but the symptoms are minimal unless I'm in prolonged cold, damp conditions. But, I know that I feel better without gluten, and grains have been feeling more and more like a "dirty" fuel, creating some lethargy and heaviness. I'm looking for a cleaner fuel for my increasingly active lifestyle while also doing what's best for my overall mood.

Favorite exercise: Running (a year ago I would never have thought I would put this down) and slacklining

Favorite Primal food: No single one—I'm a butcher and cookbook author so cooking is a passion.

Best part about being Primal: Yet to be determined, but for now it's the excitement of a new cooking challenge and refreshing change in life

Worst part about being Primal: Bunless Burgers (so far), though recipe testing for my next book this year is going to be a challenge!

[blujett8]

In other forums I've been a member of in the past - at least for small communities - there's been a 'introduce yourself' thread with some questions that people can answer. I know that there are people reading this forum that are fully primal, partially primal, and are considering it. I thought that I'd put some questions together to cover these things just to get an idea of who's out there.


The Questions:


Your location: New England, USA

Age (If you want): 37

How Primal are you: just getting started

Do you consume dairy: yes

Do you drink coffee or tea: yes, cutting back significantly though

Motivator for switching to Primal: genetic pre-diabetes issues. was a raw fooder and now moving on from that.

Favorite exercise: hiking, biking

Favorite Primal food: lamb

Best part about being Primal: strength, vitality

Worst part about being Primal: at the moment, BMI. I was probably too thin on raw foods and now gaining more than lean mass

[x-raymeg]

Your location: Ohio

Age (If you want): 38

How Primal are you: About 75%

Do you consume dairy: No

Do you drink coffee or tea: No

Motivator for switching to Primal: Lose weight and be healthy

Favorite exercise: Haven't started the exercises yet but looking forward to playing alot!

Favorite Primal food: Meat! Meat! Meat!

Best part about being Primal: Increased energy

Worst part about being Primal: Trying to convince children to put down those snacks!

I just started the PB way of life the second week of Jan 2013. I'm proud to say I have already lost 10lbs and I have not exercised once yet!! Looking forward to going completely Primal soon!!