Obligatory forum Introduce yourself thread page 486

[KarenCreftor]

I just realised I didn't do the questions :P Here we go...

Your location: Kent UK

Age (If you want): 32 in 2 weeks

How Primal are you: hmmm I'd say 50-60% but improving each week

Do you consume dairy: some strong cheddar and butter

Do you drink coffee or tea: no, never liked them

Motivator for switching to Primal: It speaks to me. I've always been interested in whole health and whole food, so when I recently found PB it made sense. I also have long term illnesses that I'm trying to cure and/or improve with lifestyle... adrenal exhaustion, joint hypermobility and chronic heavy metal poisoning.

Favorite exercise: walking, dancing, kundalini yoga, kettlebells and basic movement/aerobic exercises adepending on what my body allows that day.

Favorite Primal food: Grass fed steak....*dribbles*

Best part about being Primal: it's perfect for a nature hippy like me, it's natural, it's SO healthy (physically and mentally), it makes sense, it's fun experimenting with recipes, it's so tasty, it's not based on propoganda (it's REAL!)...I really could go on and on!

Worst part about being Primal: Finding it hard to give up the convenient/cheap carbs, living in a non-primal household and everyone who finds out your primal trying to force the CW on you.

[sickofsick]

Your location: White Bear Lake, MN

Age: 34

How primal are you: Just trying to figure it out. Haven't finished book yet. Freaking out about salad dressing.

Do you consume dairy? I am stopping milk but keeping cheese and yougurt.

Do you drink coffee or tea? I LOVE coffee!

Motivator for switching to primal? I think i am having allergies, the science makes sense, i wanna get off all my antidepressants, and stop all my tummy, and thyroid problems. i'm SICK of being SICK!!!

Favorite exercise: I really enjoy my classes at energy pilates and fitness, also gardening.

Favorite Primal food: ????????

[Yenni]

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!

I've noticed that milk products are a big cause of acne for me. This is my primary motivator of avoiding them. Additionally eating too low-fat and consuming grains make my skin break out. Aside from the PMS related random zits I occasionally get, my skin stays very clear by avoiding both milk products and grains, and eating quite a bit of fat.

Have you tried giving up milk products for a while and seeing if things improve?

(It might be more hormonal though, in which case I'm afraid I can't really help.)

[Jenn H]

Hi! I am just starting Primal today. A friend and I are doing the 21 day challenge. I am both nervous and excited. I have quite a bit of weight to lose, and am hoping that this will be the way that I am FINALLY able to do it.

[Heidi2005]

Your location: Portland, Oregon

Age (If you want): 25

How Primal are you: currently 90% primal and I reserve the other 10% for out of my control situations

Do you consume dairy: no

Do you drink coffee or tea: yes

Motivator for switching to Primal: challenge from my fitness studio

Favorite exercise: currently doing TRX with a semi private trainer in Portland

Favorite Primal food: coconut

Best part about being Primal: the way I don't feel like a zombie in the morning and how I don't really need coffee anymore!!!

Worst part about being Primal: planning. Lots of planning.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!!

[Amethyst42]

Your location: The chilly chilly centre of Canada

Age (If you want): 43

How Primal are you: Just started. For the last 5 days I've done alright, thought!

Do you consume dairy: I'm just down to just cultured yogurt, but I may add well-aged cheese.

Do you drink coffee or tea: Coffee. Black. I've gone down to two cups a day, I grind my own beans, and take great care in selecting them. It's my passion.

Motivator for switching to Primal: A myriad of health problems that doctors are not able to diagnose or solve. As well, despite being reasonably active (usually), and not eating a helluva lot, I have continued to gain weight throughout my adult life, especially my belly and chin.

Favorite exercise: cycling

Favorite Primal food: rib eye steak with carmelized onions and mushrooms mushrooms mushrooms

Best part about being Primal: meat veggies and fruit, what's not to love?

Worst part about being Primal: When I'm finished vacation in a week and have to go back to 'reality'.

[TrackMom]

Hi,

Location: I am from Central ON, Canada

Age: I am somewhere in the range of 41 - 45.

How Primal are you?: I am in the process of converting right now.

Do you consume dairy?: I admit fully, I love my dairy.

Do you drink coffe or tea?: I drink tea, but actually haven't had anything but herbal teas for 3 days now.

Motivator for switching Primal: I need to make a major change in my life. I have lost my energy, my digestion is sluggish, and I keep putting on weight. I used to run all the time, and I want the energy and fitness I had back, so I can do it again.

Favorite exercise: Running

Favorite Primal food: Rib eye steak, with lots of marbling, most of the fruits and veggies, and more yet to be discovered...

Best part about being Primal: Hoping the return of my Joy for Life.

Worst part about being Primal: Food planning and preparation while travelling. I will need help, as I'm in hotels a lot.

[AKR_Lean_n_Mean]

Your location: NYC

Age (If you want): 49

How Primal are you: About 50%

Do you consume dairy: About 8oz milk, 8oz greek yogurt / day

Do you drink coffee or tea: About 24oz decaf coffee / day

Motivator for switching to Primal: I haven't entirely switched and don't intend to go all the way but I want to stay informed. My personal experience is that I maintain a healthy weight, excellent energy & mood levels and active life via a healthy diet comprised of healthy protein, fat and carbs sourced whenever possible from sustainable, organic producers. I emphasize healthy protein & fat and target my carbs around 150-200g per day. I avoid sugar and I eat daily limited amounts of primal no-no's like steel cut oats, whole wheat wraps, brown rice, legumes & dairy.

Favorite exercise: Interval training, hockey, weight lifting

Favorite Primal food: my bolognese recipe

Best part about being Primal: Healthy diet emphasizing healthy proteins and fats contributes to optimal wellness and fitness

Worst part about being Primal: Extreme views; I don't believe there is enough rigor in the scientific analysis available to date to support the exclusion of grains and legumes

Like many diets, strict adherents benefit from focusing on healthy nutrition. I feel there is a lot of variation in what people can eat and achieve a healthy lifestyle. Just like one antibiotic can work for one person and kill another (I'm allergic to penicillin so it will kill me), I feel that different folks can prosper on different foods.

I want to stay in touch with Primal and Paleo communities to see what happens in terms of research. I have seen excellent research from reputable sources that supports the benefits of diets that are rich in healthy proteins & fats, low in carbs especially fructose. Scientific analysis from reputable institutions supports some of the claims about inhibiting effects of lectins and phytates but I feel the primal approach goes too far in its extrapolation without rigorous testing of the theories. Would like to see one or more long term studies of a large population and an adequate control group that demonstrates the impact on absorption of different minerals when grains and legumes are ingested.

Many nutrition theories seem to go unproven, maybe because economic incentives aren't aligned. Maybe Kraft or McDonalds lack the incentives to prove the value of a Primal diet, but what about health insurance and life insurance providers. Surely they would like to support strategies that lead to better health and fewer claims

The cynic in me observes that every diet seems to have the same trajectory: 1) Highly restrictive diet, 2) Book for sale explaining the reasons for the restrictions and how the government or big business tries to hide the truth because of money and ignorance, 3) Recipe Book for sale, 4) A full line of supplements

Where did Grok get a giant tub of protein powder? Were his thumbs evolved enough to open it?

[Amethyst42]

Hello folks! I tried posting this earlier, and it disappeared, hopefully this one works!

Your location: Winterpeg, Manisnowba, Canada (currently on vacation in Hawai'i, but paradise can't last forever, sadly)

Age (If you want): 43

How Primal are you: 5th day. I've eliminated grains completely, and vastly reduced dairy. I have not eschewed electronics in the least, but I should probably reduce it a little.

Do you consume dairy: cultured yogurt, ghee, and well-aged cheeses

Do you drink coffee or tea: coffee, black coffee. I am down to two cups a day, and I pick my beans carefully, and grind them at home.

Motivator for switching tPrimal: after years of health problems doctors can't diagnose or cure, and after gaining weight steadily whether or not I exercise, and no matter how much or little I eat, I have to do something.

Favorite exercise: cycling. if/when I get more fit, I'd love to do a long cycling tour

Favorite Primal food: well aged rib eye, caramelized onions, and mushrooms mushrooms mushrooms

Best part about being Primal: what's not to love about meat, veggies, and fruit?

Worst part about being Primal: loving Grandmothers who REALLY want you to eat their baking.

[Amethyst42]

You sound just like me! I have tummy, thyroid, and depression problems! And just like your name, I'm sick of of sick. *nukkabump*
We don't live too far apart either!