Is it really this "easy"? page

[coach81]

Ok.. previous to becoming primal.. here was a typical (exercise) week for me:

6 days of intense work:
3 days Circuit style high impact, high intensity lifting for 30 mins straight, little rest between sets.
3 days of intense cardio- Jump rope, HIIT, Long distance (3+miles), treadmill, eliptical, gym bike, and regular bicycle
1 day of "rest"

Now on the blueprint:

Mostly 2, sometimes 3 (if I feel like it) intense lifting or bodyweight workouts for no more than 25 - 30 mins
1 session of hard, all-out sprints for 12 - 15 seconds each (20 - 30 mins total)
At least 40 mins of "casual cardio" everyday- walking, easy jogging, bicycle riding, etc.
At least two times a week 30 - 40 mins of "playing" with my boys- basketball, frisbee, football, etc..

Compared to what I WAS doing.. I feel that this is a walk in the park! Is it really this "easy".. will I still get the results (fat loss) that I want?

Veterans of PB.. if you have been following something similar to this.. how have your results been?

BTW- this of course includes me staying as close to 100% Primal with my food.

[Vick]

People don't get it. I train less than three minutes a week. On a heavy week I train less than 10 minutes a week.

Last November I could do a 340 lb leg press. This week I'll attempt 630 lbs. I did 620 last week so 630 is nothing but the next step up.
Since Nov I've lost 20 lbs +-.
I've lost 40 lbs. since starting primal in Aug. 2009.

The leg press is one of three exercises I do a week.

[BarbeyGirl]

Yes. Particularly if you're highly compliant on the diet end, it works.

I like to bodybuild and tend to overreach (precursor to overtraining), but when I stick to a couple heavy workouts per week, one sprint workout, and a lot of low- to moderate-level activity (20+ hours per week), I find that I stay quite lean and cut without dealing with any of that persistent, minor fatigue. I've been primal for about 6 months now.

[Molecular Grokologist]

I used to watch my near-vegan diet impeccably as per CW, lifted (with machines, of course, not those dangerous free weights) 3 times a week and did cardio on a bike for an hour 3 times a week. I didn't gain an ounce of muscle.

Now that I'm eating properly, I've gained 12 pounds of lean mass in the last couple months working out once a week.

[sarahz]

So what sort of exercises are you doing when you lift? The reason I ask is because this is day 10 of primal for me but I am still lifting 6 days a week with 1 body part per day. Where can I get some good overall body workouts using weights?

[MightyAl]

It is amazing how easy it really is. I used to do the Chronic Cardio without fail. At least 7 miles a day 6 days a week. I ate like a pig because I was so hungry all the time. I was not gaining any muscle and I was always hurt. I finally got frustrated after seeing a guy post up at runnersworld saying that he ran 500 miles in a month and did not lose a pound. I figured there had to be a better way and went looking for the truth. My wife is much happier that I have gone from 12+ hours per week of exercise down to 3 at the most with much of that being done in the family room. People think it is a gimmick when I try to tell them how much easier it is.

[john_e_turner_ii]

I adopted the "less is more" philosophy last year, way before I started PB. I was doing three cardio workouts and three weight training workouts per week, and I was getting no where. Now, I do two 45-50 minute weight training sessions per week. Right now, I use Stronglifts 5x5, but I have also used the programs on Project Swole or other websites. In my opinion, the key is heavy compound exercises such as squats, deadlifts, pullups, dips, etc.

As for cardio, I don't even do it anymore. I am walking more since starting PB a month ago, but that's it. I have yet to do the sprinting, but that's next.

P.S.: Yes, it can be that easy as far as the physical fitness part. 80% of your appearance is related to diet. I never understood that until the past year. You can workout 7 days a week and get nowhere fast if your diet is not in check.

[arthurb999]

So what sort of exercises are you doing when you lift? The reason I ask is because this is day 10 of primal for me but I am still lifting 6 days a week with 1 body part per day. Where can I get some good overall body workouts using weights?

Squat
Push - benchpress, standing overhead press, weighted dips
Pull - Deadlifts, Barbell rows, weighted pullups

Pick one squat, push, pull and do 5 sets of 5 (where you almost fail at rep 5 probably could get 6) Do a that 2-3 times a week with a non lifiting day in between.

[EGYnutrition]

It really depends what you want and how much you like exercise. I despise rest days even though I take them because of knowledge. Working out to me is much more than just a workout.

And are you one of those people who are satisfied with just being healthy and fit, or do you want more?

I personally do crossfit 4 times a week, 1 strength day a week, and 1 sprint day a week. 3 days on, 1 day off, and the day off I do core work. A little walking everyday too. But my desires are different from yours, so it really depends on you.

[aboutsaffron]

I'm not any sort of athlete, & have quite a bit of weight to lose, but if I'm seeing results with what little I'm doing, it really is this simple. Enjoy it!