Scared to go Primal page

[hermanda]

Hi there everyone,
I've been reading Mark's blog for the last couple of months and just ordered the book last week (still waiting!) and I was just wondering if anyone would mind sharing their beginnings with me. I'm a 26 year old female 5'6 132 lbs. I just finished grad school in the UK and gained about 10 lbs over there. I've cut out the grains for the most part, cut back on the fruit, no dairy, no sugar, but really struggle with the idea of not counting calories and adding so much fat. Saturated fat at that. In the past I've been a vegetarian, then a high raw vegan, then just fish and eggs and yogurt allowed, and now I don't know what to do. I love what I'm reading though and I'm just scared to make the leap.
I've started sprinting and weightlifting too. My hormones are imbalanced (low estrogen but it's not going to change due to it being a problem in my brain) and I must wear a patch to get them balanced. I spent 3 years without a period before we figured out what was going on and this resulted in tremendous bone loss. I've very close to having osteoporosis. I'm working with doctors to rebuild my bones and an endocrinologist to balance my hormones. I deal with bloat almost every day (spasms in my descending colon), I'm tired, and don't maintain muscle mass easily. I need to make this leap and would love to hear from some women in particular who have done this. Do I really have to give up my favorite Sun Warrior Rice Protien powder??
Thanks for listening,
d

[TheGrappler]

Hey! it's okay if your scared. it's a big leap to take. The fear of fat has over taken us all at one point or another. It's part of the conventional wisdom that' s pumped into us since birth. Just try it for a week, you've got nothing to lose(no pun intended >_<) plus i bet the extra fats will help regulate your hormones. Go for it XD

[darienx19]

Dive in to the sat-fats : ) It took me about 6 weeks at the beginning to wrap my mind around it... and once I got it, I wished I wouldn't have been so hesitant. If the animal fats put you off, start out with coconut oil and avacado as your main sources, then gradually incorporate the fats from meats. It won't be long before you are cooking your eggs in bacon fat, pouring every last drop from the pan to your plate, and licking it clean by the end hehehe Since it seems like you've reigned in the carbs, your body is going to be looking for fuel. Give it the fats it wants! : )

[tfarny]

Read Gary Taubes Good Calories Bad Calories cover to cover before diving in, if you are skeptical. It's true, eating eggs scrambled in cream & cooked in bacon fat is not exactly what your doctor recommends. The science behind PB is compelling though and it's all there to read about. I highly recommend setting aside time to educate yourself on the science of it. I was the same as you at first, I think skepticism is a healthy impulse in many cases.
BTW, I'm not a female but I have had a lot of "little" health issues (migraines, etc.) that just totally disappeared after going PB. It really is not a weight loss fad, unless weight loss is what you want to do. It is extremely liberating, even life changing I would say, for me at least.

[Bushrat]

Do I really have to give up my favorite Sun Warrior Rice Protien powder??

Why would you need it when you'll be getting enough protein from your meals (as nature intended)?

[Griff]

Some crunchy data for you: I was 3 pounds short of 400 pounds in August of last year. Now I'm at 315ish and dropping. And my diabetes, arthritis, and migraines are pretty much either history or completely under control. What did it was upping my fats and eliminating all starchy carbs. You can do this!

[hermanda]

Thanks everyone:-) Well I'm going to try this for a week and see how I feel. I even took some before pics. How do i know how many calories I need? Should I worry about that or just listen to my tummy? I have so many old ways of thinking about food and what is "healthy" for living and weight loss that will need to be suspended. TOWANDA!
132 lbs
26yrs old F
25.84% BF
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...May2010101.jpg
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...May2010102.jpg
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...May2010103.jpg

[Griff]

Try it for more than a week, first off. The low-carb flu - which happens when you're kicking the processed carb addiction - can sometimes take up to two or three weeks to get over and you must remain strong in the meantime. It took my husband six weeks to get over it.

Eat when you're hungry until you aren't hungry any more. This requires paying attention to your body and what it's asking for. In order of preference, eat fat first, protein second, with non-starchy carbs a distant third. This means fatty meats should be the centerpiece of your diet, along with leafy greens. Try to keep your carbs below 50g per day at first, and whenever you get that gnawing ravenous craving hunger (which is NOT hunger but addiction cravings!) eat fatty foods to counter it. Make fat 70-80% of your caloric intake.

Read this forum. Post and ask questions. The people here are awesome and they'll help you out.

[MountainDew]

Thanks everyone:-) Well I'm going to try this for a week and see how I feel. I even took some before pics. How do i know how many calories I need? Should I worry about that or just listen to my tummy? I have so many old ways of thinking about food and what is "healthy" for living and weight loss that will need to be suspended. TOWANDA!
132 lbs
26yrs old F
25.84% BF
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...May2010101.jpg
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...May2010102.jpg
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/a...May2010103.jpg

Wow you look horrible! lol j/k you look great.

Just jump in and give it 30 days. One month of your life. I'm on week 3 and it's great so far.

What do you have to lose? I mean, except a few lbs.

[hermanda]

I'm in! Day one complete Stomach feels really heavy though. Don't think I needed to eat as much as I did even though it's less calorically then I've been trying to eat. I've had major bloating on and off for a couple of years and no one can figure out why. It's been bad the last few weeks too. God I hate this feeling but it was there before today so...I'll just eat less tomorrow and really listen to the tummy. Digging the fats though!