Halfway Through the Primal Blueprint Challenge
The Prize:
A Portable Pullup Bar courtesy of Trapeze Rigging. I’ve been using this thing for over a year now. It’s the bar I use in my Essential Movement videos. I used them up at PrimalCon. I’ve got one at the office that has been a stalwart tool for the Worker Bees. It’s a simple design, breaks down easily into a carrying case, works great in a garage, backyard or if you want to take it to the park to add some pullups into a sprint routine. The height of the crossbar is adjustable to allow for dip exercises as well. Enter today’s contest for a chance to win the Primal workout gear.
The Contest:
It’s easy and all it requires is a little honesty. Have you been following the 30 Day Challenge? Then tell me how you’re doing so far. Give a progress report. What’s proving difficult? What was easier than you expected? Have you lost weight? Did you gain a little back after the initial water weight drop? Do you have more energy? Or maybe you’re trudging through the “low carb flu,” after making such a dramatic change in lifestyle. Maybe you quit and started over, once, twice, or eight times. In three sentences or less, tell me how you’re doing in the comments section below. Then comment on someone else’s progress report. This is a support community, so be supportive. A random drawing will be held to determine a winner.
The Deadline:
September 22, 8:00 a.m. PST. 24 hours.
Who is Eligible:
Everyone, everywhere.
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
One of the best things is how much energy I get from eating as apposed to feeling all bloated and wanting to take a nap!
So true! I can feel such a difference eating primally than how I felt when I ate tons of grains and sweets.
I have done well on the PB so called diet. I don’t think of it as a diet at all. I have lost 13 lbs, but have come to a plateau. I need to try to use fitday.com site more to analyze why this is happening. I know I should do IF and that should help. I will keep trying down to the last 5 pounds.
Wow! 13 pounds… that’s great! I am trying not to use FitDay every day, as I tend to obsess, but it has definitely helped me gage my carb intake and overall percentages. Congrats on the weight loss!
Hi Kerry,
Welcome to MDA. I’d recommend doing a short day water-(or coffee / tea)-fast, just skip a couple of meals and have a light dinner, in the beginning of your IF’-ing. Eventually you may try a 24 or even a 36 hour fast and reap those benefits, but try not to get frustrated if you over-indulge afterwards, and if you do–stay primal!
Good luck on beating the plateau, and keep on the forums for a great resource with many first-hand accounts to assist you through your situation.
Regards,
WD
Thanks for the advice, I will try it out.
Had a serious slip over the weekend when I went to tailgate for a college football game (at least my team won!) But the challege has been awesome, and it has kept me trying new things in the kitchen. The multiple blog posts every day have been really motivational too!
Weekend is over and behind you, those occations are simply life, give yourself the grace to enjoy the moment and move on! Isnt it fun trying new stuff, I have always cooked, and even I am experimenting! Keep up the hard work, we all know it pays off
Since it’s harvest season, I’m having a hard time keeping my carbs down: there are just too many delicious apples and pears to eat at the moment. Also, I’ve been very busy getting my business running, so I’ve only had the opportunity to Light Heavy Things once a week and no time (or energy in some cases) for sprints. Only one slip up so far though; I had a few chocolate ship cookies in the afternoon.
Ah I know what you mean about having trouble with not chowing down on apples. I see them at the farmer’s market and can just taste their deliciousness with homemade almond butter!
Prior to the challenge I had been primal for 5 months but was slipping off a little bit over the last 2 months. So I decided to partake in the challenge and I must honestly say that the more primal I live the more awesome I feel. Its a great reassurance to know that living this lifestyle really is exactly how I want to life my life forever.
Grok on!
I was in the same boat. I didn’t even plan on taking the challenge, I just kind of got sucked in reading all the posts. But I’m glad I did because I got kind of lax about it over the last few months. I’ve been enjoying it thus far, though.
Great work Primal Toad we all need to check ourselves every now and then and do a little fine tuning.
I feel like this challenge has been really successful on the food and exercise front, I’m 100% grain free and love it! However, I feel like I’m missing out on the community aspect of the challenge since I’m on a college campus and know almost 0 people in total let alone anyone to join me in my primal endeavors.
If you sign up on the forums here, you will find a lot of support. However, I know what you mean. It is a little difficult when your SO or anyone else doesn’t support you 100%. Are there any forums at you school that you could post something to see if anyone else would be interested in trying going Primal. It would be a great way to meet people and get the support in person that you want.
I am signed up for the MDA forums and I agree that it is a great source of information and support. I’ll have to look into a school forum that I could post on to find some fellow primalites. I love to talk about food and stuff I read on MDA and while the forum does help it would be nice to have someone in person. Not to mention it takes me out of the running for a lot of the challenges this month since so many are about doing things in groups
I know what you mean! Being at college, I’m in the same boat. I got my girlfriend to join me in the challenge, but she goes to school an hour and a half away from me. But you’ve always got MDA readers here for community support!
Is there a forum for college students living primally to give/seek advice and support? If there isn’t we should definitely start one. We could put in easy recipes to cook without a lot of time or equipment and dorm room workouts and the like!
Why don’t you just start a group on Facebook and post it here and to your friends. Put invites to your activities on the page, I’m sure someone local will find you.
I haven’t lost anymore weight, as I had come into the challenge just losing 8 additional pounds from dialing in my paleo/primal diet with less carbs and little or no fruit. But, my workouts are strong and my sleep is sound. Now, just to figure out specifically the when, where, and how to “have a picnic. win a cow.”
Well if you’re in the Austin, Texas area, I’m still trying to win part of that cow too.
Good work on the sleep. How do you do it? Haven’t been able to get that part down yet.
I rarely track weight, I mostly go on visual cues, but I feel like my primal challenge is going well. Tracking what I eat on Fitday has given me a good way to monitor what goes in, it’s something I didn’t do before. I’m seeing the potential for great success.
I’ve never enjoyed journalling, especially what I ate. So this is an inspiration to me. Thanks.
Sweets don’t taste good.
I can do a reverse pullup.
I love sprinting!!!
I’ve been on the 30-day challenge since mid-June.
I’ve easily lost over 20 pounds and am close to hitting my ideal weigh; I feel very strong. I have lots of energy and I feel steady throughout the day. I haven’t really felt the need to deviate from the blueprint and lots of people have commented on my transformation.
I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in how I look and feel since the start of the 30 day challenge. It really is easy to stick to the guidelines of primal eating. As a college student though, my biggest challenge is getting enough sleep at night.
As a fellow college student, I know how hard sleep can be. I find that taking a Magnesium supplement about 30 minutes prior to heading to bed really helps with the sleep quality, especially if the quantity is not quite there. Best of luck!
Thanks, I’ll definitely have to give that a try!
Hey MDA’ers!
I’ve attempted this lifestyle before with not nearly the same gusto I have to thrive on this time. I have greater endurance during the day, and believe it or not–more focused thinking (no lower-carb “fog” for me). This site has been a great resource and a continuing source of inspiration to always strive to be better.
Grok on!
Mark, from what I can see, there’s no knurling on this bar. 9 out of 10 times, your forearms will give out way before your back or upper arm does.
As always, it started out great, but then a weekend of a lot of energy expended came up. There were some primal snacks, but some Taco Bell was consumed, followed by (dark) chocolate and wine, which has not been finished, so it is not as bad as it could be. I’m still biking everywhere, so moving slowly often is still the major part of my life.
I’ve been primal for about 9 months now, and this 30 day challenge was a way for me to buckle down into a no-cheat mode. I’ve done pretty well, but I am a Detroit Lions fan and have had to drown my sorrows with a beer on the past two weekends. Still doing better than my typical 80/20, so I see it as a success! I’m maintaining my weight, feeling great as always.
9 months is spectacular! Being a Niners fan, I can sympathize with drowning of sorrows. Next time try a Nor-Cal margarit. Totally Primal!
So far, I’ve been doing great with no worries or concern. I have been on board for about 8 or 9 months now and every day is easier than the last. Good luck to all!
I started my challenge about 10 days before the official start. Have lost 4 lbs and they are staying off. Hardest thing I have to admit is walking away from the occasional potato chip -otherwise am loving the way the body feels
Awesome job Alysa! Keep up the good work and know that an occasional potato chip fits perfectly within the 80/20 rule. It’s really incredible how the body improves on this plan.
My family has been on PB since Aug 9th, since the challenge started we have been doing very well, although we do need to get some more activity in though. My 14 yr old daughter has visibally lost alot of weight, probably at 15-20 pounds, DH and I have lost about 10 each, and my 18 yr old son buffed up, other than my son we all have ALOT to lose, so this is a long term life style for us.
keep up the great work! i started the change before the challenge, but it wasn’t until the challenge that i started to include the heavy lifting. boy has it made a huge difference. there are easy ways to get active. go mall walking, park much further away than you normally would, try to get your heavy lifting in (it’ll make a huge difference in the weight loss). and btw, that’s awesome that your whole family is in on it! i’ve tried to get my parents to follow it, but no luck.
That’s great to hear Annette! My family & I have been on PB together too & it is a great feeling to all be on the same page!
Awesome that you have gotten your family involved. I’m still working on that challenge!
since the start of the challenge i’ve lost six pounds. i feel great and enjoy the workouts and the foods i’ve been eating. i think the best thing is the more changes i see, the more i want to tell the world and get more people into this lifestyle.
I feel the same way about telling more and more people about PB. I think I’ll put a URL of MDA on my fb page in addition to by mouth.
I have not been doing well. Work required me to travel, and I used that as an excuse to slide away from being Primal. I’m back home now, so I still have time to turn things around.
I can relate. My journey with a primal lifestyle involved several starts/stops, and each time it got easier and easier to get back on track. Now that you know you like primal living (and how it affects you), I know that getting back on track will be something you achieve and go at with excitement! Best wishes!
Even with my faltering a couple times I have felt better overall and lost. Pay attention to your body as you get back into it and you will see just how good you feel!
Keep at it!, I can relate as. At home it is easy to avoid things by not buying them.
It is difficult for me at times, like being at work when there is pizza brought in for everyone.
It is hard to resist, but giving in usually leads to me feeling like crap for the rest of the day. If I have way to much outside of primal in a day then the “old feeling of hunger” (Crashing blood sugar) creeps back in a few hours later.
I can relate. It’s tough to stay on track when you’re away from your usual habitat. Good luck with the rest of the month!
I can really sympathize with you, Ryan, having been in the same slide many, many times–including the last few days. However, I really hope you can connect with the good parts of being primal, particularly the part about being kind to yourself. (I guess that’s not an actual primal rule, but it’s infused in the whole approach, so at least it’s MY Rule #11.) It’s hard to move forward looking backward, so try to focus on every little primal thing you do that’s on your behalf and let go of any recriminations about the other stuff. Just keep at it and don’t give up on yourself!
When I first started my 30 days, I dropped 10 lbs right away. This was in May, and I have been holding steady since. My wife saw this happen and she wanted to go primal as well. The potential problem was that she had to deliver our second daughter in July. However, upon returning from the hospital she has been eating what I am eating with no complaints and our daughter seems to have perfect health/growth (100% breastfeeding so far. I have tried to adopt more of a primal exercise schedule, and now my wife is ready to jump back in too. The only problem is sleep!
Ha! I totally hear you. I have a 5 month old and I’m exclusively breastfeeding. Primal about 80% of the time, so that’s going ok. But holy cow, sleep deprivation is not my friend. Hopefully some day I’ll be able to have a straight 8 hours! Congrats on your new addition.
The thirty day challenge has really just been a continuation of what i was already doing! I just love how this lifestyle just flows once you get used to it. Sarah just keep on keepin on!
Fortunately, I started the Primal Blue Print a year ago, so this 30 days has just been business as usual. In the year, I’m down 35 pounds from 196 to 161 (I’m 6’1″). Great energy, great food and what I’ve found was the biggest change…great sleep.
Good inspiration. I’m hoping to be able to sleep restfully all night long in the future….. like soon!
I lost 10 pounds within the first week and as of this morning I’ve dropped another 4 (down to 193 from 207). It’s been almost effortless so far, but I do find it tough sometimes not to have another apple, berries or anything sweet (to off set all the savory foods) to keep under 50g of carbs daily.
Hi there, congrats on your weight loss so far! Don’t stress about staying under 50g of carbs a day, unless you have a medical reason for doing so. Remember the carbohydrate curve: the weight loss sweet spot is 50g to 100g. Enjoy the apple or berries!
Yeah, I know, but I have never been lean in my life (maybe at 3), so I was trying to fast track this! I guess the extra fruit can’t hurt too much. Once signed into FitDay I started obsessing about how many carbs bananas, tomatoes, etc have in them.
My husband and I have been 80/20 together now for the past two weeks.
I am now a VFF girl adjusting to the shoes and Hub is looking for the pair he wants.
Since going Primal, we’ve lost weight, spent more QUALITY time together
and have rekindled our love for a simplified life.
Thanks!!!
I’ve become a VFF girl too… love it!
Vff dye. they really are great way to convert!
Vff ftw. they really are great way to convert!
Lost about 20 lbs so far. More of a health addition/ weight maintenance phase. I feel great!
My boyfriend and I each want some VFFs but they’re all sold out at all the REIs in our area!
I’ve had my VFF’s for about 2 weeks now, I love them so much, I don’t even care about the weird looks anymore. GROK ON!!
In the two weeks of the primal challenge I have “fallen” twice. Once was just a one meal thing and the other was after getting sick and I faltered for 2 days, but I still lost 7 pounds during this time! The best part for me has been cooking super healthy meals that my family is absolutely loving, the meals are healthier than ever before!
great job, it’s hard to get back on the wagon sometimes, but it feels awesome once you are back in the groove.
I’m following the Primal Leap kit 100% and have lost 2 lbs (goal is 6.5 for the month). More importantly, my seasonal and dust allergies are gone for the first time in 15 years (I’m 39)!! Just like humanvitamin wrote, I’m experiencing better energy now that I’m getting used to being primal, so if you still have carb flu – keep at it, you’ll get there.
I’ve stopped obsessing about heart rate zones when I ride and run; don’t even wear the HR monitor anymore I just go easy and enjoy it 4-9 hours a week. I’ve been really disciplined at Lifting Heavy Things twice a week, used to be pretty haphazard. Last night when I got home my wife mentioned that I was looking really good in my cycling jersey
Its interesting to hear about the change of focus in your post. Putting that focus on primal living and overall well-being and taking the focus off of the specifics. There is something great about that.
I’ve been doing very good and making an effort with food and exercise, I cut out bread/rice/crackers, i think crackers and snacks were my bigger problem before. I fall off the wagon when it comes to alcohol though, I decided to make up for it by adding days(add a day for each day I drank) to the 30 day challenge. but i am a student and midterms are coming up which means no alcohol, so that should help!
That’s a good idea to extend the challenge to make up for the drinking days!
For me this was about being healthier and feeling better. I have always been athletic and have never been overweight.
Coming out of college and then back from living overseas on a microscopic budget, my body needed some nutritional TLC.
It has been a little over one year now since I discovered this site and started down this path with my now fiance.
I have lost one pant size. Gained around 8 lbs of muscle on a 5’9″ frame. I feel great. I am stronger than I was as a competitive athlete and have only lost half a step on my former speed (Sprinter/Soccer).
Played some frisbee this past weekend and felt like a kid again.