I Decided to Do Something About It
It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint success story. Many thanks to Albert for sharing his inspirational account of how he grabbed control of his health and lost nearly 100 pounds at an early age.
If you have your own success story you would like to share with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thanks for reading!
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Hey Mark,
All my life I had been a “chubby” boy, was happy, had friends and all but I knew something wasn’t right when I couldn’t run a set of stairs or catching the bus was a complete struggle…. I always had an emotional relationship with food and whenever I felt depressed or down I would reach for coke, chocolate, ice cream…..you get the picture.
One cold Monday morning while getting ready to go to work I looked in the mirror and the guy looking back wasn’t happy….it wasn’t me, I had topped at 270 lbs at age 21 and was heading towards diseases, joint pains and a sure early death.
I decided to do something about it, joined a gym and started swimming because it was the only thing that I liked back then (I’m originally from Spain and we enjoy the beach as much as we can!). Asked for advice from trainers at my gym and all of them suggested the same thing, increase cardio, eat whole grains, lean meats, egg whites, the whole thing….
While I lost some weight doing so, I was also feeling bloated, heavy and tired everyday, coffee became my best friend and I was simply struggling to get on with my life. I was counting every single calorie (taking in 1800 a day religiously) and macro nutrients (typical 40/40/20 kind of diet). Around May my weight was around 240 lbs and while I was pleased with the progress it didn’t seem to be realistic given the effort and the amount of work I was putting in…. I became obsessed with food and diet and would never go out with friends because I couldn’t eat anything that wasn’t cooked at my kitchen. You can imagine what happened, lost motivation, depressed, no social life, and the worst COMPLETELY obsessed with food.
I made the worst mistake of my life by decreasing my overall calories to 1500 a day (still on a 40/40/20 split) and my metabolism just couldn’t take it anymore, I was holding water weight and possibly had adrenal fatigue due to all the stimulants (fat burners, coffee, you name it…) and the overtraining.
Finally through a friend found open skies, he told me about dropping all grains and sugars and trying to eat more veggies and protein at every meal, he also suggested I googled “The Paleo Diet” and “Primal Blueprint”…..
That’s where my life began to make sense, I dropped down to 175 lbs by mid-July and measured my body fat at 10%, yes I had lost a lot of muscle mass during my stupid “healthy diet” trial but Primal eating, weight lifting and HIIT was getting me where I wanted to be….
Until today, I’m studying to be a Personal Trainer, currently looking to run my own business (a restaurant based in Primal eating) and willing to spread the word about these newly found lifestyle that matches my genes and makes life so much simpler, tastier and rewarding!
I just wanted to say thank you to you, to all the people that research about paleo lifestyle and to my family for all the support they’ve given me.
Grok On!
Albert
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Great aftershot, gotta be the HIIT.
Wow! You look amazing! Good luck with the restaurant business!
Wow! You look amazing! Congrats on your success!
Sweet restaurant idea and awesome story!!
I love my Friday trip over here. Congratulations! I would never have recognized you. You are looking great!
I saw the guy in the before shot (thinking it was the after shot) and thought what a hottie. Very serious looking in the after shots.
I’m glad you got healthier and to the body size that brings you comfort. Good luck in your pursuits.
Damn! i wish i would have started 10 months ago! Congrats Albert! Yours are the results i’m working toward.
HOTTIE!
Well done, Albert!
Great restaurant idea!
Inspiring and HAWT
Oh my gosh! You look fantastic! I bet you feel amazing, congratulations!
Albert, how long did your result take to achieve? what were your dietary habits? drink alcohol? etc…
He said he was 240 in May and got down to 175 by mid-July, if that helps.
Hi Alice,
I don’t know exactly how long it took me but losing fat was a lot easier once \i started eating primal. I normally eat a bunch of veggies, loads of fat and protein whenever I’m hungry and that works for me. I don’t drink alcohol because I just don’t like it, I do eat dark chocolate EVERY day though
40g or so a day (somedays less) of G&B’s 85% or Lindt 90%.
I live life, and don’t feel deprived at all. Just make smart choices, exercise whenever you feel like and you are good to go!
Hey Albert,
Where are you thinking about starting up a primal restaurant? I’ve tinkered around with the idea before and think it might go over pretty well.
My husband and I joke about the meals I make and rate them. Only the best make it to our imaginary restaurant menu.
If you need any suggestions or someone to bounce feedback on, let me know!
Hey!
I’m thinking the US would be the best place to start the first restaurant (yeah, I’m thinking big and planning to open a restaurant chain) I’m currently planning it, looking for potential investors/business partners. I am thinking California would be a suitable area (weather, population, food quality).
The idea of cooking meals and rating them is amazing, I love cooking and designing recipes and have many recipes saved in my computer (would love to share them with everyone so I’m starting a blog!
)
Suggestions are always welcomed so please hit me with some ideas!
Grok on!
Lol I’ve got about 1/2 a business plan for a primal restaurant worked out and another concept for a fast casual that I’ve been casually referring to as “Carnivore Cafe” or “Meat Eaters”
realistically I won’t be able to get the money for either of the ideas for years so if someone wants to grab them and run with them I’ve no problem helping out.
The transformation is awesome. I just want to get clear on the time frame for this final transformation.
In May you were 240 lbs and July you were 175 lbs.; was this July of the following year? If not how did you manage to lose nearly a pound a day to achieve this result???
Thanks.
I lost all the weight in 2010 so yeah, in a total of 6 months I managed to lose over 80lbs.
At first I was just losing weight (that includes muscle) so it explains the quick weight drop, weight loss slowed down once I started eating right (i.e primal) but fat loss increased… meaning I was losing fat and building muscle at the same time (yes, it’s possible!)
Wow! What an inspiring transformation both in body and peace of mind. I hope your restaurant idea spreads!!
Oh wow! This is why I love Fridays!! Amazing job done – it’s fun to see people my age doing this too.
Sidenote: My boyfriend walked past me while looking at the last two pictures and thought I was on a PlayGirl site or something…keep up the good work!!
do you have a girlfriend?
Amazing work Albert! I’d love to learn more about how you got your body fat so low. What do your daily meals look like? What do you do for HIIT and how often?
Thanks man!
I eat when hungry really, some days I may eat 5 times some other days only once or twice. I go by feeling. My meals are always whole foods, just don’t eat anything that’s processed and you will do great. Avoid all grains, legumes and milk. (I do dairy but only in grass-fed cheese, cream or butter)
HIIT is usually sprints, either out in the park or on a treadmill. Go all out for 30 secs, rest 30 secs, repeat until you can do no more, then do one more
and go take a shower. Now you can eat that piece of buffalo knowing it will be used to repair your trained body!
This is some great advice. Thanks for the tips and the inspiration!
hubba hubba…
It’s funny how all these stories seem the same and are completely amazing, including my own. I’ll never get tired of seeing people be happier and healthier by going the true way of the H. sapien sapien.
Hey where are you looking to open a restaurant? I’d be interested in funding /aiding / joining you in some way if you’re from Chicagoland
Mike, email me at adam dot dada at gmail dot com!
Hey Mike,
Really glad to hear you are interested in the idea. I´m currently living in London, UK but have the idea of moving to the US every single day in my mind. Get in touch with me via email at albert88en @ gmail . com
Each of these success stories give more inspiration each time I read one.
Awesome! And great idea with starting a Paleo/Primal restaurant.
I’d support that.
Great after shot. As someone said must be the the HIT
way to go what city will the dining establishment be in ?
Looking to move to the US, haven’t decided which city yet but being Spanish means I’ll have to get sponsored or save A LOT of money before I could even think of it happening.
Any US girl wants to marry me? I’m a good cook! LOL!!
Um, hell yeah, I’ll marry you! You’ll love San Francisco!
Hahaha I’m sure I would love San Francisco!
When am I moving then?
Thanks for all the comments! This post made my day!
Grok on!
San Diego is better than San Francisco. Already have a restaurant logo, concept, and some financial projections….
)
Sounds like you got a plan! If you wanna get in touch email me at albert88en gmail. com
Albert: incredible!
Mike from Chicago: I’m in chicago and already have started a push to get local restaurants to provide primal/paleo friendly options. We also are going to start a weekly food/exercise clinic at my warehouse in Pilsen.
Wow! A lot of people supporting the idea! I´m stunned!
Shall I move to Chico??
beer and burger town for sure, burritos, college town. food out is very inexpensive there–i don’t know how restaurants make it. i think there’s a lot that go under.
but chico is a nice town–sometimes i miss it but i like Oregon a lot better.
I live in the Chicago-land area and not a huge fan of it all. It has its good point, but the city is not where my heart is. I was already 20 pounds (which took 6 years to gain) heavier when I moved here, and within two years I packed on another 20 pounds from all the crazy beef and burger chains around here. I’m a sucker for a good cheeseburger. Portillo’s anyone??? I never cared for cheese fries before, and couldn’t care less about beef sandwiches, but here, I got hooked on it all. All my choices of course, but resisting is hard when the suggestion is made, and I’ve struggled…boy have I, but I’m ready for big change in my life and switching to the PB lifestyle is my top priority. It’s been rough, so I’m moving back to where I was happiest and starting over.
I live in the Chicago-land area and not a huge fan of it all. It has its good points, but the city is not where my heart is. I was already 20 pounds (which took 6 years to gain) heavier when I moved here, and within two years I packed on another 20 pounds from all the crazy beef and burger chains around here. I’m a sucker for a good cheeseburger. Portillo’s anyone??? I never cared for cheese fries before, and couldn’t care less about beef sandwiches, but here, I got hooked on it all. All my choices of course, but resisting is hard when the suggestion is made, and I’ve struggled…boy have I, but I’m ready for big change in my life and switching to the PB lifestyle is my top priority. It’s been rough, so I’m moving back to where I was happiest and starting over.
How do I get more infor on this?
WOW. Congrats, Albert! I literally said, out loud, “Holy shit!” when I got to your after photos. Really amazing, this is the kind of thing that I show to my friends to encourage them to eat paleo!
Thanks!
I’m glad this motivates people to take the step and get their lives and health under control.
It’s funny when you go to the doctor and he asks you how the hell your bloodwork looks A-Perfect and you tell him it’s the way you eat (200+ grams of FAT a day) and then he says that can’t be possible…..
ha!
You were a cutie before, but dang! Being healthy makes us good looking doesn’t it?!
I too went the route of people in the gym telling me to eat low fat, whole grains, 20/40/40, yadda, yadda, yadda… EVEN though I KNEW low-fat was seriously Bupkis! That’s how I found this site! I thought, “How can I be healthy AND lose weight? WHAT am I missing?”
Thanks!
I believe looking good doesn’t necessarily mean being healthy. That comes as a “side effect” when eating primal.
I bet your performance and mood are way better now that you’re primal right?
ummm. Hawt! Congrats on your results from all your hard work! Such and inspiration.
Wow, you look so good. You must feel amazing as well. Please give some advice to someone who is struggling to lose her own weight.
*Please tell us what you eat like every day.
*And, please share what kind of workouts you do.
That would really help a lot of us out! Thanks so much and Congrats!!!
Thanks!
The only advice I could give you is soooo simple! Eat when hungry, things that nature gave us ( I just don’t eat anything that’s processed ). Even when you fancy ice cream or cake there are ways to make them naturally and in a way your body will love.
Train when you feel energised and go hard for 20-30 mins. That’s all you need!
The weight will come off magically
Hey Albert..
What a fantastic success story! Very inspiring .. I have been strict Primal/Paleo for over a year now and do work out but weight loss just doesn’t seem to want to budge for me! .. very frustrating.. What kind of working out do you do eg. what is the HIIT that you do etc.. Do you exercise every day etc. ?Need some help with beign successful at this and any tips you can provide would be really appreciated !!
HIIT – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training
Havent tryed it myself i normal just do one time per 7 days HIT workout.
Hi, Try keeping the carbs under 100 grams.
YOWZERS!!!
Beautiful!