I Have a New Lease on Life
It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it 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. Thank you for reading!
It was November 9th, 2009. I remember that day vividly because it was the day I reached my breaking point. I was 28 years old and I broke down into tears and decided “enough was enough”. The words that come to mind when I think of that day is the quote from the movie “Animal House” when Dean Wormer says to John Belushi’s character: “Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life”.
Let me give you a little background. I was always active in high school and college. I played high school football and tennis, and continued my tennis career into college. While that kept me fairly active, my diet and partying ways always kept me on the larger side. After college, I got married to a wonderful, beautiful woman. However my inactive lifestyle and partying ways continued. We had our first child in September of 2008. As our daughter became more active, I simply did not have the energy to play with her. My greatest fear was not living long enough to walk her down the isle. I did not want my daughter growing up without a father. And it broke my heart.
You see, shortly before I made the decision to go Primal and begin an active lifestyle, I had ballooned to 291 lbs. I was having serious panic attacks and living in a constant state of anxiety. I had been to every kind of doctor imaginable. Cardiologists, chiropractors, family MD’s, and naturopath doctors. I had received two stress tests and visited the emergency room twice because I swore I was dying. They could never find anything wrong. I just thought that that was how I would have to live whatever life I had left. Miserable, fat, inactive, and basically a useless blob taking up space in the house. I was a terrible husband and father. My doctor threatened to put me on cholesterol meds and BP pills. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and forced to sleep with a C-PAP machine. There I was, 28 years old, sleeping with a C-PAP machine.
My wife had already started eating more Primal and was very active. She actually is now the owner of Barefoot Fitness in Watertown, SD. She has been a great mentor of mine as I have made this transformation. I started slowly. At first I cleaned up my diet. I dropped 50 pounds in about a year with a Primal Blueprint diet alone. But then my progress stalled out. I was feeling better but still didn’t think I felt good enough to workout.
On my 30th birthday, I decided that my 30’s were going to be the best decade of my life. I got up, hit the gym, and have never stopped. I train primarily with kettlebells and bodyweight exercises. That was almost two years ago. I have been very strict with my Primal Blueprint diet now. As a result, I have lost 110 lbs and currently weigh 180 pounds. My cholesterol numbers are that of a very healthy person.
I no longer use my C-PAP machine, and I feel like a teenager again. All of my health issues are gone! I feel like I have a new lease on life. I look forward to every morning and cherish every day. Because honestly, when I was at my worst I didn’t know how many days I had left. We now have a second child, and I am able to play with them as much as I want, roll on the floor with them, and just be there for them. I truly have a life I never thought possible. I went from feeling like I was dying every minute of every day, to living the life I have always dreamed! It is truly a gift that I cherish every day.
Brent
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Fantastic story and congrats to Brent! Keep it up for life!
Wowee! Thank you for posting the numbers in such a clear and easy to follow chart, too! This is an extremely-sharable Success story, and I’m going to do just that. Lots of guy friends here in Ohio would relate to your before and appreciate the quick and clear read!
What an inspiring transformation! I have been right where you were at your worst, thinking you were on your death bed. Some days I wasn’t able to get out of bed because I was so sick. I wasn’t able to be “present” in my son’s life because of my health-related illnesses.
Your drive and determination is very commendable and it is something to be celebrated. In fact, celebrate each day of your new life as a healthy and active being! Congrats!
Wow, that is one hell of a physical transformation. Congratulations!
One minor point of contention: the “Fat, drunk and stupid” line from Animal House is in reference to Flounder, not Bluto, Belushi’s character.
What an inspiration! You’ve made my day!
Brent you have inspired me to stay on track with being primal.So my husband will too. Maybe some day soon my husband will look like he did when we met, again.
Comments like these make me happy!
I’ve stopped trying to tout to friends about the incredibly positive impact being Primal has made on mine and my husband’s lives because I start to sound preachy. So, I am absolutely thrilled to see someone sticking to it because they were inspired.
Truly, the Best of luck to you!
Amazing, very inpiring, congratulations!
Er, I meant, inspiring!
Once again somebody that was very active and muscular as a kid. This is not a “beginners” diet
He said he was always on the larger side as a kid, though, even though he was active.
Well, a person has to start somewhere. We made small, gradual changes. Threw out the junk food, soda, etc. Then started working on one meal at a time. Eggs for breakfast instead of cereal, etc. You can do it too. I promise.
Oh, but it is a beginner’s diet. We all start from the beginning for us. If you don’t have the physical stamina or energy to anything more than walk around your living room for five minutes, you can start this diet. It ceases to be a diet and becomes a way of life. If you look at it like a diet that you will only be on for a few months to loose the weight, you’re approaching it from the wrong perspective. Think about making tiny changes you can live with forever. Each week add a new change. You will get there.
Agree, I love this way of life! I had a bit of an epiphany today, I’m not on a diet because I’m not giving up anything….I’m eliminating stuff that never should have been there in the first place
Tony, this is absolutely a beginner’s diet…I am 28 and was always very thin as a kid and started piling on weight (60 pounds!) in my early 20s. Despite being skinny as a kid, I was sick ALL the time with various stomach ailments, ear infections, colds, strep throat, you name it. I went primal a year ago and haven’t had as much as a sniffle. Again, even though I was thin as a kid, I could never tolerate exercise either – not only did I hate it but it made my heart race and made me feel sick. Now that I’m active every day, short bursts of exertion that would have made me puke a couple years ago hardly wind me. And I don’t do crossfit or anything like that, just daily yoga, long walks, occasionally sprinting during a kickball/softball game.
wow! incredible! nice work brent, way to take control of your life and improve yourself and in turn become a better father!
Brent, great job! I’m particularly interested in how your HDL increased (almost doubled!) in the past year. My HDL seems to be stuck in the 36-38 range, despite my Primal diet. What do you think was the major contributor(s) to your HDL increase?
Just my opinion, but I think it is all of the healthy fats I eat and regular exercise.
The best info I have found on how to raise HDL is at:
http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/04/how-to-raise-hdl/
Bravo, Brent! You gave your family a great gift, as well…their husband and father.
Terrific story Brent! I too am interested in some more specifics on your diet changes since your 4/1/11 test — seems like many of your markers really changed. I think you said you started working out as well, maybe that contributed to some of the change in your numbers?
Very strict paleo diet, lots of saturated fats, regular exercise, and intermittent fasting. Honestly, that is it.
Wow Congratulations, quick question! What does your daily diet look like? Thanks!
Typically, I fast with powdered BCAA’s in the morning. Then a paleo lunch, a paleo snack in the afternoon, and a paleo supper. I only eat from noon to 8 PM every day, then fast the rest of the time.
I have found what works for me, and I encourage everyone to do some research and play around to find what works for them.
What are BCAA’s?
Branched Chain Amino Acids–looks like they help with blood sugar regulation!
Joy Beer is correct. I use them to maintain muscle while fasting. I also use them for my weight training.
This is wonderful. A complete inspiration. I even passed it along to the fiance who is frustrated with some weight gain despite lots of exercise and whole grains. I eat primal and wouldn’t have it any other way, especially having finally hit the sweet spot for my own, now 30 lb., weight loss. Also, I love the barefoot training gym concept! Keep up the good work!
Hey Brent,
We also have a dentist here with your same last name. Any relation?
Where do you live? My brother is a dentist.
Well! If he likes to play volleyball and his office was flooded this summer, then I guess we’re all in Madison.
Haha, I believe we are talking about the same person. Yes, Troy is my brother. What a great man he is.
Right on man, you just inspired me.
Hey Brent, first off amazing job. A real inspiration.
Secondly I thought I recognised your face from somewhere then I remembered the T-Nation V-Diet forums from a year ago! Hard to believe you are the same man.
Bravo, take a bow.
Steve
Brent…I’m truly impressed and proud of you! Keep on trucking big fella. Your grandparents are just as proud, I’m sure.
Rob
Thank you so much Cousin Rob. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.
Congratulations, what a fantastic change! I love hearing about families who work together.
Amazing story! I am so happy that you found this diet, and that it made you healthy again. A big congratulations to you and your family!
About a couple months ago, I started at the same weight as you, I’m currently down about 30 and progressing smoothly. I also played tennis pretty competitively as a kid and through college. I hope after some time I can get into shape like you and be able to run around like I used to on the court. I’m also 28 years old, so your post has left a big impression on me.
Awesome Ki. One day at a time. Best wishes to you as you start your new life!
Thank you for sharing your story. I like that your success story takes place over a few years and not “after 30 days I lost 30lbs and all my problems are solved” I appreciate reading there are others out there who are noticing slow changes and really are taking it slowly. So thank you for that.
I have a observation or question for any one reading this regarding the statement:
“At first I cleaned up my diet. I dropped 50 pounds in about a year with a Primal Blueprint diet alone. But then my progress stalled out. I was feeling better but still didn’t think I felt good enough to workout.”
I’ve read in several online postings similar statements of changing the eating habits first and then after they lose weight they begin to excercise. Is that what is recommended? I was a gym goer and then a primal/paleo eater. Will I see slower results because I am working out before I lose the extra weight?
I would certainly recommend working out if you can. But for me, I literally felt too crappy to work out. I felt like if I elevated my heart rate, I would die. So for me, it really wasn’t an option. Then when I did start, I started slowly. Just do as much as you can, as soon as you can.
You’d probably lose *weight* slower, since you’d be building muscle, which has weight.
I think if your body is too weak exercise will feel awful and is probably not a good idea – too much stress for an already worn down body. But if you’re relatively healthy and exercise feels okay, I don’t see any reason not to do it.
Personally I didn’t exercise at first since it felt horrible, but just eating paleo I gained muscle, and after a few months exercise didn’t feel so bad.
One of the best transformations I’ve ever seen. Great job man!
Congratulations, Brent. You look great and the lifestyle makes all the difference.
Time for the Aussie’s to join in on our Saturday morning……..Congratulations Brent, a fabulous result for you. Looking after yourself is the best gift you can give your kids. And are you sure you didn’t sneak someone else’s before photo in there? I don’t think I would recognise you if I knew you before & bumped into you now? Do people walk right past & not realise it’s you? But seriously – a big well done to you and your wife.
Ha, thank. Yep, it really is me. I have had some people not recognize me. I have had to get good at re introducing myself.
But it is worth it.
why will your daughter be walking down an island in the future?
Great job! What an amazing transformation!
Oooh… that is one sexy lipid panel!
Never though of it to be sexy, but I like your choice or words.
Thank you.
While the HDL increased and the LDL & triglycerides decreased,the total cholesterol being as low as it on 07/23/12 puts Brent into a statistical danger zone based on much of the information I have been coming across. A graph Mark put up in a previous post has the highest all cause mortality rates being amongst those with a 160- total cholesterol. Seems safer to have good HDL and low triglycerides but with the total being between 200 and 220.
WOW!!!
WHAT A MAN!