Primal Persistence: Staying the Course Through Life’s Ups and Downs
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!
Hi, I’m Rio. I’m 29 years old and I’ve been Primal since October 2011. I’d like to say that since then I’ve lost 25 kgs (55 lbs) and have a visible 6-pack. However, that for me is not the case. My story is still successful, but it is more a story of persistence.
I’ll start with the usual. I’ve been overweight my whole life even though I was an active child/teenager/young adult. Mum used to put “healthy” food on the table with a few treats on the weekend, but I was still painted with the “big girl” label. Unfortunately, the healthy food consisted of bread, pasta, potatoes and grain-based snacks. I started Weight Watchers when I was 12 years old. I was 72 kilos (158 lbs). Since then I feel like my life has been a perpetual cycle of “feeling naughty” and depriving myself. I have tried the weird and wacky diets (such as the soup diet) and more depressingly the CW “eat healthy and exercise” diet. I worked my butt off at the gym, ate low fat, and calorie-counted to within an inch of my life, and still I never saw the numbers I hoped for. I gave up time and time again, only getting heavier at the end of every attempt. I felt like a failure. At the end of 2010 I was 87 kgs (191 lbs) (I’m only 156 cm (5′ 1″)) and felt huge. I was also due to get married in April 2011. I always thought that my wedding would be the time when I would finally lose the weight and I thought up until now that my early attempts hadn’t worked because I didn’t have the ultimate motivation. I so wanted to be a thin and beautiful bride, so I hopped on the “eat right and exercise wagon” again, and again I was disappointed and devastated…I was, after all my efforts, going to be a chubby bride. My wedding was a wonderful day, because I married the love of my life, but I’ll always look back with a tinge of regret over my size.
In August 2011 after returning from our honeymoon and ballooning yet again to 87-88 kgs (191 to 193 lbs) and feeling miserable and fat, I thought to try a different approach and booked in for 12 Hypoxi sessions which were incredibly expensive (around $700 for 12 sessions). Hypoxi treatments consist of cycling gently for 30 minutes with your lower body encased in a pressurised chamber which applies and releases pressure as you cycle. The theory is that the pressure mobilises your body fat into the blood stream, so that you can magically cycle it away. Far fetched? Kinda. The Hypoxi team set you up with a list of suggested foods to “eat and not eat” which consisted of eating good fresh food and avoiding refined carbs and potatoes 2 hours after a Hypoxi session. I thought I’d better follow the eating plan since I was paying so much money for the treatments. Surprisingly, I lost a good chunk of weight and centimeters around my body and looking back it was really my first introduction into the Primal lifestyle – low carb and gentle exercise (compared to the approaching-chronic-cardio exercise regime I was used to). Not convinced it was the Hypoxi treatments that caused the weight loss on its own, I started to research low-carb diets when someone posted a link to Mark’s Daily Apple to a Facebook page I am a member of. Once I started reading the articles and information on your site I was instantly hooked. I downloaded The Primal Blueprint and devoured it in a few days. I started eating Primal and my energy levels improved instantly…I couldn’t believe it! I’d gone from being tired and listless all day (falling asleep on the couch around 8 pm every night) to bounding out of bed in the morning and not feeling tired until 10 pm that night, with none of lethargy through the day (which I had started to think was “normal”). With little effort I lost 5 kilos (11 lbs). I felt great!
Since those initial 5 kilos the weight loss has been slow, but still on the decline. I’ve lost about 15 kgs (33 lbs) and 17 cm (7 inches) from my waist since my initial Hypoxi session. My measurements are also still decreasing. What is more amazing is that the shape of my body is changing. I’ve lost 10 kgs (22 lbs) before on the “eat healthy and exercise regime,” and sure I got smaller, but my body shape didn’t change all that much. This time my waist is visually smaller, nipped in at the sides, arms, and legs.
However, three or four months ago I had a “Primal stumble.” For some reason (winter perhaps?) my sugar and carb cravings came back. I got depressed and I got “angry.” Oh my, was I angry…..at life, at my husband and at my stupid body for not responding the way I wanted it too (why hadn’t I lost all my weight?!).
After the 5th serious fight with my husband (which seemingly seemed to start over nothing) I knew something had to change. I knew that the actions and attitude that I was portraying was just NOT me! So after doing some research on how I was feeling, two weeks ago I did two things. I started CrossFit (my exercise had dropped to nothing during winter), and I gave up the birth control pill. I am now 14 days no hormones, and I am finally starting to feel like myself again. I can’t begin to describe the effects giving it up has already had on my mind, my emotions, and my libido. As for CrossFit…I love it! It has the structure I need, with the freedom to work within and push through my own limits and boundaries.
I often felt frustrated reading other people’s success stories, and think, “why did I not lose 20 kilos in the first 6 months and get ripped abs?” But then I have to stop and think what I’ve gained. I’ve gained health. I’ve gained energy like I never could have imagined. I’ve gained my happiness back. And I’ve gained a healthy body that bends and twists and lifts and runs.
If I were to offer any tips to the Groks and Grokettes out there like me, it would be to keep going. This thing is for life. It’s not a quick fix and not many people (outside the community) get that – I can’t count the amount of times people have said to me “what do you think will happen when you go back to eating normal.” Well, I am eating normally, thank you very much.
Another thing that helps me stay sane is having a fantastic support network around me. My husband Scott is sometimes-but-not-100%-Primal, but very supportive. I have a fantastic friend/personal trainer who is passionate about Primal/paleo nutrition and lifestyle, and a great friend who is also living the Primal life and lifting heavy stuff. It is beneficial to have people to bounce ideas off of, to ask for advice about what worked for them when this or that happened, and to generally glow in the awesomeness which is the Primal lifestyle. What is even better is that I’ve now managed to convince my mum and my sister to adopt the Primal principles. I’m so happy that they too are now on the track to being healthy and happy.
So in the end, being Primal for me so far is not about what I’ve lost….rather what I’ve gained (health, energy, an inner glow). And I couldn’t be happier.
Rehanna
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Thanks for such an honest story. Perfection is rare-many of us will never have a six pak or look good in a bikini, even when we achieve a healthy weight. Striving for health and mental wellness, feeling strong and vital-that is success! Love the sparkle of vitality you exude.
Agreed! And thank you…..
I really needed to hear this today. Your story is so similar to mine, and it gives me hope that I’ll be able to continue to see health benefits as I continue to enjoy a Primal way of life. Thank you!
Lucky hubby!
Rehanna– You know– the only six pack I may ever have experienced as a six pack of beer. But being primal, healthy, happy and with more energy than 90% of pastors my age– Primal is tops- Great work– keep it up.
You have been, are, and will be lovely! And with such enjoyable wisdom! I loved your observations and story.
Shaming thin women is not an improvement over shaming fat women.
I agree.
I agree with the sentiment. Every woman is different, and its something I’ve struggled with my whole life. With my broad shoulders and ample booty I’m never going to be a size 8, but those same qualities give me the opportunity to back squat 70kgs (and rising) and I’ve had many naturally slim girls ‘wish they had my boobs and curves’.
Every woman is different and beautiful and what matters is health and vitality!
Don’t be afraid of commenting! I think a lot of women are just hurt by the current trend of calling curvy women “real women” and implying that thin does not equal womanly (I guess a backlash against the pressure to be slim in society?!).
I know you weren’t trying to imply that “real” women have to have curves, but many slim women are constantly being bombarded with the idea that they’re not womanly, so it’s easy to interpret someone’s words negatively (or as anti-slim) when that wasn’t the intention!
I find this post to be one of the most motivating I’ve read here on the site. Sure, it’s inspiring to read about the “I got so ripped” success stories, but I appreciate Rio’s honesty about her journey. The pounds don’t just melt off for everyone. Truly inspiring and a reminder that health is the goal over a six-pack any day.
Thanks for sharing Rehanna! Your story strikes a chord with me – I appreciate the encouragement today!
I hear ya about the BC. I tried it for a while for my PCOS, before deciding I’d rather be fat than smaller and insane.
Gentlemen….break out the rubbers and give these beautiful women a break! Sounds like birth control pills are for the devil.
Hell yes!
Well done! It’s always inspiring to see a Friday Success story that I can relate to. In that last picture, your health just shines through.
Great work and great story Rehanna!! Awesome!
Rio,
Great story. I especially like your answer to people who basically ask what will happen when you quit your ‘diet’. Primal isn’t a diet, it’s a way to live.
Damn straight!
I loved your story! I feel like I can relate so much! I’m, currently, 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. I am not 100% primal like I was before I got pregnant, but I am doing the best I can to stick to primal as much as possible. I am still seeing good things happen with my body along with a very steady and healthy weight gain. Anyway, I loved how “real” and relatable your story is. You look amazing!
I love your story. You nailed it!!! I had some great weight loss in the start 88+ pounds. Then hit a plateau where I’m not gaining or losing weight, but far from being where I should.
Finding an exercise routine that works for me is my net step. Perhaps the weight loss will start again or I might just feel better. Who knows. Looking back on it losing so much weight without really exercising only shows how much the diet works.
thanks for sharing I so needed this post.
Tree Bee
Yes yes yes! Breastfeeding and natural child spacing! Say no to hormonal birth control (and keep those secreted artificial hormones out of our water supply) and use your intelligence to observe your body’s built-in fertility signs. What a great complement to nourishing your body with healthful foods close to their natural state. And congratulations Rehanna on your successes and your insights!
Awww I love this story! I really like what Rehanna wrote about persistence. My parents have always told me that persistence is the key to getting places in life(even with brains and natural ability, no-one can get to far if they don’t persist) and it sounds like Rehanna is onto this aswell. I really admire her!!
Naw thanks
Great article. As I have struggled with trying to find the right lifestyle around how I eat, all these comments about starting low carb sound more realistic for me instead of going full-on primal. My life is just too stressful right now. So: minimize carb intake, eat as little processed food as possible, cut out most grains and legumes, eat my meat and veggies and MOVE!!
I love your story. It is true and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never sent in a reply although I always find these stories inspirational. But I have to let you know that you look great! I wouldn’t worry about the scale. it’s obvious that you are healthy and happy. Keep up the great work!
Thankyou very much. The scale is definitely now staying firmly in the cupboard
Rio – Great story and wonderful attitude! You are inspiring.
Wow! I’m so overwhelmed and incredibly touched by all of your kind words. I never thought that my story would resonate with so many. Keep strong and Grok on
How gorgeous are you!!! Congratulations on finding out what is right for you and sticking to it! I too relate to your comment “I feel like my life has been a perpetual cycle of “feeling naughty” and depriving myself.” And for me, I have only lost 9kgs in 9 months, but have lost 16cm off my waist – didn’t have a waist before, but do now! And also your comment about “I am eating normally thank you”! Yes yes yes..I hear ya’
You look happy and full of the joys of life – and I am motivated by Friday (well Saturday in Oz) stories once again. Thanks.
I’m in oz too Hilary
yay to Grocktralians!
Congrats on your success! You look wonderful in the after photos, and so happy!
Thank you for sharing your story, Rio. My granddaughter has been lamenting her lack of weight loss. She’s been primal for several months, and as an athlete has the exercise part perfect. This will be reinforcing for her to see that it’s not the same for everyone, as our bodies are all different. Her normal more closely resembles your normal. Timing is perfect! Thanks!
Happy to help, encourage her to keep going! Every body has its weight loss sweet spot…it’s now up to our minds to accept it…also I found gauging my ‘weight loss’ though the fitting of my clothes more gratifying than using the nasty scale which I now don’t use…
whoo hoo! you GO GIRL!
Thanks for posting this! It’s just what I needed to hear. I also don’t have a huge weight loss to boast but the change in my body has been amazing.
That’s what matters! Keep it up!
You look fantastic! Way to stick with it. Laughed out loud when i read, ‘so what do you think will happen when you go back to eating normally again?’ Ha, I get that comment a lot too.
Well done. You look great and your attitude is inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
I love the Line:
“I can’t count the amount of times people have said to me “what do you think will happen when you go back to eating normal.” Well, I am eating normally, thank you very much.”
We are normal, its the rest of them who are deluding themselves
Congrats and keep on keeping on!
Agreed! I heard the other day that Australia is congratulating itself because sugar consumption is down from 56kgs per person to 43kgs per person per year….if people saw that much sugar graphically they would be shocked…