The Primal Blueprint Health Challenge: Progress Report
The Prize:
The winner of today’s Primal Blueprint Health Challenge Progress Report Contest will receive their choice of any of Vibram’s four designs of Fivefingers.
The Contest:
Today’s contest is a piece of cake. Simply leave a comment in this blog post describing your experience on the Primal challenge thus far, and do it in 3 sentences or less.
How does the reality of achieving your challenge goals compare to how you thought it would be when you began the challenge? Has it been easier? More difficult? Are you happy with your early challenge results? What does Primal living mean to you?
Contest Deadline:
Midnight tonight, August 17th.
Choosing a Winner:
One comment, and thus one winner, will be chosen at random.
Eligibility:
From the United States to the United Kingdom and from New Zealand to New Delhi everyone is eligible. No restrictions.
Other Important Info:
- Remember to use your real email address in the comment board. If you don’t we won’t have a way to contact you.
- Multiple comments won’t get you multiple entries. One comment is enough.
To track all the contests visit The Primal Blueprint Health Challenge Contest Page for daily updates.
Visit The Primal Blueprint Health Challenge for challenge details.
Subscribe to Mark’s Daily Apple feeds
Posted By: Mark Sisson
(
Since going Primal I have more energy.I sleep better and look sh*& hot naked!
Going primal is a work in progress. Every day, every week I make adjustments. I’m finding the balance.
The Primal Challenge has gotten me off the roller coaster of carb/salt/sugar cravings! I wanted this lifestyle change to be easy (not an endless struggle) and so far it really has. Whatever the speed of my weight loss is over the long term, I now have confidence that I’m doing the right thing for my body and myself.
my goal of adding lean mass has been a tough one! I eat well all week long and regularly, but on the weekends when I am home with my wife (who is also living the Primal Lifestyle), I don’t eat anything bad, just not enough for my goals. So we sat down yesterday to evaluate what I need to do to make sure I am getting what I need so I can say I achieved my goal!
I’ve been eating the primal way for a couple of months now and feeling great… lost bf% w/o losing strength or muscle mass. I don’t think the challenge really made that much of a difference since I was already committed
I have had great success having a reason to stay focused. I’ve stopped letting my diet go way off as I have promised myself I would be careful. On the weekends, I struggle as my life isn’t so organized, but even a bad day on the weekend is better than a good day used to be.
Lose 8 lbs. – started at 148, now 146.7.
NEAN(Not Even A Nibble) on sugar, starch, & grains – doing great,w/1 24-hr ‘fail’.
Exercise 5x week – No, maybe 2-4.
Limiting coffee (with half-n-half) to 2 cups per day – yes, almost daily.
Journaling daily – Yes.
Overall – not stellar but doing pretty well. Easier than expected. Losing less weight than expected.
My biggest challenge has been giving up my coffee with double sugar! Coffee with no sugar sucks! Love the energy that eating this way and working out has given me…
I’m more than meeting my goals. No grains or legumes at all. Very close to 100% primal. Looking awesome and feeling great in the digestive sense, though cutting carbs from 200g daily to 150g has slammed my energy supply. Surely hope that switch flips soon!!!
Mark, your Primal Challenge has been a great focus for my own nutrition and a wonderful tool for introducing new trainees to paleo eating and the ‘Primal’ lifestyle. I was feeling very Grok-ish yesterday post-workout as I ate wild blackberries growing behind the gym. Progress on holding a back lever on the rings is moving along, hit a new personnel record for dips, and the ol’ abs are popping out like crazy. 42 yrs. old(young) doesn’t look like I always thought it would. Thanks again for the info and inspiration.
I’ve been primal since April and have not lost any fat yet (but was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid)so that’s part of my problem. However, I have gained 2 lbs of muscle recently so that makes me a very happy Grokette! Off to the gym now so I can get better at playing frisbee this weekend
I was thinking that it would be VERY HARD but I’m really enjoying it so far! Primal eating really means freedome from dieting for me, if I want some bacon, I’m going to eat it and not worry about calories or fat content!!
Going primal has stabalized my energy levels (more vitamins, less insulin spiking). I have lost weight and leaned out!
It has been easier than I thought. I now have an Spanish blog where I try to explain in simple words how low carb living can help you in many ways, it is not only about losing weight, it is about felling good, and being healthier.
Low carb culture in Spain and Latin countries is not easy to understand
Its only been four days since ive started this and i still am feeling well. I’ve had to go out to eat several times, but ive had no problem finding the proteins! Just gotta work on getting my colorful green consumption way up!
I’ve tackled the toughest part, avoiding the grains in my diet, and have been primal 80% of the first two weeks. Now, on to the finer points, and 100% primal.
A dozen eggs a day, a bread strike, and HIT workouts is making me lose fat and gain muscle. primal works, im sold.
I’ve done 3 fasts of 24 hours or longer. It hasn’t been easy. Not physically difficult, but mentally. I have also had difficulties seperating myself from the media. It is all around us and it seems like if one is not consciously avoiding it it is structured to remain constant in life. This is scary for me because I am a communications major who has taken a class called “media addiction”. I am aware of the addictive qualities and the associative problems correlated with compulsive media use. Life should not be about sitting in front of a screen but so much of my life is. Case in point right now. At least I am more or conscious of my use, but now I have to implement change.
I’ve first went Primal 2 weeks before the challenge began, but to sum up my experience so far:
It has dawned on me that this isn’t a temporary diet, or a quick fix, but a way to live a better and healthier life – this is a permanent change.
My diet and eating has found a happy rhythm and now I really want to focus more on my fitness.
The most important part for me has been understanding the biology, chemistry and reasoning behind my old flawed diet – this means that being satisfied in my weight/fitness won’t let me fall off the blueprint.
I feel better…but not much weight loss. I’ve cut grains out completely and “most” dairy (I still have yogurt once in a while).
I bought a pair of the Vibram shoes…oh. my. goodness.
There’s a learning curve for getting them on, but they are so comfortable.
I still struggle with carb cravings sometimes but so far it’s been great. I’ve lost about 15 pounds of fat (another 15 still to go) I’m up to 17 pullups and I’m looking forward to seeing my abs again. It’s been a good decade and I’ve missed them.
It’s amazing how much better I feel when I follow the Primal Blueprint. My energy levels are more even, as are my moods, and I feel more energetic. However, ice cream is my kryptonite, but the effects are proving less and less worth the temporary pleasure.
Despite my lifechanging move back to Austria, no job and being on a very limited budget I have incorporated the Primal ideas into my life and am happy about the 80/20 rule…it has been my lifesaver!
Marianne x
I wrote a haiku:
Day job at a desk
Aerobics teacher by nite
No longer drag ass
I just started a survival week in the hopes that is will jumpstart was has been a dismally poor primal challenge for me.
I had all of the best intentions, and the challenge started out amazingly well, but I found my old habits (binge eating and overeating) remained, albeit with healthier foods.
I think as far as progress goes, my lack of comes down to one simple thing: I didn’t set specific goals.
Knowing this I can move forward and tackle survivor week and begin anew on the 30 day challenge. I suppose progress comes in many forms…
I have constant energy levels, no longer do I feel tired after meals, because my insulin levels are in check. I am also getting leaner, and consequently my relative strength is getting greater! All good stuff!
It is easier than I thought to be primal. This new approach to eating has me feeling better and about 2 pounds leaner. You just need to shift your thought processes and challenge conventional wisdom.
All was going great untill i forgot about the “avoid trama” part, slipped on the wet grass at my friends bithday hot tub party and tore up the muscles, tendoins or ligaments in my leg,but still looking cool with my VFF’s and my cane. I hope to be wearing a new pair once i’m recoverd.
GROK ON
Feeling more in control! No grains (save for a light dusting of flour on a couple of meals) and only had alcohol twice (within predetermined limits).
I was fairly primal to begin with, since I avoid grains, fructose and vegetable oils, walk most days a week and shift large weights around. However, being in a desk job, and liking ice cream, chocolate and nuts a little bit too much, has left me with a suboptimal physique. I’m pleased to report that, by being stricter, I’ve dropped 1.5 inches from my waist since the challenge started, and 3lbs in the last week – oh and my butt no longer fails the pencil test (yay for kettlebells!)
The eating has been difficult. Barefoot running feels great. Go primal!
I’ve been doing great with the primal workouts. As for the primal eating, struggling to make it to 80%. My focus for the next two weeks will be on eating more primally while continuing to kill it with the workouts!
Since going primal, two big things have stood out to me. A fog has lifted off my head allowing me to be more productive, have more energy, and have a better outlook on life. The stomach problems that have plagued me for years are now gone!!!
The biggest change is in my awareness level; in the foods I eat and their effect on my mood, energy and health.
At the grocery store yesterday I couldn’t help notice the direct correlation between the number of boxed foods in carts and the size of the shopper pushing it!
I wish fat loss was faster, but I feel great and am very happy with my progress.
I feel awesome, have lost 8 lbs, and it’s been REALLY easy to go cold turkey on the grains.
I’m right on track with my 3 goals which involve protein, carbs and walking in my new Vibram FiveFingers.
I’m getting lots of good sleep, saving money by cooking more, having fun playing with the kids more, and generally enjoying life more.
My goals at the beginning were to continue the success that I have been making since I began Primal and to further my knowledge and compliance (so to speak). Since the beginning of the challenge, my average carb intake has gone from a range of 70-100 grams to closer to 50 and sometimes less. I have never felt better, my weight and body measurements continue to improve as I lose the a lifetime’s worth of fat.
Outings, birthdays, and get togethers present the greatest challenge. I’m feeling good and looking better, but alcohol remains the cause of and solution to all of my problems!
I’ve found that my strength is increasing while my stomach and fat % are decreasing. I have convinced my wife that Primal is the way to go and she is started on week one yesterday. I think that once she sees the light, our kids will be at least eating Primally.
Going primal has given me inifintely more energy and I’m making huge PRs in the gym! I feel better and am more confident. I’ll be continuing this after the challenge and making it a new lifestyle choice!
The transition has been easier than I expected thus far. No actual fasting, but being poor keeps my food intake minimal. Cooking with bacon fat daily has been pleasurable.
Since I have begun the Primal Challenge, I have to say I’ve never felt better both mentally and physically. The conscious attention a beginner Grok needs to apply to their nutritional inputs & physical outputs creates a much more aware individual. I’ve felt more in sync with my body and what it requires than ever before, and I’ve been having fun doing it!
I’ve learned to be more present in my eating. Conscious of what I put in my body and how it affects my energy, performance and general well-being.
My expectations for the challenge have more than been met. I sleep better, have more energy, am in a better mood, am drinking less alcohol, am losing weight, and am feeling fitter and firmer. Unexpected benefits have been meeting new people.
I’ve been living Primal for over a year now, but this challenge has me re-assessing and re-focussing my efforts. Better attention to detail is making for better strength gains and flexibility down the road. I think my benefits will be seen for the next 40+ years (I’m 41) that I continue to live the Primal way.
it’ll be nice to be 80 and agile, able to walk un-assisted, able to get off the toilet (!) on my own, able to walk outside, to move my body and enjoy the world around me!
Since starting hte challenge my Workouts have been faster, recovery faster and I have been stronger. I have also been feeling more energetic throughout the day. As for my girlfriend started the same time as I did, she has lost her allergies to raw fruits and vegetables and nuts.
What turned me on to the “primal” way of life is that is just that… a way of life. This isn’t a fad diet or a new fitness craze. Its simple, straightforward and if you have any common sense you know it works without all the gimmicks that seem to go along with health these days.
Primal living for me is eating real food, connecting with local farmers and knowing that saturated animal fat is the number one food group. Exercising like our ancestor played. It has done wonders for my health physically and mentally!
I am in medical school now and I have ballooned in size ever since school started a year ago. I have come to realize that the status quo that the medical community espouses has not been helping the patients that much, and to add, the doctors are in even worse shape too which is quite ironic. I bought the Primal Blueprint book, read it overnight about a month ago and with my medical background, I found myself nodding a lot with what Mark wrote, and by following the rules in the book to a T, I have improved my energy levels, lost fat and built muscle, and will one day give my future patients relevant information for a long, happy, and healthy future!
I had been doing primal before this challenge, so the 30-day thing itself wasn’t a change for me, but I have noticed that I need to push myself more. Things that would’ve been tough for me both exercise- and diet-wise a month or two ago aren’t really a big deal anymore, and this absolutely shows progress (as do the lowering numbers on the scale and being able to fit into pants I haven’t worn in 3-4 years). It also shows that I have to raise the bar and set new standards so my body and mind can continue on the road to health.
Was one-eighty pounds,
Now only one-seventy,
Oops, late haiku post.
My challenge (to eat as many coconut products as possible) has been quite delicious.
About the only thing coconut doesn’t go well with are Italian and Mexican seasonings.
Making my coconut-vinegar, water and pomegranate juice combo ahead of time has turned out to be a disaster, as something weird and stringy has been growing in the bottom of the container!
Easier to avoid grains and sugars than I expected, bu it’s hard giving up the dairy, so I’m trying to limit myself to the categories from PB that are “better” than others.
Long cardio workouts are less fun eating this way and I’m weaning myself to shorter cardio workouts and lifting more often.
Measurements are all moving in the right direction, but at a slow, reasonable pace.
No more 6 meals a day stress!
Can go till evening without eating since I’ve started burning fat as fuel! (Even though I was very lean to begin with, doing this for the evolutionary argument and after watching an interesting document “King Corn”).
Not wasting calories in empty starch, everything is vitamin rich wholesome food from nuts to meat and vegetables, probably getting more nutrition on 2500 calories than i was on 3000+ before! Thanks!
Achieving my primal challenge goals of de-stressing more, sleeping better and making time for at least one play session per week has been easier than I expected. Thus far in the challenge, now that I have less stress, more sleep and play more often, my life has improved dramatically. In my mind, primal living means making a critically important split from the “modern” world in certain central aspects for both the short and long-term benefit of my physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Feeling great. Lost weight. More energy. Why can’t I get my family to join along?
I’ve learned a lot of new things by taking this challenge – things that I might not have convinced myself to try otherwise. For instance, that it’s a cinch to write down everything that I eat in a day, that IF is ridiculously easy (and, indeed, can sneak up on you), and that unless I spend the entire day in town there is time enough for a good walk. I’ve also learned that even if I don’t meet my overall goals one day, I can get up and fulfill them the next – where if that had happened before it would have derailed me entirely.
Primal works for me! I struggled my whole life for fitness when it was really so simple, go natural.
Going primal has almost eliminated my migraine headaches. I no longer have crazy low blood sugar hunger episodes. And I can bench press my Great Dane (if I had too).
The Primal Challenge has made me more aware of the “cheats” that I take too liberally. I have begun to make better selections and I feel better for it. Grok on!
I was eating primally before the challenge started, so have taken this challenge as an opportunity to work on the other laws.
I’ve been going to bed at a more reasonable time, which has been great, and I’ve also improved in the areas of moving slowly, lifting heavy things, and sprinting.
Things are going great and I’m so glad you created this challenge to really kick us in the asses.
I’ve almost forgotten what it was like before.
At first I thought it would be difficult, and I wasn’t convinced it would last. But now that I’m off my butt, eating well, and feeling nourished, it’s a no-brainer. This is for health and for life.
Going Primal not only changed my body but made my life far easier. Eating good natural food has become habit and its something I crave rather than junk, Exercise is short and fun like its supposed to be. Primal life is good!
So far I have been doing moderately well. I haven’t gained any weight so far, like I was shooting for, but I have also slacked a bit on the workouts, which will change this week!
I feel better, skin is way much better(no acne anymore), NO!! aphtous ulcers in my mouth anymore!, no flatulences! Additionaly I lost bodyfat and gained muscle! Love it!
I feel better when I’m primal, but the world around me isn’t very cooperative. I find it hard not to cave in and have the rice with my stir-fry or tortillas with stuff. I’m sticking to my guns though, and going with the 80-20 rule. Thanks!!
I was fairly Primal already, but the challenge has kept me in check in those rare moments I decide to “cheat.” Basically, if I get drunk one night and eat terrible food, I make sure to go right back to eating good, healthy salads the next day. It’s FUN!
I feel like a winner everyday! I have broken all bad dietry habits, exercise habits, but most importantly I work in a gym and all the trainers laughed at me when I told them about this new philosophy. Now three months later I have lost 15 pounds of fat, gained muscle, and looked shredded, while those trainers still eat their 6 meals a day, eat multiple supplements, and workout 2 hours at a time.
P.S. These trainers still think I’m crazy, but they can’t deny my results.
I think I broke my toe!
I have a pair of Fivefingers, and LOVE them. I’ve been gradually working up the miles, and loving the feeling — I can feel the feet and calf muscles getting stronger. Yesterday on one of my favorite hikes my mind wandered for a fraction of a second and WHAM! My pinkie toe clipped a rock with a cracking sound, today it’s sore and black-and-blue. Stupid mistake (Law #9), Grok say OW!!
Hard to stick to, but even at ~75% primal there’s a big difference in energy, and I’m losing body fat. The wife was convinced when she read it would improve facial skin tone (it did), and is now on the same track. We’re getting better.
i have not had any bread, grains, pasta ect….and have more energy and am more cut than i have ever been. giving up my cronic cardio for track sprints and pool sprints has really made a big difference also! the primal lifestyle is awesome!
The hardest part starting for me was the carb cravings. Those definitely go away and you start feeling better instantly, then you start looking better!
I’ve been following the Primal diet for just under a month now in earnest. I’ve lost 10lbs and have never felt better! I was even able to even out my bloodsugar enough to do a 25 hour fast for the first time in my life.
Thanks!
Jesse
I am not primal yet, and have been using the challenge period to learn about PB and its benefits while adhering to the PB “lifestyle” laws (play, sleep better, get more sun, use your brain, avoid stupid mistakes).
Loved everything I’ve read and think Mark and all of you are really on to something very good.
My only hesitation to adopting full-bore PB right now is that I have committed to a friend that I would run the Marine Corps Marathon with him this fall and pacing him to his PR. I can’t bail out on my friend or our training plan now. I’ve reviewed the materials here about it and think I could handle my dietary requirements but our training will defintely qualify as “chronic cardio.” Any advice? Again, bailing out on my friend, Marine Corps, or our training isn’t an option. Thanks.
Less stress, more energy, mental clarity: three things that going primal has produced for me. Eating has become more pleasurable because the foods are richer and more varied. Life is simply more fun.
Three months in, and 58 pounds shed. Clear head, better mood, more energy,life is good.
Primal living is about overall health for me. I had never really done salads before since I thought they were just something for dieters. I’m actually eating a salad with steak as I write this and it is quite delicious; one of my baby steps towards a healthier life.
I would love a pair of Vibrams!
This 30 Day Challenge is finally what it took for my family to realize that I was serious about this, and now EVERYONE eats good in my household!
Prior to starting the Primal Challenge I noticed I was getting a bit of fat around my midsection, which alarmed me since I’ve always been a pretty thin guy. I’ve drastically reduced the amount of carbs I used to eat, and already notice my pants fitting looser and more definition in my abs.
I also have Crohn’s disease, a chronic autoimmune/digestive condition, and notice a lot less pain in my gut as well as less fatigue and “brain fog.”
Starting the Primal challenge prompted me to finally dive into IF for the first time. I’ve always felt better in the morning on an empty stomach, so that’s a bonus. I’m now trying to rearrange my schedule so that I can fit some workouts into my mornings when I feel most energetic.
Last year around this time, I did a primal “diet” for six weeks, cutting out all sugars and starches. Going cold turkey last year (with an end in site) was easier than limiting my carbs to 100g/day (my challenge this year) but hard to maintain long-term. For a carb-craver, it’s a difficult transition to slowly cut back, but it’ll be totally worth it in the long haul.
My Primal Results (in three sentences or less):
1. I Lost 30 lbs.
2. My Blood pressure went from 135/95 range to 116/68 range.
3. My Fasting blood sugar went from 120-130 down to 70’s to 80’s and my Glucose tolerance test dropped from 198 to 100.
In two weeks??! Wow!
I can’t believe i feel this good. Dramatic improvements in body composition and energy in a couple of weeks. it’s amazing what you can achieve when you get your facts straight.
I’m about 80% and have been for 4 months; I feel great.
I stepped on a bee and my foot is swollen. I think it’s time to try the 5-fingers.
Went Zone by end of 2007, started paleo by end of 2008 and feel awesome. Feels great to live a healthy life.
The challenge has helped me stop backsliding ( I was cheating with ice cream too much!) I really like the way I look and feel since I started doing the primal thing, and I don’t want to screw it up.
Family, stress and death have made the past month a rocky road. Living primal (80/20 for sure!) has kept me from tumbling even deeper down a [depressing/fattening/unhealthy] rabbit hole. Thank you!
I’ve been doing this for about 14 months now; I’ve lost 24 lbs (and am right where I want to be). I feel much better with more energy, and my wife is happy!
Primal has been much easier than I thought it would be. I feel so much better, healthier, and just…cleaner somehow. It has also helped my blood sugar drop back into the normal range- which was the primary objective.
During the first two weeks of the Primal challenge, what I’ve enjoyed most is being part of a community that all the members are trying to live the lifestyle I find so wonderful. The support here on Marks Daily Apple that is available to help me make the necessary healthy lifestyle changes is incredible. Thanks everyone.
Eating primal has helped my moods stabilize so much. I’m off the carb/sugar roller coaster!
Primal is the way of life!! It hasn’t been easy, but the way it makes me feel in incredible!!
Biking to work, hiking, doing pushups and sprinting, it all feels great on the primal diet. It has been easier than I though to deepen my primalness, which for me is to reduce dairy and too much nuts, gather more food in nature, do more high intensity training and sleep more. Primal to me is all about being in nature, eating nature, sweating in nature, playing in nature and relaxing in nature.
Veins emerging in forearms and calves for first time. Thank you.
Diet – I’ve cut out all added sugars and grains, very much enjoying the added veg and fats.
Exercise – Cut out all “chronic cardio” and added sprints.
Lifestyle – Taking some extra time each day for “play”
I’m down to 56,3 kg, the lowest I’ve ever been (as an adult). I’m starting to see some real muscle definition, which I really like! Energy levels are high despite low calories (I’m on a strict diet, but it’s Primal), so I’m doing great! I really loved the book too, so thanks
I did a linear least squares fit of my weight data (daily weighings). Looks like I will lose about 5 lbs. by the end of the challenge if the current trend continues. I was hoping for about twice as much weight loss.
My goal was to make my “lift heavy things” workouts harder, when I was done I had to ask myself ” could I of done better?” Writing down a plan of what I was going to do before the workout is what I believe helps, I didn’t just go through the motions, I really DID IT and did it with an attitude like a GROK star;)
Eating cleaner, playing more, living better!
I’m coming from 30 days of a stricter-than-strict Paleo challenge, so these two weeks have been great; more lifestyle/normal than out-of-the-ordinary, if you know what I mean. They’ve proven to me that living Primal is a very sustainable, natural way to live, and it’s the way I’m choosing for so many reasons: health, vitality, appearance, and happiness. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s a way of life that my kids can easily grasp, and use to build a great foundation for a healthy, vibrant life.
Having already been eating and exercising Primally, I chose to focus on the lifestyle components like sleep, play, and also my stress levels. Yoga, meditation, and incorporating many tips from MDA.com have helped me to start managing my stress better, and I’m sleeping better as well. For the rest of the challenge and beyond (because this will be my lifestyle forever!), I’m going to keep working at the play aspect in particular to bring it up to the level of the other “laws,” and I’m also going to tighten up my carbs to lose some body fat.
30 days so far, and feeling primalicious! Lifting stronger, running faster, getting leaner all while eating more food than ever before! This is the true path to the best me I was originally created for.
My goal was to find the perfect combination of weight-loss and ultimate health.
My side-results goals, were to influence others to want to ‘follow’ me because of my results, without having to push people.
I have since had wonderful weight-loss to where I can FINALLY see my muscles AND I seem to have new ‘converts’ daily, due to my (and my husband’s) obvious results!
Having another primal challenge has been great for me. It has kept me in line and it is becoming easier and easier to stick to this life style every week!!
It’s been harder than I thought (I love corn chips!). I am veeeerrrry happy with the results! Primal living means, to me, correct living.
Since going Primal I’ve dropped about 14 lbs and I no longer feel the desire to shovel food RIGHT NOW DAMNIT the minute I feel hunger pangs. Plus my energy levels are constant and I feel much more…involved/connected(?) with the food I’m eating. Preparing and eating food has become much more of a meditation process, something I’d never equated it with before.
Awake, alive, refreshed…
Going Primal has given me 10x the energy I used to have. I’ve also rediscovered the joy of play and sport rather than getting bogged down in regimented strength and fitness programs.
Finally, after Zoning, carbing, counting calories and other plans an eating plan that works for my life, and lets me live my life too! Losing weight and energy level is through the roof, while enjoying my food, and my life. Primal has been mostly easier than I expected and more rewarding than I expected too, and I love the community here that makes me feel at home.
Ten months primal living and averaging about 5 lbs a month weight loss – I’m 39 and now back to my 23 year old body with an added 10 lbs of muscle.Latest Challenge has been a focus on my weaknesses (stress, dairy and alcohol) and it is working great – I am sticking to it. I wear a size 13.
I’ve been Primal for a number of years now but the latest challenge / forum reading has actually made me go more Paleo.
I’ve dropped fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy etc. and increased my saturated animal fat considerably.
Th results? I feel great!
The Primal Challenge has been surprisingly easy for me to adjust to. I expected that I would dog it more than I have – and I am very happy with my results. I’m 25 lbs lighter than when I began living primal back in June.
My 30 day challenge to give up sugar hasn’t been as difficult as I thought it would be. Your mind causes you to think you aren’t capable of things that are totally doable. Journaling is really helping me stay on track and will be a good way to look back and see how far I’ve come.
I can’t believe I was a carbo addict! The first 2 weeks on the Primal Diet I went thro’ total Carbo-Blob to Grok transformation w/ all the withdrawal symptoms that entails including headache’s, brain-fog, low energy, crazy cravings (my hubby of course had none of this…men, really!). Then, last week everything suddenly cleared and I’m now a fat-burning, energy-generating machine. Amazing, but true!
So far, it’s been great, about five months in. I love not having that “carb haze” after (and even during) my meals–though I’ll admit to having been stuck on the “20″ side of “80/20″ lately due to a stressful couple weeks at work…
Hey Mark,
Since reading this site and doing some research, I’ve given up the meal replacement shakes I’ve been drinking (3 times a day) for the past 3 years. I’ve switched to having bags of almonds on my desk to munch on all day long, and I’ve worked on just complex lifts at the gym (deadlifts, squats, pull ups, and presses). I’m definitely stronger and leaner already!
-Steve
I have gone strict paleo this past month. It was hard the first week, but I stuck to it, and now I’m feeling better than ever. I’m losing fat and gaining muscle, and my strength and cardio are increasing as well.
The best part for me has been the almost absence of my shoulder impingement symptoms.
I guess this is from the lack of inflammation after eliminating grains.
As an Army Officer, primal living has afforded me the physical ability to effeciently lead my men from the front. In a world where physical prowess speaks highly of your character, my first impression is high in my ‘office’ environment. I enjoy the challenge of constantly improving myself and upping the ‘anty’ for my soldiers at our Physical Training (PT) sessions, Grok On and Hooah!!!
I’ve been getting really good at eating only when I’m hungry, and not because the clocks says it’s time.
This lead to the realization that, most days, I can get away with 2 meals, with a few snacks in between.
As a football player at Harvard University, the Primal Blueprint has allowed me to be in the best shape of my life with more energy. I feel like I can run all day while a lot of the other players tend to crumble during the stress of preseason camp. This diet combined with the demading workout regiment is exhilarating.
Philosophically, I find the best thing about living like this is the animosity towards ugly companies trying to stuff you full of their cheap dumped crap, tied up in a package that tries to convince you that buying this product will make you happy. It’s turning around to them and saying, actually, no, I don’t want any of your bullsh*t.
Physically, it means effortless beauty, which is always nice.
I am not finding this challenge to be hard at all. I said that I would not weight myself until the end, so that is what I am doing. I have been 100% primal!
The Primal Challenge has helped “free” me from a culture that loves to shove sugery, starchy, fried good down our throats. It has enabled me to reassess what should energize me and what should stress me out. The Primal Lifestyle has allowed me to lose 25 pounds in 4 months and get freakin’ strong and fast at the gym!
I feel better and am never hungry between meals. Love having bacon for breakfast almost every morning.
It has been empowering to take ownership of my life using the Primal Blueprint. I especially appreciate the 80/20 principle as it ensures this will become a way of life, not just a “flash in the pan” program. Thanks Mark for all you do.
I started this challenge a week before the official start date and have been going strong for 21 days! My energy is incredible. I even gave up TV as a part of this!
The challenge is all the incentive i’ve needed to keep focused. Knowing others are “watching” plays a huge part in helping me keep on plan.
The primal heavy-lifting days are the best part, by far. Deadlifts FTW!
My body has been growing hair like mad. I have a desire to knock women over the head and drag them back to my cave. Lastly, I lost my office job when I speared the office pet with a sharpened pencil (thought he looked tasty).
eat 6+ eggs in butter for breakfast & shock my friends.
am about 9% body fat, leaner than all my friends.
wish more people would understand and stop thinking a bowl or refined grains is a healthy breakfast…
I have been mostly primal for a half a year already. This time has given me even more info on why to keep it up. My families biggest hurdel (minus my addiction to ice cream) is finding easy things for my wife to cook for luch because she gets back from the gym just before lunch and doesn’t want to cook.
Enjoyed the PB challenge, if for no otherreason to see the results of many. My goal is to lose BF around my wasit but really lost any. Using PB and Paleo diet, IF, too, Xfit 3x a week, and sprinting 2x aweek. Any ideas to reduce BF, I’m all ears! Alos, eating between 30g and 55g of acarbs a day.
Stupid mistakes wreaked havoc on diet, exercise, and sleep the last week. I was able to get in short walks and bikes, and played outside every day. I took some naps, and was able to meet 1 of my 3 “brain” goals. I can still finish strong.
The two big differences in going Primal has been energy and stamina. While it’s still a bit of a challenge, it’s a little easier than I thought it would be. I’m really happy with the mental and physical results thus far, and I’m really enjoying the challenge.
I have weened myself off regular coffee and have become a fan of americanos, found coconut milk to be a great alternative for milk in some cases. I’ve been feeling great and quickly losing some lbs and find myself not being hungry all the time anymore. And another plus is i’m enjoying cooking more and can’t wait to try new recipes!
I’ve been 80% primal in terms of diet – probably before the official challenge. I’ve been able to maintain energy levels, and do all the physical activities I want to. Traveling and eating out is less stressful now that I am not on a regimented 3 hour eating routine.
The PB challenge comes at the tail end of a wellness program at work I’ve been organizing and participating in. Bodyweight down from 183 to 166 lbs in 3 months, bf% from 14% to 10% (measured with handheld meter), and many PR’s on crossfit WOD’s. Most significant impact of the PB challenge is that I actually went an entire day without any bread/grain.
Since going primal a few months ago, Ive had no regret, except that I didnt start earlier. Ive had increased energy, lost bf, and feel stronger and better not fretting about the ‘fat content’ and calories by eating real, satisfying food. The challenge has kept me on track with accountability since I have to (honesty) post my food intake and workouts. Lovin the primal life!
Since starting the Primal challenge I have fine tuned my diet with organic/local foods. I have also eating new fruits and vegetables as they become available at my farmers market.
Just lowered the carbs a little more this week and actually have even more energy.
The word “challenge” put me into an existence of really following the Primal BP. Being a week late in starting the challenge, I am very pleased with my results: 50-60 g of carb consumption down from 150 -175, 3 meals a day with no need for snacking, looser pants and feeling great. And that’s just from the eating side of the BP; I now plan to implement the fitness side now that I am past the carb withdrawal sluggishness I did feel for 2 days.
ENERGY!!!
thought i’d give primal a whirl
eating moving laughing like a cave girl
a brand new life has begun to unfurl
Eating an exercising has been going great, as my body composition progress has been fantastic!
My only goal (more complete sleep) seems to have gotten jinxed when it became a goal, and actually became worse.
I’ve been taking small correctional steps this week and have made some progress the past few nights
Primal Challenge in 3 sentences:
1) Is very hard due to the fact many people don’t understand why I am doing this despite the explanation.
2) Fruit taste sweeter and veggies more vibrant since my tastes buds are not consumed by artificial sweetener or fillers.
3) A great excus to go fishing more often mmm flounder……
At first I thought this challenge would be really difficult for me since I have such a bad sweet tooth but it has actually turned out to be easier than I thought to go strict paleo. So far I’ve lost about 7-8 pounds in one week (I got started late), I have a lot more energy and my recovery from workouts has been a lot faster making me a very happy Grok! I have tried to incorporate primal living into my paleo challenge: hiking on rest days, getting some sun every day (living in San Diego helps), eating real food, working out hard and getting enough rest to support it and so far Im feeling great!
Went to the doc at the end of July with severe headaches; had a bp of 154/104 and blood glucose of 103 – knew it was time for radical change.
Serendipitously, my friend found PB and as I learned more I knew intuitively that this was the right path, and I was right in time for the challenge.
I have lost 10 lbs., my bp is down to 118/80, new glucose results this week which I know will be better, keeping carbs between 50-100, eating clean, moving frequently at a slow pace and even sprinted some yesterday (new concept for me), my energy levels are good and stabilized, I feel lighter and stronger, my kids are transitioning and I see behavior improvements in their moods, my doc is very impressed, and I feel great!
(see? All that in only three sentences! I need some VFFs!)
After a minor heart attack earlier this year, I switched to a near-primal diet but kept breads and grain products if they were high-fiber. Having those products in my diet made it easier for me to hit a predictable 25-35g of fiber each day. Trusting that there’s more than enough dietary fiber in the fruits and veggies that I’m eating has been the biggest thing to let go of in going totally primal.
Plus, my family loves starchy foods, and I’m still left to make pancakes on Sunday morning and spaghetti dinner once a week. I’ve got to stop my default behavior of just hoovering up any leftovers off the kids’ plates so they don’t get thrown out.
The hardest thing for me to overcome has been horrible sweet cravings. Another primal friend and I set our 30-day primal challenge goal to cut out sweets to tackle the sweet addiction. Although it has been tough, I have already noticed benefits and being held accountable by someone else certainly helps a lot!
Since going primal, my appetite has really calmed down. I think the extra fat and lower carbs are just what I needed. Plus, I have more energy for my workouts.
Primal eating and exercising is going fantastic: I feel great, have tons of energy and am even beginning to love burpees, squats and lunges intead of jogging, but… I have failed miserably at blogging during the challenge. Oops.
i’ve been having a hard time sticking with it. generally my days begin well but end badly. hopefully i’ll get through that and be all awesome, all the time.
To me, primal means emulating how humans lived for most of our evolution. It’s difficult at first, but a rewarding life-long committment.
Going Primal has been one of the more rewarding things I’ve ever done. I never dreamed I could feel this good so quickly. I think if people would really try it, they would never turn back.
I’ve lost 16 lbs since starting the challenge. It’s been much easier than I thought it would be, especially the intermittent fasting. My most surprising discovery is the primal workouts I get with my three year old daughter just walking the neighborhood, kicking around a soccer ball, or helping her ride her “big girl bike”.
Since starting my challenge, I notice more energy and being clear headed, plus dropping a few pounds can’t hurt. I feel a little in control of my future.I have trimmed out the excess and everything seems more simplified.
The idea of going primal has been somewhat hard to accept, but as I’ve always been a healthy-conscious eater, I am adapting to it very well. Since going primal, my daily caloric intake has drastically reduced while I am still getting enough protein and fats. I am even more energized! I will lose these last few pounds in no time. Not to mention the great recipes I have come up with! Now I am going through the hardest part: giving up grains. No more huge bowl of oats for breakfast; no more brown rice for dinner; no more convenient sandwiches. It is such a disappointment to find out that what we’ve been eating our whole entire life wasn’t good for us. No one said the truth wouldn’t hurt though, did
they?
My scale loves primal. Fogginess has been replaced with alertness, energy, and clarity. I’m getting more deep sleep.
Living the Primal Blueprint–I am renewed.
It hasn’t been too hard to give up the energy drinks and add more fish to my diet, but I’ve fallen off the wagon with chips a couple times. I feel better when I eat well, so that’s motivating me. Primal living means making choices that are right for me, even though it’s a fringe existence in this sometimes messed up modern world!
Leaving carbs behind has been HARD, especially sugar and flour as I love baking but I have been able to go sugar-less without too much pain (the first few days are the hardest and then you don’t want it anymore). Switching to organic has been a little spendy but I’ve never eaten so many vegetables and berries and enjoyed them so much. Right on track with goals losing 2+ lbs. per week and increasing muscle mass….feel better than I have in years and I’m ready for Hawaii in September!
As a college student, I live in a world of fast food, beer, and late hours that create many “carbstacles” which can hinder my primal lifestyle. However, in the past year I have committed myself to living like Grok, and have been vastly successful. However, my most proud achievement has come recently in that I have turned on about 5 of my friends to the PB as well, and now I have a house full of cavemen, thus making the world a little more healthful and my primal experience even easier.
Being strict for two weeks has really put it all into perspective. I feel better, faster and stronger. PB all the way!
-Kane
Just as I was starting to lose motivation with paleo/PB (with splurges becoming a regular habit), this challenge began. It has really helped get me “back on track” and remember that the PB is about a long-term lifestyle change (that takes time) rather than something you can throw yourself at then check off the list. The PB challenge has inspired me to create “daily challenges,” focusing my awareness on one little part each day, taking the time to notice both my successes and areas for improvement.
I look and feel amazing since starting the challenge. I have taken steps to make these changes permanent. I am progressing into territory I have never thought I go!
The hardest part of the challenge for me so far has been dealing with all the simple sugars that other people eat regularly and which are part of my environment. If I give my body the slightest signal (like eating an apple in the afternoon), I quickly fall into a carbohydrate binge that will inevitable involve these less-than-primal things (as they are around and easy to get). It’s become clearer to me as this challenge progresses about what I need to do tailor the Primal Blueprint eating principals to my body type.
Since starting the challenge I’ve found it only slightly difficult to maitain the paleo diet. If paleo will up my competitive advantage, then my beloved grains are a sacrifice I’m more than willing to make.
Me and Kane have been doing our best for two weeks now. Personally, I think it’s been easier than I first expected. My skin looks better, (not that it looked at all bad in any way) I feel better, I’ve lost bodyfat, i’m stronger, i’m faster, and will very likely stay as primal as possible even when the challenge is over, i’m lovin it
Grok on!
My experience with primal living so far has been a continuing reprogramming and cementing of a new (old) lifestyle that began ovr a year ago with the discovery of MDA.
After the initial shock and “oh no”, the loss of fat and gaining of lean muscle mass and reshaped body and spirit,I’ve found the Primal Lifestyle is really a satisfying and rewarding no-brainer.
Now, I am left with only one complaint, (no not pizza): Why didn’t I start primal living before I was 58?
Going primal has boosted my energy levels to a new level and my workout results made a huge leap forward. To be totally honest it has also became a bit of a family challenge around what’s in the fridge and what’s best for breakfast..
Since going primal I fell better, sleep better, and look better. I’m always get funny looks when I tell people about MDA and how to get back to basics, and finally a couple of ladies in my office took me up on a challenge. I asked them to try going primal for 2 weeks and just see what happened, they competed against another girl doing Weight Wanders, they all put $20 in a pot and it was winner take all. The Primal winner lost 14lbs in 2 weeks, Primal 2nd place lost 9lbs in 2 weeks, Weight Wanders 3 place with a loss of 1lb.
My body is still adjusting to the lack of carbs for fuel, but it’s getting better.
I’m sleeping a lot. I’m moving around a lot. Some intense cardio, but less than I would usually do.
All around, I think I’ve done a pretty good job adapting to the Primal Blueprint.
I started eating primal before the challenge so no real changes there. The exercise/play portion of my goals have been the most difficult. I am not exercising or playing enough.
I had been eating primal, and stopped for a bit due to bbq season. The most challenging part is getting back on the wagon — suppressing cravings and avoiding bad situations.
I never spent so much time actually making food since going primal. My 4yo daughter made it all worth it when she said: “You make good food daddy – Mommy just makes desserts.”
Primal Blueprint can’t be beat,
for way of life and a way to eat !
I love dairy and so I say
I just can’t eat it every day !
Need more stuff to make it fun
So off to the store I gotta run !
The challenged helped me get refocused on being more primal and really paying attention. The only hard part of the challenge is being social with my friends who eat lots of bad carbs and tons of sugar. I’m learning my way around that though.
Going primal for the first time has improved my sleep, stablized my energy supply, and re-focused my attention on the cornerstone to better health, my diet as it influences my lifestyle.
Primal exercise has been more fun than anything I’ve done in years and the diet has me feeling more energetic than ever. I’m finally living life the way it was intended. People should realize that if something’s wrong, don’t fix the symptoms; fix the system.
I’ve greatly improved my sleep, anxiety, moods, and energy, all while losing a few pounds and not agonizing about every single calorie. I look at food I couldn’t resist before and just feel indifferent about it now. It’s empowering to just say “I don’t eat that” and have no one blink an eye- I used to worry so much about putting up with critics.
been semi primal a long time but trying to get stricter..challenge started with a weeks vacation and week of company..next week ill legitimatly start..alcohol and some carbs be gone..ill catch up
Day 17 and feeling great! I am eating so much more than when I was strict zone and I feel just as strong as I continue to lean out. This is the first time I’ve cut dairy completely and it really hasn’t been that hard.
Primal living means I feel absolutely awesome, can outwalk the dog, am never jonesing for the carbs AND my blood pressure went way down. All in only two weeks! I love it!
I’m quite happy with my results from the past two weeks (even though I’ve been primal for 7 months). I’m back to eating “clean” and overall feeling great, despite having caught a virus. As for my goals, I’ve lost 3 of the 5 pounds I wanted to lose and am gaining muscle!
Stabilized energy levels, run new PR, but still crave sugar and chocolate. I miss you, Pizza.
Try the almond flour pizza…
The challenge is going well so far, although I still find it hard not to cave in to pregnancy cravings. There have been a few minor setbacks, but my overall progress has been good.
What I have really loved about going primal so far is that I feel like I am eating like I am supposed to eat, back to nature, back to when things where real and wholesome! I have so much energy, vitality and zest for life! I am focused and productive. . .healthy and clean.
Going Primal is one of the best decisions I have made for myself and my family. After 2 weeks of ’supporting’ me, my husband is a believer and we have both had weight loss success. The food transition has been much easier than I thought, the next two weeks I am focused on sprinting and lifting heavy things
Going primal made my workouts shorter, much more intense, way harder and fun as they have never been.
I’m loving it big time!
Even at age 54 I can still learn new things. Primal is the best one yet! I feel more energetic and feel great.
Going Primal has been a great decision (my gut feels better, I feel lighter with more energy), but sticking with it has been hard! There are food temptations all around me all the time. The next couple of weeks are going to be about adding in the workouts.
It has been easier than I thought to avoid corn and wheat! In the first week of the challenge, I lost 3 pounds which tells me my body doesn’t want grains. So far, so good!
In the first two weeks of attempting to eat primally, I have surprised my body into some fat loss. Its cravings–the constant nudging terror that I’ll miss out on a scoop of ice cream–have dissipated. I feel fantastic.
Let’s see.. no bloating, energy, more muscle, less fat. Managed to finally cut out dairy products.
Walking through the local grocer’s last night, I estimated that around 90% of the products in the market were processed junk, and my body sort of twitched and cringed and I nearly lost my appetite, save for the yummy primal dinner waiting for me at home. The state of the supermarket was something I’ve been aware of before, and I don’t know why it was more apparent this time (likely participating in the challenge hightened my awareness), but suddenly I felt even more grateful for PB and Mark. Primal is the answer to our genetic well-being and living a long, healthy, and meaningful life.
I have been pre-primal since June and went totally primal since August – eating healthier and working out. My energy level is up. My primary goal is eating – smaller portions and less diary! Thanks Mark!
My lifestyle has not changed much since I was pretty committed to the Primal ways before this challenge. But I have taken this month as an opportunity to really spread the word to others. I’m working on hosting my first primal pot-luck next week. Fun!
So far I’ve been focusing on getting more sleep, improving my nutrition, and increasing my activity and sunlight. I’ve done well with all of these so far, and have noticed increased energy. I’m loving learning and applying the primal way of living.
Slow and steady like a turtle. Primal diet under control. Primal workouts need a little more primal-ness. Slow and steady like a turtle.
My goal – reducing cheating – so far has been mixed, but enlightening. Some things I thought I would enjoy as cheats (mainly ice cream) are now like eating sickly-sweet junk…whereas some cheats that are real, just not primal (like a good piece of bread) still hold a lot of ‘treat’ value.
My tastes are definitely changing – as little as 6 months ago, Saturday night was a pint of ice cream and video games. Now its quality food, dancing and maybe a walk home.
Even though I started the challenge with a flu I have stayed Primal the whole way, a few days of fasting and taking care of myself. Now I’m back to eating normal and finding the primal eating is just my natural eating style now, never feeling restricted which is the best part. I’ve also lost 4.4lbs too
For my challenge to play more, I tried several new activities, including skipping, hopscotch, chasing balls, swinging on swings, indoor climbing, kicking random trash cans in the park, throwing stones into the Hudson River, meditating, and wielding a sledgehammer (nickname: Sir Harold Sledgey). Unsurprisingly, the most surprising lesson is that there’s no way to tell what I’ll enjoy until I try it (hint: I nicknamed a sledgehammer). So far, the challenge is helping me keep my mind open to inspiration, which is to say I’m a bit more aware of myself and ways in which I might adapt to this infinitely complex, often taken for granted environment…because anything could turn out to be anything, if you Grok my meaning!
So far, so good even if I am only at about 75% Primal. I’ve had my cheat days and overall feel pretty good. Love the daily contests Mark……keeps it exciting to check in several times a day!
After starting this challenge I’ve finally started to take fitness seriously. Changing my diet has been hard but this time I haven’t just given up at the first sight of a hard day. Having an actual challenge set by someone else and a final destination to aim for (living the primal blueprint – even if I never reach it) has been so helpful.
Since starting the Challenge, I’ve had a unprecedented level of new energy. Through primal movement and primal eating, my body is in a much fitter state and I’m truely enjoying fully connecting with the environment. I’m continuously discovering new things I can do with my body and mind and I’ve never been happier
The challenge for me is giving up diet soda. Eating more primal gives me energy and I feel better knowing what I am doing is good for me.
Changing my diet has been the easier part this time around. Haven’t been able to do much in the way of exercise due to a knee injury (unrelated). Though, I have to say, I am still very tempted by a beer with friends.
Primal living appeals to me as an anthropologist. Now, living it, the proof is in the primal pudding. No going back now.
After a pretty successful couple of months I had a “reward cheat” day the day before the challenge started that led to a downward spiral. On the plus side, I discovered barefoot jogging (with the massively sore calves to prove it) and I’m now back on track!
I am amazed at how easy and right it feels to eat this way! I know I will never go back to the carb/sugar roller coaster. And the icing on the primal cake is that my chronic heartburn is completely GONE.
Since going primal, my mood has improved, my skin feels better and I feel energetic. No more cravings and none of that bloated stomach after a meal. Overall, I feel better.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been for me to give up breads and grains…and how effective. The rest of the primal blueprint…I was pretty much doing it already, so it has been going very well. Of course, I did have a few drinks while on vacation, but…that’s where the 10% comes in, right?
Most of all, I feel great b/c I finally have found an approach that 1.) helps me lose weight, 2.) feels great, and 3.) isn’t unrealistic by having to cut out healthy things like fruits and (most) veggies.
I can’t want to see where I am at in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years,…age 90!!!
Thanks Mark and Grok!
Loving my new Vibrams and the workouts that I’m doing—mostly HIIT. Still struggling with dairy and that 20%. Hence, weight gain, not loss.
I’ve had zero problems going from 36 years as a vegetarian to eating primal. My goal was to lift more heavy stuff but it is too dang hot!!! Still lugging home heavy primal groceries, however.
At age 55, and a virtual vegetarian for the last 25, I had packed on 20 lbs. in the last 3 years. Within a week of making the decision to strictly adhere to the primal regimen, I could feel my energy level skyrocket. Now a month into it I can feel my waist slowly reducing as I enjoy a whole new way of eating, without the constant low level craving for more sugar in all its forms. Forget the weight…..my goal is to fit into that too-small pair of unused jeans that have been hanging in my closet and taunting me.
I’m feeling really good and am so happy to achieved one of my goals which was to kill my sugar addiction. I haven’t really craved sugar at all and have so much more energy now.
Big change for me is trying to “play” more. Sunday I played volleyball for the first time since high school. We all had a blast doing something different.
We’ve been eating #primal for several months now, but keeping a regular journal during the challenge month has made me appreciate just how much things have changed. We eat better, sleep better, and exercise better than I would have thought. My goal was to move from 80% to 90% and, while I don’t think I’m there yet, the challenge has made it easier to appreciate where I am and where I still need to improve.
Oh, and I already have two pairs of VFFs, so please don’t randomly pick me for this contest!
Er, does sucky count? Been harder then I thought to avoid those last scrapes of mac n’ cheese from the kids plates and such. But I know it’s worth it, and it’s time to knuckle down (and get the kids off mac n’ cheese:)!
Going primal has been the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve gone from wearing L/XL shirts to medium size shirts and from 245 lbs to 210 in about 3 months. I’ve also lost zero strength in the gym.
I’ve noticed a huge difference in compliance when eating primal. I crave less bad and more good, which makes each subsequent day easier. It’s the opposite of a vicious circle; a circle, just not vicious.
I found it has been easier and the results quicker.
More energy and sleeping better are two obvious changes.
I feel better in crossfit and I have more energy for everyday things. Life is great!
About 5 months in, lost about 25 pounds and my wod times are going down and max effort lifts are going up.
Even more challenging now that I’ve just returned to live with my family and am seeing and smelling modern junk food.
I still need to eat better (more veggies & less processed food) but I am making great progress and seeing great results!
Eating Primal and exercising more. Another pound gone. Feeling and sleeping much better!
Awareness has been the big lesson in this challenge. I still have a long way to go before I am fully primal, but the changes I’ve made so far have been positive – body, mind and psyche.
I began primal living with the hope of improving my physical performance. After a period of struggling to avoid grains and learning how to stock up and prepare actual food, eating primal has become almost second nature. No more periods of fatigue in the afternoon after a big carb-filled lunch, and my results in metcon style workouts and even heavy lifts have improved significantly despite no drastic changes in training. I’m excited to see the future effects of living as it was intended.
My diet was 80% primal before the challenge. I’ve really ratcheted it up during this time. I’ve really enjoyed the primal approach to moving the body with short, powerful workouts.
The first few days were a lot harder but now, I´m feeling really good. My workout are showing new PR and I have drop a few pounds. The cravings a lot less!!
Thanks Mark.
I’m changing the way that I eat,
Dropping carbs in favor of meat
And more veggies. It’s great!
Because I’m losing weight
And shrinking the size of my… seat.
My body tells me in so many ways, how it is benefiting: muscles are starting to form, I feel stronger and more energetic, I no longer fall asleep after lunch, and I am never bloated and uncomfortable. I can’t get enough of Mark’s advice or read too much about the science of the way my body should be!
I started going primal in April of this year, but this challenge is the first time I’ve been 100% committed. The test was visiting my parents; my mother regularly stocks any candy you’ve ever liked, 100’s of cookies (I’m not kidding there’s a cookie freezer in the garage) and will prepare all of your favorite foods. I proudly and quite happily turned down the 5 layer chocolate cake and had gorgeous fresh berries with organic cream; this visit was the first time I stayed primal and the first time I didn’t come home feeling sick for days.
I lost 5.5lbs and 3% body fat in the first week. All I ate today was an orange and I feel great (its 4pm)! I will be having Pork Loin w/ Mango Salsa tonight.
Going primal has eliminated my need for asthma medication, and helped my crazy blood sugar stabilize. Digestive issues have calmed down, too. The hardest thing was giving up potatoes, but finally letting them go made a big difference.
PROS of going primal: #1) food satisfaction, #2) not hungry anymore, and #3) energy to do ANYTHING
CONS of going primal: #1) having to prepare foods more (no more quick snacks), #2) dealing with eating at friend’s houses and #3) the time consumed reading on the internet (recipes, blogs, etc) b/c I am CONSUMED with all things primal!
Biggest challenge.. convincing 6 mile a day 6 day per week running wife that Primal makes sense. Makes sense to me. 1/3 way to weight loss goal in two weeks.
Since starting on this primal path; my waist, my grocery bill, my appetite, my carb-cravings, my gym time, my knee pain, my PMS, my food preparation time, and my hesitation have all shrunken dramatically. And I can’t stop telling everyone who will listen about how living like a cavewoman is making me leaner, happier, healthier, and kinder.
I started out with best intentions.
I did well for first week, but slipped back a little in the second week and could feel the effects.
I am ready to move on with the challenge and live and learn.
The challenge has been surprisingly easy for me because I never feel hungry and I have great energy!
I hesitated to try it because when I’ve tried low carb diets before I had terrible carb cravings and no energy – I have five kids (including two-year old triplets) and I need all the energy I can get!
I’m totally happy with the results so far (I’ve lost six pounds in two weeks) but the best thing is that I feel fantastic!
I find the farther I make it into the challenge the easier it is. It was never really that hard to begin with. Just enjoying it all the way.
Living primal has extended beyond weight loss for me. Last week we had a ton of fun playing frisbee and taking hikes. I’ve lost eight pounds but have had more fun outside than ever before.
Bacon is back.
YES! Love it!
Going primal was like finding the answers to so many questions I have had for so long. The more I ate the way I was supposed to, the fatter I got.
Occasional lapses, but the Challenge is keeping more on the straight-and-narrow than otherwise. Feeling strong!
On the Primal lifestyle I have more energy, look great, and am living life as it were meant to be: an enjoyable experience meant to be lived. I will continue improving along the path of mental, physical and spiritual well-being. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
#3 reason -I feel so much better
#2 reason – I have incredible energy
#1 reason-my 21 yr old son finally sees the light
I got primal last [school] year before getting into rugby and having to change my fitness goals/path, though I stayed the course diet-wise for as long as I could before I had to make some concessions for athletic performance. I thrived on the primal blueprint, as well as noticing that I did well in the past when my diet changed in favor of more primal habits, even though it wasn’t a concious choice. I’ve gotten leaner and more muscular, and since the stigma of fats has been destroyed, I love indulging in organic/grass fed butter.
Going Primal with eating about 95 % of the time has changed my life. I still have a few slips with dairy, but the overall increased energy and general great feeling makes the rest of it so worth sticking with. It all just makes sense once you see your body responding so positively to the functional movement exercises and Primal diet.
I feel fricking great!
I didn’t create a formal challenge for myself because I was on vacation for 10 days, but I’ve been diligent before and after vacation and not bad during it. My energy level is higher off sugars and grains, and I am already noticeably more toned and look way better in a tank top!
It’s really easy to be happy when your cravings are gone and insulin resistance is calming down. Life is great now that I’m not tired and dragging all the time. I am now committed to an 80/20 life of primal, and I’m slowly moving to 100%!
oooh It’s amazing how after 2 weeks of no carbs that you kind of amazingly and wonderfully don’t want them anymore?
How serious am I about this? I’ve sold my house and am looking for a comfy cave to call home.
I found weekends the biggest hurdle initially, but i countered that by making pulled pork all weekend! have broken free of the evil grains and am feeling fuller and more energetic than ever.
My goal is to fit play into my life more. Since the beginning of the month I’ve hung out with two different friends’ families and played frisbee, bocce ball, biked with friends, swam with friends. My three times weekly kettlebell workouts at a club are fun, but work too. Fitting in more play takes some planning, but is doable! Off to pick figs at another friend’s place…
Working on my fourth week of going primal. Not missing the sugars or grains at all. Getting used to co-workers questions about primal due to my results.
Have only had one day where I went off the diet, this was planned, but I didn’t binge anywhere near as much as I thought because the food just tasted dirty. I have lost about 2kg in body fat, performance at gym slightly increased and getting better sleep. But I have lost a lot of energy and feeling tired, probably due to low carbs, still waiting for my body to switch.
I’m very happy with the primal lifestyle. In the past month, I’ve lost about 5 pounds of flab. My next goal is to add more lean muscle.
The primal way of living has added much more clarity into my eating habits and how to live optimally. I’ve lost more fat, gained more lean muscle and have become faster and jump higher. I have lots more energy now.
When my brother first told me about this diet, I thought it sounded funny, cavemen and all. However, when I began to read I got excited, and since I started I feel like it is going great. My mother always told me to eat whole foods and now I am, and I can’t wait to feel the energy I gain from it.
I have been eating primal for awhile now, this challenge has helped me really tighten up a bit of loose ends. Thank you!
The Primal Blueprint has allowed me to not only look and feel great, but live well in the knowledge that my time on Earth will be expressed fully. Not only has it changed my life, but the lives of my mother and father who are also enjoying much more fully each day. I am glad I have found a lifestyle that my wife and I can be proud to teach our son, and we bask in the knowledge he will be well ahead of his peers his whole life thanks to the Primal Lifestyle.
Yup – that’s only 3. =D
Quintessential perfection.
After starting the primal challenge, I’ve noticed my mood go up with no more highs and lows. My energy is more consistent and I don’t crave sugar as much as I used to. My body also feels more balanced and in tune with nature.
Since going primal I have taken an interest in what I put in my body. I also feel so much better than before. I don’t feel bloated and lethargic after meals. My girlfriend and I are driving across the country right now and we have a cooler full of
primal foods to eat rather than fast foods and unhealthy snacks.
Primal eating gives me a purpose that is so difficult to explain to most people. I never thought it possible to look and feel so great at my age. I’ve gained confidence, gained muscle, inspired others, and lost all of my old clothes from only 8 months of correct eating.
Though it outwardly appears “difficult” to follow the laws, the reality is that they are so natural it just works. My biggest challenge was learning to be easier on myself and realizing (after reading your book) that the lack of added stress and pressure I put upon myself will be rewarded with better health! I feel better than I have in a LONG time.
Long gone are the days of eating tiny meals every 3 hours, and instead I’m listening to my body! It’s amazing to have consistant energy- not to mention I’m driving my co-workers nuts for being wide awake and chatty at 6:30 am. This has to be the most free, most liberated I’ve ever felt in my skin, and I love my new muscles!
10 pounds lighter, I begin to discover a person I’d forgotten. She likes to play! And loves a good piece of meat!
My set goal was to eat better, and to be honest i can’t tell if there was any result until i sought it to the very end.
For the past 2 weeks i have been eating good, but bad foods are such temptation! I had 2 days of eating bad and went straight back to primal, but what haven’t stop is my working out. I wake up in the morning and work out a good cardio for 45 minutes and i take about an hour to prepare my food for lunch at work, mostly salad, i also tried the kohlrabi wraps, everyone thought i was insane one guy even said “if i eat one more i might grow a vagina” anyhow it didn’t bother me because the wrap was so good LOL. Right after work (i get off at 6:45 or 6:30pm) i go straight to training muay thai at my local gym, there i work out for an hour usually 30 minutes warm ups and 30 minutes techniques.
I have been doing cardio since the beginning of this year and i have only been been doing muay thia for 3 weeks but i’m noticing muscles on my arms are building, but i’m still a long way to go, so wish me luck!
GO PRIMAL!
P.S.
one thing i learn from this 2 weeks was fruits are a great source of energy, before working out i would have an apple and its better than those stupid energy drinks. i would also have them on my 15 minute break instead of a protein bar. plus they are very delicious i would rather have a mix of cherries, black berry, an apple and banana any day rather instead of a protein bar from now on. again GO PRIMAL!
My biggest stumbling blocks thus far have been in overcoming breakfast and packing to-go lunches while still living with a carb/processed-heavy Standard American family. I’ve also found out I’m one who likes to take time with meal preparation, something that also doesn’t fly with most of Standard America. I’ve caught myself rolling my eyes at others’ food choices pretty often, which I think I should fix……
What I really like about the challenge is seeing so many people focus on one goal, how they’re sharing knowledge, experience, helping each others out and keeping each other in check. One of the things Grok had over other species was the ability to be altruistic, to be part of a community and thus better humanity as a whole. I count this notion as one of the true strengths I’ve received from this challenge.
I’ve been as primal as I can with my income and even thou I’m not 80% primal I’ve seen a huge diffrence. My energy is up, no more hunger pains, and my times for all my workouts (crossfit) are new PR’s.
I am new to PB (2 wks)and find it very easy to do (but I was very skeptical and a little scared about eating fat). So far I have lost 3 lbs and 1 inch in my waist with only concentrating on nutrition (working in the exercise part – I’m getting there). I am flat footed with a lot of pain in my arches so I really, really want those Vibram’s and I don’t care what the neighbors think!
Still reading and learning a lot, in the book and on this forum. Love the 80/20 concept, and hope to incorporate more permanent lifestyle changes as time goes on.
REALLY appreciate the energy and acceptance of everyone here!
Achieving my goals has been a piece of cake (without the cake). It’s a real adventure trying foods I’ve never considered eating before. Free-spirited and random workouts leave a sense of ease in my mind.
I’m happy to report no migraine headaches in 21 days since I removed grains, sugars, and processed foods from my diet. Since the end of week two my energy levels are stable and I no longer have extreme cravings for certain foods. Thank you for the challenge and I look forward to making more primal adjustments in the future!
Every day of my journey seems more real and vibrant. Everything tastes and feels better when you live, refrain, indulge, endure, fast, move, play, tribe, and share as you were meant to. Going primal makes life beautiful again!
Living the primal lifestyle has been a tough transition at times but luckily I have a great person in my corner who has been primal for almost a year and has been helping me through this transition. I feel better and I actually cook a lot more than I did before and have found myself to actually be quite good at it! Going #Primal has been one of the best decisions I have ever made!
So far i feel healthier and stronger. I am encouraged to keep going. And best of all i have helped others get on track to.
I’ll be honest: I’ve not gone 100% primal so far. I’ve gradually been getting into it the past 2 months since I’ve found the site, but I’ve taken inspiration from the Twitter posts about meals, I’ve found more energy, and I can see actual muscles forming underneath my layer of stomach fat, hah. Sure, I slip every now and then, but I’m getting more an more away from processed food, and I figure if I can’t make it, it’s not worth eating.
It’s been GREAT! I haven’t felt this alive in ages. I can’t wait to continue even further down the path of Grok!
I didn’t participate in the first Primal Health competition and wish I had because it really helps keep me motivated. I love the body mind and spirit benefits from going primal. I’m achieving my personal goal this time round too: having more fun!
Other than a few get togethers with faily and or friends, and traveling it’s been easy. I know I feel my best inside and out when I LIVE this way, so I find myself straying less often as time goes by. Onward and upward!
Really enjoying the 30 day primal challenge – I started the Primal lifestyle about 3 months ago and I have lost over 30 pounds. I feel great and it has been so easy to follow! Month to date I have lost 6 pounds.
I am very pleased with things so far – this is truly a way of eating and exercising that my body appreciates. I am losing weight, yet staying totally satiated. To me, this all makes sense: eating healthier, natural foods without modern modifications, exercising in a way that builds strength, and having fun while I am at it.
After the first week of the challenge, surprise, found out I was pregnant! I have revised my original goals to accomodate, and look forward to the challenge of being pregnant AND primal.
After 8 weeks of transition to a primal lifestyle, this challenge provided the impetus for me to finally give IF a try. I’ve done it twice and it was WAY easier than I thought it would be. Thanks Mark!
I’ve actually found going Primal to be pretty easy for me. Month to date, I’m down about 4-5 lbs, but over the whole 47 days now, I’m down 15lbs. I feel GREAT!!!
Extreme frustration and no support at home, I am alone.
Gave up after seven days, but at least I have the weekly fasting down.
I will start again after I have time to shop & prepare food.
I’m glad others are having great results.
talked my wife into doing the challenge. so far she is enjoying it. Her energy levels are way up.
I started running in a more minimalistic, primal way by ditching the heavy trainers and am now running primarily in racing flats. I do barefoot work several times per week and do multi-joint, functional lifting at the gym. I can see a huge difference in my strength after a few weeks!
The Primal Challenge has helped me gain muscle, lose fat, and feel great. By cutting unnutritious calories from excess carbs, by adding in more vitamin-rich vegetables into my diet, and keeping my high-protein proclivities, I have been able to trim my waist and grow bigger at the same time, all while feeling plenty satisfied!
I’ve been eating primal for about 6 months. I haven’t lost any weight but my sleep patterns and energy levels have improved a lot. Perhaps with some I.F. I can get the weight down.
My goal (lose 10 lb in 4 weeks) has been challenging (only 3 lb in 2 weeks).
I have to “move, move, move” and believe more in the overall proces.
Eating primal is not enough!
I’ve been trying it for a while after reading Gary Taubes book. But I read the book because of reading this site. I haven’t really noticed much difference yet but I’m hoping it’ll improve.
Going primal has been a lot easier than I thought it would be – I thought dropping my carbs to under 100 per day would be difficult, but I’m averaging 75 per day. So far, I’ve dropped 10 pounds and my energy level is way up. Best of all, my ankles are no longer stiff after I’ve been sitting – I can actually walk normally after sitting at my desk for 30 minutes.
I started a week later than the official one – with a few friends. Right now it’s a little too early to tell, but boy has it been hard trying to be really good. Been around family for birthdays is fine for eating cake and good treats, but the leftovers are driving me nuts! But I know it’s better for me.
Continuing to lose excess weight. Sleeping better and smoking less.
The Primal challenge has made me confront my biggest fear – accountability. It hit me in a meeting, everything…everything is connected and I need to be accountable to my wife, kids, grandkids and great grandkids! I don’tknow if I will live to dance at my great grandaughters wedding but if I am I will be functional and vibrant because of my accountability to the Primal Blueprint and the Challenge to live life!
Thankfully, this challenge has served more like a dietary ‘return to grace’ for me. I’ve returned to melting off the excess fat and have lost yet another belt loop. I’m not doing as well at exercise as I thought I would and need to focus on it more.
It is amazing to me that this is no longer about losing an arbitrary number of pounds but has evolved into a genuine desire to become lean, healthy and fit. It’s as though I didn’t really start living until the age of 47, and have gone from a life of frailty to feeling like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
And my husband’s getting a kick out of watching his tiny wife lug heavy things around.
Life has never tasted so good spiritually, physically and mentally. Have to work on those late night munchies cravings though.
I’ve been trying to be primal 60/40% for several months now but this month I’ve set a goal to be in Mark’s 80/20 Primal. I’m an avid CrossFitter and have had a pair of Vibram Sprints since December ‘08. I’ve pretty much worn them out, so a new pair would be awesome!! I’ve got holes on several of the toes, and god knows after “umpteam” workouts they stink to high heaven even though I wash them regularly.
Eating primal is a dream come true! I can eat all my favorite foods, and keep my six pack too (abs that is)! My wife is a little worried that I’m going to move to alaska and catch salmon with the bears, hmmm not a bad idea…
I’ve really struggled. I don’t know how anyone else finds this, but I’ve got a real discipline problem. I’m hoping it gets easier and being at college makes it only more difficult. I hope that I can just push through and keep going.
I am only 8 days into the primal challenge but I have found it to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. There is a group of about 20 people at the Crossfit gym I attend that are doing it together and we share our experiences/recipies with each other.
Condescending comments and jokes are hard to swallow but, in time, they will be gone as people around will see the difference in me. So, Acknowledge them and let it go!
I’ve always lived with the “everything in moderation” idea guiding my decisions. As a mind-set and true way of life, Primal Living has helped me take that notion of moderation to a new level in healthier choices. Especially during The Challenge.
There is something beautiful in the simplicity of the primal lifestyle..like those juicy chicken breasts with the skin on and bones in I’m about to attack…that is the key: “attack” with abandon: attack your food! attack your workouts! attack your cravings! attack life! Grok say: “Kill it and eat it!!”
I have been pretty much grain free for a couple of months and eating way more fruit and more veggies too. I think I’ve lost about 10 pounds without really changing my exercise much. I figured the dietary changes would be the biggest hurdle so that has been my focus.
Putting my goals in writing gave me a reason to stick to them and it’s been easier than I thought. I’ve experienced increased energy levels, and I am continuing to gain muscle and lose fat, so I’m really happy with my progress. Primal living means making decisions about your diet, fitness, and general health that will help you thrive and avoid the diseases that plague our society.
Well I amworking toward the goal of being primal, and plan on getting the “Blueprint” for my 51 bday this month to help. Still wondering about giving up my nofat cott cheese and nofat yogurt along w a multibean salad I liked and think/thought was healthy. Love the IFs, don’t feel the guilt if i miss a meal or feel like it will throw mymetabolism off.
Eating primal was easier than I thought so that I overreached the 80/20 rule I set. But loosing the bf% and gaining strength takes longer than I imagined – also due to an injury. But I kept the inflammation at bay!
While I haven’t had the weight loss I hoped for (.4 lb), today’s contest prompted me to remeasure–I’ve lost about 1 inch from my waist!!! Yippee!! All of the support on the forum has been amazing.
I love my high energy levels, lower blood pressure, lower weight, smaller waistline. For the first time in years, I feel like I have amazing control over my food intake and am happy about all the food I am eating. The workouts, both the intense lifting and the longer walking/hiking are easier to complete.
So far, so good! My goals were: to cut back on sugar, gain muscle (I’m 5′10″ 127lbs 15%body fat), do 1 pull-up, and be my husband’s girlfriend.
I have cut waaayyy back on sugar (occasional honey still). Haven’t gained much muscle & have lost 1.5lbs (not what I wanted). Getting closer to a pull-up and that works my abs too! Giving lots of massages to my husband & not wearing pj’s all day on the weekend.
The hardest thing seems to be getting enough protein every day.
Oops! Not so good at following directions (and I’m a teacher!).
It has been 3 weeks since I started the Primal Blueprint, and I’ve lost 8 lbs of fat, have more energy and just feel great all day long. I’ve made a goal to lose 20 lbs after 10 weeks and get my cholesterol under 200. When I reach my goal, my family has agreed to start the program as well so I’m not just doing this for myself but for my parents, siblings, wife and children.
I really appreciate this challenge. I have been in a rut and started letting myself go a tad by eating more carbs than I needed. I love the recipes and love to read the comments. I feel inspired by others. It keeps me motivated.
I love it so far! I have not had any grains since starting the challenge, which is crazy because I appreciate a good bread, haha.
It’s amazing how much better I actually feel when I only eat what I was meant to eat! Thanks Mark!
Going primal has definitely been a challenge for me. Have to come up with ideas for breakfast, make sure I get more walks/sprints in. Doing more hikes and staying away from grains, but staying away from sugars is a bit harder.
No major physical changes though, but for some reason I feel leaner.
The best part of going primal is having to come up with primal meal ideas with whatever is in the fridge, some of it turns out really really good.
I love primal living baby. Eat right live right. 2 weeks in, a life-time to go.
I’ve been eating primal(ish), from Sweden and still use quite a bit of dairy, for a couple of months now but went for a summervisit to my parents just as the challenge started so I made my challenge to try to stick to the plan while camped in a ‘foreign cave’.
I think its been going quite well, parents atleast slightly open to my ideas, helped quite a bit i think by me pitching in with the cooking of quite a few really tasty meals. =)
I fear they will probably fall back on the bread wagon again when i move out but personally I think its made my own stance stronger.
I’ve lost 5.5 lbs so far and I feel good, my energy is up this week.
It’s been easier than I expected, I haven’t counted or weighed or tracked carbs – freedom eating.
I’ve made an effort to move and to exercise, maybe not enough yet, but I am trying to increase each week.
I’m 50 and I think I have finally found a way I can eat healthily and effortlessy and lose weight, with exercise that I believe I can build into my life regularly….Thanks Mark.
I’ve been on and off primal living. I started over year ago and once I started immediately dropped about 20 lbs but after that it’s been tough losing the last of the abdominal fat and getting the energy to power through the day. These three weeks have been a good refresher…although no ice cream in the summer is hard
I feel good and excited about continuing the primal diet. Overall I am feeling better and have performed bettered athletically.
The Primal Challenge makes me realize I was right about my body disliking carbs several years back when it was a “fad”. I’m enjoying my daily 2 eggs and having fun Groking in my overgrown yard. Body, mind, and yard are really kicking @$$ right now!
I’ve got the book, I followed the way, and i took it like a pill,and there’s no turning back. I feel like Neo, taking the pill and out of the Matrix(Conventional Wisdom).Going Primal and being primest!
The more I get into this lifestyle the more I get out of modern living. TV, cars, movies, video games, malls, who needs ‘em. Give me the Great Outdoors.
My progress has been surprising at how undisciplined I can be dietarily. But I’m getting there and I’m amazed at how much my waist cleans up with ONE REALLY GOOD DAY. As you have said in the past, it’s all about the transition. I’m getting there and I’m taking my wife with me!
Eating is more satisfying. No sugar cravings to speak of. Starting to lose the belly fat that I could never get rid of not matter how much I worked out.
Mark,
Love eating primal and definitely feel so much better – quick question though – any advice for those of us that are hypothyroid? I’m on medicine and such but the pounds are so slow to come off – even with regular primal exercise and really good primal diet… Plus gluten-free for two months now… Any advide you may have is much appreciated… And thanks for sharing this great information with us!
The Primal experience has been a revelation. I have been doing my best to follow Robb Wolff and Mark’s advice to the letter and I feel great because of it.
Ugh-Fug throw stump. Ugh-Fug get strong. Ugh-Fug catch fish and pick blackberries.
Something lost each day
As primal blueprint’s reclaimed
I’m myself again
My primal experience over the past 14 days has been extraordinary. I’ve lost 6lbs and unlike most of my diet experiences, I’m full of energy. My mood, mental clarity, and energy levels are definitely up while my sore joints and inflammation are down. I feel great!
Since going 100% primal I’ve lost weight despite trying to eat more food. My abs are poking through even more now so whatever I lost must have been fat. My workouts have been shorter (~20mins) but they leave me feeling great and give me a full body workout. I’ve been doing mostly kettlebell and calisthenics, and the high-fat diet gives me so much more energy to workout.
Also, I’ve been going barefoot most of the time, or I wear Sanuk Vagabonds (like moccasins) with no support, and my feet feel so much better. I really can feel my toes spreading out. And yesterday I was at the golf course with my old shoes on and my feet felt so cramped. I even rolled my ankle because I stepped on a rock. Wearing shoes with heels makes you walk on your heels instead of the balls of your feet so your ankle is weaker and thus easier to roll.
My energy levels have been great and I’ve not been getting tired at work. I’m not really overweight but I have lost 8 pounds of fat while on the diet and working out regularly.
I was pretty close to primal before, so I haven’t noticed any huge results. But things seem good so far!
I have never felt better than since I went Primal. High energy levels, steady and effortless weight loss, stable mood, better sleep, clear skin, and best of all: very stable and controlled hunger.
Two months and a half now, without any grain, nor legumes.
I am 45 and I was getting a little bit sad, because I was beginning to feel myself in the beginning of the last part of the life (I have lost my father when he was 55), with small aches in articulations, and other small disfunctionalities.
Now, I feel again myself full of life and energy and my mood is wonderfully positive!
Thanks for the Vibram FiveFingers!
The craziest thing, my husband and I have meant to enter almost every contest thus far. We vow each day that, “tonight will be the night that we post our pictures, write in the blog, add a comment,” but then, after putting our 12 month and 3 year old children to bed, we pass out ourselves. This challenge has allowed us to really challenge OURSELVES and really do it for us and evidently, not for any of the prizes!
I am a lifetime natural bodybuilder who has never used steroids. Since following the Primal Blueprint diet I have made amazing gains. I have been able to build muscle while dropping bodyfat. People keep asking me whats up and I tell them I have gone Primal. Thanks Mark
After 6 months of unemployment (ongoing), and numerous aches and pains from 5 days in the gym or sports field per week, I have given up my original goal of better diet (can’t afford it – I live in Britain; free-range anything is absurdly expensive) and more exercise.
So, for the last two weeks in August, I am going to focus on reducing stress, playing, and trying to enjoy my life. My eating will suffer for sure, but it is the best I can do for now.