What 5 Weeks of Living Primal Looks Like
It’s Friday, which means success story time. Today it is my pleasure to share Dorene’s story. She went Primal on January 1st, not long ago, but as you’ll see from her pictures, sometimes five weeks is all that’s needed to see change.
If you have your own Primal Blueprint success story and you’d like to share it with me and the MDA community please feel free to contact me here. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone, and thanks for reading!
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Wowzers, my body is changing!!! I’ve done the low carb thing for 10 years on and off but not the Primal way…
The first time I did Atkins, I lost 20 lbs. Like I was on crack.
I think I was Primal without realizing it. I ate burgers, no bun, shrimp in garlic butter sauce, bacon, eggs and basically only meat. Very few veggies. At the time I was 28, surfing 4+ hours every day (playing), waiting tables (walking), no car (more walking), and lifting weights.
I gained the weight back a couple years later (bad eating habits never die if you don’t change your lifestyle). I tried to lose it again using Atkins, but I would binge on pepperoni, salami, cheese, more cheese, diet cokes, weird Atkins bars, pork skins, ranch dressing and basically low carb crap. I would lose the water then stall out. Or I would lose a few pounds, then cheat. I cheated because I felt crappy eating all that dairy and processed crap and I would crave fruit and carby stuff. I thought maybe I had made myself immune to low carb living by eating that way for so long.
I finally found the Primal way of life through CrossFit last year. The CrossFit I went to actually recommends Dr. Cordain’s book. I read the book and tried to change over but since I was eating low fat meats I was always hungry and my portions were huge. I would eventually end up cheating because I was always hungry. Then I was introduced to this website by a friend who told me this was much easier because Primal wasn’t as strict.
So finally, after researching and reading the posts, I went Primal on January 1, 2011. I cut out dairy (trigger food and I over consume), coffee, and limited fruit and nut intake. I have lost 10 pounds. My scale occasionally will say I’m 129 and I haven’t seen the 120′s in about 10 years. I’ve always been very active with yoga and paddling competitively and still couldn’t get below 132. Now my clothes are too big, muffin top is gone, I look toned, my stomach is going back to its flat self and the best part is my cellulite is going away. Cheeee hooo!
Though, I haven’t been perfect. I probably ate more fruit in the beginning than I should have, too many nuts at times, a few cheat days when friends were in town including late night grilled cheese sandwiches and fries after a night of drinking. One dinner party, I couldn’t resist the dessert… a few too many 80% chocolate bars and one incident with too much ice cream. The difference is, when I cheated I didn’t feel guilty; and the next day I continued with my Primal way of life. Before, that would have ruined me. One day would’ve turned into a week, maybe a month, or even a few months of cheating. I would gain weight with the mindset that “tomorrow I start my diet, so let’s binge today!”
This is a lifestyle change, not a diet, and this has changed my thoughts on food. Last year I spent too much money going to the doctor trying to figure out why I felt weak, dizzy, low energy, depressed, moody and tired all the time. Since changing my way of eating, I have so much energy. I don’t need coffee and I look forward to the gym and my long walks. I also notice what the scale says doesn’t mean sh#%. I lost 6 pounds the first couple weeks, then, according to the scale, gained that back the 3rd and 4th week but my clothes were big and I was definitely smaller. I hid my scale so I wouldn’t freak out. I think it was the new muscles making my scale creep back up. Last week I weighed my self and low and behold it said 129.5 I’m starting to buy new clothes because some of my things are too big.
About me : I’m female, 38, fairly active and definitely cheat a li’l bit. I rarely eat dairy (I use it as a cheat meal). No more processed meats like salami (also a cheat meal). Almost zero fruit because I’m trying to lose weight. I walk 5 miles about 4 times a week and lift weights about 3-4 times a week (not CrossFit, can’t afford it). Lots of beach time (live in Hawaii), walk to work and around town. I don’t do sprints (yet). I do yoga a couple times a week. I hope this helps anyone that may be struggling. Ignore the scale, listen to your body and try to eat real food. Grok on!!
-Dorene
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Why did you give up the fruit? I am curious because I have about 10lbs to lose and I eat a relatively clean diet,but am struggling with getting rid of it. I currently eat fruits…probably too much. I thought PB says fruit is okay?
This has really inspired me to just cut out dairy and eat limited fruit and nuts. Its really hard when your going primal, because those two things seem to be my fillers when I am cutting out carbs. I had been eating a sourcream dip with my veggies which was kinda my cheat( sad face ) okay I will give it up. I think you look absolutely amazing and hope I see results like you, and feel as if I have the same amount to lose or tone. Do you have FB? Can you add me? I would love to talk more and get more tips one on one if you have some free time
Hey I also have another question, when you cut out all dairy, almonds, how do you get your calcium. Do you take a supplement or just eat a lot of brocoli and bussel sprouts? And is that enough…cause I read that my age (26) woman should be intaking 1000 mg of calcium a day. 1/2 cup spinach is around 115 and brocoli is only 35 for half a cup.
Also did you cut out anything else, like red wine or dark chocolate?
Dorene you look amazing, thank you so much for sharing your story and for posting your pics, I am now convinced that Primal is the way to go.
So I have implemeted these strategies for about one month. I have been cutting back my nuts and fruits. I have completely cut out dairy. I cheated a few times in between(but that is normal and moderation you have to still listen to your needs) I have went from 168 5’9 to I just weighed myself at 153 today
Its amazing what 15 pounds lose can do. I feel amazing having cut out dairy. And I honestly don’t miss it. I think my body thanks me too. I have been eating all organic, and non medicated meats. Also I have snuck in drinking alkaline water 
Anyways, when I first read this post I was scared of the change, but realized that I really want to feel good. These small changes were a little tough, but worth the exploration of the needs of my body.
Thanks for the motivation!
Hey Danielle-
This question is for you because you followed Dorene’s tips after asking a lot of pertinent questions and said you lost 15lbs in the first month but that was last year. How are you doing now?
Hope to hear from you!
Also its really cool to see your body start to form to its natural state. And makes you feel, wow… do I really look like this… its a sure a beautiful journey to balancing yourself and really finding your true identity
Exploring your body is the first step.. at least it was for me… So many other good things have come out of this…. starting within, it all starts to fall into place from there… I feel that is where true happiness lies…
Great job, Doreen! Keep up the great work.
Wow! My Jaw dropped when I read you were 38, thats amazing you look like you could be 24 or something! Nice.
Dorene,
Thank you for posting! I am so inspired. You look incredible!
It’s so encouraging to see how you reshaped your body. (I’d be curious to see what your bodyfat ratios were and are now.)
It’s super helpful to see REAL PHOTOS of women, front and back, without photoshop. I fear we are beginning to forget what a real, fit body looks like.
Thanks again for reminding me how great I could look and keep us posted!
Love,
Auretha Callison
Image Coach, Sexy Stylist!
IntuitionStyling.com
Aloha Dorene,
Hawaii in all it’s beauty has so much to offer. And yes being from the islands myself and the amount of luaus and family get togethers add up on the pounds on the body. Thanks for your story and it got me pumped for primal living. Been on it for 8 weeks and lost 17 lbs. Had a bad week but ur article is very encouraging!
Dorene, You are so beautiful and look so healthy! Great inspiration!
Will you marry me?
Nice work.
ohhh dorene
i keep re reading your story every time im about to sabotage my discipline
my obstacles are similar to the ones you used to have
and I know that staying off the dairy and nuts is the way to see results for me as well
hope you doing great these days
AM
dorene!
totally inspired and yes the dairy must be off the menu for me too
hope you doing great these days!!!
You look amazing!! What do you generally eat in a day?
Great! I just went primal 3 weeks ago… and I think your (and other’s comments) about dairy nailed it for me. I’m dropping the daily yogurt (or two). I think that is holding me back. Thank you for reinforcing that idea.
Wow Doreen! This is motivation to keep going, almost 4 months in and my physical transformation hasn’t happened as quickly but my mental one has. Clear head, loads of energy and generally happier. My day to day food looks like yours maybe my fat component is too much? I’m eating nuts everyday so today I’m having a nut free day! I’ve ditched dairy a few weeks ago do hopefully in another month I’ll see some more physical results! My husband is now primal with me and as of yesterday he too has ditched dairy. Well done Doreen, send some sunshine over to Australia please! I’m jealous! Regards Di
You look amazing! I secretly believe I could have as dramatic results if I would quit cheating with dairy and chocolate and alcohol and potatoes. I mean, who am I kidding – do I want results or do I want to eat all the junk?? 30 Days…here I come!