You Can’t See It, But Believe It!
It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!
Dear Mark,
I can’t tell you how much I feel like a Primal success story although my before and after photos wouldn’t reveal a thing. You see, I haven’t lost a pound, not one. And I didn’t really need to, but I desperately needed a change.
A little backstory:
I am a stay at home mom. Three years ago, my husband began his graduate degree. He had also recently started a new job with no base salary. (He worked for 100% commissions.) Our two children, at the time, were ages 5 and 3. And then my brother-in-law moved in with us. My stress level went through the roof! And my health took a nosedive. Sleep was not a priority; it was usually just an afterthought. My weight, which has been the same number for the past decade, wasn’t sitting in the same places. And while my husband swore he didn’t notice, I did.
The worst part was the way the stress affected my overall health. I was getting chronic yeast infections. Chronic. Get one, clear it up, and repeat. The first couple times I tried treating it over the counter. Then I tried the doctor. Then I tried another doctor. It was affecting things in the bedroom too. My not feeling well made two of us unhappy.
I was also getting these weird bumps inside my nose. I thought they were pimples or something because if I washed my face or blew my nose they would hurt so much. But the doctor told me they were staff infections. How does that happen!? Maybe if you’re a habitual nose-picker with dirty hands, but for the rest of the population (meaning anyone over the age of six) what could possibly cause that? I had to coat cotton swabs in Neosporin and stick them up my nose. That was fun. NOT.
And overall, I just felt blah. I didn’t have any energy. I got sick or colds frequently. I felt rundown. My immunity was definitely compromised. But, I just figured it was the season of life we were in: small children, graduate school, career building, etc. I kept holding on, thinking eventually things had to get better.
About a year and a half into this awkwardness, I had my first awakening. I was referred to a new doctor who, in addition to treating my (current) yeast infection, told me he wanted me to try doing Sugar Busters. Not as a form of weight control, but to try to rid my body of additional sugar that could be feeding the yeast infections. This was something new: I had a doctor who not only treated me, but believed I could do something to help myself and encouraged me to do it. I felt empowered. I bought Sugar Busters that day and began my “new life.” Only, it didn’t work. I was at it for a year because I didn’t want to “quit” before it could work. (Plus I was desperate; chronic yeast infections are not fun.)
I still felt like the doctor was onto something though. I felt like there must be a way to take my health into my own hands if only I could figure out how to do it. I began to read more about nutrition, more specifically, to read about challenging conventional wisdom and the Standard American Diet. I was beginning to form my own ideas about what nutrition could mean for me.
It was at this same time that my sister began going Primal with her husband. She would call me and say, “I really think this could work for you.” I was skeptical to say the least. OK, I was ready to challenge the powers that be, but give up grains? ALL of them? Really? What would I eat? What would I feed my family? My sister’s only question to me was, “What do have you to lose?”
I bought a copy of The Primal Blueprint and read it in a few days. It made so much sense! Just reading and following your 10 Primal Blueprint Laws is transformative! And sleep is one of them! Oh, how I missed sleep. My husband was so busy I really had to lobby for more sleep, but he quickly saw that it made quite a difference to both of us! Getting him on board the food train didn’t take much convincing. Steak, bacon, eggs, avocados. I think his exact words were “H***, yeah!” He never much cared for all the “wheat poop” I used to serve him anyway. (Yes, those are his words for “whole grains.”)
I’m a much better cook now! I don’t think we ever realized how bland and tasteless pasta, bread, and breading can be. We buy grass fed beef and joined a CSA. My kids are trying and eating things I wouldn’t have expected young children to like (such as kale and salmon). The kids devoured Shawarma Salad. I made a bone broth stew from lamb necks and my son licked the bowl! My daughter’s favorite breakfast is your Sausage & Egg Breakfast Bites. I make them for her every week. And I don’t feel at all guilty giving them to her like I used to over Pop-Tarts and sugared cereals.
But here’s the success! I have been Primal for just over 6 months now and I haven’t had a yeast infection since we started! My nose? It’s just a nose, no weird bump things inside. I haven’t lost a pound, but guess what? My weight is all back in the right places. You wouldn’t see the difference with my clothes on, but I know it because of how my clothes fit! (My husband has lost 10 lbs. without even trying and would like to lose about 10 more. Totally doable.) My energy is up! I have learned how to listen to my body. I know what will give me energy and what will zap it! My husband loves eating a breakfast that fuels him until lunch or beyond. No more munchies in the office at 10 AM. I feel better and more in control of things now than ever before.
I love reading Mark’s Daily Apple. My favorite post was the one about which 10 foods you would take on a trip to Mars. You inspired me to try salmon skin. I’d always peeled it off and thrown it away before. “Bacon of the sea.” I love it! You are so helpful, and thought-provoking, and encouraging. I love the way your readers respond to one another and encourage each other. And your wife is gorgeous, by the way! (As if you didn’t know.) My husband is pretty stoked that if we continue with this lifestyle I’ve got a good chance of looking like that in my 50’s!
I’m not sure if my story is as inspirational as those who look like they have had a total body makeover, but I have transformed my body! It’s just in ways you can’t see. I feel like a success! I think that’s what counts. Grok on!
Sincerely,
Beth
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Beth, your story is so inspiring! I’m also a SAHM and started living (mostly) primal about a month ago. I don’t want or need to lose weight either, but like you, I’m tired of this “season of life” feeling so incredibly draining! I’ve already noticed some major improvements within this past month. My energy levels are more stable, and I seem to get fewer migraines, which is huge.
I would love to hear more about the conversations you had with your kids about food, health, etc. Mine are 2 and 4 1/2, and our family dinners often involve me eating all the fat and veggies, and them eating all the carbs! (I give them a choice, but they just don’t like a lot of the primal parts of our meals.) So any tips you might have on how to talk to small children about the changes we are making would be very helpful!
My first advice would be to take the choice out of it. I know that sounds mean, but it really isn’t. When I offer some nuts, jerky or fruit as a snack and I get whining, my response is, “Oh, I thought you were hungry. I guess not, because if you were really hungry, you would eat it.” They usually walk away. But in an hour or so they’ll be back asking, “Can I have some pumpkin seeds and cashews?”
I do keep dark chocolate around the house and they are allowed to have ONE piece each day after lunch or dinner, their choice.
And while I do not deviate, I allow them to take the weekend off. This means that they can have some junk on the weekends. I let them eat Crispix or wheat free kids cliff bars. I know, Gasp! They think they’re getting away with murder and I just grin and bear it. They are also able to choose a bit of candy that they have received from holidays, school, Sunday school, etc. I don’t throw (all of) it away, but it’s under “lock & key” until Saturday.
When they ask why we don’t eat grains or sugar everyday anymore, I explain how important it is to put good food in our bodies. I tell them that our bodies are made up of what we eat, and that if we put junk into our bodies, then our bodies will be made out of junk! We won’t have energy to play outside and we won’t feel well.
To satisfy their penchant for bread, I make breads and muffins out of almond flour and coconut flour. Now, when they ask for bread, I know they mean mine, not store bought. (If they go to grandma’s house though, I know they are filling up on baguette.)
You are lucky that your kids are so little. You can establish the system now. “This is just how things are.” My rule is: If I cooked it, you have to try it. One bite. You don’t have to like it or finish it, but you do have to try. This is how my kids have discovered that they like a lot of things that sounded weird at first. They have also said “No, thank you” after the first bite plenty of times too and I allow it. I say, “I’m glad you tried it.” While I don’t follow CW in terms of nutrition, I do believe that sometimes kids have to see and experience things up to 20 times before they will accept them.
Raising a family is difficult in so many ways. You want to do what’s best and you feel defeated when you slip up. (Or when someone slips up for you. Uncle watched the kids the other day and we came home to the three of them happily munching on cheeze-its and drinking fanta. My husband just patted my arm and told me to look away.)
I hope some of these ideas help. Please be encouraged. This is a process.
A method I like to offer is provide a choice with outcomes that you are okay with. That way the kid makes a choice and you are happy.
Right, like “nuts, jerky or fruit.”
Maybe I didn’t phrase that part properly. By taking the choice out of it, I meant that the only options left would be good ones. Kids, like adults, will eat for good reasons and bad ones. If you’re asking me for a snack because you’re bored or just want some sugar, “Sorry, honey.”
Thank you for the tips! Some of this goes along with how I’ve dealt with food in general at home (especially the part where they have to try, but they don’t have to like it). I guess the key is to lose the non-primal options. To do this, though, I’ll have to get my husband on board, otherwise he’ll be “allowed” to eat bread while the kids aren’t. Fortunately, my kids are nuts about eggs, so I know that if all other options fail, I can always entice them with a soft boiled egg!
Beth – great story!! I am totally going to use the phrase ‘Wheel Poop’ more often now.
Similar to you, our kids took a little work to get converted over. Now they are full bore.
I think your story is great because all too often we associate weight and health as if they are one and the same. I was in a discussion with a coworker once and they just found out they are [pre-diabetic, high blood pressure,... can't remember now] and their response was ‘but I don’t need to lose any weight?!?!’ They were completely surprised that they might be unhealthy yet skinny.
So true! I know I used to think skinny = healthy.
When I went to that doctor who put me on Sugar Busters, he asked me to tell him about my health. I gave him a brief history and said, “Other than the yeast infections, I think I’m pretty healthy.”
His response: “In less than five minutes, you told me that you are getting over a cold, you’ve had the swine flu and you get chronic yeast infections. You may be thin, but you are definitely not healthy!”
I was shocked. (But he was right.)
Beth,
Isn’t it “interesting” how medical doctors sometimes define “health”? You were fortunate to find an MD who wanted optimal wellness for his patients – not just the ability to manage “health” with a minimum of medical interventions.
As a 59 year old woman, who very recently went Primal due primarily to creeping weight gain and creeping lipid elevations, I can attest to how low the standards of CW “health” can become as we age. Just because I have managed to avoid blatant obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, etc. to this point, my MD considers me “basically healthy”. HA! Live in my aging body for one day and see what you think of such “basic health”!
Looking forward to seeing what going Primal does for optimizing my wellness, too. May have my own success story to share one day.
Great story Beth. Even if it isn’t “obvious” like the huge physical changes, it’s still inspiring to hear about the subtle (or not so subtle) other changes that the Primal lifestyle can evoke.
I understand about the kids too. We have two daughters who are not fans of the “Caveman Diet.” We don’t force them to eat our food and haven’t stopped buying them junk like good parents would. We give them the option and try to set as good an example as we can.
Best of luck on your continued success.
Amazing story Beth! It does feel amazing to not catch every little bug that floats around! And I’m with you on bland grains. I don’t even see that stuff as food any more – I mean, if you think about it, pasta is processed, nutrient-less flour shaped into tastless stuff you just use as a vehicle for sauce. Do your body (and mouth!) a favour and put that sauce on a steak!
Boy, I can just TELL y’all are not what Monel Chemical Lab in Philly calls a supertaster… Pasta has the most amazingly heavenly deep rich taste — but apparently only to (some?) supertasters. Yes, of course, with lots of butter and lots of freshly grated locatelli (sheep’s milk romano) — but putting those on any other ‘carrier’ is so not the same! That’s always my problem — veggies taste too strong (yuck!), too objectionable and pasta (and bread), too wonderful. (But yes, almost without exception, I skip the pasta and bread. {sigh})
Oh my gosh! I was so happy to read your story b/c I can totally relate! Over the last two years I have been extremely prone to both yeast infections AND staph infections in my nose (painful bumps & sores) – I thought I was the only one! I have stuck many a cotton swap (with neosporin) up my nose per doctor’s orders. Mine are mostly better after going primal, but if I have any issues I now use coconut oil, which works just as well w/o the wierd stuff. I agree both issues are a huge pain.
And like you, I look perfectly healthy and no one would think I needed a “diet.” My weight has fluctuated up & down maybe 5 pounds since high school to now (I’m 33). Even losing the weight after my 2 year old was not hard… It just goes to show that there are many other issues to be helped by properly taking care of yourself… weight is not the only one!
Hi – does the coconut oil heal the nose bump? I can’t believe that others get these – anytime I’ve mentioned it to a Dr. they look at me like I’m crazy. I still get them but I’m still 70/30 or maybe even 60/40. I’m going to pay a lot more attention now that I have read this – I never made the connection. Now if I could just stop my head from itching….
What a great story! I also found my way to the Primal lifestyle by way of chronic yeast infections, although mine were topical. I found out about the Candida diet to as a way to stop feeding the infection (it’s fairly similar to Primal)and then read about Primal and decided it was a better fit for me. Haven’t had a single yeast infection since I changed my diet in September!
It’s amazing – even after reading the post earlier today, writing a comment, reading replies, etc., it only just dawned on me that the Candida diet I was on several years ago (gotta love chronic yeast) was almost exactly like the PB! Funny how my brain just didn’t make that connection until now. Back then I saw the Candida diet as something I had to stick with for a certain period of time to get healthy, after which I would go back to “normal.” In a way, I saw it almost as punishment. But now that I’ve made the decision to go primal, it’s more about the lifestyle, a permanent paradigm shift rather than a temporary deprivation.
Thanks for sharing! It’s so awesome to hear how eating right csn make such a positive difference. Food is medicine. And I’m really more inspired with stories like this, about ‘normal sized’ people – I’ve never been overweight, so the others aren’t as relatable.
Way to go, Beth! Chronic health issues can be stubborn and frustrating just like chronic over weight issues.
I’m so happy that you found healthy living through the PB Beth, it sounds like the quality of your life has improved dramatically. My biggest change since going Primal 7 months ago is not weight loss, but my energy level is phenomenal. I used to need a nap every day around 2, and go to bed early. I had no energy for playing outside with the kids. Now I feel like the Energizer bunny, and I play with the kids all the time, we just got back for 2 hours of sledding, and I pulled the little one up the hill over and over!
Great transformation. I love your story thanks for sharing. It is amazing how this can change your life. Much health to your and your family
As usual with these stories, the best part is the contrast between the “Before” and “After” pics…absolutely astounding! You guys look like you feelgreat, nice job!
Congrats to you Beth! I also have never had a weight problem but had tons of health problems for my whole life that literally disappeared once I gave up grains, sugar, and dairy. Focusing on sleep was a huge issue for me (I still have to work on it from time to time) but wow, what a difference. Thank you for sharing your story, I’m sure there are more people out there like you and me who look okay but are not okay who will be inspired by your success!
Hey Beth
It was great to read your story. It was actually a nice change from all the weight loss successes. Though they are wonderful it is good to hear about how primal affects other health issues. Thanks!
I love this. Thanks so much for sharing your story!!
Congratulations!! In fact, I was waiting for this kind of success story. I doesn’t have to always rely around fat loss!
Cheers from Quebec!
Fantastic story! My weightloss has stalled, and I think it’s because I still have underlying things to heal: but I feel great ! The SAD (whether it’s Aussie or American) is a depressive diet. Sugar and the junk food are downers of that I am sure. My sister in law has gone onto a primal stlye diet and her eczema which she has had from BIRTH, has gone. just like that. Cheers
Wow, as you can see from the comments, your story is really inspiring to those of us without weight to lose but have other health issues. Thanks for sharing!
I have a question about fruit for you – did you have to cut it out to get rid of the yeast infections and can you eat it (in moderation) now? I’m currently trying to rid myself of chronic yeast infections and have completely cut out fruit, but I really hope I’ll be able to add it back in at some point as it’s about my favorite thing to eat (for dessert!).
I did not cut out fruit. Since I wasn’t trying to lean out, I wasn’t as worried about bringing my total daily carbs to the lowest point possible. I really love apples; I have one probably 3-5/wk. I stay away from the other high fructose fruits though: bananas, melons, grapes, pineapple. I eat those only in moderation and try to stick to berries when I want more fruit. I love veggies too, so getting my fiber hasn’t been a problem.
I did COMPLETELY cut the wheat products. And I do NOT “cheat” on those. If I do “cheat,” I may have some blue corn chips or a tiny bit of white rice. In the beginning, though, I avoided those too.
I hope that helps.
I wish you complete success!
Thanks for the reply. I’m glad to hear you didn’t have to cut out fruit! My naturopathic doctor recommended I stay away from fruit for now since the candida feeds on sugar. I learned my lesson pretty early on with wheat – cutting it out for 2 weeks and then eating a small amount made me never want to eat it again.
I also cheated with corn products and white rice but now I’m fully committed to eliminating grains entirely (at least while I’m healing, I don’t expect to be perfect forever). It’s really not that difficult except that my husband likes to go out to eat a lot. I was using the rice to soak up sauces at Thai restaurants, not even because I really wanted rice. I told my husband that we should get take out and then I can replace the rice with cauliflower rice at home. He agreed since he’s more interested in eating yummy ethnic food than in the experience of eating out (although we do enjoy going out to breakfast together).
I’m coming around very quickly to the primal diet. It’s hard to believe I was vegetarian just 3 months ago, and I just swore off soy a week ago (my last hold out just because I used to eat it so much). I just hope I didn’t do too much damage and my body will learn to heal itself over time with good food. I’m so thankful to have this community to share experiences and tips with.
Im particularly happy to hear its helped your yeast problems. I went on a anti yeast diet which introduced me to the idea of meals without grains. Feel fantastic for it, and now making my way (along with hubby -yay!) into primal. I am happy to hear that this will also help get rid of any remaining yeast problem without being on SUCH a restrictive diet
its hard work. Primal however is YUM!!! 
thanks for sharing.
Great Story. Congrats!
The thing I love about the primal diet is that it is about so much more than just losing weight. It is really about becoming healthy in every way. I think your story shows how listening to your body really pays off.
I have noticed that I hang onto stomach fat when I am under stress. Recently the stomach fat has returned. I thought I was fine stress wise but then looked into my sleep habits. I have been having an awful time with sleep lately. This is what I love about this lifestyle. Instead of thinking, “Oh, I am fat.” I am looking at the reasons that I am holding on to this fat. Great job!!!! You both look so happy.
Congratulations on your success! May it continue on for the rest of your days
Thanks for sharing! I have the same experience – from I was 13 until I 27 yeast infection was on and off, sometimes really bad! I could wake up crying in the middle of the night. Shifting my diet to a more paleo/primal one has changed everything and yeast infections are history!
Keep up the good work, you look like a wonderful couple
I did and do have weight to lose, but the surprise benefits of saying goodbye to chronic yeast infections and the apparent healing of gall bladder issues are what make this life style so much more than a “diet”. I emphasize these other benefits to people who ask about my weight loss. Truly, I am hoping to be the pebble that casts a great ripple to help others in my circle. I am so delighted to be part of this encouraging community. Thanks Beth, for putting it out there, congratulations and Grok On!
Thanks for sharing your story. I also had/have chronic yeast infections. When I began Primal last February they went away! But moving back to the US last May meant I also slacked some on my Primal goodness. I have begun getting yeast infections again over the past few months. Your story reminded my of the direct correlation I noticed last year. I have gotten back on track over the past few weeks with some new, specific and very attainable goals for the coming months and year.
Thank you for sharing your journey! I’ve been struggling for years with unexplainable fevers, symptoms that mimic Lupus and RA, as well as a thyroid disorder and have seen several docs over the years to no avail. I can’t even remember what it feels like to feel good anymore. I’ve been slowly making the transition to being 100% primal over the last couple of weeks and seeing your story just gives me that much more motivation to keep it up and not give in to temptation.
Wheat poop! I love the phrase, that’s exactly what it is. You guys look great! Thanks for sharing. To our blood stream and pancreas wheat/grains are SUGAR. Sugar feeds infections and undesirable body um, lumps. I evaluate all doctors & “health experts” on what they say or don’t say about wheat.
I love your story! Success Stories are my favorite email of the day!
LOVE this story & so many people could relate to it! I do need to lose weight, but i know so many women who are thin & think that is enough. I wish everyone – no matter how good they look in a bikini – would begin to see the benefits of eating this healthy! LOVE your story, Beth. Y’all are a cute couple! And yeast infections.. yuck! I don’t have them chronically, but enough to know they are awful! Glad you are feeling so much better!
Super..Your story is VERY Inspiring!
A good reminder that it’s not just about weight loss and how you look, but about your overall health.