A year ago, Wade realized he had a hundred pounds to lose. Today he shares his journey. Read on to find out if he pulls it off.
And if you have your own Primal Blueprint success story and you’d like to share it with me and the community please contact me here. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone, and thanks for reading!
Hi Mark,
After a life-long struggle with weight, I began my most recent weight-loss journey in January 2010. At 5’10”, I tipped the scales at a whopping 325, had a BMI of 47, was on three medications for asthma, had severe acid reflux medicated with expensive prescription acid reducers, and suffered from obstructive sleep apnea which necessitated the use of a CPAP machine to breathe when I slept.
With the help of a professional physical therapist trainer and nutritionist, in January 2010, I committed myself feverishly to those things which conventional wisdom dictates: daily torturous battles with my body at the gym, and a low-fat, high-fiber, high-carbohydrate diet.
After two months, I was seeing some modest results, but I could tell that my body needed something different. I had an instinct that I didn’t feel well eating all of these refined carbohydrates. I had a battle with my nutritionist/trainer who swore that my instincts were wrong and that I would be doomed to failure.
In March, I followed my gut and set out full-steam-ahead down my Primal path. I had had success with low-carb diets such as Atkins and South Beach before, but I was never able to maintain the short-term success they offered.
A friend recommended Primal Blueprint to me, and I immediately started changing my life to follow more Primal edicts.
Within a month of ceasing my refined flour and sugar consumption and adopting the Primal Blueprint, I began to see immediate and dramatic results. My lifelong symptoms of severe asthma immediately disappeared, my painful gastric reflux abated, I dropped 15 pounds that first month, and I was able to cease all prescription medication almost immediately.
I was able to reduce the intensity of my workouts and maintained 70 percent of my maximum heart rate comfortably. I follow a three-days-on, one-day off workout schedule. Each workout consists of 35-45 minutes of varied cardio at 70-percent heart rate, followed by varied weight-lifting regimen focusing on lower weights with higher reps. I will probably start “lifting heavy” toward the end of my journey to pack on a few pounds of muscle.
Now, 11 months after beginning my weight loss journey, and 8 months after going “Primal” I see dramatic results. My weight has dropped about 105 pounds to 220, with my average monthly weight loss being between 8 and 12 pounds consistently. My BMI is now teetering around 30, 17 points lower than a year ago. I haven’t taken a single prescription medication in over six months, I have no symptoms of asthma, no gastric reflux, no painful sleep-deprivation headaches, no weakness from chronic workouts, no lethargy from insulin crashes, and I no longer require my CPAP to sleep. And if that weren’t enough, my cholesterol is great at a mere 120.
My life has dramatically changed! I have gone from a 50″ pair of jeans to 34″, a size 54 suit coat to size 44. I am almost NEVER hungry, have no cravings — even when I skip a meal, which I often do!
I probably have another 20 pounds to my ultimate goal, but 100 pounds was my initial goal, and I’m going to relax and enjoy my success!
Wade B. — Portland, Oregon
Update: 07/11/11
I wanted to shoot you a quick update to my progress since you featured me last December.
I have lost a total of 137 pounds following Primal Blueprint. I’m doing great, lifting heavy, working hard with a trainer. My success even convinced my trainer at 24-Hour Fitness to start Primal Blueprint diet himself, and he now recommends it to his clients!