It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!
Hi, I’m Fisher, at my heaviest I was about 275 pounds.
From the beginning of my life I was always very active. I was always playing sports and my main discipline was martial arts, specifically Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do. Even after I graduated from college I was 150 pounds and a golf professional.
Shortly after I began my career as a golf professional, I became very ill with pneumonia. I went from running three miles a day in 20 minutes and benching twice my weight, to not being able to walk five paces without collapsing. Even after my recovery from the pneumonia, my lungs were still far from working efficiently. I was on the shelf for years. During this time I was eating with no restrictions. Anything was okay, so I soon began to put on the pounds.
Once I realized I had a serious weight problem, I tried to exercise again. The pneumonia scarred my lungs pretty badly and I had started smoking. I couldn’t run fast, nor long, but I trotted for a mile three days a week, then lifting for 30 minutes on the days I wasn’t running. I went with CW low fat and kept everything else normal. I did lose weight, but I was stalling at a weight that was still unhealthy. So, I picked up my training and started running longer, lifting heavier, and yet still couldn’t lose the unwanted body fat.
So CW tells me to restrict my calories and really reduce my fat intake. Again, I lost weight but felt weaker and still had the body fat. So I picked up my training again this time using HIIT and density training methods. I felt tired, started to get injured, and still had the body fat! I started to think I was just genetically flawed or had ruined my metabolism some how. My work ethic was relentless and I trained through the injuries, but I stalled. No changes except I was feeling old! I then started to track every calorie, every macronutrient and monitored every meal. Which by the way, I do not regret. It really taught me a lot and started my fascination with nutrition.
I stumbled upon Mark’s Daily Apple about eight months ago. I found the information to be amazing! Especially since I’d already learned by trial and error that conventional wisdom was not so wise. I kept seeing these references to Grok. I was thinking who is this Grok guy they keep talking about.. Haha.. So, I purchased the book. For me, this book was confirmed how I was feeling through my years of trial and error. It finally clicked. I’d finally seen all the proof I needed.
I’ve now been living grain free, hydrogenated vegetable oil free, and sugar free for roughly four months. My body fat is at 8.2%, my energy level is through the roof, and I’ve never been more happy in my life.
I’m currently working and living in China. Getting around rice, noodles, and dumplings is certainly challenging and very confusing for people when I have dinner with them! I try to cook every meal and if I do eat out I tend to choose a sushi bar. All the restaurants cook with peanut or sunflower oil so I stay away from the restaurants. I use lard as my cooking oil since coconut oil and other healthy oils are nowhere to be found. I think Grok would be proud and would love my “Primal Chinese style” cooking! I use a lot of stir-fry method cooking and boiling. My macros per day are around 140 grams of fat, 180 grams of protein, and 50 grams of carbs coming from usually broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, and the occasional sweet potato. Once I went primal, my body fat reduced from 14% to 8.2%. That might not sound like much but it’s huge for me. And I did nothing different, except completely eliminate grains and unhealthy oils. Besides my body being in top condition, my mind is so clear, my energy is limitless, and I’m truly happy. My mental and physical health are the best it’s ever been. However, I’m by no means satisfied. I’m always in a state of progression and I keep learning about my body everyday.
My life has changed drastically in the last 5 years. From being a mortgage broker in Las Vegas, 275 pounds, depressed, and angry… Now, I’m a fitness and nutrition consultant in China. Spreading the word of sound nutrition and exercise. I’ve opened a personal training studio where I can train with people one-on-one without the judgement that comes with being a newbie at most gyms. I help my clients learn about macro nutrients and the importance of whole foods. My business is so successful now after a short few months, that I’ve now started group classes at some of the universities in my city. I’m starting a strong healthy family in China.
I’ve never been more satisfied with my work. Waking up everyday is a joy and can’t wait to get to the office. It’s been a challenge though, speaking Chinese about biology, food science, and anatomy is a struggle!
For those of you just starting your journey to better health, my advice to you is take it one day, one meal at a time. If you can’t change all your foods at once, eliminate one at a time. Preparation is key! Knowing my office is surrounded by KFC and unhealthy restaurants, I cook my lunch in the morning when I’m making breakfast and take it with me.
When you train, train with purpose. I’ve accepted the fact that I’d rather be in top physical and mental shape, than have a food that comforts me and does nothing for my body. Stay focused and trust the lifestyle. Let all the doubters keep doubting. Once they see you transform maybe then they will wake up. I wish you all good luck and good health!