So, you’ve decided to take up the challenge to go Primal or Primal-keto. Now what? First things first. You have to know the basics. If you’re new to the Primal Blueprint the following article will be one of your best resources. Revisit it again and again until you’ve committed the concepts to memory. The graphs and charts are visual representations of the principles that are at the core of the Primal health philosophy and give you a taste of what it is in my book, The Primal Blueprint.
You’ve defined the “what.” If your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, increase energy or just generally look and feel healthier these graphics explain the basics of the “how.”
The Primal Blueprint Carbohydrate Curve
What’ll It Be? The “Sweet Spot” or the “Danger Zone”?
The Prize:
As far as workout equipment goes, the sandbag is uber-Primal. No need for weight machines, a well-built sandbag will give you a full body workout (I dare you to work just one muscle group with a sandbag, it’s impossible!). It’s the Grok equivalent of hauling a dead animal carcass, except without the funky smell and lingering gnats. Today’s unbustable lump of heavy is donated by Sandbag Fitness Systems. These bags are used by the Naval Academy, NFL teams, and Division I programs, so they’ll be tough enough for modern Groks. The winner will receive a choice of the Strength package or the Introductory package.
But wait, there’s more! A sandbag will help with strength training, but what about all that low level aerobic activity? For that, you’ll need a pair of Vibram Fivefingers. If you’ve read Mark’s Daily Apple at all in the last two years, you probably know how much we love these things. In fact, several Daily Apple all-stars are featured in the Vibram Fivefingers fan blog. The winner will receive a choice of any of Vibram’s four designs of Fivefingers.
Not enough? How about a full line-up of Primal Nutrition products. That’s right, I’m giving the winner my entire line of Primal products. The book, a Grok T-shirt, a bottle of Vital Omegas, a canister of Responsibly Slim protein powder (your choice of dutch chocolate or vanilla creme), and an entire year’s worth of Damage Control Master Formula (12 canisters!).
To recap, the winner will receive:
1 Elite Sandbag (this one or this one) from Sandbag Fitness Systems
1 pair of Vibram Fivefingers (your choice)
12 canisters of Damage Control Master Formula (1 each month for a year)
1 bottle of Vital Omegas
1 canister of Responsibly Slim
1 “Grok On!” T-Shirt (your choice of size and color)
1 copy of The Primal Blueprint
That’s a major grab bag of Primal goodness, but it’ll take more than a comment to win this time. For this contest you’ll have to work up a sweat…
Read MoreAnnouncement: The Primal Blueprint Health Challenge officially begins this coming Monday, August 3.
If you are looking to lose weight, build muscle, increase energy, reduce stress or just generally get back on track this is the perfect opportunity for you to achieve any of your health and fitness goals.
Oh, and did I mention there will be prizes? To the tune of, say, over $6,000 in free stuff over the course of the month? That’s right, accompanying the Primal Blueprint Health Challenge will be 30 Days of Giveaways that will give you the chance to win some super cool Primal gear.
Visit Mark’s Daily Apple this coming Monday for all the details and be ready to get Primal. And tell all your friends, too! I have some special things lined up for newcomers.
Read MoreI’m bringing back the annual Primal challenge in August, and this time I’m giving away prizes. The challenge is different this year. Rather than an all-or-nothing 30-days-at-100% challenge, this year the focus is on the transition, the daily choices and changes people make to go from unhealthy average Joe to healthy Primal Grok, or from healthy Grok to toned, alpha Grok. And whether or not you fully participate in the challenge, you still have a chance to win the prizes…
In addition to the regular blog post, we’ll have a contest post each weekday featuring a Primal-related product with details on how to win. Some of the prizes will simply require leaving a comment in the comment board, though a few of the better prizes will require a little leg and brain work (creating a Primal recipe or workout video, for instance). I’ve locked down several choice goodies like kettlebells, clubbells, and fresh caught Alaskan salmon, but I still have some spots open for additional prizes.
Read MoreJust so you know, the workout and recipe posts I publish aren’t just for show. They’re meant to inspire and inform, and although I know most of you take them to heart, I suspect a lot of people take mental notes while reading them without ever actually trying them out (it’s only human, after all). While the actual workouts are grueling and the prep work for some of the recipes takes time, the real difficulty for most people lies in mustering the resolve to get up and just DO it. “It’s the weekend” (So? Fuel up for the coming week.), “It’s such a nice day” (Exactly! Get outside and enjoy it!), or my favorite, “I’ll work out tomorrow” (Even you don’t believe that.) – excuses are a dime a dozen. But making excuses becomes far more difficult if you actually get up and try the workouts and eat the food. You’ll realize living Primally isn’t bad at all; that it’s actually a rewarding lifestyle that allows you to eat great food and get great results (I guess listening to your genes and thousands of years of evolution will do that).
Read MoreCongratulations to everyone who is participating in the Primal Challenge. If you have any questions or would like to connect with other challenge participants hit us up with a comment.
Here is a brief synopsis of our more vocal challenge particpants’ results for week 3 followed by their own full accounts:
Nkem: Stayed the course with nutrition. Work got in the way of exercise. 2 lbs lost for a total of 14.5 lbs over the course of 3 weeks! Energy levels are back to normal.
Alexandra: Stood up to peer pressure. Got sucked into eating a mystery egg bake that was more bake than egg. Indulged in planned Sensible Vices. Gave IF a try. Does not crave sweets, feels satisfied with less food, and feels more in tune with her body.
Read MoreOk. I admit that this post has a ton of information. But instead of editing or paraphrasing any reader’s results (that just wouldn’t be fair!) I’ve included it all. Pick a participant or two and read them as case studies. This is just a small sample of the people that are taking the challenge (we receive inspiring emails everyday) – those that are kind enough to send in their weekly updates for your enjoyment and edification. So take a look, share your thoughts, help fellow participants through the challenge and/or hit me and other Apples up with a question in the comment board.
Read MoreDear Mark,
I’m finding that I have low levels of energy in the evenings only. Could this be because my body is still adapting to primal living and adjusting to less carbohydrate intake? How long does this usually last? I’m also finding that after my sessions of intense Muay Thai training, I don’t have the energy the next day to do much of anything regarding exercise. (My Muay Thai routine includes two hours of jumping rope, calisthenics, ab work, sparring, focus mitt work and pad work in 92-93 degree heat three days a week.) Any suggestions?
Read MoreSo here they are! Week 1 results from 30-Day Primal Health Challenge participants that were kind enough to send end in their stories.
If you have any questions for participants, need advice or want specifics about diet and exercise hit us up with a comment.
Also, if you would like your 2nd week, 3rd week and/or 30-day results published in order to share your progress will fellow Apples and to get constructive feedback be sure to send them in by the dates listed here.
Read MoreLast week we looked at what goes into our decisions to be healthy: the hows, the wheres, the whos and whys of consideration, of envisioning and finally of commitment. It’s a decision that puts ourselves at the core, we said.
Sometimes our path to that decision is smooth. Sometimes it’s a collection of fits and starts. Usually, it’s a little of both. Progress can come with slow, steady dedication and effort. But, oftentimes, there’s at least a few experiences when we put the pedal to the metal. Whether it’s an overwhelming, positive rush of internal motivation or the insistence of an external, swift kick in the pants, these instances of hyperdrive move us forward. And, yes, even if we lose some ground afterward, we’re changed for the experience nonetheless. We’ve felt that higher level of health, whether it be fitness, nutrition, life balance, etc. Even if we give up some of the result, we know how good it was, and mark our words, you’ll eventually crave it again and be back for more.
Read More
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