Introduction

The purpose of this blog is to document my shift to a more primal way of life.

I have been overweight most of my life and I have felt increasingly unhealthy, so I decided that I need to do something about it. I was introduced to the Primal Blueprint (UK version) (US version) (written by Mark Sisson) by a friend who is a personal trainer and nutrition adviser. When first I looked at this book on Amazon, I was struck by the consistently high customer reviews, giving me extra confidence in the recommendation. The book is well written and scientifically compelling - I'd recommend it to absolutely everyone. I've also just purchased and started reading The Paleo Solution (UK version) (US version) by Robb Wolf, whose style is that of an inquiring, skeptical scientist, and close to my heart. Another excellent resource that I have and will be using regularly during my 'journey' is Mark's Daily Apple, which is a free website with loads of information on the primal way of life and a popular forum.

In a nutshell, the observations of a combination of modern genetic research, evolutionary biology, biochemistry and anthropology show that a primal diet (and way of life) will enable you to look, feel and perform your best. The Primal Blueprint consists of 10 laws that enable you to control how your genes express themselves in order to build the strongest, leanest, healthiest body possible. Many followers of the Blueprint have successfully reprogrammed themselves away from disease and pain towards a direction of effortless weight loss, vibrant health and boundless energy. Mark's Daily Apple forum is jam-packed with positive stories of transformation and support of the plan, acting as numerous testimonials.

Mark explains how the right high-fat diet helps you lose weight and how conventional low-fat, grain-based diets might trigger illness, disease, and lifelong weight gain. Briefly, the primal diet consists solely of meat, fish, nuts, seed, vegetables and fruit. Nothing else. "How can one possibly live like that??!!" I hear you ask. I thought the same until I saw the vast collection of delicious looking recipes on the Daily Apple, most of which are free - there are two down-loadable cookbooks, oodles of recipes on the forum and you can also buy a Blueprint cookbook. The had me from 'coconut'.

Exercise-wise, the book discusses how doing too much cardio might actually suppress the immune system and unnecessarily exhaust your body. The author promotes regular, slow movements in the form of walking, hiking, or gentle cycling, together with occasional sprinting and heavy lifting to increase your strength and physical performance. So no more hour-long sessions pounding the treadmill and abusing the cross-trainer in the gym.

If you want to know more or think it's a load of <bleep>, then please read Mark's highly rated explanations here. This website and the books explain it far better than I could ever hope to regurgitate it all on this blog.

I will regularly write about my experiences, discoveries, thoughts and problems. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.