For those who have never heard the term “Primal” lifestyle, or aren’t sure what the term means, this post will hopefully clear up any confusion or questions.
The conventional North American diet consists of high amounts of grain, sugar, and processed foods. This, in turn, has led to high obesity statistics and general ill-health. Several pioneers have led the way, and forged the terms “Paleo” and “Primal” when it comes to a new (old) way of living.
The Primal Blueprint, coined by Mark Sisson and discussed extensively in his 2009 book “The Primal Blueprint,” extolls the virtue of living like our primal ancestors did. The lifestyle eschews grains, sugars, and processed foods, and encourages you to eat whole, natural foods, healthy fats, and lots of vegetables and fruits. Small amounts of seeds and nuts are acceptable.
Another part of primal living is to stop doing chronic cardio and to incorporate more natural, effective movements like sprints, and lifting heavy things (bodyweight calisthenics, basically) a couple of times a week. You are encouraged to get a good night’s sleep and live as naturally as possible – all for better health. The “side effects” of this lifestyle are reduced body fat, appetite control, improved immune function, and all-around good health.
There are hundreds of thousands – maybe millions, of people who are living the primal (or paleo, which is very similar) lifestyle. There are forums for support, blogs filled with journals and recipes, before-and-after photos, and stories of success. There are testimonials from people who managed to “cure” themselves of Type 2 Diabetes, reduce the pain from arthritis, and control previously medicated conditions like high blood pressure and depression.
Once a month, you’ll see a “journal” entry from me, talking about another aspect of my primal lifestyle and the changes that come about as a result. You’ll also see primal recipes and food suggestions. If you are interested in learning more about the primal lifestyle, please feel free to comment or leave a question.
