NiceNaturalHealth.comNice Natural Health

Taking control of your health can have profound, far-reaching effects on your life. With newfound energy and well-being it can change your outlook entirely. This was Matt’s experience. I received this email from Matt a few months ago and it floored me. Peruse and enjoy his opus, and feel free to chime in on the comment board with #98, 99, and 100. Did going Primal spark a sea change in your life? What other aspects of life, maybe totally unrelated to diet and exercise, fell into place once you starting living according the Primal Blueprint lifestyle principles? Grok on!

If you have your own Primal Blueprint success story and youd like to share it with me and the community please contact me here. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone, and thanks for reading!

—

Mark,

The Primal lifestyle has completely changed my life and I wanted to share this with you and everybody involved. I also wanted to say thank you.

97 Bonus Changes after Six Months of Living a Primal Lifestyle

I set out to get healthier with one goal in mind: change my appearance. I was tired of being disappointed every morning when I got ready for work. I missed peoples comments about how good I look. That was it.

Well, I noticed my appearance and weight changing once I began to eat healthier. Those were changes that I set out to make. Little did I know, changes were taking place of which I was unaware. These are all changes I was completely unaware of that have taken place with me:

1. I am happy

I am really happy. I just always have that warm, fuzzy feeling in my stomach. You know the feeling after a good first date, when your kid tells you they love you, when you just swooshed a 3-pointer. I have that feeling all of the time for some reason. And I like it.

2. I have the energy to exercise everyday

I exercise every day now. I used to dread it. I used to talk myself out of it all the time. It was because I didnt have the energy for it.

Now, I get my exercising in as if it were just part of my day. I always feel better after Im done with the heavy bag than I did before it.

3. I play with my daughter at least at least 30 minutes more every day

I used to not have the energy for it. Either that or I was distracted by the television.

Now, I see the beauty in playing with my daughter. I get to see more of the beautiful, quirky, fun, and hilarious things she does. I look forward to it every day.

4. I rarely watch TV

I used to watch at least two hours of TV per night. Three to four on the weekends.

Now, I only watch it when there is a stand-up comedian I like or UFC. My wife and I will watch one movie per week, on Friday usually. It is wonderful to have the time to do what I want and need to do, rather than just sitting around and waiting to go to bed.

5. I no longer get acid reflux

I have had acid reflux since middle school. I would actually throw up on accident it was so bad. The 30 minutes following a meal was spent recovering and trying to keep bile down.

Now, for the first time in a decade, I eat and dont really think about it again until the next meal.

6. I am no longer shaky when I dont eat

I used to get really shaky if I hadnt eaten in awhile. I was hardly able to write, let alone use knives, carry drinks, the list goes on. I realized that after I started eating healthy, my shakiness got worse and worse. I ran to the store one time and got a big bag of Doritos and ate them all and the shakes were gone. I had just eaten a huge, dense, green salad and several pieces of fruit an hour before, but the Doritos got rid of my shakes in an instant. Thats when I truly realized my addiction. It wasnt me being hungry that caused the shakes, it was my bodys addiction to the drugs in the food. That was the last junk food I ate.

Over the course of a month, my shakes started to decrease, until finally, they were gone completely. Now, I can go on a two day fast and not shake a bit.

7. My mood is not affected when I miss a meal

Man, would I get grumpy if I missed a meal. If I had gotten home after a long day of no breakfast or lunch, all I could think about is eating. I was very short with my wife and daughter and did not like conversation.

Now, I act the exact same when I miss lunch as when I dont. And my wife is glad = )

8. I am much more patient with my children, myself, my wife, and my co-workers

I used to have very little patience. I was the worst teacher ever. My wife eventually stopped asking me to explain things because of how frustrated I got. I used to either get angry with my daughter quickly or just ignore it. I used to avoid co-workers because some of them were not as, um, cultured, as the rest of us.

Now, I take the time and actually enjoy explaining things and am genuinely happy when I can get through to them.

9. I am able to run for an extended period of time without getting winded

This was a big step up. I used to want to be able to run and run and run. One day, I was reading a runners blog and it inspired me. When I got off of work, I went for a run; made it about a block. I was completely winded.

Now, I can just run when I feel like it and not kill myself in the process. I am still not at the point I want to be at, but Im getting there…

10. I am more optimistic

I cannot help but look at the brighter side of things. It used to always be Well, it could always be worse… to Hey, it could always be worse! I go into everything now with a positive outlook. It should be the only outlook we have!

11. I drift more towards positive entertainment than negative (opposite than before)

I was very into conspiracy theories before. I listened to Alex Jones a lot. I used to listen and watch people complaining about what was wrong with the world. Now dont get me wrong, I think it is important to bring that to people’s attention, but it was engulfing me.

Now, I listen to music or stand-up comedy. Thats about it. It has a major impact on the way I think throughout the rest of the day.

12. I no longer get migraines

I used to get migraines often. Twice per week. Excedrin became my best friend. I had no idea what was causing them. It didnt matter which season it was, where we were living, what I was wearing, I would constantly get migraines.

Now, I havent had one in over a month. I threw my 124 capsule Excedrin bottle away today.

13. I discovered the wonders of fasting

I started off by fasting and it was incredibly hard. You never really understand how our culture revolves around food until you fast. It completely changes your perspective on just about everything. You learn how much you can endure, you learn the importance of the right foods, and you are able to see how much time is really in a day.

14. I am able to wake up before my alarm clock

…on most days ; )

It feels good not to wake up in your instinctive fight-or-flight mode. It really helps you be more relaxed throughout the day.

15. I laugh more

I laugh a lot more. I am almost always giggly. I almost just sit around looking for something to laugh at. It is one of the healthiest things I do. Look up the benefits of laughter, its amazing. I try to find new comedians that will make me laugh until I cry. I laugh at dumb jokes, unintentional humor, and just about everything I can. It really makes a difference.

16. I have become increasingly educated on the human anatomy

I learned about what we were built for, why we are the way we are, and ways to harness that. I learned how our body reacts to outside influences. I have also learned to listen to my body, which is one of the most important things anybody can do. If you really try to listen, your body will tell you what it wants or what its doing. You dont have to just guess what you’re craving or why youre sick. I promise you, your body will let you know.

17. I read more

This has to do with me cutting out the TV. Reading is so much better. You learn new words, you get better at spelling, and it just boosts your IQ. Plus, you dont have to worry about some actor you dont like messing everything up; you can create anything in your head. Finally, I can get Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Edward Norton, and all my favorites in the same movie!

18. I walk

I cant believe I never used to walk. It is so helpful. It gives you time to reflect, prioritize, set goals, or just space out. I believe, besides diet, it is the healthiest thing a human being can do.

19. I am able to do numerous push-ups in succession

This is a thing that always used to bug me. I havent been able to just bang out 30 pushups whenever I wanted to. Not since wrestling in high school.

I did an assessment of myself the other day and I almost got to forty. I did two hundred (not in succession) the other day. I am really making progress and I am now working towards being able to do fifty continuous push-ups in full form within a month.

20. I have more sex

Do I really have to explain why this is a good thing?

21. I can take naps

I always envied people who took naps. I was never able to. I was always thinking about what a waste of time it is to be just laying there.

Now, when I am tired, that is one of the most important things I can do. It is incredibly healthy for you and makes you exponentially happier and productive for the rest of the day. Nobody should grow out of nap time.

22. I dont have body odor

…kind of. Well, I dont stink anymore. I havent worn deodorant for a month and have never had a complaint. I dont smell bad after working out, walking, or working. I just smell like me, which saves me a ton of money.

23. I have a lot less dandruff

I used to have to buy a special shampoo for my dandruff. I got rid of it for two hours and then it was back in full force by lunch time.

So, I switched to cool showers and chucked the shampoo. And you know what? I dont have noticeable dandruff anymore. So, ditch the expensive shampoos and conditioners and just turn down the heat on the shower and I bet you will make more progress than you were before.

24. I cook more

I used to hate cooking. We would waste money on pizzas, burgers, tacos just out of sheer laziness.

Now, I dont mind cooking. It gives me something to do and I am starting to like creating different meals.

25. I set goals

Ive never been one to set goals. I thought they were useless. I just thought if you did your best, results would come.

Silly me, goals are very important if you want to achieve something. I would never have had all of these changes if I did not set goals in the beginning. I would be eating a pizza and watching “King of Queens” right now.

26. I drink less alcohol

I used to have a real problem with alcohol. Before I was twenty years old, I was going through a gallon of vodka per week. It made my bowels runny, gave me stomach aches, horrible acid reflux, just to name a few. It finally became too much and I stopped. Still, every time we had alcohol in the house it was gone that night. I am getting better at rationing myself and finding other things to do.

Once I started living healthy, I have needed it less and less. I have set a goal for myself to not have alcohol for a month with no exceptions and I am pretty excited about it!

27. I dont want a cigarette

Ive smoked cigarettes since I was 14 years old. I finally quit seven months ago. I relapsed twice, but never went completely back. I always wanted one though.

Now, I see cigarettes for the disgusting things they truly are and havent wanted one.

28. I dont talk on the phone as much

I would always need to be talking on the phone when I was driving. Im not sure why I felt the need to, but I would always call somebody on my way to and from work. If they didnt pick up, I would call somebody else.

Now, I rarely feel the need to call somebody unless I have something specific to talk about. I am content driving in silence. I like it.

29. I am more productive

For some reason, I want to produce again. For awhile, I would try everything in my power to keep from working. If I could BS around something, believe me, I would. I used to get an accomplished feeling when I would take on extra tasks and complete them. But, for some time, I was just doing the bare minimum.

Now, I want to be productive at work again. I drive to work with a purpose again; knowing what needs to be done and how I am going to do it. I notice a difference and Im sure my boss does as well.

30. I created a budget and I stick to it

I procrastinated making a budget for two years. Everybody kept saying how important it was and I didnt want to put in the work. Over that time, we accumulated a good amount of debt. We are still getting out of the hole.

Now, my wife and I have created a budget that we can stick to. We are paying off our debt little by little and it feels great.

31. I dont care about my clothes as much

It used to take me around 15 minutes in the mornings to figure out what I was going to wear. It took me forever to find something that looks good on me.

Now, it takes less than a minute. I just grab a shirt and some pants and just glance at the mirror, knowing that Ill look just fine.

32. I reflect

This is something I started doing on my walks. Ive found it to be very useful. It has helped me become a better father, husband, writer, and employee. If you take the time to really focus on your mistakes and hold yourself accountable, you will be more conscious of them when you are about to do them again. Over time, I had fewer and fewer mistakes I had to beat myself up about.

33. I write more

Ive always found joy in writing, but my brain would get fatigued too quickly for me to get into it. I would only be able to write a paragraph or two and then leave it. By the time I would get back around to it, I would lose interest.

Now, I can write a full essay, blog post, article, or technical document without leaving my desk. I am starting to rediscover the fun in writing again.

34. I get more sun

I used to hate going outside. I just wanted to sit in my chair and surf the web. I would make up excuses not to go to the park or zoo. I was robbing my daughter of being a child. I thought just sitting around the house with the TV and computer going was sufficient for family time.

Now, I take my family outside for walks or swimming every day. I am almost addicted to sunlight now and I go crazy without it.

35. I smile more

I am much quicker to smile now. I just find a reason to do so in just about everything. I cant help it, I just have a natural urge to smile all of the time now.

36. I dont turn to Tylenol when my daughter is crying

God, Tylenol was my answer to everything. She must be teething or She must have a fever. I never took the time to actually figure out what was going on in her body. I would have excuses like Well, what if shes in pain? I would rather be safe than sorry.

Now, we just have Tylenol for emergencies. Other than that, she is normally just hungry, thirsty, sleepy, or wants somebody to play with her.

37. I help with my daughter more

I used to hide in the bathroom or stay late in my office doing nothing in order to not help out. I knew I really needed to, but I was just afraid of the extra work. I would make up excuses for her mother just to take her to the store when she could have stayed with me and it wouldve been much easier.

I have yet to apologize to my wife, but I plan to. I was afraid it was going to be extra work… and I was right. But, you know what? It is the most rewarding work I have ever done. Now, I help out as much as I possibly can.

38. I am competitive

I used to play sports in high school. I was never the best on the team or won many awards. I was never confident enough in my abilities to go all out. I would not give things my all and act like it didnt bother me when I lost. I tried to act like I was above it all. It bugged me.

Now, I am confident enough in my physical abilities that I am starting to get competitive. I challenge people in games of basketball or other activities and I give it my all, unafraid of looking dumb. I have started winning more and I love the feeling.

39. I like music again

I used to be really into music. I spent a couple thousand dollars on equipment and was producing and writing for a few artists. As time went on, I lost interest and sold most of my equipment.

Now, I have found the joy in making music again. I am trying to learn the acoustic guitar (failing miserably) and I am writing again. I am starting to remember how fun and liberating it is. Making music is something I am hoping to continue to do for the rest of my life.

40. I wear short sleeves more

I used to never want to wear short sleeves. I was always embarrassed of my skinny arms. I would wear long sleeves in hundred degree weather. I used to say that it was for covering up my tattoos, but it was because my arms were a lot skinnier than the rest of my body.

Now, I get dressed according to the weather and dont think twice about it. Its a huge time saver!

41. I am fine in silence

I always used to need noise in the background. I needed the TV on, I needed to be talking on the phone, I needed music playing.

Now, I enjoy silence. I actually wake up extra early just to drive to work on a silent road. It is an excellent way to commute.

42. My brain is more lubricated

This is a phrase I stole from a Jason Mraz interview. But, it describes the way my brain works now perfectly. Everything just seems to run smoother. I dont have to pause when answering simple questions, my thoughts just flow without any snags.

43. I love my wife more

I have always been in love with my wife, but I never knew how much I really loved her. I used to take her for granted. I didnt think it was much of a big deal that she was my wife. Awhile ago, something in me opened up to show me how much I truly love her. Ive started to see the support she gives me and how she makes me a better person. She got pregnant when I was 17 and she was 20, so we havent had it easy by any means. But, over the past month or so, we have become one. I now make it a habit to give her a kiss when I come home from work and to tell her I love her at random moments. I feel that I am finally starting to live up to my wedding vows.

44. I dont take medications

If I had a slight fever, I would reach for Tylenol. If I had a slight headache, I would reach for Aspirin. If I had an upset stomach, I would reach for Tums. If I had gas, I would reach for Gas X. You get the point. I was trying to block symptoms. I saw them as nuisances and not for the signals they really were.

Now, I take the time to find out why I am having diarrhea. I actually get a little excited when I have a small fever, because I know my body is working on itself. I am happy when I get diarrhea, because I know my body doesnt like something and this is its way of getting it out. I welcome all of the things with open arms that I used to dread.

45. My knees dont hurt

I was born with crappy knees. Not wearing knee pads in high school didnt help much either. I always thought it was just something I had to work around for the rest of my life. My knees would hurt if I started to run or if I walked too much, if I sat for too long or did squats.

Now, I am very active and have no knee pain. Its amazing! I do at least 200 squats per week, 3-5 hours of walking, and 30 minutes of running. My knees have never felt better. They still make weird noises sometimes, but no pain!

46. I sing more

Okay, I suck at singing. I always have. Anybody who says otherwise is lying to be nice. That has always prevented me from singing to myself. I would always catch myself and stop before I got embarrassed. I would rarely even sing in the car.

Now, I sing all of the time because it makes me happy. I am not being obnoxious with it, but I do it a lot more and its feels nice.

47. I dont crave sweets

Sweets were never a big problem with me, but I still used to crave them sometimes.

Now, I dont. Pretty simple.

48. I dont lie anymore

I used to lie a lot and Im not sure why. I used to get caught in them and lie my way out of them. They were stupid things too. It was almost like recreation. I rarely told any big lies, but it was just little things. I lied about stuff that I wouldnt remember a week later.

I still catch myself about to do it, but I stop. It is much easier and I dont have to remember so many things. It is very liberating to be honest. I never have to worry about somebody catching me in a lie or bringing something up that I lied about. I just say what I mean now and I am much happier.

49. I dont surf the web as much

I used to spend hours surfing the web. I mean HOURS. I used to visit ridiculous sites that had no effect on my life. Clicking on links and related videos all of the time. Telling myself how stupid these people were when I was the one wasting my days watching them.

Now, I check a couple of fitness sites and a blog or two that I like. I always do it on downtime at work and never at home. It is weird, because I will do it sometimes without realizing it. Once I catch myself, I put down the laptop or iPhone and go walk around. I get a lot more stuff done.

50. I stand more

I can barely stand to sit (like the play on words? Booyah!) anymore. I have to get up from my desk at least twice per hour. I get up and throw a couple darts or pace around the office. I used to spend 8 hours not getting up from my desk, just zoning out when I was bored.

Now, I get up, regroup, and get back to work.

51. I dont care about current events as much

After all of the conspiracies that I have seen proven, I stopped believing anything on the news or from anybody else. I dont see much of a point in it anymore. It feels great not to have to check five news sites every day so I can be the first person to get the updated news. Besides, all news ever did was get me mad. It was either something happening that I could do nothing about or something that I couldnt believe anybody cared about. I dont even miss it.

52. I dont notice restaurants

I just drive right by them. Its the weirdest thing. I used to look at them all of the time. I used to wonder what their food was like, where I was going for lunch that day. Now, I just breeze by them without giving them any thought. Its not just restaurants, its billboards and stores too. I dont really pay attention to anything but speed limit signs and cops. ; )

53. I never know what is on TV

I used to know all of the shows on TV. I would have my evening planned around what would be on that night.

Now, I feel like an old man when I turn on the TV now. It seems like there are new shows every day and I just dont see how people watch them.

54. I look at food for nutritional value over taste

I used to shop for price first, then taste, then nutritional value. Little Debbies in the cart, Tyson Chicken Nuggets check, five packages of hot dogs you know it!

Now, I shop for nutritional value first. Yes, they are more expensive, but that means I buy less food. Everybody says that they HAVE to buy unhealthy things because they are cheaper. What people dont realize is that we are eating too much! You dont need the bulk Ramen Noodles because there are 50 for 5 dollars. You can spend that five dollars on real food and you wouldnt have to eat so much. When you get REAL food with REAL nutrition, your body isnt hungry as much. I can have a small salad and an apple for lunch and not be hungry again until dinner. I used to eat a sandwich and chips and be hungry in two hours, eat two packages of Ramen Noodles and still be starving when I got home. Trust me, once your body gets used to it, it really is easy.

55. I do more chores

I used to avoid chores like they were the plague. I would let dishes stack up if my wife wasnt feeling well enough to do them. Our house would smell because I would postpone taking out the trash.

Now, I love the feeling of a clean house and do chores every day. Whether it is doing the dishes, helping with the laundry, throwing out old stuff, I just like doing it now. I love the feeling I get when I see my kitchen clean or my bathroom scrubbed. My wife is ecstatic about that too.

56. I know more about history

When you are trying to understand your body, you have to look at what it is designed for. The only way to do that is to look back in time. You have to learn that we are persistence hunters; you have to learn what we have been eating for thousands of years. Once you do that, it is much easier to stick to a healthier lifestyle. If you can observe the natural human species, you can see that what we are doing to ourselves now is not natural.

57. Im cleaner

The inside of my body feels cleaner, so it makes me want to make sure that the outside is just as clean. You feel cleaner when you step out of a cold shower as opposed to a hot one. You get cleaner and healthier skin if you dont put chemicals on it every day. You get healthier hair if every morning you dont soak it in something that was created in a lab. My mouth feels cleaner now that I know I am not sticking fluoride in it every day.

58. Im nicer

Before, if you werent my wife, my daughter, or I, I didnt really care about you. I felt that I didnt have time to be nice to people and I didnt owe them anything. I wasnt that fun to be around to say the least. I tried to stay in my house as much as possible to avoid contact with other people.

Now, I am just all around warmer to be around. I get genuinely concerned about how other people are doing and I make an honest effort to help them out. It gives me satisfaction to know that a person will leave happier than before they talked to me. I like making peoples days better.

59. I live more frugally

I used to buy on impulse all of the time. Clothes that I would never wear, gadgets that had no real use, food that was overpriced, and so on. Rent be damned, if I wanted it, I got it. I used to try not to think about bills and upcoming expenses because it would just wear me out.

Now, with the help of my wife, I finally took the time to create a budget and stick to it. I still have urges, but I am able to stop and think if it is a want or a need. I am able to wait a week or two and think about it again. That is self control that I have never had.

60. Im more understanding

I see things from other peoples perspectives now. I am able to see where they are coming from and empathize. I do it almost effortlessly and it really helps out with all of my relationships… and my sanity.

61. I teach my daughter things

I found out how cool it is to teach my daughter something. I show her something and she remembers. She is now smarter because of me. I never really paid much attention to it. I help her study every day now. She isnt even two and she can go through the alphabet with help, count to twenty with help, identify eight different colors, identify ten different shapes including pentagons and crescents, and identify at least ten different animals, along with hundreds of words. Its truly amazing and I almost missed it.

62. I jump

Im not sure why. I just like to jump now out of nowhere. I jump around the house with my daughter all of the time. Its just a fun thing to do.

63. I minimalized my house

I started getting frustrated by clutter. It was driving me crazy. I slowly started giving more and more things away and throwing more and more things out. It is a huge stress reliever. I cut my wardrobe down to one fourth its size, cleaned out my drawers, and got rid of stuff that I havent used in years. I now know the peace and serenity that comes with a clean, minimal house.

64. I dont forget things as much

I still forget things, just not as much. I used to struggle just thinking about what happened the day before. Now, my gaps in memory are few and far between.

65. My allergies arent bad anymore

I used to have really bad allergies. I used to blame it on the house we were in or the season, but it was bad anywhere I went. I got migraines on a constant basis, my nose was always runny, and I would get a sinus infection or swollen throat at least once per month. I used to take Zyrtec, Claritin, Sudafed, none of them would work.

Now, I might have to use a tissue once per month. My sinuses are almost always clear and I am not hawking up loogeys all of the time. I rarely get migraines or even sinus headaches. Plus, we save a fortune not buying tissues!

66. I have more time

I used to feel like there was barely any time in the day to breathe. I would always have the same excuse I just dont have any time right now. I felt that I had no time to do anything that I wanted to do.

Now, the TV is turned off, meals are simple and easy, and work is well managed. It all kind of happened by itself. Now, I have full days doing things that I like to do. I do more things in a day now than I did in a week six months ago.

67. I dont have to be doing something

I used to always need to be doing something. If I was sitting there doing nothing, I would pull out my iPhone and play a game, I would turn on the TV, I would surf the web. I would do anything just to escape from my own thoughts.

Now, I am perfectly fine sitting in silence and thinking. If I feel like I need to do something, I do house work or take my family for a walk. I dont turn to the traditional stimulation we have gotten accustomed to. I deleted all of the games off my iPhone, I normally leave my computer at the office, and I dont even think about turning on the television.

68. I know more about foods and how they interact with my body

Trying to find the right way to be healthy is very tricky because we are all different. Sure, there are generic rules that should be followed by everybody, like no processed foods, low sugar, no sugary drinks, etc. But, should we have meat or no meat? Have our food cooked or uncooked? Eat dairy or dont eat dairy? I believe that people are very different in these areas. I have tried just about everything that makes sense and only found my own, custom way that works.

I did that by finding out how foods react with my body. How long they take to break down. What effects they have. Once I started learning that just for the sake of my diet, I realized that I read over ten books about health and knew quite a bit about it.

69. I no longer have Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Man, was I relieved (and shocked) when this went away. I used to have to rush to the bathroom after EVERY meal. Every single one. I would have to pull over at gas stations if the house was too far. My dad and sister both have this problem, so we just figured it was hereditary. So, I just kept on eating the same foods and being miserable on the toilet for the next 20 minutes.

Now, I have a bowel movement once per day, at no particular time. It is a huge relief.

70. I dont multi-task

I used to think that multi-tasking was the key to success. If I could multi-task, I can get two things done at once, right? I used to stress myself out to no ends while trying to juggle three tasks at all times.

Now, I stick to one task at a time and guess what I get more stuff done. It lowers my stress level exponentially. On the days that I multi-tasked, I would be working like crazy but not get anything done on some days. I would make progress, but not complete anything. Now, I leave work with a lot more satisfaction knowing that I completed at least one thing that day.

71. I notice the irony and hypocrisy in our culture

It is almost laughable. We have destroyed almost everything; the food that we eat, the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, our childrens education.

I think noticing these things is important because it allows you to take baby steps to overcoming these obstacles. It helps to motivate you to find the right foods, filter your water, and be more involved in your childs education.

72. I enjoy nature much more

I never really cared too much about nature. I thought it was either too hot or too cold or had too many bugs. Why would you need to go out there when you have Google Maps and the Discovery Channel?

When I started walking, I noticed how beautiful nature is. I stopped caring so much about the temperature or bugs. I try to connect with it as much as possible now.

73. I enjoy people more

I enjoy the diversity in people now more than ever. I appreciate their different personalities and humor. I enjoy being around them and gaining some new perspective by talking to them. That is something I have never really done, but I slowly started becoming more interested in people.

74. I walk around barefoot

I started walking around barefoot more when I got rid of a lot of my clothes and shoes. It was something I did without realizing it at first, but after I read Born to Run, I made an effort to start doing it more. I think it has a lot to do with my pain in my knees going away. It toughens up your feet and ankles and gives you better running form. It makes you more aware of where you’re stepping, thus cutting back on trips and falls. It also makes you much lighter on your feet and gives you a great primal feeling.

75. I dress for comfort

Once I stopped taking so long picking out my clothes, it started to adjust the way I picked out my wardrobe. I started going more for comfort than for looks. I got rid of my flashy shirts in exchange for solid colors. I got rid of the loud shorts for a pair of jeans and cargo shorts. It helps keep me relaxed throughout the day. I am never fidgeting with my shirt or checking my collar in the mirror. I still look professional enough for work, just very understated.

76. My days are less hectic

Before, I was running around non-stop. I woke up late and flew out of the door, showed up to work just in time or a little late, multi-tasked throughout the day (not accomplishing much), got out of work late (because I showed up late and had to wrap up all of the tasks I was involved in), got home just in time for dinner, ate while watching TV, sent out some emails, drank a few beers to try and relax, wait for my daughter to go to sleep, watch an hour of TV finally relaxing, then go to bed. Day in and day out. Needless to say, it got pretty tiring.

Now, my days seem calmer. I wake up early (around 5:00am), get everything ready for the day, leave around 6:00am (I recently changed my hours from 8:00am5:00pm to 7:00am4:00pm), I get in the office around 6:15am and do some writing, at 7:00am I prioritize my tasks, at 8:00am I begin on one task, I eat lunch at my desk, I am out of the office by 4:00pm, get home and talk to my wife and play with my daughter, get my exercise in, help cook dinner, eat while talking, clean up, go for a walk with everybody, come back and study with my daughter, give her a bath, get ready for bed, read, and sleep.

You can see the difference. Of course, all days are not like this now, but it is generally the case. I go to bed every night knowing I had a fun and full day.

77. Im rarely tired during the day

I used to be exhausted all of the time at work. I would be useless in the mornings, just sitting around waiting for lunch. Then I would be miserable after lunch for an hour. Then I would end up staying late because my mind was so fatigued that it took me forever to accomplish anything.

Now, I am at work before anybody else and I already have my game plan for the day by the time everybody stumbles into the office. I accomplish something every day and walk out of the office earlier than everybody else, not feeling guilty about it.

78. I work on being a better person

I started doing this one without realizing it as well. I started drifting away from the things that added nothing to my life or my knowledge and drifted more towards things that would better me. I started going to fitness blogs instead of news sites. I go to sites that help you better your life instead of Youtube. I normally go to bed every day knowing something I didnt know when I woke up.

79. I look forward to doing things with my family

I used to not want to do things with my family. I would be so mentally exhausted that I just wanted to be by myself and space out in front of the TV.

Now, I look forward to getting home as soon as possible so I can go do stuff. I like to plan out hiking trips, long walks, museum dates. It is one of the highlights of my life right now.

80. I see yoga for all its worth

Ive always looked at yoga as beneficial, but doing it with a healthy body is a completely different experience. You dont have internal issues that you are struggling not to think about, you are more capable of doing the poses, and you get centered much easier. Without having those distractions, you get focused on whats important with yoga listening to your body.

81. I am not afraid to be looked at differently

I used to try to change my lifestyle, but would switch back to conform to the people around me. I got insecure when people would question me about it. I didnt have the confidence needed to stand out.

Now, I am very proud of the lifestyle I live, even though it is much different than almost everybody I know. I welcome questions and always have literature available if they want to learn more. I dont mind it when my co-workers give me crap about pacing around my office eating a salad for lunch. None of it bugs me. I have the knowledge and confidence to defend my lifestyle against anybody.

82. I show my emotions more

I am not more emotional, but I do show and express my emotions more. I make it known how I am feeling so I never catch anybody off guard. If I am grumpy because of something that happened at work, I let my wife know instead of trying to hide it. Then, we do things to cheer me up. If I am confused, I tell people. If I feel depressed about something, I talk to my wife. If they are negative feelings, putting them out in the open with somebody special to you will make them leave a lot quicker.

83. I no longer have anger issues

I used to get really mad at things for no reason. I would just be in an angry mood and something would set me off and I would hit things. I would feel better for an instant and then go right back to being angry again. I would snap at people and be very short. It was not very pleasant.

Now, I rarely ever get angry. I do still have my occasional bouts of frustration (most recently trying to assemble my daughters stupid crib), but I never feel angry. If I feel myself getting to that point, I breathe deep and do something relaxing. I also think about the thing I am getting frustrated with and realize how stupid it is. Then I finish whatever I was doing calmly and dont think about it again.

84. I am more passionate

I have become a more passionate worker, friend, husband, lover, and father.

85. I get excited more

I get excited from just about everything. I get excited about getting excited! I just get those little butterflies all of the time for simple things. I get excited for a salad, a walk, a workout, playing, reading, etc…

86. I have a stronger stomach

I used to have a very weak stomach. I would throw up or get nauseous often. I hid it from everybody. I couldnt stomach things.

Now, for whatever reason, I rarely ever get nauseated with anything. Its kind of weird, I know.

87. I have a more active imagination

…especially with my workouts. If I am on the heavy bag, I am fighting Anderson Silva for the title. If I am doing bodyweight exercises, Im pushing off the ground because there are spikes, Im squatting to dodge punches, if Im doing pull-ups, its to stay out of the shark infested waters. I daydream about this and that, my dreams are more vivid.

88. I do what makes me happy

For instance, salads make me happy, nuts dont. So, I dont eat nuts. Its that simple! I like writing more than engineering, so I lean more towards the documentation side of things in my work space. I have started doing little things to make me happy. If I dont feel like working out one day, I dont. I do these things guilt free knowing that it is for my happiness, which, contrary to what culture tries to tell you, is important.

89. I breath deeper

I just take deeper breaths. It keeps me relaxed and calm. It also keeps me full of energy.

90. I learned how to live

I somehow figured out how to live life. How to be happy all the time, even when you are doing things you dont want to do. I have figured out how to keep my family balanced and happy. I have figured out how to keep myself happy. I learned to enjoy all the little things and especially the big ones. I learned how to turn off the TV and interact with people. I have learned how to communicate to people, especially the ones I care about.

91. I learned the truth about money

I learned how money isnt real. Its a clich, but also very true. I learned to not take the promotion if you and your family are comfortable. I learned not to take on side work unless it is something you truly want to do. I learned to not need material items. I learned that money is just a concept and that you can make it whatever you want it to be.

92. I dont judge anymore

I never judge anybody. Because, when you think about it, you dont know anybody but yourself. You dont know what anybody else has gone through. You have never been in anybodys head but your own.

93. I feel like a kid again

I play and have fun. I laugh more than anybody I know. I still play with toys with my daughter. I still play pranks on my wife. I still have fun. Do you remember what it is like to have fun? To truly have pure, carefree fun? I didnt remember until around a month ago.

94. I play

I play a lot. It is the best form of exercise you can possibly get, because its not exercise!

95. I became a father

This is something that I have such a profound gratitude for figuring out. My daughter was in desperate need of a father, but she didnt have one. Sure, she had a guy that provided a home, food, and clothes. Thats all I thought I needed to do. I rarely played with her. I rarely played with my own daughter. How sad is that? Yeah, I chased her around the house once or twice and tickled her. But, I always answered calls and emails instead of doing it. I always did it with one eye on the TV. She was too young to notice, right? If you are distracted by other things, your kids will notice. You have never played with your kid if youve never gone into their room, shut the door, and stayed in there. I was only ever there to be mommys enforcer of the rules. I didnt have input on how to raise her. I let my wife handle everything. I thought it was fair, I work all day, she takes care of the kid.

Now, I silence my phone, go to her room and sit down. I let her tell me what she did that day, we read books and color, and we have fun. She is a much happier kid now and I am a much happier man. I also have my own say in how we raise her. I have become a real father and I encourage all of you men out there to do the same.

96. I dont even miss the old foods

I dont miss pizza, chips, or sandwiches. I dont miss any of it and it feels phenomenal.

97. The people around me are happier

This is the most important one to me. If people around you are happier, then you will be.

Now, some might misinterpret this as bragging, its not. It is very motivational for me to read success stories. I want this to be a motivation for anybody who wants to become healthier. These are all real changes that have happened after six months of being health-conscious and three months of having a strict diet. Some of these things, I forget about or still do on accident. But these are all changes that have happened unintentionally. I started this out so I can look better. Now, after six months, I AM better; a better person, husband, father, worker, citizen, and man.

-Matt

Get the Primal Blueprint Fitness eBook, Free Health Tips and Primal Recipes Delivered to Your Inbox

Related posts:

1. 1 Couple, 4 Months, 90 Pounds and Newfound Health
2. How to Tell Friends About the Primal Lifestyle
3. 13 Holiday Gifts to Support a Primal Lifestyle

Camzin is from South Africa. When she moved to America, the Standard American Diet greeted her with open arms. Today I get to share with you her journey to overcome flawed conventional wisdom, the world of carbs, and the naysayers.

If you have your own Primal Blueprint success story and youd like to share it with me and the community please contact me here. Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone, and thanks for reading!

Dear Mark,

My story begins when I stopped doing gymnastics as a teenager. I had practiced 20-40 hours a week for three years as a gymnast before my family and I moved to America. When we moved here there was no gymnastics facility around and we settled into an American diet of large portions and lots of carbs. I found gym workouts boring and tiresome, and consequently my activity levels also declined. I steadily gained weight over the next four years.

When I was getting ready to return to South Africa last December to visit my family, I started working out six days a week and counting calories to try and lose some weight. In the “before” pictures I had already lost around five pounds, a feat that took me three months to do. At my peak, I weighed 185 lbs. I couldn’t go for a leisurely walk without getting out of breath, which was scary since I used to be able to do six hours of gymnastics practice and have energy afterward. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t regain my original level of fitness but was able to eek my weight down to 170 lbs.

This was my increasingly depressing and frustrating story until August of this year. A friend of mine told me about Primal and I laughed at her, saying I could never do it (I used to choose restaurants based on the complimentary dinner bread they provided). But after seeing the changes that started in her I decided to “try” Primal at the end of August. When I told people about the journey I was about to embark on I received a lot of negative feedback. I was told that I was joining a cult, that this was B.S., and that I should consult a dietitian before I cut out things like processed foods. Fortunately, I ignored the naysayers and I lost about 10 lbs my first month and felt better than I had in years. I was hooked.

I then bought the cookbook and got cooking. My brother went Primal with me in September and my parents in late November. I included before and after pictures for my whole family for this reason, they are already starting to look better even after a few weeks.

Primal blew me away. When I started counting calories my goals was to get down to a size 4 (from an 8), 155 lbs (from 185), and to be a size medium. I remained a size 8, got to 175, and remained a large on this method. Since being Primal I am now a size 0 (which is loosening by the day), I weigh 135 (a full 20 lbs lower than I could have ever imagined), and I am a small or extra small in all of my clothing. My skin has cleared up and I have so much more energy now. So much so that I actually feel the urge to exercise and I find exercise fun.

I once again practice gymnastics and have the energy to hike, run, play, and frolic. This is the first winter where I have not gotten sick as well. I know that my journey has not been as drastic as some of the other success stories on here, but I am just so grateful and impressed with the amazing life I now enjoy. I cannot begin to thank Primal enough for the transformation it has caused in my life. Thank you so much. A special thanks to Anders (who submitted “Bringing Home the Bacon“) and Emma for recommending this to me. Grok on!

- Camzin M

Grab The Primal Blueprint Cookbook Today and Receive Free S&H

No related posts.

Today, internet can access with easy for everybody from around the worlds. Internet offer many kinds of information that can easy and fast to get it. If you want to know something, you can use internet. You can access internet form anytime and anywhere, 24 hours non stop. You can find information about business, health, education, entertainment, and many others. If you want to know about literie, massage strasbourg, or huile essentielle, you can find it with very easy and fast from internet. Do not forget to use internet today, so you can know what happen in this worlds, and you can be update with new information everyday.

In case youre still a little wary of humans messing around with food, I thought Id show how some of your favorite fruits and vegetables are actually the products of selective, targeted breeding. What, you thought every non-explicitly hybridized fruit and vegetable can trace a pure lineage back to the Paleolithic? Ha! The stuff we enjoy, even the heirloom, dirt-and-mud-encrusted ugly, but delicious, stuff we get from the farmers’ market, is different from what Grok enjoyed. Plants reproduce far more often than, say, humans, so evolution happens faster. Weve got a dog in the fight, too, and the means to influence its outcome (hybridization, breeding, selection), so changes happen even quicker.

This will either spur your acceptance of broccolini or turn you into a raging zero-carber who shuns all vegetation. Your choice.

Almonds

Almond fruits are drupes, and delicious ones at that. Packed with magnesium, monounsaturated fat, and full-spectrum vitamin E, a handful of almonds makes a good snack but it wasnt always like that. Wild almonds contain high levels of amygdalin, a potent glycoside that the body metabolizes into hydrogen cyanide. An alternative cancer treatment called laetrile, or vitamin B17, used amygdalin as the active ingredient, and patients whove taken it often suffer cyanide poisoning. Luckily, early farmers discovered a common genetic mutation that prevented wild almonds from producing amygdalin. Wild almonds with the mutation left no progeny, since birds would just eat all the delicious, non-toxic fruit, but humans were able to exercise self-control and save enough almonds to plant entire orchards of these mutants.

Wild almonds taste terrible, horribly astringent and bitter. Theres no getting around that taste, making their consumption impossible. In this case, we can use taste as an indicator of suitability for consumption. Domesticated almonds are sweet, full of valuable nutrients, and perfectly non-toxic. Eat away.

Apples

Modern domesticated apples (also known as Malus domestica, doctor repellant, or bags of sugar) can trace the bulk of their ancestry to the Malus sieversii, or Asian wild apple, which grows in China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. What about wild crabapples, those sour, small European fruits? Until recently, Malus sylvestris, the European wild crabapple, was assumed to be completely separate, contributing little, if any, genetic input to modern domestic apples. New research shows a number of identical chloroblast haplotypes shared by both species, indicating that the crabapple played a much larger role in the development of the domestic apple; in the same study, only one of the Malus sieversii trees displayed one of the three primary haplotypes shared by the domestic apple and European crabapple. This study hereby reopens the exciting discussion on the origin of M. domestica.

M. sieversii is sweet, while M. sylvestris is bitter and sour. M. sylvestris is incredibly high in both vitamin C and pectin, a kind of prebiotic soluble fiber that doubles as a gelling agent, and it was used to make jelly (mixed with other, sweeter fruits) and strong cider. Phenolic content and free radical scavenging potential of ancestral apples were greater, as a recent comparison of domestics to M. sieversii showed. Still, domestics ranked decently in phenolic content and antioxidant potential, with Granny Smith leading the way and beating out over a third of the wild apples studied.

Corn

We shun this grain, but its the perfect example of a hybrid food and bears mentioning. The wild ancestor of corn, or maize, is Balsas teosinte, a large grass of the Zea genus native to Latin America. It was domesticated at least 8,700 years ago in southern Mexico, but possibly even earlier. Both Balsas teosinte and corn share similarly robust growth patterns (tall, impressive plants), but the ears are different. Each teosinte kernel is encased in a separate stony casing that can easily survive the digestive tracks of birds and mammals (and that counts us in); teosinte ear has five to twelve kernels. Teosinte kernels are distributed separately and easily for efficient promulgation. Ears of corn, on the other hand, carry up to 500 naked kernels, all exposed and bound together to the cob, which animals can readily identify, consume, and digest. Left to its own devices, corn cannot spawn progeny because the hundreds of seeds all compete for the same soil territory and nutrients. It needs human intervention to grow, making it the quintessential artificially selected grain-thats-eaten-young-and-treated-like-a-vegetable.

Tomatoes

You dont think ancient Romans were harvesting beefsteaks and making vats of marinara sauce, do you? The tomato, or Solanum lycopersicon, can be traced back to whats now the Peruvian Andes, still the area with the greatest diversity of wild tomato relatives and where it began as an herbaceous plant with tiny green fruits. By the time the Spanish arrived, the tomato was cultivated across Central America, and it quickly gained favor in Europe upon its introduction. Early wild tomatoes were probably mostly inedible or unappetizing, since virtually no mention of the fruit appears in Andean pre-Columbian art or writing, whereas the fruit played a huge role in Mesoamerica (the Aztecs write of an early incarnation of salsa, for example), where domestication began in earnest.

Domesticated tomato varieties number in the thousands, and they arent products of natural selection. Even those odd shaped heirlooms you pick up at the farmers’ market have mutants in their bloodline (somewhere); ancient Quechua werent picking Brandywines in the jungle. Modern hybrids, bred to be late bloomers who ripen in or immediately after transit, are admittedly unimpressive when compared to open-pollinated heirlooms, but they make a decent sauce.

Theres the tendency to accept and condone those early gene manipulators, maybe because they wore tunics rather than lab coats, or maybe because their products have been with us for millennia without any obvious problems arising. Those are fair points (I love a good burlap tunic and wish they were still fashionable), but its important to note that the inherently human drive of mankind to improve its situation constantly, always, every minute of every day makes hybrid and artificially selected fruits and vegetables as natural a progression as tool-making. It doesnt negate or contradict natures processes. Its all just a tool to make life easier and, in this case, food tastier, more dependable, hardier, and possibly more nutritious. Its about striking a balance. Id love it if we had access to all the wild cultivars that Grok knew and fed upon, but even if we could, theres a good chance theyd be unpalatable or even toxic. Does this mean grains and legumes are perfectly fine since theyre products of human manipulation? No, but the fact that we bred them isnt the problem. Its the demonstrably pervasive and deleterious anti-nutrients present in even the most modified of the grains (extra gluten, anyone?) that we avoid.

Grab The Primal Blueprint Cookbook Today and Receive Free S&H and a Free Primal Blueprint Poster

Related posts:

1. Dear Mark: Are Hybrid Fruits and Vegetables Healthy?
2. A Visual Guide to Sea Vegetables
3. Aromatic Vegetables with Savory Flank Steak

Its a question that frequently comes my way. Teenagers, who have found MDA and jump on board with the PB, have their brand of difficulties going Primal: skeptical if not disapproving parents, decidedly un-Primal school lunches and social outings, team fast food stops, etc. How does a high schooler go Primal when his/her family isnt? What does the choice mean for navigating other areas of teen life?

Dear Mark,

Im 17 and have been trying to switch over to the PB, but some areas are harder right now than others. Im really getting into the workout ideas and love the simplicity of your Primal Blueprint Fitness ebook program. For me, the eating part is the most complicated. My parents are unsure about the diet and dont offer much support for the choices I make with the PB. I think they believe its just a phase that Ill give up if they just wait long enough. The social thing is a little bit of a challenge, and dont get me started on the McDonalds runs my basketball team makes every time we have an away game. Do you have any suggestions for those of us in high school? By the way, your site is great. Ive even got some of my friends reading it now. Grok on!

Thanks to Dan for this weeks question. First off, to all the MDA high schoolers out there, kudos for taking charge of your health. You have the chance to benefit from your choice your entire life a responsibility that truly deserves a big hats off.

That said, I recognize the kinds of hurdles my younger readers can face making a Primal transition. When you live under your parents roof and direction (not to mention financial umbrella), implementing some parts of the PB can be tricky. It certainly takes more work and thought. As in Dans case, the food issue seems to present the most problems. Although teenagers lives usually allow enough freedom to influence their own sleep schedule as well as outside/workout time, meals are another ball of wax.

Modern Family

Parents generally want the healthiest life for their child, and many are naturally suspicious of diet fads their kids appear to latch onto. (A number of us probably experimented with some novel diet or food obsession at one time during our teen years.) Nonetheless, theres obviously a difference between the latest grapefruit cleanse and the Primal Blueprint a cornucopia of taste and nutrition harkening back to the tradition of primeval families everywhere. (Doesnt that sound convincing?) Speaking from the position of a parent myself whose son goes by his own vegetarian version of a Primal diet, I can vouch for the power of good conversation and thoughtful initiative. I know I better understood my sons perspective and he understood my concerns.

• Share specifics. In addition to explaining the general idea behind the PB, talk about some of the things that draw you to the PB. Print out some of the introductory articles (in addition to other favorites), and share them with your parents. If your parents are skeptical of the science behind the diet, invite them to explore the site themselves. Share some of the research we talk about on MDA. Let your parents know, too, what the PB means to you personally. Talk about your experience thus far. Tell them what youve changed in your lifestyle and what other goals you have. Even if theyre still doubtful, its at least a solid start. Theyll understand more of where youre coming from and be more likely to take the next step.
• Work out logistics. This is where the rubber hits the road. Show them youve thought it through and can make it work without adding undue pressure to the family finances or work load. Think about how much of your diet you need to change when it comes to home. What are the meals/dishes you can still enjoy with your family, and where will you need to fill in with other Primal additions? Come up with a plan for a sample week complete with shopping list. Talk about the plan with your parents and how the list and additional food prep (your responsibility, as you can probably guess) could be incorporated into your familys budget and schedule.
• Go along to get along. After youve worked out the details as much as you can (this might take a few rounds over time), be prepared to head out on the grocery run. This may involve accompanying the shopping parent to the supermarket or using a specified amount of money your parents have given you to shop on your own. Either way, show them youre willing to accept their rules and make it all work. If you have the freedom to shop where you want, youll likely find more Primal variety and possibly better deals at co-ops, farm stands and farmers’ markets if theyre available in your area. Its doubtful that youll be cowpooling any time soon, but comparison shop for the best options given your circumstances and budget.
• Share a meal. What would your parents say if you offered to make dinner for everyone? If its never been your thing in the past, forgive them their initial surprise. Schedule a night when its convenient and when everyone has the time to enjoy it together. Make it a real family event. Your parents will appreciate the quality time and obvious effort. As for winning them over to your Primal adventure: if a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what the full experience of a Primal meal can be for tentative parental figures. We parents are suckers for an opportunity to relax while someone else cooks for a change. If you do the dishes, youre golden.

School Menus

Ah, school. Even after you win over the most cautious-minded mother, theres the truly epic quest to revolutionize the school lunch menu. (Anyone game?) While youre trying to persuade the administration, theres plenty you can do to keep Primal.

• Bag it. Yes, its the obvious choice. With some ingenuity, an extra 10-15 minutes in the morning, and maybe a couple pieces of equipment (high quality thermos and insulated lunch cooler), you can sit down to a feast that will put those soggy pizza slices to shame. Pack up some soup, stew, hard boiled eggs, fresh veggies, my signature salad, or whatever counts as your favorite Primal fare that week.
• Forage and supplement wisely. If you find yourself needing to make school fare at least part of your meal, implement your best foraging tactics. Charm the kitchen staff into giving you extra meat and veggies. Hit the salad bar if you have one. Keep some Primal snacks (sealed) in your locker or bag, or bring supplementary Primal foods to fill in the gaps if youll be doing regular school lunches on a daily basis.
• Bring travel supplies. A similar principle holds for those dreaded fast food stops every high school team seems to make (e.g. football to debate). Forage as you can (e.g. order a salad or at least ditch the bun), and come prepared with Primal provisions so you arent totally dependent on the PB revised value meals.

Social Scene

The social scene will likely offer more temptation than pushback. Although you might get verbal support from your friends, I wouldnt hold my breath waiting for them to give up late night pizza runs. You might find yourself sitting back while others dig in, but theres no reason to skip the outings all together.

• The key is preparation. Whether youre going out to eat or just over to someones house, make sure youve eaten beforehand, and keep a stash of your own edibles if you think youll want them. (Primal bars are a great choice here.) Theres always the option of hosting your friends of course. Even if they choose to order in, youll have your own supplies ready and waiting.
• Expand into new territories. Finally, you can always explore some other potential hangouts that offer at least some semblance of Primal fare. Many a greasy spoon diner offers both late hours and decent omelets. (The people-watching is much better to boot.)

Have ideas for the teenage PBers among us? Other questions or concerns to raise? Be sure to share your comments and tips. Thanks again to all the high schooler readers out there. Keep in touch and Grok on!

Grab The Primal Blueprint Cookbook Today and Receive Free S&H and a Free Primal Blueprint Poster

Related posts:

1. Dear Mark: Visting Family – Primal Compromises and Grain Alternatives
2. Dear Mark: Raising Healthy Children
3. Dear Mark: Nursing and the Primal Eating Plan