***TWSS FITNESS AND WELL BEING THREAD***

[icantfoldsets]

Originally Posted by hotjenny314

I'm thinking of trying to "go Primal" (or at least mostly so) ala marksdailyapple.com . Anyone done this?

A nutritionist put me on this when I had a bit of a binging problem, and I lost weight pretty steadily without caring about calories. The weight loss leveled out after the first 4 months or so but I still feel awesome overall.

Now, I do a modified version of it. I regularly cheat with spices that aren't technically allowed because after a certain point, bland foods just got old. And sometimes when I'm eating out, I'll cheat for practicality purposes.

[hotjenny314]

Originally Posted by icantfoldsets

I regularly cheat with spices that aren't technically allowed

Interesting, and glad you had good experiences-- a bit confused though because I thought all natural herbs and spices were allowed-- encouraged even. Which spices are you referring to? Thanks

[icantfoldsets]

The keyword for spices is natural.
Rosemary was a life saver when I was strictly abiding. My dinner almost every night at home was rosemary seasoned sirloin with brown rice and broccoli or asparagus. Brag: It's one of the few full meals I can make, but I make it well ^_^

But when I cheat, it's along the lines of whatever they use in casino buffet food that I can't necessarily recognize. I'm Asian, so I also like having MSG on everything. And Mrs. Dash on meat is probably not allowed either.

Oh yeah, and tomatoes aren't supposed to be allowed either, but I'm ignoring that now. Apparently they didn't have tomatoes back then, so for that reason they're excluded in the diet.

[hotjenny314]

I think we're talking about a different thing-- primal strives to be totally grain + rice free; or at least what I'm trying to refer to does :http://www.marksdailyapple.com/prima...#axzz2440t4ciO

[icantfoldsets]

Oh, crap, I might have done it wrong.

The only rule she gave me was "If cavemen didn't have it, you can't have it either" which means it should have been common sense that anything from the farming era isn't allowed

So I somehow did extensive research on whether they had tomatoes or not but convinced myself that rice and potatoes were acceptable. Oh well, I'm satisfied for the most part.

This is kind of like how I wanted to learn about spots to C/R bluff the river when I first started playing poker, before learning how to value bet top pair against the calling station.

[hotjenny314]

No worries, just was curious. Thanks for your feedback

[tsearcher]

There's a lot of different factions regarding what is and what isn't Paleo (primal). Tomatoes are from the Americas, so unless you're native American it wasn't caveman food. It's not an exact science or any kind of science at all really. Just kind of a fun way to play around with diet and a relatively easy way to lose weight.

[hotjenny314]

Originally Posted by tsearcher

It's not an exact science or any kind of science at all really.

I don't agree with that, check this out, for example: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ancie...#axzz25Fxs2uBk

[Honey Badger]

Originally Posted by tsearcher

There's a lot of different factions regarding what is and what isn't Paleo (primal). It's not an exact science or any kind of science at all really. Just kind of a fun way to play around with diet and a relatively easy way to lose weight.

I been I on a high protein diet for over 2 years with great success. If you really want to learn the science behind it a strongly recommend reading.

"Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It" for an overview of low carb eating.
or
"Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health" if you want all the details.

Both books are by Gary Taubes and he shows the the science behind how carbs make us fat. If you want the science it's there and not just one or two studies. The evidence is pretty convincing.

These books changed how I look at eating, and I have maintained and early on dropped more weight then when I was always running around hungry on a low fat/ medium carb diet.

[Honey Badger]

Originally Posted by hotjenny314

I don't agree with that, check this out, for example: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ancie...#axzz25Fxs2uBk

I would be careful with Mark Sisson. He is really not Paleo. He coattails on the Paleo crowd with what he calls Primal. Grok is cute metaphor for primal or even Paleo but what Sisson recommends and sells are also great deal of supplements and food that in no way are Paleo.

For example whey protein. I use whey and think it's great, but if you are truly buying into the "Paleo" philosophy how would Grok have gotten whey protein 30,000 years ago? He also recommends wine and dark chocolate in moderation. Again not something our ancestors would have had access to 30,000 years ago.

He sell a "Damage Control Master Formula package" with a series of vitamins. Again I don't see Grok popping a bunch supplements.

I like some of Sisson's stuff but he is not Paleo.

[hotjenny314]

Yes, I'd thought about that and def think there's a slightly mixed message wrt the supplements. While they may be higher quality then some of the crap out there, they are still processed food.

I will def check out the books you talked about, thanks for your feedback!

[Honey Badger]

Originally Posted by hotjenny314

Yes, I'd thought about that and def think there's a slightly mixed message wrt the supplements. While they may be higher quality then some of the crap out there, they are still processed food.

I will def check out the books you talked about, thanks for your feedback!

Nothing wrong with quality supplements. I use Whey protein everyday. Can you imagine how much better our ancestors lives would have been with access to some of the thing we have regular access to today?

I also agree with some of Sisson's message. I liked his book. But "primal" is not Paleo or Low Carb. He also makes his income off promoting his brand of "primal" living even distancing himself from the Paleo proponents.

"Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It" for an overview of low carb eating. Is an excellent book and anyone who wants to see if there is science behind cutting carbs would be well served to read Gary Taubes excellent book.

Warning it's not a Paleo book. It's overview of low carb eating and changed how I eat.

Post or PM me your thoughts after reading if you like. I been a fitness/diet nut for a long time.

[hotjenny314]

Thanks! I just bought the book you recommended

[hotjenny314]

Originally Posted by Honey Badger

"Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It"

Am loving this book. One of the best book recs of my life, thanks so much!

[hotjenny314]

Originally Posted by Honey Badger

"Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It"

Going to sound like a total shill lol, but I can't recommend reading this highly enough to anyone interested in health. It turns many commonly accepted ideas on their head, and is very well written!