Really could use some help learning about this

cramernh
cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
edited November 12 in Social Groups
Ive gotta be honest here, trying to read Mark's Daily Apple is like an everlasting webpage of info-mercial information. Do I really need to purchase the book to truly learn about what Primal is all about and how to appropriately follow it? Learn if it has a calorie restriction?

I hate spending money on things 'just to learn about them'... its money that can be spent better elsewhere.

I am currently doing a low-carb alternative under the direction of my Endocrinologist. I began in July 2011 and as of December 1st, Ive dropped 64 pounds.

Fastforward to today posting this, I have been maintaining a 241lb mark and I dont want to lose the 'drive' I had but I really think a big revamp is in order. From what I was able to grab from Mark's Daily Apple is very interesting but its swimming in info-mercial type vocabulary... I just want to know about the plan in a cut-n-dry way..

Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    Hi , if you register on the site, theres some great free downloads that outlines what its all about.
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    Have you got an ipad or a Kindle? I have these books in MOBI format.
  • MikeFlyMike
    MikeFlyMike Posts: 639 Member
    :) There are kind of two answers to this question - yes and no.

    First off Mark would say the obvious - no grain, no sugar - bet you already know that. (then legumes)

    Then avoid all bad fats and oils.

    Then eat good proteins (grass fed when you can).

    Then eat good vegi's (organic when you can).

    Then monitor your total carbs (if you are trying to lose weight)



    google bulletproof executive for his free download - it is a great 5 page graph of good and bad.
    I did my version of paleo for a month, then went ahead and purchased the 21 day transformation - then purchased the blueprint. For me, the blueprint didn't have that much more information than the transformation.
    And for a free website with a TON of information on it, an ad for a book or supplement ain't a bad thing ;) it is an incredible resource and I tend to visit it almost every day to read about something specific - great search engine.
  • _persephone_
    _persephone_ Posts: 138 Member
    I found this really useful

    http://www.archevore.com/get-started/
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    No it's not an info-mercial. Not once does he push his products (he has some generic paragraphs on each page but that's it). I've yet to read one of his posts where he says "buy my stuff").

    I have read through numerous comments in his articles - where he is involved in the discussion - and has actually been appreicated for his efforts on not pushing his products (he even said he wanted to but that is not the way he is). His supplements are how he makes his living but you don't have to buy anything to benefit from the lifestyle. This is pretty much a lifestyle that is millions of years old. Mark didn't invent this (neither did Robb Wolf or Chris Kresser, etc.). No one invented this WOE. It's just a template that is based on real, whole, natural foods. You then 'tweak' it to suit you.

    I like MDA because of the amazing access to great information, references, etc.


    Have you come across this on Mark's Daily Apple? http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-101/#axzz1oSAPgfUy

    The forums over there are also great for information. I just use key words to search those. The people are very knowledgable.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    No it's not an info-mercial. Not once does he push his products (he has some generic paragraphs on each page but that's it). I've yet to read one of his posts where he says "buy my stuff").

    I have read through numerous comments in his articles - where he is involved in the discussion - and has actually been appreicated for his efforts on not pushing his products (he even said he wanted to but that is not the way he is). His supplements are how he makes his living but you don't have to buy anything to benefit from the lifestyle. This is pretty much a lifestyle that is millions of years old. Mark didn't invent this (neither did Robb Wolf or Chris Kresser, etc.). No one invented this WOE. It's just a template that is based on real, whole, natural foods. You then 'tweak' it to suit you.

    I like MDA because of the amazing access to great information, references, etc.


    Have you come across this on Mark's Daily Apple? http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-101/#axzz1oSAPgfUy

    The forums over there are also great for information. I just use key words to search those. The people are very knowledgable.

    I never said it was in fact, an info-mercial.. I was trying to find a straight-forward lack-of-the-info-mercial feel type read is what Im saying...
  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    You might want to look at the Everyday Paleo website - she has the information pretty straightforward and she has ideas for foods to have on hand in the ...I just printed out her list and went to the store...

    Good general Info

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/
    http://www.robbwolf.com/
    http://garytaubes.com/ - his book Why We Get Fat is great at explaining what our body needs….

    Good Paleo Websites for food

    http://everydaypaleo.com/
    http://www.health-bent.com/
    http://nomnompaleo.com/
    http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/
  • Lorrie_73
    Lorrie_73 Posts: 104 Member
    Here is another great website, http://www.primal-palate.com/

    Mark's Daily Apple has free downloads when you sign up for an account. They are very informative. The Primal Blueprint from Mark's Daily Apple is also more of a lifestyle with the diet. Includes 10 principles for living, like getting some sun everyday, lifting heavy things (strength training), move slowly (walking, hiking), etc.
  • demuralist
    demuralist Posts: 31 Member
    For me the big difference between low-carb and losing weight with Primal is that Primal is essentially real food, and low carb tends to have a lot of products involved. Bars, shakes, fake sweeteners, faux desserts, etc. If you are trying to lose weight, just stick with the low carb but only eat real food.

    p.s. for me, going primal did not help my weight loss until I started to also watch my calories, which when doing low carb is reasonably easy. But I am in my mid-50's and starting menopause.

    p.p.s. this guy is pretty level headed when it comes to the Primal diet...http://www.threenewleaves.com/a-beginners-guide-to-the-primal-lifestyle-part-one/

    Good Luck, I really think the problem with the MDA is there is almost too much info for a beginner. Start small with something you know you can stick to, then add to it.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    For me the big difference between low-carb and losing weight with Primal is that Primal is essentially real food, and low carb tends to have a lot of products involved. Bars, shakes, fake sweeteners, faux desserts, etc. If you are trying to lose weight, just stick with the low carb but only eat real food.

    p.s. for me, going primal did not help my weight loss until I started to also watch my calories, which when doing low carb is reasonably easy. But I am in my mid-50's and starting menopause.

    p.p.s. this guy is pretty level headed when it comes to the Primal diet...http://www.threenewleaves.com/a-beginners-guide-to-the-primal-lifestyle-part-one/

    Good Luck, I really think the problem with the MDA is there is almost too much info for a beginner. Start small with something you know you can stick to, then add to it.

    The low-carb I have been doing is 100% real food, I dont believe in packaged-anything....
  • spngebobmyhero
    spngebobmyhero Posts: 823 Member
    I have been following the primal lifestyle for about two months (not strict, but working towards it!). The only book I bought was Robb Wolf's Paleo Solution and that was only after a month of eating this way in order to gain more info.

    I learned everything I did from the internet and listening to paleo/lowcarb/primal podcasts (I highly recommend Robb Wolf, Jimmy Moore, and Balanced Bites).

    Grain free has made a huge difference in my life. I feel better and I'm losing weight. My gut is happy, my skin looks better and my wheat belly is shrinking!

    Let me know if you need any help :)
  • chammich
    chammich Posts: 104 Member
    The basic concept of Paleo is to eat food that doesn't need to be cooked ( it can be cooked, but doesn't need to be). So for example legumes are out because you can't eat them raw.
  • Anathama
    Anathama Posts: 82 Member
    I found this really useful

    http://www.archevore.com/get-started/

    I second this resource!

    It's what got me started.

    Also keep an eye out for protein Power and the Protein Power lifeplan books by Drs. Eades. I found my copy in a thrift store for .99 and it's a great book.

    Also, there are a lot of great people here willing to give advice!

    Cheers!
  • i know what you mean about MDA. it seems like a lot of lingo and specific to the book stuff that sometimes i dont get because i am too cheap (broke) to buy the book. its a great resource, but i do see what u mean about it being info-mercialesque.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    i know what you mean about MDA. it seems like a lot of lingo and specific to the book stuff that sometimes i dont get because i am too cheap (broke) to buy the book. its a great resource, but i do see what u mean about it being info-mercialesque.

    THANK YOU! I even had my husband read it and he joked about wanting to find the remote control to change the channel...lol!
  • ganesha303
    ganesha303 Posts: 257 Member
    i know what you mean about MDA. it seems like a lot of lingo and specific to the book stuff that sometimes i dont get because i am too cheap (broke) to buy the book. its a great resource, but i do see what u mean about it being info-mercialesque.

    THANK YOU! I even had my husband read it and he joked about wanting to find the remote control to change the channel...lol!

    Odd. I've not read the book, but picked up Primal lifestyle from the blog pretty easily. Now I find it a great reference and inspiration...
  • njdoll
    njdoll Posts: 106 Member
    Well there's always the library.

    The website has a ton of information. You'll have to seek it out. If you sign up for his newsletter, you get the free downloads already mentioned. The only emails I have gotten are the same as his blog posts. No pushing of anything.

    The book is nice because the information is laid out in one place. The Primal Blueprint goes more into depth than 21 Day Transformation. I recommend you get it from the library. I found it worth buying–first for my Kindle, then a book copy (because it's easier to go back and reread things and it was the only way to get my husband to read a little.) And then three copies for friends :)
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    Well there's always the library.

    The website has a ton of information. You'll have to seek it out. If you sign up for his newsletter, you get the free downloads already mentioned. The only emails I have gotten are the same as his blog posts. No pushing of anything.

    The book is nice because the information is laid out in one place. The Primal Blueprint goes more into depth than 21 Day Transformation. I recommend you get it from the library. I found it worth buying–first for my Kindle, then a book copy (because it's easier to go back and reread things and it was the only way to get my husband to read a little.) And then three copies for friends :)

    Unfortunately I work 50 hours per week at one full time job while my part time is 15 hours. The library is closed well before I get out of work so thats definitely not going to happen.

    The Archevore post was definitely something that was a much better layout of information than MDA-site.
  • jacob1462
    jacob1462 Posts: 10 Member
    I just pretend i'm a caveman and eat loads of fishes and little chicken birds and little chicken eggs....wash it down with a leaf or two of romaine lettuce. I got that from a nature documentary I saw once on BBC. David Attenborough said that gorillas eat like that....a mouthful of meat ....then eat a leaf....he said the gorillas do it to help with digestion...makes sense to me. Also i eat a good bit of pork...the other white meat.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    I just pretend i'm a caveman and eat loads of fishes and little chicken birds and little chicken eggs....wash it down with a leaf or two of romaine lettuce. I got that from a nature documentary I saw once on BBC. David Attenborough said that gorillas eat like that....a mouthful of meat ....then eat a leaf....he said the gorillas do it to help with digestion...makes sense to me. Also i eat a good bit of pork...the other white meat.

    LOL!!!!!!!!
  • monkeydharma
    monkeydharma Posts: 599 Member
    I just pretend i'm a caveman and eat loads of fishes and little chicken birds and little chicken eggs....wash it down with a leaf or two of romaine lettuce. I got that from a nature documentary I saw once on BBC. David Attenborough said that gorillas eat like that....a mouthful of meat ....then eat a leaf....he said the gorillas do it to help with digestion...makes sense to me. Also i eat a good bit of pork...the other white meat.

    I have to take issue with this representation of paleo/primal.

    A nutritional analysis of what gorillas eat show that it is only 9% protein. Their diet is essentially vegetarian, with their protein coming mostly from the grubs and larvae attached to the vegetation they eat. While there ARE apes who are more omnivorous - gorillas aren't among them.

    A paleo/primal diet should still be more plant and animal. While we no longer need to fear fats and bacon, if we rely and a primarily protein diet - we'll still wind up with health issues.

    primal_blueprint_food_pyramid-300x249.jpg


    Gorilla nutrition analysis: http://pages.nycep.org/rothman/11JTE.pdf
  • MrsAbles
    MrsAbles Posts: 117 Member
    bump for websites
  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    I wrote a simple guide as I understood it from my research...

    http://weightwars.co.uk/2012/03/paleo/
  • coconutty420
    coconutty420 Posts: 47 Member
    i did primal for about 1.5 months before i ever read the book....now i want to get the 21 day transformation book but am in the same boat as you are...i have the one book so why should i buy another just seems silly. i found a lot of the basics at http://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/#axzz1n2iVTH56. but if you are still confused i could lend you my copy of the book....send me a private message and i can send it off (just gotta please promise to return it!) Good Luck! it is an amazing way to live...has done wonders for me in feeling better and resolving many health issues....im just hoping to start dropping more weight soon!
  • uniqsol
    uniqsol Posts: 36
    There are some interesting links here...thanks peeps!
    I'ma get to readin' :glasses:
  • uniqsol
    uniqsol Posts: 36
    For me the big difference between low-carb and losing weight with Primal is that Primal is essentially real food, and low carb tends to have a lot of products involved. Bars, shakes, fake sweeteners, faux desserts, etc. If you are trying to lose weight, just stick with the low carb but only eat real food.

    p.s. for me, going primal did not help my weight loss until I started to also watch my calories, which when doing low carb is reasonably easy. But I am in my mid-50's and starting menopause.

    p.p.s. this guy is pretty level headed when it comes to the Primal diet...http://www.threenewleaves.com/a-beginners-guide-to-the-primal-lifestyle-part-one/

    Good Luck, I really think the problem with the MDA is there is almost too much info for a beginner. Start small with something you know you can stick to, then add to it.


    By the by, I've been reading the above suggested about the Primal diet over my lunch break...
    Very enjoyable & super easy to follow for anyone just starting out or interested in learning more about Primal/Paleo!
  • banksave
    banksave Posts: 18 Member
    if you have an Itunes account you could search for Robb Wolfe free podcast. They are Free to download... I think you could also
    acces them from Robbwolfe.com

    Hope this helps.
  • mom2tek
    mom2tek Posts: 75 Member
    I've been Paleo for 2 months now and still have loads to learn! Some good information on here! Will read again and look into the sites when I have more time. I've been very interested in purchasing the Primal Blueprint but like you I've tried to learn most about it online. I also love checking out these blogs/discussions and learning so much from those with experience.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    MDA does have a lot of lingo, but I've eventually learned what most of it is. I got the book from the library, but honestly never finished it as most of the info I wanted I had already found on his site (or I had already read elsewhere). The "Start Here" tab pretty much linked everything I needed in one spot on MDA. But I also have a lot of primal-esque buddies on here that also helped me!

    One person mentioned Dr. Mike Eades of Protein Power; his website has also been useful to me:
    http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/

    Another good reference I've found is Wellness Mama. She explains things well (and has a phone app!).
    http://wellnessmama.com/

    PS - another good site is http://www.gnolls.org/ - hpsnickers1 introduced me to that one. Great info there!
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