The Art of Primal Living

[chadwick]

**THIS THREAD IS CONSTANTLY UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION, SO PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN**
Last Revised: November 20, 2009

Primal Tribe,

Young or old, fit or becoming-fit, we are all here for several reasons -- to discuss the primal lifestyle among friends, to learn about the primal lifestyle, to experiment with the primal lifestyle, and ultimately, to become the people we were meant to be!

In order to facilitate the learning process, we want this thread to serve as a collection of answers to the question: What does it mean to be primal? In other words; The Art of Primal Living.


What is "primal"?

Primal means to live like we were made to live. Primal means being YOU.

How do I live a primal life?

The great thing about living primally is that there is no one way to do it. In short, the way for you to live primal is to experiment and figure what works out best for you! There is no secret formula, no magic bullet--nothing like that which is professed by "fad" diets and miracle pills.

The primal life is based on being natural: workout naturally, eat naturally, live naturally! It is how nature intended us to live.

Workout--what kind of workouts?

Challenging ones that develop both your body, and mind. Reaching a point of pain, or difficulty - whether running sprints, lifting heavy weights, or playing a game of pick-up basketball - is something everyone can do. Primal beings constantly had to push themselves beyond the point of pain when they were trying to catch their prey, or keep from being prey. That is a major point in primal fitness - push yourself beyond the point of pain.


What should I eat?

High-quality meats, seasonal vegetables, nuts, fruits.

What primal living is NOT.




Additional Resources

The primal lifestyle is primarily based on empirical evidence and scientific research--everything that is in the primal canon has worked for people! There are great resources out there for learning more about the primal lifestyle, from transformation journals, to recipe sites, to blogs, to scientific research. All of it is out there to help you learn more about the primal lifestyle and connect with people that are equally as passionate about it.

Books
The Primal Blueprint, by Mark Sisson
Good Calories, Bad Calories, by Gary Taubes
Primal Body-Primal Mind, by Nora Teresa Gedgaudas
The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle, by Michael Eades
Protein Power, by Michael Eades
The Paleo Diet, by Loren Cordain
The Great Cholesterol Con, by Malcolm Kendrick

Blogs
Body Recomposition
Mark's Daily Apple
Caveman Food
Healthy Indulgences
Son of Grok
Free the Animal
Hyperlipid
Art DeVany
Ev Fit
Heart Scan Blog
PaNu
Zen to Fitness
Robb Wolf

Two things of importance:

1. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join the Primal Tribe. A healthier, more natural lifestyle is good for you, good for your family and friends, and good for all of society. If you are new, welcome to the Tribe; if you are a veteran, spread the word about the Primal Tribe and all of the other great primal resources on the Web and in print.
2. If there is anything to add (which I am sure there is) to this post, please suggest it. We will continue to update the first post with new blogs (perhaps your own!), medical research, and other information as it comes in.

[parsimonycarp]

Here is a blog I recommend reading:

http://www.brynith.com/

[livinghealthy]

This is a great overview as well:

http://www.earth360.com/diet_paleodiet_balzer.html

[LC16!]

Im very interested in really staying commited to doing this but I find Ive had a up and down week with trying to adjust... I find when I get emotional or hit a bump in the road I want to turn to food to make me feel better and of course non of that is primal/paleo.

Any tips to help me? Also.. Im trying to lose weight..not an excessive amount, but Id like to see results so again.. any tips for results would be awesome. Thanks!

[iluvthors]

Im very interested in really staying commited to doing this but I find Ive had a up and down week with trying to adjust... I find when I get emotional or hit a bump in the road I want to turn to food to make me feel better and of course non of that is primal/paleo.

Any tips to help me? Also.. I'm trying to lose weight..not an excessive amount, but Id like to see results so again.. any tips for results would be awesome. Thanks!

Staying committed... Doing it with someone else always helps. Make it a challenge or a competition. Maybe keep a food log on this site, I am sure you could convince another member to join you?

Otherwise, enjoy the ride. Enjoy healthy food, enjoy the way it makes you feel, and in the end when you need to eat something, it will be something that you enjoy, which is something primal.

Also - read about Ketosis... If you wanna lose weight, that is your sweet spot!

[LC16!]

Staying committed... Doing it with someone else always helps. Make it a challenge or a competition. Maybe keep a food log on this site, I am sure you could convince another member to join you?

Otherwise, enjoy the ride. Enjoy healthy food, enjoy the way it makes you feel, and in the end when you need to eat something, it will be something that you enjoy, which is something primal.

Also - read about Ketosis... If you wanna lose weight, that is your sweet spot!

Can you explain the best way to get myself into Ketosis?? I know its low carb, but what should I stay away from thats still considered primal in order to get there...Im assuming the fruits should go but what could I fill the void with??

Ive got a trip down south in about 6 weeks and your help is much appreciated!!!

[iluvthors]

Ketosis - I am no expert... But most people claim that if you keep your carb intake below 50 grams/day, that that should do it. Just try to avoid carbs at all costs. But be sure to replace those carbs with fat

[mybodymyself]

Thanx for TPT and etc. Have to say that I'm not a total newbie to primal living, but still unsure of what really primal living is and etc.