When Jorge Santiago Pauli tweeted this to me a few days back, I knew I had to hear more:
“33 lbs down since I read Simpler in January. I really enjoy the non-obsessive approach to health in your writing.”
The number caught my eye, but the perspective sealed the deal — the recognition, above all else, that strong, vibrant health doesn’t have to come loaded with numbers, complexities, and all manner of obsessions. That’s a large theme in my upcoming ebook, Roots, but also in my first effort, Simpler, which laid out a simple, easy approach to restoring the body to great shape.
If my own (embarrassing) experience has proven anything, though, it’s this: a picture is worth a thousand words. Two pictures, then, might drove the point home better than anything else, and I’m glad to say that Jorge provided that and more.
Hit the jump for his story!
Hi Matt!
I already thanked you, but the truth is that I’m really excited about the physical improvements I’m having, so thanks again.
In December I read your ebook and I liked it a lot, I was already living a sort of minimalist lifestyle, so that part wasn’t new to me. But the part about eating and exercise definitely was something I’ve never heard.
(Note: Sorry about using kilograms measurements here, it’s easier to me)
I was overweight my entire life. When I was 18 I was over 100kg, and then I slowly started to lose some weight (but not that much). Two years ago I started being a vegetarian, and my weight increased dramatically. After a while, I tried running everyday (I was living in Tierra del Fuego, a really cold place, so imagine it wasn’t a very pleasant experience) but I was stuck at 90kg.
In January I travelled through Brazil for 2 weeks (it was amazing!), and when I realized that I’d lost some weight. I also realized that it was because unconsciously I ate primal/paleo during those days.
Then I remembered your book and I said to myself “This guy was right”. I started reading some other blogs (Mark Sisson and Richard Nikoley are my favorites) I decided to start eating this way everyday and start exercising like you said, and here I am… 75kg and happier than ever before. I’m excited about the next months.
I wrote about this in my blog. It’s in Spanish, but I put a Before/After picture you can check.
(Click to emlarge!)
First and foremost: congratulations, Jorge!
That’s an incredible change in a relatively short amount of time. With results like this, it’s little wonder to me that Paleo continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the public spotlight. Call it a little sad, too, that so many people still continue to over-exercise, eat government-approved whole grains and low-fat substitutes, and generally do so many harmful things with the absolute best of intentions.
Jorge’s success makes me wonder, however, how many people in the audience have seen similar results. If the ideas in Simpler have helped you — or if they served as an introduction to a Paleo/Primal lifestyle, at least — please don’t hesitate to contact me with your results. I’d love to feature more people here that have adopted a Paleo lifestyle to great success.
If you’ve been toeing the line, unsure whether to dive in, let me take this opportunity to ask just one question: why? I’m legitimately curious to hear the answer, as I’d love to work however I can to encourage people to give a Paleo lifestyle a chance. Jorge’s success is pretty characteristic of the first few months of a Paleo life, and by every indication a sign of great things to come, so here’s hoping his story might be just the little push you need to give Paleo a go.
If not, though, feel free to leave a comment down below expressing your concerns. I’m planning an upcoming series on the practical aspects of eating Paleo, and I’d love to tackle any and all of your problems and concerns in the interest of creating the best (and most thoroughly kick-ass) guide possible.
–
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12 Comments
I'm a writer, minimalist, and health dork with three goals in mind: to teach you how to lose weight, move more, and be happier by living a simple, natural life. It works. Like what you read here? Get 3NL delivered straight to your inbox!
Matt, I’ve tried a Primal approach and in 1.5 month (which included the holidays) I lost 9 lb. However I’ve progressed little since… Here’s my excuses and stuggles:
FAMILY/BAKING – I do OK during the work week, when I can control what I eat by myslef. It’s not hard and I feel so much better – no fatigues or 3 p.m. tired spell. I find the weekends difficult as my family still eat the startches I love. Add a fault of my own, I love to bake bread (and my teen bakes cakes, cookies, etc for a hobby!).
TRAVEL – I took holidays and beign away from my routine, etc. I found that I basically left the Primal path and stepped back into the Modern mode… I gained weight, I felt heavy, lethargic and tired. I undid most of my weight loss, but it was a clear lesson that carbs/insulin is an issue and directly linked to my weight and well being! So I have to develop a strategy when I have to spend a day through airports or travelling and having to eat out a lot – sometimes with little selection of where to eat due to location or time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. (PS – I’m back no my Primal path and only 1 lb away from my initial loss!).
RESIST INTERMITTENT FASTING – While in theory the intermittent fasting makes sense, I’m afraid to see my metabolism slow down… What I’ve recently gotten into, is paying closer attention to why I eat, and not eat out of obligation/schedule if I’m not hungry.
RESIST EXERCISE – I’ve never been into sports of any kind. I can recall when I got turned off exercise and physical activity through a silly program called ParticipAction which was to promote it in the schools. It had the absolute opposite effect on me (and a few people I talked to). Add to that the reality of an unstable back and I have plenty of excuses.
Running is out for me, walking bores me to tears. However, I’ve started simple things to strenghten my ankles and abs. At this point, my goal is to get really good core strenght which will help my back… I may never be able to run, but maybe graduate to a speed walk? Any suggestions?
CHOLESTEROL – Now this is a big one for me! I’ve resisted the animal fats… I’ve had high cholesterol all my life and at 50, that scares me from those fats. Have any of those adopting Paleo/Primal had similar problem and tested before and after? I’ve asked my MD for a requisition to test again… it’s in my hand now, but I’m waiting to shed a few more pound and be on my Primal path pretty consistently for a couple months before going.
Thanks for your help Matt… and I think that featuring those who have recently adopted Primal/Paleo is a great idea. I’d love to hear how they did it, what they struggled with as well, not just the great results.
I completely agree.
You’ve given me a lot to work with here, and I’m very grateful for that. You’re absolutely right! I enjoy featuring the great results, but the concerns you expressed above are legitimate ones, and it would be remiss of me not to see if I can help.
Excellent! Look for a more detailed response to these when the Paleo guide picks up again soon.
Great news here Matt!
I am on the path slowly but surely for more energy and less bloat, my main concern is … I am eating lots of nuts, is this ok, seems to be good snack replacement?
Also what about cafe culture, I know like me you enjoy coffee and write from coffee shops, here in London there are some “wheat free” cakes avail in the cafes but they are packed with sugar! Any tips for the coffee shop treat? (Similar query to Minimalist Wannabe airport difficulty)
Gratitude, Grace
http://www.citygirlconfidence.com
“Live life gracefully”
Hi Grace!
I’d go easy on the nuts. They’re far higher in calories than people realize, and the majority (Macadamia nuts excluded) contain an excessive amount of Omega-6 fatty acid, which we’re better off limiting where possible. You could have a handful and not have problems, but doing that multiple times a day could pretty easily offset your weight loss goals.
Once you’re in the shape you want to be in, nuts are less of a problem, but maybe try going easy on them for awhile and seeing if that helps.
Snack-wise, I generally recommend something with protein. Beef jerky, can of tuna, etc., for the fact that it fills you up far better than any conventional snack. Regarding the coffee shop treat, that’s a bit of a tough one…as I don’t eat anything in coffee shops. Haha.
You’re right: they’re all industrially-produced, packed with sugar, and generally come loaded with freaky ingredients.
I’m not in the “all sugar is evil” camp, but those freaky ingredients are enough to make me suggest you skip that kind of treat entirely. That’s difficult to do, given the pleasurable pairing of coffee and a sweet treat, but you might try just sticking with coffee alone or seeing if they have anything to offer that’s more natural (though I’m not sure what that might be).
Let me know if you can find anything. I know Paleo/Primal might seem restrictive, but remembering the weird ingredients in all of those products we love to eat is powerful motive to eat something better.
Thanks Matt,
Makes sense, think the nuts with the coffee have been my saving grace but will monitor it all. Not sure how strict I want to be for example I am still on milk, yogurt and certainly doing fruit more. Will let you know how I go as I am keeping an “energy journal”, as that is my main goal.
Grace
Great job Jorge. I am on a primal journey myself and this is very inspiring!
Thanks! And enjoy the journey!
I’ve been on the Primal path now for about 2 month. I wasn’t that heavy in the beginning, I weighted 198 lbs and I am about 6 feet tall, and I’m pretty muscular because I was working out in the gym for two years (though I’m not THAT kind of a big machine). Im 21 years old, by the way.
I started working out for one main reason: to get that sexy body I never had and so badly wanted, I had that extra fat my whole childhood, I always felt very uncomfortable taking off my shirt on a beach or in the locker room. But when I started lifting weights, nobody told me that that’s not gonna change anything because my eating habits where still the same and I just ate more as a result of my workout. I then started to get tweaky and found out that you can maximize muscle gain by eating the “right” stuff (It’s funny how you change your amibitions when all those heavy guys are sweating groaning beside you).
I ate rice crackers, whole grain stuff, rice and turkey, a lot of eggs and all the non-fat crap that comes to mind. And I was obsessing about the portion sizes because the guy at the gym gave me that nutrition shedule with 6 meals a day and the exact amount of grams of each meal. It was horrible!
Long story short, I always kept tweaking around. I never really read anything like a blog before, I couldn’t understand the deal, until I tried just some and really began to enjoy it. Then I stumbled upon Mark’s Daily Apple. At first, I didn’t take it seriously because it was the absolute opposite of everything I thought I knew about food and fitness. But the style of how he’s presenting his knowledge, with real studies and success stories, convinced me that there has to be a point.
Finally, I read your success story, Matt. Then I followed you here
You have a really refreshing style of writing, it’s not like some blogs I read, where the authors go like “I’m so awesome, and every now and then, I write a post and brag about it”. You convinced me that I really can do all the things you’ve done, and that paleo + minimalism really is a cool lifestyle. I think that was the turning point, to realize that, if I want a different life, I have to live different. Not just go on a diet and when I’m done, back to normal it is.
I quit my membership at the gym, all the workouts I need I can do at home with mininum amount of equipment. I’m now at 176 lbs (and I think I gained some extra muscles). For the first time in my life, I really feel sexy and comfortable. And I really enjoy eating Primal, though on some occasions I choose non-primal food.
The great thing about eating primal, or whole food in general, is that you don’t crave the “bad” stuff anymore. Sweets, bread (especially white), junkfood, soda and the like, those just don’t get to me anymore, I don’t like it, I’d rather have an omelett and bacon in the morning and a rich salat with an awesome dressing in the evening instead. I think that has to do with the diet-lifestyle-thing: On a diet, you’re not allowed to eat unhealthy food, but when you’re convinced, that you chose a cool lifestyle, it’s a no-brainer. Also, when I’m hungry, it’s not really bugging me, I no more get grumpy or feel weak, I just now, that now could be a great opportunity to have a tasty primal meal.
Btw, I’m from Germany, so please forgive me if that wasn’t the best english you’ve ever read.
Again, thank you Matt, for inspiring me to turn my life around. I really am digging your posts and your non-obsessive attitude towards paleo. I’m really looking forward to read “Roots”.
Greetz
Silvio
Holy crap, man. I’ve saved this comment in my motivation folder, as it’s one of the best I’ve ever received. Thank you so much!
Your story is uncannily similar to mine. I was always the chubby kid, the one who refused to remove his shirt at social gatherings, to the point where pool parties and things like that were far less fun than they should have been. In college, I dropped some of the weight, but in much the same way you did. I worked out every single day, ate plenty of whole wheat tortillas, and slammed down protein shakes on a daily basis, thinking this was the appropriate way to get that muscular, sexy body I’d always desired.
And then Mark’s Daily Apple proved me wrong.
Thank you so much for the kind words about my blogging style. Part of me wishes I were something more ‘extraordinary,’ haha, but the practical reality is that I’m not. I’m just a guy who lost weight and sold his stuff to live a happier, simpler life, and I feel like both of those goals are something that anyone and everyone can strive for.
I’m glad to hear you’ve done so well with Primal, especially in how healthy and non-obsessive you’ve made it seem. You’re right — cravings definitely go way down when you’re eating healthy, natural food, and the choice between eggs and bacon versus a bagel is rarely a choice at all. This is truly one of the greatest changes you can make for yourself, and I’m so glad to hear that you’re thriving.
Your English, by the way, is fantastic. I’d argue that it’s better than most of my peers, so don’t worry about that in the slightest.
Thanks again, Silvio. I’ll be visiting Germany sometime in the next year or two, I think. I’d love to meet up with you when I do!
Take care!
I’m a little bit excited about how much you liked my comment
I’m looking forward to your visit to Germany!
Matt, Right now im trying a similar diet from Tim Ferriss who wrote the 4hourbody. I guess my problem mainly is resisting the candy isle when I run into the local gas station. Im right now conteplating the deliciousness of a bag of licorice heh. So I know these primal diets work. My doctor calls it the caveman diet. if it wasnt around for the cavemen don’t eat it. I guess I wonder where you get the power to resist the carb loaded foods. Why do our bodies crave them so much. It is as bad as any addiction out there.
Hey Justin!
Sometimes I don’t.
I’ve written before about picking and choosing your ‘cheat’ meals, to the point where, because they become a deliberate choice, they no longer carry the associated guilt. It’s not often, but I generally make these choices extremely worthwhile: red velvet pancakes, a box of candy on St. Valentine’s Day, etc.
How do I avoid the rest of the bad stuff? It’s a combination, I think, of knowledge and time. This comment has given me a great idea for a post, so I won’t delve fully into either here, but here’s a brief blurb about each:
Knowledge: I know, now, just how freaky the ingredients tend to be in that candy, and I know exactly what it does to my body. I know, additionally, that it’ll do nothing but stall me on my weight-loss journey, so it becomes exceptionally hard to justify. Is a small bag of candy worth all this? Definitely not.
Time: it’s been suggested that both grain products and sugar have an interesting effect — by consuming them, the body then craves even more. Reducing your intake of sugar, as an example, for a month or longer can help tremendously with cravings. It’s not easy in the beginning, as the body definitely craves something sweet, but I’ve gone low-sugar, now, for about nine months, and I’m not tempted in the slightest by gleaming aisles of candy at the grocery store.
On those occasions that I choose to eat something unhealthy, I’ll find my cravings creeping back in for the following week, but in time they begin to fade again.
Hope this helps, Justin. Give it time, and maybe do some reading on what exactly you’re eating. That combination alone works for me.