My dream of becoming your Primal Expert

As you know over the past six months I have become a real primal nerd. I am listening to podcasts about triglycerides and cholesterol in the car instead of listening to music, bike riding with podcasts such as The Primal Shift, The Livin' La Vida Low- Carb Show, Primal Blueprint, Able James Fat Burning Man, That Paleo Show and Nora Gedgaudas to name but a few. I must have racked up hours, and days and whole weeks listening whilst cleaning the house or driving to town. I go to bed early to read more fascinating research on the subject and found books such as Primal Body Primal Mind, Wheat Belly, It all Starts with Food, Grain Brain, Big Fat Lies, The Primal Blueprint and Sweet Poison absolutely gobsmackingly life changing!

I've stopped my four to five times a week gym going and I'm walking on the beach in the beautiful blue space near our house and bike riding in the stunning green space near the inlet where the wildlife changes on every trip.  I am doing yoga most days on the lawn in my bra and knickers (I'll explain one day) and I'm meditating more and walking around with no shoes on.  I'm eating, sleeping, living and breathing a primal lifestyle, and if you stop to ask me about it, be prepared to have your ear chewed off!

I've started a facebook page posting pictures of what I eat in the hope that I can give ideas to other people about what primal eating looks like and that it's easy to do.  I copy links to interesting articles that explain why the Standard Australian Diet isn't working so that other people can have their eyes opened too. I've shared family friendly recipes that have worked on my kids and hopefully on yours too.  I've started this blog for a more in-depth and personal feel about my journey and the things I want to share with you.  I've been offering free 'primal chats' to friends of mine who are hungry for the truth, thanks to you guys (R, J, K, H, N, C, C) for disclosing your personal information and trusting me enough to listen to my advice. It's been very encouraging to see that, even from a few small changes that big results have ensued.  Most of all it's been great to see that 'spark' back. Some of the information I have shared with friends or on Facebook has been shared with their friends, family and Facebook and that in itself is awesome too.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THIS.

I can't believe that up until six months ago, I hadn't even HEARD of primal or paleo.  I feel that this information is kept from us, like some sort of conspiracy.  There are papers upon papers of evidence to back it up yet the government tells us to eat a high carbohydrate based diet that is low in fat and even advising our diabetic friends to eat carbohydrates with every meal, even though diabetic person's pancreas is broken and they can't produce insulin to digest the carbs (sugar). When someone is diagnoses as lactose intolerant they aren't advised to continue drinking milk but given some lactose digesting enzyme to inject are they?  No, they are advised to stop consuming lactose.  So why are diabetics, who can't digest sugar being advised to eat lots of it?  On a recent visit to my rather brilliant Doctor, I told her about my health transformation and I was surprised that she didn't object to it or call me 'dangerous' but she nodded and agreed, it's like her hands were tied as to what advice she could really be giving out. Why?

I've never been one to get fired up about political 'stuff' at all but the inaccurate dietary advice that is dispensed MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!  It makes my hands shake and I feel a deep need and urgency to GET THE TRUTH ABOUT FOOD OUT THERE.  I'm no Naturopath, I'm no Doctor or Nutritionist who has spent years at University to gain credible qualifications that's for sure.  I am however living proof that following 'Conventional Wisdom" on diet and exercise (low fat, high carb, eat less, move more lazy greedy ass) DOES NOT WORK.  I sincerely gave it my all for 25 years, as a devoted gym goer, Fitness Instructor, Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer doling out the advice to exercise more and eat less, the results elsewhere were not that impressive either. I followed the government dietary guidelines on what to eat and at times I was doing ten exercise classes a week and I was always somewhat over weight, and it was a bloody struggle!  For the two years prior to going primal, I followed the CSIRO diet which is different than normal as it is quite low carb by Standard Australian Diet standards.  The missing component of the CSIRO diet though was FAT and it was also a high sugar diet (a bowl of low fat ice cream was legit every night, first ingredient: liquid sugar). Argh.  After two years I became seriously ill and wanted to die.

We have a massive influence on how our food effects out overall health just by choosing what we put in our mouth.  But I find people are confused as to what is good and what is bad and overwhelmed with what to choose for the best for themselves and their families. 

That is why I have decided to become a Primal Expert!  I think I am already there to a point in terms of what I have learned these past six months and that I am living proof of how you can turn your health around.  But to add more knowledge and credibility I have decided to study the Mark Sisson Primal Blueprint Expert Certification Course.  The course will strengthen my knowledge and give me some ideas on practical application.  I am following my bliss and I am empowering others with the knowledge they need for their own unique body, of which they are the experts of.

So it may be quiet over here on the Primal Soapbox whilst I study over the summer but I hope to be back bigger and better in the New Year!  Then I will be a fully fledged Primal Expert able to help you reclaim your health and feel better than you ever knew possible.  If you don't know what to eat I will menu plan with you.  If you don't know how to cook, I will cook with you.  If you can't be bothered to cook, I'll cook for you!  If you need some guidance on how to move your body, I'll walk, yoga, lift heavy things and sprint once in a while with you. If you need some stress balance I'll show you how to meditate, if you hate meditating, I'll massage you.  If you can't sleep, I'll show you how to optimise your sleeping just by changing a few things in your bedroom and getting outside in the morning.  If you can't get outside enough we will have a walk and talk consult on the beach. If your life has become all work and no play, I'll show you how to introduce play again. If you live on the other side of the world, I'll Skype with you.

I have to say, I am so excited.  It is like all the previous jobs of 'Helen of the past' can benefit my new chosen path.  Besides, it means I get to blabber on about my favourite topic lots more, hoorah to that.

Have you made the primal change? Do you feel better than before?  I would love for you to share your story here in the comments below, feel free to include a before and after picture.  Let your story help to spread the primal word. Love, H.