30 Day Primal Challenge, Day 17: Want More Information?

I’ve been urging you to join me in a 30 day Primal Challenge.  I’ve been explaining my reasons for taking the challenge and encouraging you to try it yourself.

Nobody responded to my call to action.  I can understand that.  Why should anyone respond?  I can see how a few blog posts would not provide enough information and motivation to overcome your immediate reaction to the idea of going primal.

Your first reaction when hearing about the primal lifestyle is probably one of these:

• It’s just another fad.  It won’t work over the long run, just like other diets.
• It’s just Atkins all over again.  Heart disease and heart attacks waiting to happen.
• This contradicts everything I’ve been taught or told about nutrition for my whole life.  You’re supposed to eat low fat.  You’re supposed to eat lots of small meals a day to keep your metabolism “stoked.”  You’re supposed to eat lots of whole grains for fiber and to keep you feeling full.  You’re supposed to eat dairy to get calcium and vitamin D.
• I could never do it.  I don’t like enough fruits and vegetables or meat.  I don’t have time to prepare all that stuff.

I reacted that way.  So did everyone I spoke with about going primal.

Then I spent a few months learning about the primal lifestyle and paleo-style nutrition.  I read the basic philosophy, the success stories and the supporting science.  I observed my own behavior and paid special attention to the effects of nutrition and sleep on my life.  I dabbled with it to see what might happen.

My conclusion?  The primal lifestyle would make me healthier and more fit, and I can do it.

But let me be clear.

I DON’T WANT YOU TO TRY THE PRIMAL LIFESTYLE.

Instead, learn more about it.  Set aside your immediate reactions and approach it with an unbiased point of view.

The best part?  You can learn everything you need for free.  You don’t have to spend a dime.  Between the internet and the Washington Township Public Library, you have everything you need to learn about the primal lifestyle.

Below are the 11 resources that I found most useful in learning about the primal / paleo lifestyle.

You don’t need to read all of them.  Find the few that work for you and stick with those.  Each resource offers a slightly different perspective, but the overall philosophy is the same.  I've linked to each book below at amazon.com, but all of them are available at the library.

1.)  Mark Sisson.  The creator of the Primal Blueprint.  His website (Mark’s Daily Apple) is the most comprehensive resource that I’ve found on the primal lifestyle.  It’s updated frequently and written in a style that people with non-scientific backgrounds (like me) can understand.  He also has a book that outlines the Primal Blueprint.

2.)  Dr. Loren Cordain.  A researcher widely known as the inventor of the Paleo diet.  His books, The Paleo Diet and The Paleo Diet for Athletes, explore the scientific side of Paleo nutrition and offer practical advice for implementing a Paleo style diet.  He also has a website that provides excellent information.

3.)  Robb Wolf.  A leading advocate of the Paleo diet who studied under Loren Cordain.  His book, The Paleo Solution, is an engaging read that presents the science in a down-to-earth fashion.  Reading it is almost like having a conversation with him.  His frequently updated website also offers podcasts and other useful information.

4.)  Sarah Frogoso at Everyday Paleo.  A mother who converted to the Paleo lifestyle with amazing results.  Her website and book focus on recipes and how to make a Paleo lifestyle work for a family with young children.

5.)  Stefan Guyenet, Ph.D at Whole Health Source.  An obesity researcher who studies and writes about nutrition and health.  This guy is an expert.  His blog is referenced by many others on this list.  It’s dense and science-oriented.  Reading his posts takes time, but I always end up more educated and informed.

6.)  Peter at Hyperlipid.  A scientist and leading advocate of a high fat diet.  His blog is also referenced frequently by others on this list.  It’s dense and requires some time to get through, but it focuses on the science behind obesity and nutrition.

7.)  Gary Taubes.  A journalist and author who takes on conventional wisdom.  His books—Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It—explore the reasons behind our current obesity epidemic.  While he is not a scientist, Taubes references substantial research in presenting his perspectives.  Taubes is a frequent guest on podcasts and has a website that is periodically updated.

8.)  Whole 9 life.  A community and program for nutrition and fitness.  Whole 9 offers the Whole30 program, a nutrition program designed to change your eating habits in 30 days.  In addition, the site offers lots of great resources for learning about food and managing your health.

9.)  Jimmy Moore.  A regular guy who went from 410 pounds to 230 pounds by following a low-carb diet.  Moore provides information to help others achieve the success he achieved.  His “Livin’ la vida low carb” podcasts offer a range of basic information about low-carbohydrate diets.  He’s a great interview host, and his podcasts are informative and engaging.

10.)  Healthy Mind Fit Body.  These guys approach health and fitness from a unique perspective—they address the mental and psychological aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  If you listen to their podcast, be forewarned that they typically engage in meaningless banter for the first 5 minutes or so.  Keep listening; they always get to an interesting discussion topic.

11.)  Emily Deans, M.D. at Evolutionary Psychiatry.  This blog expands the primal concept beyond physical well being into mental well being.  Dr. Emily Deans is a psychiatrist, and it’s interesting to get her view on how primal concepts apply to psychiatry.

Happy reading or listening!

Please let me know (via the comments) about your favorite resources or any other resources you think I should mention.