My original inspiration for becoming Organic & Thrifty was and remains my husband (he especially appreciates the thrifty part). The health issues that he encountered about 7 years ago set me on the journey to health and nutrition that led me to where I am today. The past several years he hasn’t always bought in hook, line, and sinker to everything, but I remained steadfast in my convictions and always had a healthy meal for him to eat at home.
I was listening to a caller on Dr. Laura today who was trying to figure out how to get her husband to lose weight. Dr. Laura said in no uncertain terms do not tell him he needs to lose weight. You have all the power. Cook nutritious meals, get the junk out of the house, and make time to allow him to exercise in ways that he wants to that are enjoyable for him.
I thought to myself “Yep. That’s it”. Dr. Laura gave some sort of conventional wisdom advice about lots of veggies and low calories, which isn’t exactly what I believe is most effective, but whatever. The spirit of the advice was right on. It’s a start anyway.
Well, here it is, in my beloved’s own words, an update on how his health and weight loss journey has gone. I wanted to share it with my readers to inspire them that change is possible, and while it may take a lot of time, it can happen with patience and perseverence:
This summer has proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that getting back into the Primal Lifestyle was long overdue. Here is my three month progress report, with a few observations at this landmark juncture:June 1st: 208 lbs
July 1st: 199 lbs
August 1st: 193 lbs
September 1st: 183 lbsObservations:
Bottom line: 25 pounds of almost pure BF loss in three months. No radical swings either; just a steady 2lbs/wk transition from glucose to ketones as the body’s primary energy source. I’ve lost about 6 inches off my waist and can wear clothes I haven’t been able to wear for years. (I still have about 10-15 lbs of excess BF to go).
The benefits of eating Real Food are numerous and greatly empowering. For example, it is liberating to reject the stupidity of conventional wisdom and just eat what makes sense. Most of what is peddled about food/nutrition these days is recycled PR from AgriBiz & Big Pharma and just simply not true. In many cases this advice is criminally & intentionally false (e.g. “whole grains & vegetable oils are healthy, saturated fat causes heart disease, you need 10+ servings of carbs per day, etc, etc”). Why do we assume that what Big Business & Big Government say is in our best interest? You wouldn’t get into a space craft designed by chefs and built in a kitchen, so why do you eat food designed by scientists and created in labs?
I only exercise 4 hours per week, total. Goodbye, 2 hour-long jogs on the treadmill. Seriously, if you use your body the way God made it, you don’t need to torture it to get results. My basic routine is 5x45min sessions/wk — HIIT 2-3/wk @ 5-8x of 15-45-sec intervals + power walking and some very minimal light jogging). Oh, and I haven’t even started weight lifting yet which means I haven’t even gotten started in seeing really stunning results. Once I add a primal weight training regiment to the repertoire, I should see further gains in muscle mass & definition, endurance, and further fat loss. And only with 20-30mins per session, max.
I usually only eat 2-3 times per day and am never hungry. Seriously, no cravings. And no calorie counting or deprivation. I eat primal when I’m hungry and move on. If I miss a meal/want to fast, no problem as I have no drop in energy or mental acuity. Ridiculously simple. And it makes total sense from an evolutionary and spiritual perspective.
My energy levels are significantly improved. I can wrestle and run with the kids and not get winded after 5 minutes like I used to earlier this year. I can come home from sprint intervals and still clean up the house. I can stay up late and not be fatigued the next morning. Best of all, I’m coming back from the brink of what was almost a major adrenal collapse.
Some habits die hard: I’m still trying to kick the coffee addiction. Still not sleeping as much or as well as I need to. Lunches are still a little less than ideal at times. I still need to add weight lifting. My flexibility isn’t where I need it to be. All good goals to work on!
Conclusion: I promised myself that, this time around, I wasn’t looking back. So far, so good!
[...] Success Begins at Home : Organic & Thrifty [...]
“You wouldn’t get into a space craft designed by chefs and built in a kitchen, so why do you eat food designed by scientists and created in labs?”
“Seriously, if you use your body the way God made it, you don’t need to torture it to get results.”
Great job converting your husband, and also a great effort on his part! I have not been quite as successful with my family, but they’re coming around slowly but surely.
When I switched to real food and cut out sugar and refined carbs, I lost 30 pounds in 3 months as well. I wasn’t even trying to lose weight, nor did I think I really needed to, and the weight I lost is actually much less significant than some of the other improvements I’ve made. It’s amazing what can happen when you start following a truly healthy diet!
Wow what a Virtuous Woman you are!!
10) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth more than rubies. 11) Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13) She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14) She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15) She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16) She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17) She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18) She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19) In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20) She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21) When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22) She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23) Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24) She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25) She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26) She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27) She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28) Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29) “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31) Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. We started eating this way 3 months ago. I used to be a “couponer” I fed my family of 8 adults on $50 a week! Yeah Me……forget it I now look at coupons as a “sin” the only good thing that came from couponing was I got 100 Muir Glen organic canned tomato’s for $.10 a can instead of $3.00 the rest of what I purchased was “JUNK”, so I and our family are blessed to have found your blog! You have encouraged us to seek out “GOOD” food and for that we are blessed! I encourage you to keep blogging and I will pray for your houseband that he will be healthy and physically fit for his God given tasks!
Wow, Kelley,
I don’t think I quite measure up to all of Proverbs 31 but bless you for your encouragement!!!
As for continuing to blog, sometimes for me the internet borders on being my “bread of idleness” but hopefully by your prayers I will be able to continue to blog while not neglecting my “virtuous woman” duties!!! May Christ’s Holy Mother pray for us all in this regard!
Vin,
Isn’t it incredible how effortless it is to drop the weight when you cut out the junk? I don’t mean to imply that it would be this easy for everyone, but it sure seems like I continue to encounter folks with the same success story!
Yeah, this switch to paleo eating has had such a remarkably noticeable effect on my once anxiety-ridden, stressed-out husband. The differences are just stunning. Too bad people tend to have to be really unhealthy before they are motivated to do something this drastic!
Hey everyone! First of all, great work with your lifestyle change Carrie! I found this blog, along with Vin’s, Cheeseslave, Dr. Briffa’s and Gary Taubes’ amazing book “Good Calories Bad Calories” one day after seeing a picture of myself and thinking “wow, I really need to lose some weight.” My fiance lost 35 lbs in about the same amount of time as your husband doing the same thing (cutting out processed foods, sugar and wheat, etc), and I thought it was about time I make the change. I have learned SO much and uncovered a lot of information in the last couple of weeks, it’s unbelievable and I thank you guys! (and my fiance of course). Finding this information has truly changed my life, I feel like a religious person feels like when they’ve been “saved” or whatever! It’s truly amazing the truth on health and nutrition I have found with all of these blogs. What a great accomplishment Carrie and Vin and thank you for writing about your experiences for all of us to absorb! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us!
Andrea,
Congratulations to you and your fiance!!!! I know just what you mean; this information is like a “secret treasure” that you really have to search for (like all Truth; it’s usually not the “conventional wisdom” of the day). I’m so glad that you found my blog, and I support you in all your efforts! E-mail me anytime if you need any help, encouragement, or ideas! Oh, and please send me pictures of your wedding day
! I’d love to share your success story too (any anyone else’s, for that matter!!!)
Blessings,
Carrie @ OrganicThrifty
What a great success story involving your change to real food! My husband often tells me how much better he feels since we changed our diets. He’s lost some weight too.
I pack his lunch every day, and I’ve found the easiest thing is to pack leftovers from dinner. I always cook extra for lunch the next day. I throw it together as I’m cleaning up the kitchen. We avoid the microwave at home, but I admit my husband uses it at work. I always use glass pyrex containers to pack the lunch for this reason. I throw in some fruit or homemade popcorn, and it’s done… easy!
Thank you for your efforts with your family and blogging about them! For a newbie like me your blog is a wonderful resource. Very inspiring. My next step is homemade yogurt and I’ll be reading your tips. Thanks again
I have enjoyed reading your blog and trying out some of your recipes.
I was wondering if you could clarify exactly what your diet consists of and what you have eliminated from it, as well as any supplements that you may be using to assist in your healing journey. My husband suffers from severe eczema, as well as some other symptoms that have led us to suspect that he may have adrenal fatigue.
Thank you.
Jenni,
I would be happy to clarify what my husband has been doing! He’s been eating to his heart’s content of good quality fats (saturated and monounsaturated from tallow, coconut oil, bacon fat, extra virgin olive oil, full fat raw dairy and cream, butter), a moderate amount of good quality protein (pastured eggs, grass-fed beef & chicken mostly, but a fair share of fast food bunless burgers as well!), and very low carbohydate; he aims for 75-100 grams per day.
He is eating no grains, and the carbs he does eat come from some fruit (about 2 pieces per day), veggies, and nuts. No starchy veggies either (potatoes, legumes, beans, and even sweet potatoes are also out).
He eats absolutely no cane sugar (refined or unrefined). The sweetener of choice is stevia, but I do bake with agave or honey (very minimal amounts). I bake with almound flour and coconut flour.
You can check out my last 3 months of menu plans to see specifics.
He is also exercising 5 days a week for about 45 minutes doing a series of intervals (sprint–walk–sprint—walk).
I hope this helps! Eczema can be totally treated by diet; many people find relief giving up carbs, but particularly wheat. Basically, at bare minimum, I’d give up gluten. To be more extreme (and get more results) give up grains in general. To take it even further, avoid ALL insulin-producing starches.
I wish you the best (and your husband too!)
Carrie
Carrie, I can’t believe I missed this post! Don’t you love having your husband on board with your healthier lifestyle? I know it *can* be done w/o support from a spouse, but I’m sure thankful that mine is with me. It was fun reading his perspective on Real Food.
Kelly
@Kelly:
Oh, it’s incredible! He was always “supportive”; as in he’d eat whatever I served (besides liver and strange fermented things), but now he’s really taken ownership and initiative for his own sake! He’s truly a different person, because finally healing his adrenals has brought so much more joy and peace to his life. As a Christian, he always “theoretically” knew he needed to have those things but with chronic illness it can be so difficult to really “feel” joy and peace. Such a blessing!