Primal: Weak Is The New Strong?

For the person who private messaged me today and said I looked really weak.  Well I am weak enough to do this --> http://youtu.be/eE1O9lOdQU0 (the above video) and I am even weaker now with my current deadlift 1RM of 220kg (485lb).

 

My goal is 227.5kg (500lb).

The reason I mention this is because I always used to think of myself as quite a weak guy - not old-fashioned strong like my Dad used to be.  

8 years ago I could only deadlift 70kg (154lb).  Now I realise I can be as strong as I want (and need to be) by removing the self-imposed constraints I applied to myself - without any artificial help, without being genetically-gifted and without sacrificing my health in the process.  

So to "private message guy" if I am still really weak then I am ok with that.  I used to be much weaker...

Testimonial: Battle With Eczema

No need for the cream...

For over 2 and a half years I have spent countless hours researching what to do to help my son suffering from Eczema.  I've tried countless creams, countless diets and had countless theories. I've been told he just has a dairy allergy...probably. I've been told that I just have to use steroid creams on his skin until he 'grows out of it'.

Finally the discovery has been made that Ethan has a deficiency in vitamin D which could account for a lot of the health problems. The BIGGEST of thank you's to Darryl Edwards who has helped us through this recent segment of our health journey after a nutritional consultation.  

Thank you for helping people like us who want the root cause, not just to cover up the symptoms.  I'm glad I kept fighting for my baby boy. 

Julia Gardner 

Testimonial: No to Osteoporosis!

My name is Vicky and I suffered a fracture in the ankle whilst out jogging just before Christmas 2011.  I was referred to Darryl through a recommendation from a friend.  

I viewed Darryl's profile on his website and was intrigued about his approach to movement.  I was also keen to see how and if paleo nutrition could help with my recovery.

The first question Darryl asked provided a lot of food for thought.  He asked, "do you think it is normal to have a fracture when running"?  I hadn't thought of it myself and none of the other specialists I had seen challenged me in this way.  Based on a food diary I compiled he suggested I get a bone profile test done which presented low calcium, phosphorous and Vitamin D serum levels, then a bone density test which showed I had osteomalacia and osteopenia - which if left could lead to osteoporosis.  I was only 34 years old and was very surprised to be affected by this especially with all the dairy intake I had and exercise I was doing.

I started a one to one workout and nutrition programme with Darryl that excluded dairy (which were causing me other issues due to lactose intolerance) and with no calcium supplements.  A diet based on real-food and removing foods that were blocking absorption of essential nutrients.  My calcium levels were back in the normal range after a few months and full movement in my ankle had returned without discomfort.

After 7 months my recent bone density scan and Vitamin D results came back as normal and I no longer suffer from osteomalacia or osteopenia.  

As a bonus I am also in the best shape I have been in, in years!

Thanks Darryl

Victoria Daniels, 34.

Testimonial: Remission From Rheumatoid Arthritis

Testimonial for Darryl Edwards - Fitness Explorer Nutrition

Consultation: April 2012

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis a couple of years ago and have been on the Paleo Diet for a year or so.  Although I was much improved I was still not quite there and spoke to Darryl about making further changes.  

I’ve spoken to nutritionalists and dietitians before and of course doctors; everything was quite black and white. Take this, eat this, and don’t eat that. With Darryl it was different.  It was enlightening, philosophical and tailored to the individual.

Darryl was very calming straight off the bat, I was relaxed immediately and found him very easy to talk to. I started obsessing about details and Darryl would remind me that a holistic approach was much more sensible.  It is easy to become caught up in the paleo politics and obsess about micro-details when you are sick.  I don’t know how he does it but he puts it all into perspective.

He made some dietary suggestions that were specific to me and my health concerns, he made some additional lifestyle suggestions and helped me understand the importance of the right types of movement in relation to my condition.

Since taking his advice I have seen my health improve in leaps and bounds. I was stuck in a vicious cycle of knowing that exercise was going to be good for me but being a little bit too ill to do any. With the few variations I made to my diet, I was able to break the cycle and begin to exercise.  I found the more I moved, the more I improved.

Darryl has definitely been a key player in my life-changing year from Rheumatoid arthritis to a fit, happy lady in remission!

Arianna