Video: PrimalCon Primal Playout Testimonial (Bryan)

Testimonial: Exercise with Arthritis

After eating a Paleo diet for 2 years I was enjoying a long period of remission from my Rheumatoid Arthritis for nearly a year when an unfortunate health setback left me bed ridden and in the worst state of health I had experience since the onset of my disease in 2010. It was cruel timing as I had just started taking part in structured exercise again for the first time in years.

I had a consultation with Darryl and we came up with a personalised autoimmune version of the Paleo Diet.

Just six weeks on and I was feeling well enough to take part in the Ladies Primal Play Out Session in London. I was nervous and apprehensive, having not exercised for 3 months and having spent much of that time without any activity. The nerves disappeared as soon as the fun began!

Darryl has a unique way of bringing out the child in you, the activities are fun like piggyback tag, surprisingly tough like the sprints – it’s not often we run as fast as we possibly can as adults and it feels good but Darryl wouldn’t let us move on from the sprints until we gave him a 10! I struggled with the plank due to damage in my wrists caused by my Arthritis but we modified the position and I was very happy and surprised to wake up the next morning without any inflammation or pain. Darryl, you really know your stuff!

Who knew a tough workout could be so much fun and be so in tune with your body that you don’t have to compromise your joints – Darryl’s got it spot on!

Mrs Morgans

Testimonial: Virtual Training (First 14 Days)

"The sessions are always tough, but fun and never ever boring..."

I am a working mother of two children; a four year old and a four month old. I turn 40 in August and since having my first child, despite once being a competitive athlete, I have made very little effort to look after myself, letting both diet and exercise slide and using pregnancy as an excuse to pile on the (fat) pounds.

Additionally, following the recent birth, I have 10cm diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is basically when the abdominal muscles pull apart into right and left halves – or put another way, the muscles are 10cm from the midline and I am able to put my hand into my abdominal cavity and feel various organs: not very pleasant. The doctor recommended I see a physiotherapist.

With my 40^th birthday looming, I really want to take the opportunity to take back control of my health and be as fit, healthy and strong as I can be for my children and to set them a good example for life – active parents, active children. I am breastfeeding my youngest, so my primary concern was ensuring any lifestyle changes would not adversely affect my milk supply. I am not interested in crazy weight loss at the expense of my baby’s wellbeing but would like to improve my overall health, strength and stamina.

I contacted Darryl on recommendation from a friend to see if he would be willing to help.  I don’t live in London, so am unable to take advantage of one to one training, however because of my concerns about milk supply and any radical changes, not to mention being ultra-careful not to make my diastasis worse (the physiotherapist had instructed me not to do anything strenuous at all), we discussed a hybrid approach – a one to one initial health and fitness assessment (with baby in tow) and discussion of realistic goals followed by virtual training.

The health and fitness assessment involved a series of physical tests and body measurements to ascertain my starting point. This was followed up by a detailed 10-page report. To be honest, I have been using pregnancy and post-pregnancy as a mental excuse for being lazy and making poor food choices. The results however were a real wake up call: 41% body fat and a metabolic age 15 years older than my actual age. I was extremely downhearted that I had let things get this bad, but you have to start from where you are and that also means accepting your own role in how you got here!

Work began the following week with several virtual sessions to establish a baseline. At this point I also made a food diary and started to observe how I had fallen into a pattern of “reward” eating. Something I would never have done before children! We discussed how to sharpen up my diet with a nutritional consultation. I won’t lie – it’s really tough to stick to it, but I do feel much brighter in the mornings.

Each virtual training session is sent via email with a calendar reminder. Post-workout I provide feedback and Darryl adjusts my training accordingly.  The sessions are always tough but fun and never ever boring. In fact, I can think of nothing more tedious than going to the gym, whereas I look forward to each session. Afterwards I always feel that exhilaration of achievement and to spur me on, after only two weeks, I have lost 3cm on my waist and “love handles”, 4cm on my hips and 3cm on each thigh.

I highly recommend this approach to anyone.  Virtual training allows me to be flexible around my children and other busy family constraints. Each session is tailored specifically to the individual so you really get the benefit of Darryl’s expertise and support. I look forward to writing about further progress as my 40^th birthday approaches!

-Zoe

Testimonial: Fitness & Health Assessment

Testimonial - Darryl Edwards - The Fitness Explorer

I recently underwent a fitness assessment with Darryl, recognising that I had become lethargic and, yes, irresponsible about my lifestyle, diet and lack of exercise to the point it could be a serious risk to my health.

Darryl's initial assessment is very thorough, though standing on a device rather like a bathroom scales one could be excused for being sceptical about the results obtained.  However, he provided a very detailed, profressional analysis and report, all of which was confirmed by a full scope of blood tests by my doctor.

His one-to-one exercises are tough but innovative and stimulating - far better than the boring grind of the gym.  At every stage he drives you beyond your limit so you feel you are making progress immediately.

His motto is fitness for people who hate to exercise - he could add 'but will learn to enjoy it.'

Thanks, Darryl.

-Len Worrall