Here is Part 1 and Part 2, for reference. The poll has been closed as the response has already been fantastic, far more than we need for statistical significance.
I had hoped and planned to have laid the whole thing out for you, by now. But later today I'm headed to San Antonio, TX for a family visit. My wife's brother retired as a air traffic controller to SA and she's been vying for a visit for a while. I had the free miles, she made the arrangements to stay in a property along the River Walk through Friday, then onto New Braunfels for a couple of days, and then returning early Sunday.
So, I decided a couple of days ago to just wait to dive full force into this until I get back. In the meantime, I'll serve up some light blogging, maybe some photos (the on-the-fly pics typically get published to my Facebook page and to Twitter).
This will give me time to consider some of the input I've received through comments and email. And, I'm still trying to work on a name for the overall lifestyle and philosophy (diet, exercise, fasting). Surprisingly, I have received, save one comment, nothing but encouragement. That one commenter said it smacked of a "Scientology scam." While Scientology is indeed a scam, I deleted the comment for being such a stupid "argument." The commenter also said there are better blogs out there for free, which is stupid and non-sequitur. I have repeatedly emphasized that the blog won't change. It will always have relevant and current content, and will always be free and open, with no registration requirement. It's the hub, central to everything, and it is absolutely essential that it remain free and open. As it strands now, the comment content of this blog dwarfs what I write, in terms of quantity. It would be unbelievably stupid of me to throw that away.
Also, I agree there are better blogs out there. I hope there always will be. I'm quite well aware of most of them, read them regularly, and they always drive me to improve this one. I hope you see that.
I know there are a lot of people out there who support all or most of what I'm doing. Frankly, however, I would love nothing more than to get a rigorous, well-thought-out argument as to how I may be off base, missing something, taking the wrong approach, and so on. That would help me to make sure all my ducks are in a row.
It would be nice, but I simply can't take the absence of any such arguments against me as evidence that there simply aren't any. So, here's the chance to help improve things: what am I doing wrong? I need and want your help, if there's anything you can think of.
Chew on it, will yooz? Until then, onward.
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Have fun in TX. The weather here is great right now, but might turn rainy late in the week. Good luck with the TexMex, it's very corn, rice, flour heavy. You can't go wrong with some fish tacos on corn or fajitas by themsleves without the tortiallas though.
Chips and salsa are our every couple of week vice after a day of long triathlon training…none of which really fits the paleo/EF/primal mode. But for a couple of pro triathletes, the long workouts are pretty much a necessary evil.
Keep up the blogging. It's inspirational and informative.
-Brandon
Richard,
When I first started seeing my health improve, it occurred to me that this whole thing is like a "feral experience." The idea first came to me when I saw a so-called "wild" dog at a family ranch. He was a true stray/nomad, but he just looked so healthy and happy. He spent his days chasing rabbits and lounging around. And he was so incredibly attractive compared to his domesticated conspecifics. There is a great juxtaposition of wild ungulates and domestic cattle in David Attenborough's Life of Mammals (part 4 "food for thought"). There's also a great scene showing the "persistence hunt" of the Kalhari Bushmen in that same piece.
Anyway, WE ARE LIKE THAT FERAL DOG mentioned above. We've left domestication and are experiencing the invigorating effects of that process. A name that could capture the essence of that "feral" experience would be perfect.
Overall you have a very good blog. Problems? Sometimes you can get a bit insulting of those you disagree with. For someone who comes here "on the fence" or from the other side, this doesn't make you look good, it makes you look like an angry nut.
Hi Richard,
Speaking of comments – on some other blogs, such as MDA and the protein power blog, I'm able to subscribe to site-wide, rather than post-specific comments via RSS. I don't know if typepad supports this, but I find it incredibly useful to subscribe to both posts and comments. It's a fabulous way for your readers to tap automatically into the conversations that happen after the original post.
In any case, thanks for sharing your story and your passion with us on such a regular basis.
Richard, applaud your efforts to date. I know that you've mentioned you won't lead us down the rabbit hole like Art Devany with his 'pay-for-view' website leaving the public site with just occasional table scraps. You're obviously doing your homework on this prior to implementation. I don't mind your sarcasm. Sometimes humor is the only way to deal with the charlatans out there. Don't let the naysayers get under your skin. Critics are a dime-a-dozen. You're the one in the arena attempting to accomplish something positive. Keep up the good work, sir! — Tom
I have a question that is off topic for this post, but related to the content of this site.
My journey to better health via paleo diet, started on the first of this year. During this time, I have felt better than in previous decades, and am starting to see evidence of a swimmers build (very wide shoulders, big chest, long torso, and slim hips) I had in my youth. In fact, in my younger years, my body resembled Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. On a 6'4" frame, my weight has gone from 263 pounds to 238. My goal is to weigh around 205 to 210. My age is 54. Also, even at the age of 54, and higher body weight, I am stronger than most twenty to twenty-five year old males, including many athletes. Incidently, I have never lifted weights. I should also mention that my overall cholestral levels have been very low; somewhere between 131 and 145 range.
My question for Richard and readers of this blog is: Is there any evidence of a relationship between fast twitch muscles and intolerance to (all) carbohydrates? Since eating a diet consisting mainly of meat for the past three and a half months, my energy and alertness levels has improved immensely. Previously, I walked around in a fog, experiencing what I refer to as a "zombie like existence." This happens after eating a meal full of grains, and vegetables, and is probably due to insulin levels associated with carbs. While this may be a common occurance from consumption of grain products, I am feeling the same "foggy head," compounded by flu-like symptoms when I eat dark green vegetables such as asparagus, spinach and other greens. I also experience extreme bloat and gas when consuming these vegetables. This also happens when I drink milk, low-fat, whole-milk, 2% etc. Also, I have had a life long problem of experiencing extreme stomach pain after eating most fruit.
The reason I ask is, I know many people who are obviously slow twitch, and can eat high starch foods all day long, and never gain an ounce, whether they do long distance work, or sit all day. These people also feel good all the time, and never experience the same symptoms I do when eating foods high in carbohydrates. In a sprint up steep hills, I can and have smoked these folks; even at the aforementioned 263 pounds, making them look like they were standing still by comparison. This includes friends who are long distance runners and cyclists. My concern is, if I am getting enough nutrients from eating meat and eggs only. On one hand, it is wonderful to feel so good again, but realistically, how long can I sustain a diet like this without running into problems down the road. Is it my fast twitch muscles that are making me feel this way when eating ANY carbs, including complex carbs? Is my dilemma common to people with fast twitch muscles? Am I destined to be an exclusive meat eating "knuckle dragging cave man" for my remaining years?
I appreciate any comments.
Regards,
William
Richard this sounds good.
With respect to charging for content, I must admit that I rarely go to Art DeVany's blog now. Since he started charging it has got awkward. I paid up initially but my access has been sporadic – often he doesn't accept my log in – and the service is crap.
William there are those who say that meat alone is fine!
http://forum.zeroinginonhealth.com/showthread.php?tid=53
William, a couple of weeks ago, someone posted a link to the following website. For a lot of people, "brain fog" can be related to systemic candida problems… it can be more than just a female reproductive system infection.
Anyway, this might be another piece of the puzzle for you; there's a lot of info on her site, and I'm still working my way through it. She actually advocates (working your way up to) an even higher proportion of good animal/saturated fats.
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/
Yep. My standard at a Mex is the fajitas without the tortillas (machaca is great for breakfast). Actually quite paleo and usually quite tasty. When it's Tex, I'll go for the back or spareribs, dry rub. If I use the sauce, it's lightly spread on one side with a butter knife. Never know how much sugar (or: HFCS) is in there.
Hmmm. You're onto something and I'll chew on it. Not fully wild, not fully domesticated. Interesting. Thank you, Mario.
Yea, I know. On the other hand, most of my goings "off the deep end" are fairly calculated, not just aimless ranting, and there's plenty who love that, too. And, it's fun for me.
But, I get that it needs to be intermittent. I think I'm accomplishing that, i.e., not all the time. Do you disagree?
John, you are absolutely right. TypePad, for all its ease in function (and it is pretty good — I use WordPress on a business blog and TypePad is far easier to manage) is TOTALLY INEPT ON THIS IMPORTANT POINT.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW EFFING DUMB THEY HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS AND CONTINUE TO BE ON THIS POINT.
I GET THIS REQUEST ALL THE TIME. I HAVE ASKED TYPEPAD PEOPLE ABOUT IT AND THE RESPONSE IS AS THOUGH THEY'VE NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE. IN MANY WAYS, THEY TOTALLY SUCK.
No. Thank you, sir!
William:
I'm trying to get through the comments (many, still) I can without a lot of reflection or research. So, let me see what i can come up with tomorrow. Some of your observations are interesting.
Chris, buddy, I hate to hear that. I'm not going going to directly criticize other "paleo/primal/evfit" bloggers out there, but I'm also not going to censor comments that do, so long as they are reasonable and not just flames.
Of course, anyone targeted by such criticism is welcome to come defend themselves.
Amazing – my experience with Art DeVany's blog was almost identical, I never go there now.
Richard – you have a great blog and I actually like the fact that you can be a bit direct (and cranky) at times. All good! No good in pretending to be something that you are not. For me, that is what shines through in your blog – we are getting your thoughts, opinions and rants – warts and all.
Keep it up.
I would like to see a photo of your progress soon though
See I'm never going to pay for Art's site, which is a shame because I had just started reading and enjoying it before he switched formats. However I did read through a lot of his archives and so often found myself grinding my teeth regarding his sexist attitude. For such an intelligent and educated man he has an infuriating way of talking down to women.
This is going off topic of what you were asking for so I will quit before I start ranting.
I think it's safe to say that Art's site works fine for some, he seems happy with it, and he's got his book deal anyway.
I wish him well.
I would say that it's not the diet, but the physiological make up that determines the FT vs. ST. There are definitely those who have one, but not the other. My wife was a 50/100 swimmer in college (22-50 seconds), and I am one of those ST folks. I think that both can train the other, but it's certainly more difficult for a STer to train to be a FTer than the other way around.
The diet probably helps, and maybe there is something to it. But, I am finding that a paleo/zone/primal approach is probably a better all around approach for many of the reasons you describe…mostly related to hormonal (insulin) control. In the end, for athletics, you have to find what works best for you…but I think that a break from the traditional 65% Carbohydrate diet even for extreme endurance athletes is better. Limiting carbs to more like 40% (very high for primal/paleo) if you are pretty extreme (hours on hours of high end aerobic) exercise. Definitely primal/paleo for the Crossfit/EF/HIIT training with smartly placed carbs.
Robb Wolf has some very good stuff about this. I'm more of an experiment of 1, but am becoming more convinced that fewer carbs, more protein, more fat (this is key) is the best way to fire on all cylinders more of the time.
William:
After some digging around on this, I can say with certainty: I don't really know. If you're predominantly fast twitch (question: how do you know?), then it would be interesting and somewhat counter-intuitive that your body prefers near zero carb, when fast twitch operate off glycogen, from what I've gathered.
On the other topic, I too seem to do best on little to no vegetable, fruit, nuts or dairy. Frankly, I don't know if that presents a health issue down the line. I tend to doubt it. I think our bodies are individually and massively complex and how we feel should never be discounted. In fact, I think it ought to be the highest authority, provided what we're eating is real food.