My man and I decided to launch the new year with a 21 day Primal challenge/system reboot of sorts. In our dietary choices, we’re ditching sugars and processed grains and consuming whole foods like meats and vegetables.

There’s a lot of Paleo-style clean eating challenges out there, and of course, lots of questions about what’s allowed and not. I’m not a fan of plans that make you neurotic/anxious about what you put in your mouth, and over-think your meal choices, so our “primal” challenge isn’t probably going to adhere to the letter of the stricter challenges. For example, we’re not doing Whole30, because frankly that protocol is beneficial for folks that have yet to determine their sensitivities and immunologies to certain food groups.

I’d like to think I’ve discovered most of the foods/consumables that my body rejects or doesn’t react very well to. Although, I can’t say the same for my man; the major reject on his list will have to be sugars, since he’s diabetic and needs to control his blood sugar.

To summarize, here’s the 21-Day Challenge In 30 Seconds:

 

• Eat real food.
• Avoid sugar, grains, unhealthy fats, beans/legumes.
• Align your carb intake with your weight goals and activity levels.
• Move frequently at a slow pace: Get between 2-5 hours per week of moderate aerobic exercise.
• Lift heavy things: Conduct 1-3 brief, intense sessions of full-body functional movements.
• Sprint: Go “all out” once a week.
• Get 8 hours of sleep every night.
• Get 15 minutes of direct sun exposure each day.
• Play! Find time to let go, disconnect, unwind and have fun each day.

 

Read more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-blueprint-21-day-challenge/#ixzz3NhoAUbrz

There’s only 3 bullet points on the list associated with food; the rest covers an array of lifestyle choices, from exercise to sleep. 

 Over the next 21 days, I hope to write about the experience and discuss in detail some of the challenges and accomplishments.