Michael, this one is for you – in the Fast Diet book you suggest a link to Mark’s Daily Apple, a website about Primal or Paleo Living – IF is part of that because of the feast/fast nature of the primal person but how much do you support or agree with his views on eating I.e. a mainly protein and fat based diet with few carbohydrates? He also makes some serious claims about grains being very bad for the human body – he appears to back his assertions with scientific data so as a lay person it’s certainly very convincing to me but I’d be interested in your thoughts – another Horizon programme perhaps?
I am in agreement with everything else he says about Primal Living and I know that, for me, carbs do encourage me to eat more but I’d like some more info on the grains argument.

Thank you Melinda – I do understand the theory I guess that it seems to fly in the face of everything we’ve been told for years (or mis-told, as Mark would say). I’ve been doing this for about 10 days and I can honestly say that losing the starchy carbs has made me feel a whole lot better – less bloating and virtually no hunger pangs – and I’ve lost about 5lbs in weight. I’m still doing the fasting a couple of days a week but before eating ‘Primally’ I had come to a standstill.

Thank you westozzybloke – I really love it and it makes such sense at a primal level. As I said, I don’t miss the starchy carbs at all despite being a former carb-addict. I do still have an occasional ‘treat’ (interesting word) such as a small ice cream on a hot day but generally I don’t even want the carbs.
I agree that Mark is a little OTT with some of his passion but really I haven’t found anything that doesn’t work for me yet.

I think I have naturally tended to the Primal style of exercise anyway – I love walking, cycling, swimmng and yoga – I used to run but found it really didn’t make me feel good once the endorphins wore off. I do a lot of gardening which definitely classes as ‘lifting heavy things’ but I try to do more strength training now – squats and press-ups etc. my job also means being on my feet and moving around a lot and I have to say I feel fitter than ever.
I have made a real effort to lose all the starchy carbs and to be honest I really haven’t found it difficult – I thought I would! I wasn’t even tempted by a gorgeous Italian sharing bread the other day – I’m waiting to see what happens when the winter comes though – big comforting carbs are sooo desirable when you’re cold.
By the way, have you tried the Grok Squat? It’s surprisingly comfortable and I’m guessing it’s probably a more natural way of sitting – difficult to do in social situations though…