SBF:  Tell us about your background. Have you always been in great shape? What kind of programs have you done or followed in the past?

Jeff:  I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve never been too horribly out of shape.  At one point in my early 30′s, though, it got bad for me.  I was more than 30% bodyfat and then my Grandfather died from diabetes and heart disease.  It forced me to look at myself and make some changes.  I did BodyForLife twice and then joined an online site called Leanness Lifestyle.  I ran the Chicago Marathon and also did some personal training.  Just recently  I completed P90X and it was after that, in November of 2009, that I came across the Primal Blueprint, a cousin of the Paleo Diet.  Eating Primal/Paleo is so different from what we’ve all been taught about whole wheats and grains, but I accepted the science and at the age of 42 I’m under 10% bodyfat and feel great.

SBF: How would you summarize the Primal lifestyle?

Jeff:  The best way I summarize “going Primal” is simply this:  It’s all about moderating your insulin response.  With the massive amounts of carbs I used to eat when I was running it’s amazing I didn’t kill myself.  By keeping your carbs under control and watching the quality of the food you eat, you can do so much more.  The Primal lifestyle is much more intuitive and unplanned.  You never count calories or portions but eat as your body tells you.  It’s a freeing experience.

SBF: What turned you Primal?

Jeff:  Around Thanksgiving I watched Food Inc.  I learned so much from that movie about food quality, the industrialization of our food supplies, Monsanto’s monopoly on our farmers and corn based products.  It shook me up and eventually led me to Mark Sisson’s book which I’ve now read twice and wholeheartedly accept.  The encouragement I’ve received from so many in the Primal community is amazing.  I’ve received numerous email replies back from Mark Sisson himself and find him to be a very genuine person despite his busy lifestyle.

SBF: When you began cleaning up your eating, did you notice immediate improvements?

Jeff:  As I cleaned up my foods, I wondered if the promises would hold true about inflammations decreasing, etc.  I have had chronic sinus infections to the tune of 6 or so a year.  After going Primal, those infections have gone away.  I did go through the normal adjustment/transition that most do as your body adjusts to using fat instead of carbs as the energy source, but I have been able to ween myself off of sweeteners and I taste food in a different light now.  I might not say immediate, but I would say within the first month things started turning around for me.

SBF: Some followers of a Primal lifestyle adopt a 80/20 rule when it comes to eating. Do you ever have cheat days?  What are your indulgences?

Jeff:  I would guess that I’m pretty strict on my food to the point I get made fun of by family or co-workers.  That’s OK – I wear that as a badge of honor.  I am working to improve upon the quality of foods and grass fed meats, but I’d say I’m eating pretty Primal at least 80% of the time.  I enjoy the foods so much that I don’t feel like “cheating” as I used to with other plans.  I can hold cravings at bay with coffee, so I use that as a crutch if I have to.  As for cheat days, I’ve only had one day that I allowed myself to let go a little.  I’ll have maybe two “cheat meals” each week.  Those cheats consist of ice cream or birthday cake – with a full family and many birthdays between Christmas and March, ya gotta cave a little!

SBF: What is your favorite Primal Recipe?

Jeff:  My favorite Primal recipe is a toss up between the Primal pizza, jambalaya and the meatballs.  Each of the recipes requires some preparation and I enjoy that time fixing the foods while listening to something on Pandora.  It’s good therapy after a stressful day.

SBF: What is your favorite workout?

Jeff:  I have a few faves.  I do a kettlebell workout that consists of push presses, squats, rows, around the worlds and swings.  I do that circuit 5 times and let the sweat flow.  That is a great 25 minute plan.  On other days I’ll do squats, inverted rows, pullups, pushups and some bicep work.  I know that’s two workouts, but both leave me feeling really energized when I’m done.

SBF: Where can interested people follow you?

Jeff:  For people who want to learn more or just want to socialize, you can find my blog at http://www.primalchat.com.  I’m also on Twitter:  @primalchat.  I’ve put together an informal Twitter chat session that usually lasts around an hour.  That is on Wednesdays at 8 PM CST.  Just use the hashtag #primalchat (what else?)