While far too many people have tried to lose weight without great success and even more are confused on what's the best way to lose weight permanently, the High Intensity Training (HIT) world has offered up compelling evidence and a consensus for a way of eating that does work.  It's called Paleo.

At the latest High Intensity Training Conference in Indianapolis last month, the keynote speaker was Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint.  Recognized as one of the nation's leading authorities on the low-carb movement and evolution-based health, fitness and nutrition, Mark dispelled conventional wisdom based on calorie counting, low fat foods, lean protein, the need to consume all food groups, and using exercise as a means to lose weight.  He offered strong research based on physiological principles that indicates how the American diet of sugar, grains and processed carbohydrates is wreaking havoc on our bodies.

The Primal Blueprint follows how man ate before fast food, before grocery stores and even before grains became part of our daily bread, because our DNA is still closely aligned to our ancestors who roamed a million years ago.  He refers to the "land of hunter-gathers, where man forged forests for berries, vegetables, nuts, seeds and all manner of greens.  He hunted wild game, climbed trees searching for eggs.  He sipped water and caught fresh fish from the stream."  Seem impossible in our modern day society?  No, instead it's necessary Sisson says, if we are to reclaim our optimal health and find our natural body weight and leanness.  He builds a strong case for modern day diseases that may be linked to the modern diet.

What's on the Primal Blueprint Shopping List?  All vegetables.  Meat, poultry and eggs, including game and organ meat.  Fish and shellfish.  Healthy fats and oils.  Nuts and seeds.  Spices and herbs.  Fruit.  The occasional indulgence is alcohol and dark chocolate.  Eating primal means no processed carbohydrates.

Real stories of people finally finding a successful path to permanent weight loss were documented in two HIT facilities that now advocate the Paleo diet with our workout, including the facility owned by HIT author of Body by Science, and physician, Doug McGuff, who endorsed primal eating.

For more information go to Sisson's website: marksdailyapple.com.  The book, The Primal Blueprint, is available to purchase at CWSS.  Check out the very visual Paleo timeline ThePaleoDietInfographic.com which includes the 10 year stretch of Paleo eating research and books.

CWSS managers Theresa, Keith and Denise attended the day-long HIT conference in Indianapolis.  The biggest news coming out of the conference was the evidence and experience that supports the Paleo diet of low-carb and evolution-based health, fitness and nutrition.  Is it a fad or trend?  It is more often referred to as a movement that began in 2001.  Is it ahead of conventional thinking?  Definitely.  We encourage you to read more and decide for yourself.  After all, the study of diet and how it impacts our health and well being is an evolution itself.

CWSS Clients are Soooooo Interesting!

CityWide clients are among Chicago's most fascinating people.  Whether it's their job, their business or their activities, they do out-of-the-box activities.  Like the way they attack our workout, they are open to unconventional ways and creative thinking.

Meet CWSS client Jim Thompson.  Jim and three of his friends left June 4th to drive to the Arctic Circle to play golf at midnight.  One of their friends has passed away so they are traveling with his ashes.

The journey is a tribute to their lost friend and their realization of the time remaining should be filled with adventure and learning.  Maybe you read about them in Chicago Magazine or the Tribune.  A film crew is along to document the trip.  Their website has a daily blog where you can read about the daily adventures of the unusual odyssey for Jim and his buddies at http://ourlongestdrive.com