I'm Darryl Edwards, a personal trainer and clinical nutritionist based in London, England.  This blog documents my experiences with a primal lifestyle that has made me fitter and healthier in my forties than ever before.  

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Reading List
  • The Paleo Solution
    The Paleo Solution
    by Robb Wolf

    Paleo for weight loss, performance and disease prevention. Read my full review here.

  • Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    by Robert M. Sapolsky

    The impact of too much stress in our lives - impotence, obesity, heart disease and much more...

  • The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy
    The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy
    by Mark Sisson

    Usually we have to go back to basics to progress, this is a great place to start!

  • Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    by Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie, Sarah Dopp

    "Think about the toxic chemicals you put onto your body, and are exposed to on a daily basis.  Frankly, quite worrying..."

  • Protein Power
    Protein Power
    by Michael R. Eades, Mary Dan Eades, Mary Deans

    First published in the mid 1990s.  Amongst other things, disputes the 'fat intake causes obesity' argument and reasons why the high carb/low-fat diet doesn't work.

  • Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    by Christopher McDougall

    An inspirational read, whether you are a 'runner' or not.  This book also investigates why expensive 'cushioned' running shoes increases the likelihood of injury.

  • In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    by Michael Pollan

    An insight into real, simple and nutritious food.  Insightful.

  • Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    by Michael Pollan

    An excellent, non-scientific common sense quick reference to the often confusing question : "What should I eat?"

  • The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    by L. Cordain

    An alternative to Cordain's first book "The Paleo Diet" if who want to consider the impact of Paleo on athletic performance.  It is geared towards endurance athletes but an interesting read nonetheless.

  • Vegetarian Myth, The
    Vegetarian Myth, The
    by Lierre Keith

    I'm an omnivore.  I believe it is healthy to eat naturally-reared meat, non-farmed fish as well as a wide variety of fresh vegetables.  This book is an interesting read and has a lot to say about why becoming a vegetarian isn't necessarily the best option for humans.  However read this, do your own research and make up your own mind.

  • The Second Brain
    The Second Brain
    by Michael D. Gershon

    A discussion about the complex nervous system working in the gut, which produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin.  In fact much more serotonin is produced in the gut than the brain!

  • The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
    The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
    by James Le Fanu
  • Swindled: From Poison Sweets to Counterfeit Coffee - The Dark History of the Food Cheats
    Swindled: From Poison Sweets to Counterfeit Coffee - The Dark History of the Food Cheats
    by Bee Wilson
  • Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy
    Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy
    by M.F. Greaves
  • The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    by Loren Cordain

    This provides extraordinary insight into the reasons behind adopting a paleolithic diet.  Some aspects are controversial and many may feel it is too dogmatic.  I have often gone back to this book and re-read it for clarification as Dr Loren Cordain is often mis-quoted.  There is now a revised edition (2010 edition) to counter some of its earlier criticisms, this is an excellent resource and a must-read for any one serious about paleo nutrition.

  • Lore of Running
    Lore of Running
    by Tim Noakes

    This book offers a comprehensive insight into the science, coaching and discipline of running.  Energy systems, coaching and training.  Often quoted as the bible of running.

Wednesday
Sep222010

Workout: 300 (Stay At Home)

I've been asked recently about posting a workout that can be done at home, with no equipment and one that can cater for beginner and for progression to intermediate and more advanced levels.  So here you go!

Warmup:

5 minute shadow boxing/skipping (or virtual skipping if you have no rope).

Workout: Stay At Home

Advanced: (300 reps)

50 Push-Ups/Press-Ups 

50 Air Squats

50 Sit-Ups

50 Lunges

50 Chair Dips (dip using a chair/sofa)

50 Back Extensions 

Intermediate: (200 reps)

40 Push-Ups/Press-Ups (2 sets of 15, 1 set of 10)

40 Air Squats (2 sets of 20)

 40 Chair Dips (4 sets of 10)

40 Sit-Ups (2 sets of 20)

40 Back Extensions (2 sets of 15, 1 set of 10)

Beginner: (100 reps)

20 Push-Ups/Press-Ups (4 sets of 5)

20 Air Squats (2 sets of 10)

20 Chair Dips (4 sets of 5)

20 Sit-Ups (2 sets of 10)

20 Back Extensions (2 sets of 10)

Notes:

The key here is to perform the circuit with as little rest as possible and to master each exercise with good and safe technique i.e. don't cheat the move.  

Sometimes we dismiss exercises such as the above because of their simplicity.  But sometimes a back-to-basics approach works.  This will work multiple muscle groups at once (compound work), ensure a full body workout and improve coordination with its integrated movement.  You will also find a cardiovascular element with your heart and lungs working hard to supply blood and oxygen to the working muscles.

Also don't take too long to complete.  These should take up to 15 minutes maximum.  But your goal is to complete this in less than 7 minutes.  If any of the circuits take longer than 15 minutes.  Be patient, drop down to the previous level until you are comfortable in the 7 minute range.

Let me know how you get on!



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Reader Comments (8)

I really enjoy your website but sometimes felt these workouts were a little outside of my reach (actually a lot outside) :-) Well I tried the beginners workout this morning, and managed to complete in 15 minutes. JUST!

My push ups are poor, so I had to do single reps but I got there. Thanks for posting this and I will let you know how I progress. Thanks Darryl.

September 23, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJane Manton

My wife, Michelle, managed to complete the beginners workout the other evening and I have to admit I was impressed. Considering only a few weeks back anything like this would have been far beyond her she completed it - albeit a tad tired :)
We'll have her doing this three times a week for the next month, aiming to get the time down to within the seven minute completion target, and then go for the intermediate circuit. The overall goal is to have her doing her workouts with me and following the workouts posted here.
A beasting good enough for me is a beasting good enough for her :)

September 25, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIain Russell

Decided to do all three together as a bedtime circuit and I have to admit my triceps are feeling fried.
I did it in the order provided, almost like a reverse pyramid in conventional weight training, with the heavy advanced circuit followed by intermediate and then beginner. Wow. I didn't think I'd need a pause between levels but my body told me otherwise. Great quick, little workout to do before bed. I can thoroughly recommend it :)

September 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIain Russell

Update from the wife, her second time round on the beginners circuit and she has halved her time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. She's even popping out some full press-ups. Looks like that intermediate circuit may be coming round before the month is out. :)

September 28, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIain Russell

Well, Michelle has only gone and surprised me further by completing the beginners circuit in around 5 minutes. I have no option but to move her onto the next level circuit. Lucky her.

October 2, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIain Russell

Sorry folks, another update on my better half. Her first time on the intermediate circuit and she managed it in 12 minutes. That's half the time she took to do the beginners circuit in only a fortnight ago. Way to go, the results - and smiles from myself - speak for themselves! :)

October 5, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterIain Russell

I'm gonna give the intermediate one a try this weekend - fingers crossed!

October 6, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKris

How did you get on Kris?

October 10, 2010 | Registered CommenterDarryl Edwards

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