I'm Darryl Edwards, a natural movement therapist, paleo clinical nutritionist, blogger and published author 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.  I am a contributor to Paleo Magazine and presenter at various symposiums such as Paleo:f(x), PrimalCon and other events globally.

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Reading List
  • Paleo Fitness - A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy
    Paleo Fitness - A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy
    by Darryl Edwards, Brett Stewart, Jason Warner
  • 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.

Entries in Squats (12)

Friday
Aug132010

WorkOut: 3 Rep Max (Lifts)

Warmup:

  • 5 min moderate effort - Row, Run or Bike.
  • 10 Jump Squats
  • 10 Jump Pull-Ups

Workout: 

Work up to performing 1 set of:

  • 3 Rep Max Deadlift
  • 3 Rep Max Back Squat
  • 3 Rep Max Bench Press
  • 3 Rep Max Shoulder Press

Finisher:

Treadmill Drivers (5 x 10 second rounds)

Friday
Aug062010

Workout: Friday Fitness

Warmup:

10 min Row/Run

10 Push-Ups

10 Air Squats

10 Sit-Ups

10 Jump Pull-Ups

10 Bodyweight Rows (overhand grip)

Workout:*

3 sets (10 reps of 85kg) Deadlift

50 Jump Pull-Ups

50 Walking Lunges (with single arm 14kg DumbBell overhead - 25 each arm).

50 Crocodile Walks

50 Crab Walks

50 Burpees (with 1 Push-Up between each rep)

--

Finisher:

Burpee Pyramid (Continuous)

5 Burpees, 1 Push-Up

4 Burpees, 2 Push-Ups

3 Burpees, 3 Push-Ups

2 Burpees, 4 Push-Ups

1 Burpee, 5 Push-Ups

Burpee, Push-Up, Dip, Pull-Up Combo

1 Burpee, 2 Push-Ups, 2 Dips, 2 Pull-Ups 

1 Burpee, 3 Push-Ups, 3 Dips, 3 Pull-Ups 

1 Burpee, 2 Push-Ups, 2 Dips, 2 Pull-Ups

1 Burpee, 1 Push-Up, 1 Dip, 1 Pull-Up

Pull-Up Holds 

2 Pull-Ups (hold for 1 minute at the top)

Treadmill Drivers **

3 x 30 second rounds

--

* Complete each set of reps before moving onto the next exercise.

** Treadmill is stationary, sprint as fast as you can holding the handles in front of you (as if you are pushing the treadmill forward).  Tougher than it sounds!

Thursday
Aug052010

Workout: 300 (Battle of Thermopylae)

aka "Battle of Stamford"

Warmup:

5 minute Indoor Row

10 Push-Ups

10 Air Squats

10 Sit-Ups

10 Pull-Ups

Workout:*

50 Double Unders**

50 Jump Pull-Ups

50 Walking Lunges (with 25kg plate arms fully extended overhead)

50 Tricep Dips

50 Floor Wipers (with 25kg plate overhead)

50 Burpees (with 2 Push-Ups between each rep)

--

i.e. 300 Reps in total.

Finisher:

"Cliff Hangers" - 12 Pull-Ups - (alternating grips and moving from left to right after each rep - without feet touching the ground).

30, 20 and 10 second rounds of Treadmill Drivers ***

 

* Complete these 300 reps as quickly as possible, completing each set of 50 reps before moving onto the next exercise.

** To perform a double under, jump up higher than usual swinging the rope twice per jump.  With minimal bending of the knees and staying as upright as possible.  To substitute do 200 single jumps.

*** Treadmill is stationary, sprint as fast as you can holding the handles in front of you (as if you are pushing the treadmill forward).  Tougher than it sounds!

"We are taught never to retreat, never to surrender" - King Leonidas


300 Times
:

Edwards: 18:30

Barker: 20:50

Keshani: 25:48

Mitch: 26:06

Tuesday
Aug032010

Workout: 300 (Tower of Pain)

Warmup:

10 minute Indoor Row

10 Push-Ups

10 Air Squats

10 Sit-Ups

10 Pull-Ups

Workout:*

10 rounds of:

50 kg (110lbs) 3 x Deadlifts, 3 x Rows, 3 x Hang Squat Cleans, 3 x Push Press

3 x straight leg knee-to-elbows

3 x 60kg (132lbs) Bench Press

--

then 120 Air Squats

300 Reps in total.

*For time

Finisher:

Medicine Ball Push-Ups 

"The old ones say we Spartans are descended from Hercules himself." - Dilios