The 80/20 principle has been central to the Primal Blueprint approach and philosophy from the beginning, but we still receive comments and questions about it. If you’re unfamiliar:
The 80/20 principle suggests that following the 10 basic blueprint laws in the context of a complete and sincere commitment to making health-promoting choices will produce solid, healthy results 80% of the time.
Many people tell me how much they love this concept. This is a feature that makes a primitive lifestyle possible.
Others suggest there is too much room for backsliding.
Others find this confusing. Does this mean you live a 100% primitive life only 80% of the time and spend the other 20% partying? Or does it mean living 100% of the time 80% of the time? (As you can see, the answer is neither.)
I love having these kinds of discussions within the community. Your perspective helps me continue to grow and develop my thinking even after many years. So, I’m sharing my perspective on the 80/20 principle, and I hope you’ll share your thoughts in the comments. Just because I am a “primal person” doesn’t mean I can tell you how to interpret what it means to live primal or how to implement these teachings in your life. This is clearly a general principle, so it is intended to have different meanings for different people.
Simply put, the 80/20 principle is designed to make Primal viable in the context of the modern world. These are the features that make Primal Blueprint a completely achievable and sustainable lifestyle that balances the rigors and chaos of everyday life.
Let me put it this way. The 80/20 principle recognizes that although we are adults who take full responsibility for all of our choices, we sometimes find ourselves in situations that are not conducive to full compliance with the original law.
you always intention Do your best and aim for 100%. However, you should not let your commitment to primal life become a source of stress or anxiety, and you should not beat yourself up or give up because perfection is impossible.
You have agency and reasoning, so you must be able to consciously compromise. Perhaps you are on vacation and really want the experience of trying local cuisine. To you, it’s part of the adventure. You truly choose within the 80/20 principle to make the most of your hard-earned adventure. (Personally, this is my favorite expression of the principle.) Maybe it’s a special anniversary or family gathering. You don’t use the situation as an excuse to violently give up your commitment to health and longevity. Loosen the leash enough to find the best balance between short-term experiences and long-term goals.
Sometimes the 80/20 principle is a matter of feasibility. Travel doesn’t always present the most ideal Primal option. Difficult times in your life (the birth of a baby, a death in the family, or a serious illness) can temporarily disrupt your focus or ability to do all the good things you normally include in your daily routine.
There are primitive ideals, especially when it comes to food. I know that not everyone is ready or has the budget to have access to grass-fed beef, free-range butter, organic produce, or a variety of produce all year round. This is where the old adage comes in: “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of goodness.” Most of Primal’s health benefits are gigSugar, nasty oils. Concerns about organic, local, etc. are paramount. Likewise, if all you manage right now is walking and walking. fine motorBut I couldn’t find a way to build it. sprint Even if you still get into everyday life, you are still far ahead of a sedentary person.
Sometimes you just have to do your best. This is not a matter of motivation or commitment, but rather the influence of external conditions. Think of it as a cushion, not a coping mechanism, and focus on the big picture. Raw success is not about what you do in one meal or one meet at the gym, but rather what you do over the course of a week or month.
Most importantly, shooting only for 80% compliance or success is not permission. If we set the default commitment to 80%, guess what? It will probably fall below that. If you plan to deliver on your promise 100%, you’ll probably settle for somewhere between 80 and 95%.
This does not mean that you get 20% of your calories from ice cream and the remaining 80% from meat and salads. The 80/20 principle isn’t about “cheating” 20% of the time.
It is not intended as a “primal freedom card” to eat more grains, cut back on fat or protein, or ignore persistent sleep deprivation.
Being perfect during the week doesn’t mean you overdo it on the weekends.
This doesn’t mean you work out 10 months out of the year, rest for two months, and sit on the couch and eat a vegetarian diet.
This doesn’t mean that out of the 10 Primal Blueprint Laws, you pick the 8 you like best and discard the other 2.
And just to be clear: There is no problem with achieving 100%. If you think that Primal Law can be easily integrated into your life, that is not something to worry about, but something to celebrate. I am by no means suggesting that you are missing out on life because you do not feel the need to make conscious compromises. If you feel happy and satisfied without them, more power to you.
Definitely no. But I’ve been asked this question quite a lot, so I’ll wrap it up. When people talk about the 80/20 diet, they usually mean the eating strategy from Australian nutritionist, chef, and personal trainer Teresa Cutter. This approach requires you to have a “good” time 80% of the time, but you can indulge within reason the remaining 20% of the time. There is no food that is not on the table. It’s a “have your cake and eat it too” diet, and is nothing like what the Primal 80/20 principle represents.
The Primal 80/20 principle is not a diet at all. It’s more of a mindset. It’s about giving yourself permission to not be perfect, not actually planning a week-long diet journey. Likewise, the 80/20 principle is not carb cycling, alternate-day fasting, or any other structured eating pattern. This assumes that you stick to (mostly) raw foods, but eat them at specific times or in specific macronutrient ratios.
Of course, the Primal Blueprint encompasses more than nutrition, and so does the Primal 80/20 Principle. All aspects of primal life fall into the 80/20 range, including movement, sleep, stress management, social connections, and cognitive challenges. There will probably be some aspects that are close to 100% in most cases and some that will be difficult. For me, the food part is easy, but historically I’ve struggled with the stress part.
There are times when 100% compliance or close to it is important. One example that comes to mind is when someone uses an elimination diet (Autoimmune Protocol, low FODMAP, etc.) to navigate chronic symptoms. Unless you are strict about eliminating and systematically reintroducing potential trigger foods, dieting is probably of little use.
Another time when it makes sense to be more stringent is keto diet. Ketosis is a notoriously fragile metabolic state. Just one high-carb meal or snack and you’re out. When you’re in the process of adapting to keto, it makes sense to stay consistent for at least the first four to six weeks to expedite the process. If staying in ketosis is important to you after that, there is little wiggle room.
At the heart of the 80/20 principle is the recognition that life is not completely predictable and that we are no longer in Grok’s Kansas. Denying reality and trying to fit primitive principles perfectly into modern life can be like trying to stick a square peg in a round hole.
The point of 80/20 is to release the pressure valve that comes from thinking that you have to be perfect and that this primal life should always come easy to you.
Once the raw blueprint becomes entrenched in your daily life, living above 80% generally becomes easier and more desirable. That was my experience, and I can’t even tell you how many people have said the same thing to me over the years. The Primal Blueprint comes naturally to me now that my entire lifestyle revolves around it and I’ve been doing it for so long. It’s such a part of my daily routine that I don’t think about it often, except when I’m traveling. That may be normal for you too, but it’s unlikely that you’ll always be a perfect raw specimen. I don’t and that’s okay.
I encourage everyone to focus on the process and the big picture, not just the day-to-day details. Primal Blueprint is, above all else, about taking full responsibility for your life and health. No excuses, no guilt.
As always, thank you for reading, and please continue to send your questions and comments!
Thanks for reading!
Mark’s Daily Apple is still in production. My team and I are actively working to republish the archive. Check back regularly to find new posts and revisit old favorites. Looking for a specific post? Let us know here.
Please spread the word like this so more people can find us:
And make sure you’re subscribed!
* This blog reflects my personal views and opinions and is not intended as medical advice, but I hope it will be informative and inspiring in your pursuit of a healthy and fulfilling life.
