Are you surprised to hear the average person tries 126 fad diets during their lifetime?
The reason so many diets fail is that they rely heavily on your dwindling willpower to keep it up. That’s exactly how Mindvalley’s Wildfit by Eric Edmeades claims to be different.
The promise: you’ll lose weight by learning to love what you eat and discover lasting results without all the struggle.
So, I decided to give it a go, and here’s my honest review of WildFit:
What is WildFit?
Wildfit is a 3-month long health program created by Eric Edmeades. It’s available on Mindvalley and focuses on effortless weight loss through “food freedom”.
In this program:
- There’s no exercise involved, only breathwork techniques
- Daily challenges and tasks to gradually ease you into a healthier diet
- A community to get involved in for support, as well as expert nutritional advice
WildFit is built around the principle that a natural diet does exist. We all have certain nutritional requirements that need to be met.
When we meet these standard requirements, our bodies can operate more optimally — with us looking and feeling better in the process.
When I started the process, I couldn’t imagine ever willingly choosing a carrot stick over a slice of cake (who in their right mind would?).
But it’s exactly these “habits” we pick up that WildFit targets, using nutritional science and behavioral psychology.
Rather than just cutting out tons of foods, exercising more, and relying on sheer willpower, WildFit teaches you to be conscious about your relationship with food.
No more starving yourself, just making small changes to improve your health.
Who is Eric Edmeades?
In terms of his professional credentials, Eric Edmeades is an international speaker, author, and pioneer in the field of evolutionary biology and nutritional anthropology.
On a personal level, he spent much of his younger life dealing with excess weight, acne, chronic fatigue, as well as constant throat and sinus infections.
It wasn’t until he experimented with diet changes that he stumbled upon some magical results. Within one month of eating better, the physical ailments that had plagued him had all started to clear up.
He set out on a quest to live with bushmen in Africa, where he studied eating habits and combined what he observed with nutritional data and functional anthropology research. After years of study — WildFit emerged from an accumulation of everything he has discovered.
What is Mindvalley?
WildFit is hosted on Mindvalley, so it may be useful to briefly explain what exactly Mindvalley is.
Mindvalley is an online education platform that hosts a range of programs centered on personal development.
- They have over 50+ programs to choose from
- Membership options available for full access to programs
- Wide range of courses, covering everything from internal healing to developing networking skills
The founder — Vishen Lakhiani — aims to give people tools that teach them how to live better lives. All the stuff we didn’t learn at school, like relationships, and taking care of our mind, body, and soul, as well as career development.
Want to know which Mindvalley course is the perfect one for you?
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Why I wanted to try the Wildfit program
Like most people, I get the basics — eat “good stuff” and you’re healthier, eat “bad stuff” and you put on weight and don’t feel so great.
But after those widely accepted basics — plenty of fresh vegs, drinking lots of water, avoiding processed foods, etc — I’ve always found the wellness industry is a total minefield of conflicting advice.
Everywhere you turn there is scientifically backed “evidence” for totally contrasting theories and opinions on what is best for us.
But I had committed myself to focus on my diet and health.
So instead of going around in circles with the plethora of online advice, I decided to commit to one program and embrace it — WildFit.
I knew enough to know that the food I ate impacted my mood, productivity, and overall energy for life.
And I was tired of quick fixes and fad diets.
So what drew me to WildFit was the undoing of negative food habits that most of us have built up over time. I’m a big believer in hitting issues at the root, rather than only addressing the symptoms of the problem.
I also liked that this wasn’t a one size fits all approach. I wanted to learn what my body needs on a personal level and not another blanket approach to health.
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How does the WildFit program work?
There’s a lot to cover in 90 days, but everything is broken down day by day, so it’s easy to keep a track of your progress. You’ll have access to:
- Pre-recorded live coaching calls to answer FAQs
- Training videos
- Practical guides and resources
- Checklist of tasks to complete
- Assignments to help with progress
- The WildFit community
WildFit is broken into three stages:
Stage 1 – Finding out what your body needs:
To start with, in weeks 1-3, before you make any changes you are simply encouraged to look at your relationship with food. WildFit takes it right down to basics, starting with your hydration and encouraging you to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
There are plenty of resources, videos, and Q&A sessions to answer any questions you have during this time (I found this very useful).
I saw this as a sort of “preparation” stage for what’s about to come next.
Stage 2 – Introducing your natural human diet:
Weeks 3-10. You’ll then be gradually introduced to what your body naturally wants, and what should be cut out of your diet, like carbs, refined sugar, and dairy.
This happens slowly, giving your body time to get used to the changes.
It’s during this stage that you should start noticing some differences in your energy levels and focus, but weight loss (ketosis) doesn’t happen until the final stage.
Stage 3 – Rapid weight loss:
Weeks 10-12. Finally, you will be given ways to make sure these changes stick for the long haul. This is known as the “Spring Stage”.
You’ll reflect on your progress, acknowledge your struggles, and reassess your relationship for food, all whilst getting into the habit of following the changes you’ve made to your diet.
At this point, you’ll probably benefit a lot from the support of the community, as it can become quite challenging.
What does WildFit teach you?
Everything in the program is ultimately designed to rewire your brain by:
1) Psychologically reframing your relationship with food. Rather than fearing food or restricting, you understand your relationship with food to make better choices that are also satisfying.
2) Eating as nature intended. The foundational building blocks of what they call a “natural diet” are based on ancient hunter-gatherer societies. Their diet was one of instinct, which this program says was how we were meant to eat before the food industry confused us.
3) Challenging the lies peddled by the food industry. Instead of fighting food cravings, a focus on mindset and behavioral change techniques means you can eliminate those cravings in the first place.
Changing my mindset toward food was certainly a challenge, but it also highlighted how much we’ve been conditioned to eat unhealthily.
Now, that may sound melodramatic, but trust me, when you start to learn about all the underhand tricks big businesses use to get you hooked on their junk food — you’ll understand what I mean.
How much does WildFit cost?
Currently, WildFit is on offer for $699, saving you $800 from the original price. It’s available to buy online through the Mindvalley platform, but it’s not one of their programs.
It’s a so-called “partner program”, which means it’s not included in the Mindvalley All Access Pass.
The All-Access Pass unlocks over 50+ quests on Mindvalley for the entire year for $499. Usually, it’s the best option if you know you’ll do more than just one program on the website, as it works out cheaper than buying them individually.
It’s a financial commitment but it’s also Mindvalley’s best-selling food and body program on the platform.
So with that in mind, you’re probably wondering what my verdict on it was! Let’s first check out some of the pros and cons, before I summarize my experience below.
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The pros and cons of WildFit
Before I get into my personal experience of WildFit, I’ve put together some pros and cons of the program:
The pros of WildFit
- The program addresses the root cause of weight gain and unhealthy living using psychology, for a long-term effect
- No fancy tricks, just common sense
- Only a few basic principles to follow
- No need to exercise or cut out all the food you like
- Empowers you with the truth about the food industry and its manipulative marketing
- Takes a holistic approach by using breathwork techniques
- Encourages awareness towards your health and nutrition
- Doesn’t just rely on willpower alone (which is usually the downfall of most diets)
- Can be accessed through the Mindvalley app
The Cons of WildFit
- The price is quite expensive, although that’s compensated with the length of the program
- Three months may be too long for some people
- As with all diets, it might not work for everyone
- Requires a daily commitment, so those traveling or working intensely might struggle
- Results won’t be seen overnight, it’s not a quick-fix
- Only available online (although resources and guidelines can be downloaded)
What was my personal experience with WildFit?
A skeptic at heart, I admit I didn’t go in with high expectations. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised by the experience:
Before the WildFit program:
Do you ever have those days where you just can’t muster the energy to do anything?
Whilst most people experience this now and then, I was falling into a repetitive pattern of it. I couldn’t focus, I felt constantly tired and worn out, even when I hadn’t done anything physically draining.
Put simply, I lacked enthusiasm for life, and that translated over into my meals. Which then translated over into my weight.
I had opted for the quick meals that would satisfy my hunger for too long, all whilst sacrificing the nutrients my body needed for energy. I felt stuck in a negative cycle and needed a change.
During the WildFit program:
The first couple of weeks flew by and I was excited to get going. I think I was in the “honeymoon period” with the program because once I had to start making more changes to my diet and cutting out certain elements like sugar and dairy, it became a lot harder.
Physically, I started to feel different, lighter, and with a bit more energy and drive than before. But I was also battling my “lazy” mentality when it came to how I view food (not to mention some intense cravings).
During week 6 we’re supposed to enter into ketosis, but cutting out fruit was tougher than I imagined. My body screamed out for sugar and the headaches were intense…
Toward the end, I struggled to stay creative with the meals, but I could tell some positive changes were happening. I also started to get into a few good habits, like preparing meals beforehand (food organization wasn’t one of my strong points before!).
After the WildFit program:
While losing weight was one incentive why I took this program, it was mainly because I wanted to regulate my mood and get the spring back in my step.
Overall, after finishing the program, I sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed. I can focus on work, and still have energy left over to go for a run or hang out with friends.
Plus, losing some of the weight I’d been holding on to for a while now felt like another achievement, which probably helped boost my mood too.
It also forced me to challenge a lot of my attitudes and habits toward food – that wasn’t easy but I’m glad I did it. Having that foundation means that it’s been easier to resist the ever inevitable cravings when they pop up!
My likes:
- They tell you the length of each daily session, so I could plan my schedule knowing when I’d need to spend more or less time
- The holistic approaches using techniques like the 5-5-5 breathwork technique
- It’s challenging but in a motivating way, and they provide lots of encouragement to keep you going
- It was comprehensive so I felt like I got my money’s worth
- It made a difference. There’s still work to be done, but I don’t feel as “stuck” as I used to
- It’s simple and easy to use, no-frills or fuss, just straight to the point education on health
- I learned a lot about how the food industry works and the many traps most of us fall into
My Dislikes
- It felt a little tedious and time consuming having to check all the packaging every time I went shopping
- The pace felt a little slow, especially compared to other Mindvalley programs
- Felt a little repetitive toward the end during the “Spring” stages
So, is WildFit a good program?
Honestly, I think it comes down to the individual. For me, it did what it said it would, but that’s not to say the results were drastic.
The most important part was that I noticed a change, I started losing weight, and my mood and energy levels improved. And I plan to continue putting what I learned to good use, but it’s something that takes time and a continuous effort.
And that’s not including the sugar relapses – summer is always the hardest (especially when you’re a sucker for ice cream and the likes). In that sense, I see WildFit as a great base to return to whenever I feel myself slipping up.
So who would suit WildFit, and who wouldn’t?
You should try WildFit if…
- You’re open to “unlearning” bad habits and embracing a healthy lifestyle
- You want to go deeper than a superficial diet
- You have a complex relationship with food, eg, comfort eating
- You’ve had enough of fad diets and false promises
- You want to permanently change your health and you’re willing to make that commitment
- You’re looking for a straightforward, easy to follow program
- You want a long term, life-changing solution, not a temporary quick-fix
You shouldn’t try WildFit if…
- You’re a strict vegetarian or vegan — some of what is taught in WildFit might conflict with your principles or current choices
- You’re searching for a program that involves minimum effort and time
- You want a diet that incorporates exercise
- You’re searching for a low-cost program
A quick note regarding vegans and vegetarians:
Eric Edmeades says that whilst the program does accommodate vegetarians, many end up changing their minds after taking this course and become meat-eaters.
He was once vegan for 7 years, before giving it up.
He uses the analogy of getting dung beetles to stop eating dung because it seems unpalatable, but the problem is they’d end up malnourished because they evolved to eat it. So too, he believes we evolved eating meat and it’s, therefore, necessary in an optimal diet.
But just to be clear:
WildFit isn’t going to try and make you eat meat if you don’t want to — but it will present you with evidence for why they believe meat is part of the diet best suited to humans.
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What are the alternatives to WildFit?
Now, I get it if the price is way out of your budget, so I’ve put together some fantastic alternatives if you’re interested in a health change without the big price tag:
- The 14-Day Clean-Eating Meal Plan: This free 14-day diet is designed for beginners but provides different options (such as 3, 14, and 30-day challenges). Thanks to the folks at EatingWell, this diet is easy to follow and includes some yummy recipes, without the need to exercise!
- The Custom Keto Diet: At less than $40, you’ll get eight weeks of customized meals. With no calorie restrictions, this diet is perfect for those who want to continue eating what they enjoy, but with a nutritional spin to help you lose weight!
- Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix: As well as learning healthy eating habits and incorporating exercise into the mix, this weight loss program is also vegan-friendly. The price is around $60, which includes eating plans, workout videos, and other useful resources. As the name implies, this is for anyone looking for a great beach body this summer!
The WildFit program is pretty unique in its focus on diet rather than exercise. However if you are keen to discover other programs that will help you improve your overall health, then you might also like these other Mindvalley quests:
- 10x Fitness: Want an optimal workout routine to go with your optimal eating? This quest is designed for busy people who want to increase strength, build muscle mass, and improve their physique fast. It promises big results with very little exercise.
- The Longevity Blueprint: This program is a 7-week program that focuses on up-leveling your health and longevity. Rather than grueling workouts, it promotes 5-20 minutes a day to recondition the body and improve your overall wellness.
Both of these courses fall under the Mindvalley membership pass, where you can get full access to 50+ courses for $499 a year. If you only want the course without the deal, each individually costs $349.
Conclusion: Is WildFit worth it?
Let’s be honest, there are no “miracle” diets that’ll help you achieve your weight goals without extreme tactics or using pills with terrible side effects.
For that reason, I’d recommend WildFit.
It provides a solution that not only improves your physical health but also reshapes your psychology around food, making it a diet that you can stick to in the long term.
It’s certainly a challenge, but the program provides a lot of support and encouragement, making it feel a lot more personalized thanks to the community support.
Even though there’s always the risk of the dreaded sugar relapse, this is the only diet that I’ve managed to stick to for so long, and actually enjoy.
So if you’re tired of feeling tired, fed up with the weight you can’t shift, and lacking in energy, I’d say WildFit is right for you.
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