Nutrition
Only one week to go! We are so proud of all of you for sticking to this and we are so thrilled with the positive outcomes you have been sharing with us. It’s all downhill from here. Sort of…
As you may remember we need to redo the three Benchmark WODs we did at the beginning of this adventure. Filthy Fifty and CrossFit Total will be done during the week. However, we would like to get everyone together on Friday at 6pm to do Helen as a group. Measurements will be re-taken, and then we will have one final fabulous Paleo Potluck to share all our favorite recipes and hopefully some success stories too.
We hope we can have as many of you as possible from our kickoff event in October back again. Some of you have already told us you will be out of town (we will miss you!). Please make sure you get all your workouts, measurements, and photos done before you leave. We will begin the arduous task of determining the winners once we have all that data collected.
It would be extraordinarily helpful if you could sign up to let us know you will be coming and if you will be bringing any significant others with you. Kids are welcome.
See you next Friday!
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Resources
The Skinny on Nutrition
In CrossFit we talk about the Theoretical Hierarchy of Development of an athlete. In other words, what are the fundamental components of the development of athletic performance and what is their relative influence. If you click on the link above (scroll to the bottom of page 8) you will see a pyramid diagram with Nutrition as its base. What we eat from day to day has a profound impact on the hormonal balance in our body. And since pretty much everything our body does is under hormonal control, you have the power to influence your ability to perform at work, at school, at the gym, and on the field, simply by making the right choices about the food you eat.
What is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleo Diet was developed by Loren Cordain, PHD, a professor of Health & Exercise Science at CSU. The concept (briefly) was to tailor our diets to the food sources that were available during Paleolithic times (think Hunter/Gatherer). In the CrossFit community, this make sense. Our fitness program is based on the kind of movements humans needed for survival from the dawn of man until technology basically eliminated our requirement to move. If we are going to exercise like Neanderthals, maybe we should be eating like them too (table manners aside, of course). To do this we need to remove all processed foods, including grains, as well as dairy and beans. Sugar is also off the table. There is extensive literature on why these foods are not good for us. We will include resources below.
What is the Zone diet?
The Zone was developed by Dr. Barry Sears in an attempt to stave off a familial predisposition to heart disease. To date it has worked. The concept of the Zone is to monitor and rigidly balance the macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate, & fat) content in our diet to keep the hormonal influences of these substances in check. Based on gender, body composition, and activity level, a specific “block” formula is derived for each individual to simplify the task of balancing macronutrients on a meal by meal basis.
Which one is right for me?
Ideally, both. To utilize the Paleo prescription within the Zone parameters would give you the best of both worlds. But quality of life, amount of free time, and degree of investment in total health and fitness will determine how far towards “ideal nutrition” each person is willing to go. Any of these options is better than the standard American diet and that is a great place to start. Come and talk to us and we will help you find that path that is right for you.
Online Resources
The Paleo Diet
Zone Diet
Paleo Brands
The Competition
Six weeks: Strict Paleo (Agoge style).
The Rules: Beginning on Oct 10, 2009, participants attended an informational session on the Paleo prescription and how to implement it in our daily lives. They were weighed, measured, and photographed. Three Benchmark WODs were completed prior to the beginning of the competition. Our selections were the Filthy Fifty, CrossFit Total, and Helen. Each participant is paired up with a buddy who will be not only provide support, but accountability. Weekly Food Logs will be reviewed and the precious “Cheat Day” coupons must be surrendered to their Paleo Buddy upon use.
To the winner goes the spoils
Participant entry fees were allocated to the Prize Pot. Male and Female participants with the best outcome, based on the above objective and subjective parameters, won 50% of their respective pots. Second place got 30%. Third place took 20%. Due to the disproportionate number of female to male participants, the Prize money was evenly allocated between the men’s and women’s competitions. In the event of a tie, the prize was not split but matched by the gym for the same amount.
I will be there with my flashlight… Helen is scary in the dark.
— caitlin · ∞
I will be there….however, I will NOT be bringing a flashlight…I’m still at the point that I’d prefer to have to jiggle…I mean jog…in the dark! ;)
— Marni · ∞