LET THE PALEO CHALLENGE BEGIN!

Have you ever taken note of the pyramid chart that is in the free issue of the CrossFit Journal "What is Fitness," I have linked on flux CrossFit's website?

Notice what forms the base of this pyramid?

Nutrition.

If you are not making healthy choices in your diet you will not flourish as an athlete.

My hope is that this will become much clearer to everyone by the end of our 6 week paleo challenge.

More specifically, I hope everyone experiences the continuum that exists between good nutrition and improvements in fitness and athletic performance.

One concrete way to quantify your health is to have a blood lipid profile done. Another way to quantify your fitness is through the measurement of a performance and Grace will serve this purpose.

Or, as Robb Wolf succinctly states: "if you feel good, look good and perform better" chances are the paleo approach to food is working for you.

For inspiration, take a look at 69 year old Jacinto Bonillo, a level two CrossFit Coach at CrossFit New York.


If you subscribe to the CrossFit Journal you can read more about Jacinto's approach to nutrition and fitness in a Jul 4/09 entry.

For the next 6 weeks, let's trash the processed food; acquaint ourselves with good eating; relish in the art of cooking; enjoy quality food with family and friends; get lot's of sleep; take our fish oils; and drink lot's of water.


-Darci








Clarifications on the 6 week paleo proposition

Some questions that have arisen regarding our paleo challenge:

1. What about dairy? A strict paleo diet does not allow dairy but we need not be dogmatic about such things. The 'primal' point of view does advocate dairy, especially butter. You decide for yourself. Things to consider when making the decision whether or not to eliminate dairy. The quality of the product. After all the research I have done on industrial dairy farming I am reluctant to eat too much of it but I do eat butter and cream. When I can get my hands on raw, pastured dairy I practically bathe in it! Dairy is a powerful growth promoter, so a glass of milk after a workout isn't a bad idea. One thing Robb mentioned at the paleo seminar was that if one of your goals is weight loss and you are 'stuck,' eliminate dairy. Finally, go without dairy for a few weeks and then reenter it into your diet. Note any differences in how you feel.

2. What about legumes, rice and corn? Still high in carbs, and therefore insulin spiking.

3. A common mistake people make when they make the switch to paleo is that they do not get enough fat and therefore feel hungry. Eat your fat!! Your brain needs it!

Some fats to eat: avocado, coconut oil, coconut milk, butter, olive oil, nuts. And of course animal fat.