by Jen
This is not the usual way I approach a challenge. CrossFit ATP is hosting a 6-week nutrition challenge and the grand prize is a free one year membership. Participants are judged on food diaries, workout diaries and a few other categories. I figured that starting a new program would encourage me to discover some new recipes to replace my stale "old faithful" dinners.
Week one ends tomorrow. How did I do?
WOD Grade: F
It is okay, I decided early on that it was going to be this way. The challenge requires that you participate in at least 3 WOD's a week. But this was "competition week" - the week of preparation before a tournament. Competition weeks are "CrossFit free" for me. The last thing I want to do is feel the burn of squat thrusters when I am trying to hold my opponent in my guard.
Nutrition and Food Diary Grade: F
The nutrition plan is based on Paleo eating. I've been resisting Paleo for a long time now. The thought makes me want to run far, far away. The first three weeks are supposed to be dairy free and starch free. That means no coffee mate hazelnut creamer in my coffee - I just don't think I can do that.
I decided early on that I was going to forfeit week one. I signed on to participate at the last minute, after I had already gone grocery shopping for a hundred dollars worth of non-Paleo food. Plus I had little time last weekend to study how to eat Paleo, plan new recipes and shop for the ingredients.
Week 2 is almost here and it will be back on! Or will it? I'm struggling with "do I really want to do this?" Will it really help me?
Do you have any experience with Paleo? Have you seen a change in your workout performance? Do you have any recommendations for snacks or quick meals? Is it worth it?
I love bread waaaaaay too much to do the Paleo diet. lol Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to convert to vegan. Except, I can't make Boo be a vegan. So I'm confused about how to make the vegan thing work. I surely could not kick anyone's butt, especially on a vegan diet. Right now, I'm just vegetarian.
ReplyDeleteYou, on the other hand, are amazing!
I can tell you that purchasing a food processor has been invaluable to my Paleo efforts. (I might write about this in my own blog tonight).
ReplyDeleteI bought a 10 cup Hamilton Beach food processor, which is not as fancy as the Kitchen Aid, but it's a good workhorse.
Basically, I put whatever vegetables I want to eat for the day in the food processor, hit the button, then place the resulting mix in a bowl with a protein source and one tablespoon of pesto. You can also whip up a more strict Paleo sauce with olive oil and herbs. Sometimes I heat up the vegetable mix. This might sound weird, and actually it is weird. But it works!
@Allie - you're assuming I'm actually going to go through with this thing. I have to decide today. Now that I have been drowning my grappler's quest sorrows in a pan of brownies I have more of a reason to make the change.
ReplyDelete@ Dagney- thanks for the great tips. Your help may actually motivate me to make this happen.
@JA - YOU are amazing my awesome sister! Keep me updated on the vegetarian/vegan thing. I don't think I could do that.