Day 3 for the Paleo Zoners. I think Erin has a good point in her comment from yesterday and it is the exact sentiment that Robb Wolf emphasizes at his Nutrition seminars. If Paleo-Person came to to Tucson they’d be lined up at DQ. The human being is not hard-wired for self-control with regard to eating. It is our survival mechanism to eat when food is available and we are especially drawn to sweet (by that you know I mean carbohydrates of all sorts) things. We were supposed to eat when food was available, store the excess as body fat, and live off it when times were lean. I can’t stand all that nonsense about overweight people not being self-disciplined about eating. We have an endorphin (feel good) response to carbohydrates so that we will specifically seek them out. It just is unfortunate that we evolved in a low-carb world and now we are plunked down in carb-saturated world. When we are addicted to the endorphin rush that comes from eating carbohydrates it requires a little more than self-discipline. It requires the time and focus and support to break that addiction and to replace that afternoon crash, or stress-moment coping mechanism with something else. Kudos to everyone participating in this process. Changing your body’s relationship to carbohydrates is not easy!!
Pace yourself. Look for Stephanie’s comment on Monday and remember to focus on the 2 week moment. Speaking of pacing yourself, what about in your CrossFit workouts? This is one of my personal goals. I went to the track on Sunday and did a CrossFit Endurance (CFE) workout of 3 rnds (800m-rest as long as it took you to run-400M-rest that time-200M-rest that time). The CFE workouts are designed especially to help with pacing. One of the goals of that workout was to do the intervals at the same pace. Matt joined me (sort of like a turtle running with a gazelle-clearly I am the amphibian). I went way too fast on my first 800m, way too slow on the second, and about right on the third. I really need more practise pacing at those longer distances. This is the same problem that plagues me in my regular workouts. Too fast in the beginning, too much resting towards the end. I saw the most beautiful example of good pacing at the Qualifying Games. Matt Lucas from CrossFit Southwest (standing in the doorway in the photo above) took first place in his heat (9:20) in Sat’s second workout; 5rnds of 7 275lb DL, 30 squats, 7 HSPUs. He didn’t rush and while watching his first set of squats I thought, hmmmm, he is going to be way behind. I was crazily wrong because HE DIDN’T SLOW DOWN DURING THE ENTIRE THING! One DL right after the other, 1 full range of motion squat right after the other and COMPLETE SETS of gorgeous, graceful HSPUs. That was a phenomenal workout Matt. So, pace yourself Paleo-Zoners and CrossFitters alike.
Day 3 and I am feeling great
. SO glad we are all doing this together. Super yummy breakfast of curried cabbage (3C + 3F) and 6 small chicken sausage links from trader joe’s, the littel ones you have to cook first. From what I can tell 6 of these sausages = 3P blocks, I did not count the fat in them???
. Really wanted to do my current bodyweight but couldn’t quite muster it. Did do all regular push-ups though! Quite pleased with myself. So good to be feeling pretty much back to myslef, sure hope it lasts.
Christine, I am fan of dressing- here are two my favorites. Big spoonful of high quality mustard, squirt of lemon, bragg’s liquid aminos, alloted fat blocks worth of olive oil and some water to make it go far. #2 1/4 salsa verde ( I count it as .5 C blocks), squirt of lemon, olive oil and braggs. I have also used some hot sauce as well. Wheat Free tamari can be subbed for the Bragg’s. Be creative. Ginger and a dash of OJ is good too. Hope this helps.
I loved the work out today. Cross your fingers I don’t have any negative effects from working pretty dang hard
Yes, TJ’s has been the best to find great food for this week. I just had a yummy sweet apple chicken sausage (2P, 2F, 1C per link) with an extra 1 block serving of sweet potato.
I’m totally suprised I didn’t bonk during todays workout. I wasn’t even able to finish my long run this morning, fell 3 miles short because I had no energy. this was an hour after a 3 block breakfast. I can’t wait ’til this gets better!
Another way to deal with tons of greens for those of us who don’t have a blender is to cook them. Last night I sauteed some onions in a little olive oil, added sliced apples and some cider vinegar, then a huge amount of kale and beet greens. They’re much more manageable once they’ve softened up and wilted down.
For protein and some more carbs I again sauteed onions in a little oil, then added spices (cinnamon, paprika, salt, ginger) and garlic. Then 2 cups chicken broth and a chopped up bone-in, skin-off chicken and 1 lemon cut into wedges. Simmer it until the chicken is cooked through then weigh out your meat. I counted the onions and lemons I ate towards my carbs. Chicken stock had a negligible amount of protein in it, and not much else (other than salt).
I’m not sure if Jen said this or if I read it somewhere else, but you only count the blocks in what category whatever you’re eating falls under. For example, you’re only counting the meat as a protein block. Chocolate only counts as a fat block, etc. You aren’t counting the fat, carb and protein blocks of each individual food.
And Ryan, that sounds delicious!
So day three is alomost over! Good thing there is no beer in the house. Today was deffinitely way easier than the last two days. I had been having a smoothie (1c blueberries+ 1 smallish banana= 4carb blocks; 2 scoops protien powder= 4 protien blocks; and just under 2 ounces of coconut milk for 4 fat blocks and water to stretch it out) for breakfast and 3 ozs meat, .5 c carrots, an apple and some avocado for lunch but the smoothie was just not carrying me through to lunch. It doesn’t help that I work at starbucks and am constantly around pastries, which I never ate but they do smell sooo good, and coffee. Man I miss cream. ( I almost teared up. ) Anyway… I swithed my breakfast and lunch today and it was really great. The five hours this morning went by fast and I was not very hungry.
I have always had issues with eating and my weight but I am liking this method so far. Or maybe I just like my Xfit community so much that it is fun. I have had some dreams of beer but on the whole I feel so good that I am a little scared to even think about deviating. I have been really pushing myself on the WODs and it feels great.
Thanks for doing this with us…
Ellie
P.S. Collin was amazing doing Grace. I was floored by his ability to clean all that weight without bending his knees at all. I still have to almost fully squat to get under the weight. Impressive.
A former patient brought me a box of See’s chocolates & I let everyone else down them! Should I have eaten one??????? I was afraid I would want 7more………….. My favorite salad ‘dressing’ is 1 small clove of fresh garlic through a press with fresh lemon & sea salt whisked 2-gether. I loved this before I knew what paleo-eating was. Leaving day 2 of work……. happy day 3 everyone!
Ellie,
That was funny, dreams of beer! I’m totally with you!
Nikki,
I’m going to hire you to cook for me, k?
-Jenny
Erin, maybe we can go in on a box of See’s at the end of our two weeks! I say congrats for sticking to the plan. Sweets are my weakness, too! But it’s just two weeks…
Where is everybody today?!? I’m dying here and would love some support.
Why are we doing this again?
Ellie,
Hang in there! It does get easier… think about what you’re feeling and what your body is going through or going without and be thankful that you know how to control what happens with your body by controlling what you put in it, because most people don’t! Thanks to Jen feeding me, I eat right most of the time, but my weakness is sugar in my tea and bread with the meals where I try to go it alone. I definately felt extremely sluggish on days 2 and 3, I’m sure from the carb restrictions of doing without bread and sugar, but today I was feeling very energetic and other than a slight headache, I’m sure from sugar withdrawls, I feel great. I am so proud of everyone who is doing this with me… keep up the good work!
I am being strict with the diet. I am getting serious headaches and my energy is super low. I had to leave work today. I feel really burned out. I would love some pointers. Should I keep doing what I’m doing or do something a little differently.
On a positive note I have lost weight and I can even see inches melting away, but I can tell that my workouts are suffering. Jen if you could call me I would appreciate it.
Thanks, Ernie.
Hey Ellie and Ernie,
Stick with it it does work and you will feel great. I have mostly been doing paleo for a while. Adding the zone in this week has really been great for me. I am feeling better than ever, so clear and energetic
. I have also lost 5 of the 20 pounds I gained in the past 6 weeks, wohooo! Remember we are addicted to carbs, it is a rough process breaking any addiction but it can be done. Sending you good vibes. Keep up the good work. Sometimes what helps me is to fantasize about my cheat meal. You get one in about 10 days, dream big! Love- Nik
What time do you guys go to the track? I’m not saying I’m gonna be there but, just in case…