This week you should be seeing some random pieces of paper hanging on the gym walls. Closer inspection should reveal that these pieces of paper are food journals. The competitive crossfitters at CrossFit Works will be hanging their food journals. Why would they do this you might ask?
Performance CrossFit with a little partner workout
A few really good reasons.
There is a tendency to focus on the work that happens in the gym and how it contributes to performance. We want to know how many times a week someone trains, do they do two-a-days, what is their squat program etc… I receive a boatload of questions about certain people’s training. Including things as crazy as “what kind of ab work could get me abs like so-and-so’s?”. Someone needs to start asking me what these athletes are eating!!!
It is important to me that all the people in the gym realize that food is the foundation for your body composition and your performance. It is also important to realize that there isn’t one magic answer to what to eat. What you should see on these food journals is a fairly wide spectrum in eating styles and amounts. You might be able to look at some of them and see that there are changes to be made that would help, but you also will want to remember that someone whose goal is to add 10lbs of muscle will eat in a VERY different way from someone whose goal is to cut 8lbs of body fat. Right now we have athletes preparing to compete in Olympic Lifting who will have to make particular weight classes. This is certainly not the easiest thing they have ever done. It means a major focus on food! Ironically, if your goals are simply to feel better and stay healthy, your major focus should also be on food!
I beg you all to keep a food journal. It is something that should be done on a regular basis if you really are interested in the connection between your food and your health and especially between your food and your performance. So, along with all the glamor and fame of competing at CrossFit, the competitive athletes will also hang up their food journals. In solidarity with them, I encourage all of you to tape up your food journals. They can even be anonymous. Just use this opportunity to buckle down and do this. Perfection is not expected. None of us are perfect. Just start the investigation process. If I see one that says “Fruity Pebbles” I will know whose that is, and if it says “Doritos and a sandwich” I might be able trace that one too. Seriously, this process is the most important step in understanding your own health and performance.
When you keep a food journal, record what you ate, about how much and when. You also want to record beverages. A serious investigation of food, performance and health would also include supplements, where you ate, how the food was prepared and your bathroom experience. Digestive function is paramount (although it is completely understandable if you leave that for your private food journal!). For specific body composition and performance goals, it becomes important to provide detailed measurements of food quantity. I encourage you to keep the level of food journal that matches your own personal goals. The tape will be on the counter…
