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Announcing the CFSR Paleo Challenge!
Yum.
Here’s the challenge: 30 days of strict Paleo eating. No slips, no cheats, no “80-20″ rule (this ain’t “Primal”). It means no alcohol, no grains, no sweeteners (even the “natural” ones like honey, maple syrup, etc.), no dairy (not even butter for this). Strict.* For 30 days. Why? For better health, athletic performance (can you say PRs?), and body composition. To feel great. To kick your addictions (to sugar or whatever your vice). And, to possibly win the challenge.
So what can you eat during the challenge?
Loads of fresh, colorful vegetables. In much of this country, people can’t find that locally at this time of year, but we can. Hit up the Farmers Market or the Santa Rosa Community Market and try something new! Sustainably-produced by a local farmer is best. Join a local farm’s CSA! Or just go to your supermarket and buy what you usually do. Organic is good. Just eat plenty of vegetables in plenty of colors. They taste good and have all kinds of micronutrients that make us healthy.
Meat, fowl, fish, eggs. Preferably wild or pastured and local. If you don’t have your own sources, become a subscriber to Gleason Ranch and each month you can pick up a box of beef, lamb, pork, and chicken right at CrossFit Santa Rosa. Oliver’s Markets also carry Gleason chickens as well as another label’s grass-fed beef. Willowside Meats also carries some pastured meats.
Seasonal, local fruit. You’ll want to limit your consumption of fruit to some degree (because of the sugar), but just like vegetables, fruits have nutrients that increase our health. And they’re yummy, of course. Think of fruit as your treat. And like other produce, local, seasonal, and sustainably-produced are best. Don’t know what’s actually in season right now? Ask us. Or like we already said, check the Farmers Market.
Some nuts. Some. (Peanuts are legumes, by the way, and not allowed.) While nuts are great as a snack, snacking on them is when people tend to go overboard. You might try buying your nuts in their shells so that you have to crack them open yourself. Try thinking of them as a condiment for a salad or other vegetable dish.
Good fats. Cook with coconut oil or rendered animal fat (beef tallow, pork lard, duck fat). If you steam or water saute vegetables, drizzle them with cold-pressed olive oil or sesame oil after cooking. Avocados and coconut, yes please. Good fats are good for you, and will help you lose fat! We will give you the fats guide handout displayed at the box to help you understand what fats to eat and what to avoid.
Here are some other details about the CFSR Paleo Challenge:
1. The Paleo Challenge runs from March 7th to April 5th. Entry fee is $20 a head, which goes into a pot that will be split by two winners.
2. To enter the Challenge, you must attend the Whole9 Foundations of Nutrition Workshop on Sunday, March 6th, 9 am-5pm. If you’re not yet registered, click on that link and do it now.
3. On Saturday, March 5th (the day before the workshop), Paleo Challenge participants will do a “before” WOD, take “before” pictures, and find a partner to check in with throughout the challenge. The WOD will be during our regular Saturday morning class; Paleo Challenge participants will stay after class for the other business. Participants will also receive handouts, homework, and a card good for a 10% discount at Community Market every Sunday in 2011.
4. Two winners will be chosen by the staff of CFSR with input from the Paleo Challenge participants themselves, and will be selected based on changes in training performance, body composition, health, and any other lifestyle changes that may occur amongst participants.
There will be more details to explain March 5th and 6th. Bring your questions.
Are you in?
*With some exceptions, which we’ll explain on March 5th.
