One of the foundations of the CrossFit lifestyle is diet. They encourage a diet high in protien, fat, and vegetables; and low in carbohydrates. They discourage consumption of grains and sugars. This is not Adkins type stuff, as you can eat as many vegetables as you like. Many are high in carbohydrate but they do not illicit the insulin response that bread, pasta, and refined sugar do. The purpose of denying yourself all that is tasty and "good" is to train your body to use fat as feul and not sugar. Go here to read an article on how this works. Now, obviously this is little controversial. It goes against "conventional wisdom" as well as everything you and I have ever known. Over the past year I have decreased my bread and sugar intake significantly, however I have not gone full out bread and dessert free. I haven't bought breakfast cereal or a loaf of bread in I don't know how long. The only sweets I buy are multiple forms of dark chocolate and the occasional "all fruit" popsicles. B and I have terrible sweet tooths. A package of Oreos won't last 3 days in this house. Therefore I don't buy them. I have continued eating sadwiches and rolls and cookies....... just not in the quanities of old. I just couldn't bring myself to do it all out all the time. I love my carbs.
Last week marked the begining of Lent. Lent is the 40 days and nights before Easter. It is ment to symbolize Jesus' time in the desert leading up to his betrayal, crucifiction, and Resurrection. Most people think that only Catholics observe Lent. I am not Catholic. I was raised Presbyterian. In my church we study, and observe Lent in anticipation of Easter. We do not, as a religion, give up any food groups (the Catholics do not eat meat) we just use the time to learn and dwell on the upcoming events. When I was in highschool, my Sunday school class chose to give up something for Lent. It was a challenge to give up something so we might have an ever so miniscule idea of the deprivation Jesus experienced. I think I gave up cokes. I struggeled. It was hard. But I did it. I took that experience and I've continued it almost every year since; usually giving up something "easy" like cokes or chocolate or shopping..... Little things that make me think everyday about my choices but nothing too challenging. This year..... I've given up all grain based carbs and sugars. This has not been easy although it has not been excruciating either. This week has been more challenging and slightly less successful than last week, mainly because of an upcoming monthly event that wreaks havoc on my hormones and therefore cravings. I lost 5lbs last week alone, telling me that there is something to this. So, to give you a little taste of my diet the last 12 days or so, here is a little example of what I've eaten lately.
-apples
-blackberries drizzled with heavy cream (it's berry season! YAY)
-greek salad complete with feta cheese and olives (I enjoy something along these lines at least every other day)
-tuna
-cottage cheese
-big juicy steak with lots of fat marbling throught out *drool*
-asparagus
-broccoli
-more salad
-dark chocolate
-a couple french fries (carbs yes. grains no.)
-one buffalo wing followed by a "DOH!" It's breaded.
-Chili complete with cheese and onions
-brisket
-home made trail mix made with raw almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and dried berries (snack of choice when afternoon munching is a must)
-protien shakes made with AES protien powder, coconut/almond/or whole milk, and whatever frozen fruit we have on hand
-2 Zone protien bars (these are not exactly on the plan, but they are my way of battling afore mentioned hormonal cravings...not meat and veggies but not giant wheat rolls or Oreo cookies either).
Those five pounds I lost have revealed more back muscles, less elbow poochy fat, a couple more ab muscles, and one motivated girl.
Now to withstand the next few days of hormonal weirdness accompanined with moodiness and a life and death desire to eat BREAD!
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