Friday 01.18.13

Step ups with a SMILE!

Reminder:

Prep your cupboards for our 30-day Paleo Challenge, which starts in 2 weeks!

We're collecting all non-Paleo non-perishables here at the gym 

and donating them to a local food pantry. 

We're looking for Tough Mudder St. Louis participants.
Check out our Facebook event page for details.

Yesterday, I wrote about all the food groups that are eliminated while we go "strict Paleo" eat clean for one month. Hopefully, you understood the reasoning behind removing these food groups and the potential benefits of cleaning up one's nutrition. I mean think about it. Food and food-like substances go into your body countless times (unless you are keeping a food journal) per day. Of course it's going to have an impact on how you look and feel. So, considering the potential benefits of participating in the challenge (e.g., sleeping better, feeling better, having more energy), why wouldn't you participate? Well, I know I've heard it all. This is our 3rd challenge after all.

"Oh my God. NO GRAINS? Count me out."
"No way. I am NOT giving up my Mountain Dew (or whiskey, or beer)."
"CHOCOLATE? NO CHOCOLATE? Eff You."
"Don't take away my cheese."
"That's way too hard."

You know what? Bull$h*t. You will not DIE or whither into nothing without beer, chocolate, or cheese. Thirty days of eating clean is NOT too hard. Most of you will all face more difficult challenges in your lifetime than consciously CHOOSING what goes in your mouth for 30 measly days. All of the above statements are just different ways of saying the dreaded "I can't" (um, burpee, NOW), which is REALLY just another way of saying "I won't." And most times saying "I won't" is just a sad way of saying "I'm scared." And if that is the truth, just say "I won't" and carry on as usual. If you're not scared, and you are game to try because you know you CAN do whatever you put your mind to doing, then let's go. We're not telling you to eat like this forever. You will one day drink another cocktail and eat another fried meal! All we're doing is challenging you to reset your nutrition for one month so you can have a learning experience, which will hopefully lead to long-term healthy habits.

In my mind, the worst thing that can happen while "on Paleo" eating clean is...Well, I was going to say quitting, but in reality, it's probably limiting your diet so much that you're more unhealthy "on Paleo" eating clean than you were before the challenge. For example, if you're living solely off Steve's Paleo kits, Lara Bars, and almond butter, then you're missing the boat and you should quit.

If, however, you stay strict for the entire 30-day challenge and you survive the first 1-2 weeks of sugar withdrawal, what is the worst that will happen? You just might discover some of those positive benefits mentioned above, and you might kick some bad habits that you realize you just don't need anymore (e.g., that daily 2 PM candy bar, diet Coke, or Mountain Dew) because you found a better, healthier, more quality alternative (e.g., nuts, veggies, or protein). Seriously. What do you have to lose (besides bad habits and perhaps a few stubborn pounds)?

WOD

Pick a Challenge

Who's going to take down another record today?

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MINI WODS!

#1

7 min AMRAP

5 push press (135/95)

Rope climb

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#2

7 min AMRAP

5 Deadlift (225/155)

5 Box Jump (24"/20")

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#3

7 min AMRAP

Row for max meters