STRONG is the new skinny.

Is Paleo practical? It can be.........In my humble opinion.

PLEASE READ: Perfectionism and Self-Sabatage – Paleo Style…

My wife's response to a PALEO blog:

I have been studying foods, nutrition, and herbology for 15 years now. There are many diets out there that are paleo or a slight variation of paleo. I started eating one of them for my immune system. The major difference was that it included unsweetened REAL yogurt (there are ancient societies that had notable longevity eating yogurt). Keeping the inflammatory response in the body under control works. I am a totally different human being when I eat this way and feel so good that I prefer it. The trick being that I know what works for me! When my husband came home and said he would like to eat paleo I thought "that's easy!", and it was. It wasn't until this time that I started calling how I ate paleo, mostly because the group of people that we associate with recognize the term. We think of it as eating clean and we stay WELL and have incredible recovery time. Being successful at eating right for me, I've noticed a few things watching others TRY to be successful at this diet. one thing is that people complicate it by trying to portion. if you break into ZONE for a rest day from the rigid routine, then portion, but other wise it is unnecessary. Next, there are foods that are not allowed on paleo that have benefits far outweighing any derogatory effects. Stevia (has a balancing effect on blood sugar)and xylitol(kills bad bacteria in the digestive tract) are great to help you through this diet! The last thing I would like to mention is food source supplementation. This is the biggest single key to success. If you have cravings, your body is telling you that there is a deficiency. Our soils are depleted and we get little to no enzyme content in our food no matter what you eat! Believe me, you have deficiencies, and as a paleo eater, silica is probably one of them. Address these things and your conscientious food choices will work!

Post T day FALLOUT!!!!!!

OK, I did it!! In the week leading up to Thanksgiving I had many inquiries about how I was going to eat my Thanksgiving meal. Many were students in my class, some were friends, acquaintances as well as fellow crossfitters.
I gave the same answer to all, that I was going to break down, it was after all, just one meal. So the day came and my gracious wife and mom made an exceptional meal. There were paleo friendly dishes abounding BUT then there was EVERYTHING else.....

I was REALLY bad, even drank my a coke. The fallout was severe. You name it, I ate it. Rolls with butter, mashed potatoes, stuffing & gravy, apple pie with ice cream. By the time the time Drew Brees & the Saints had closed the deal with the Cowboys, I was in a semi comatose state. Friday was WORSE. I didn't leave the house. I slept all day. I was trying to get up to hit a 1200 wod, when I woke it was 1230. Back to the real world today. Got up this morning and had my preworkout meal.

On tap for today:
JACKIE
1000m Row
50 – 45lbs Thrusters (scaling up to 95 lbs)
30 Pull Ups

It really did shock my body, especially because I eat extremely clean. I'm NOT doing that again.

Peace.

The United States of DIABETES.

Just read an interesting article I found on the Drudge Report called: THE UNITED STATES OF DIABETES, written by United Health Group. I often find myself skeptical of media, so I dug around to find enough proof to satisfy my curiosity.

OK, here's a little review on diabetes:
(from the American Diabetes Association)

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy.
When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

Suffice it to say, the United Health Group, as well as all the other health care providers are banking on making billions even TRILLIONS of $$ on diabetes.

According to the report, "Diabetes and prediabetes will account for an estimated 10 percent of total health care spending by the end of the decade at an annual cost of almost $500 billion — up from an estimated $194 billion this year."

THIS CAN BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED!!!! If we decide to make personal lifestyle changes, AND YES THAT MEANS EVERYTIME we put food in our mouths.

It's no secret that type II diabetes can be regulated (for most people that have it) by modifying your diet.

There is a war going on inside our bodies. It is a war that can be won. How can you win? Help your body by eating right and losing weight!! Is your life important?  Get some exercise and eat right and watch your life improve drastically.

1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Peace












P.S.

Please read what Robb Wolf has to say about TYPE I Diabetes & Crossfit.
Who is Robb Wolf? He is a former research biochemist & is one of the world’s leading experts in Paleolithic nutrition and author of The Paleo Solution – The Original Human Diet. A student of Prof. Loren Cordain, author of The Paleo Diet, Robb has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people around the world via his top ranked iTunes podcast and wildly popular seminar series.

1-Gluten free, dairy free paleo diet.
2-Keep carbs on the LOW side ala-Benrsteins Diabetes solution (but better food quality).
3-Map blood sugar responses to activity, sleep and food.

This works, but it takes effort and time.

HANDSTAND CHALLENGE

Want to perfect your handstand? Never done one? LET'S TRY!!! I'm pretty good at HSPU's but not freeform handstands. I challenge you. It's a 90-day challenge (Thanks Crossfit Surf City for the idea!!).

THIS IS THE DEAL: do handstand holds every day for 90 days. Wall handstands are cool, but the point is to eventually perform a freeform handstand.

PLEASE BE SAFE.


Start with a spotter or use the wall when you are beginning. If you cannot do a handstand push up (HSPU), then this is good time to get proficient.

How long each day? It's up to you. I'm going to do it as part of my warmup everyday. I will start using a wall and I will try to do 30 sec handstand holds. Every day I'm going to start by trying to do freeform handstands.



Handstands: Against the wall or freeform
Day 1: 1 handstand
Day 2: 2 handstands
all the way to
Day 90: 90 handstands


You can do it ANYWHERE. Home, gym, office, wherever you feel comfortable.

Keep track of your progress. Take a picture.
REMEMBER: use a spotter or a wall until you become comfortable

One man making a difference.

I had the opportunity & honor to visit with Mr. Tony Reyes who is the Executive Director of Mission 911 in Corpus Christi, TX this morning (11/13/10). This happened because of my involvement in Leadership Corpus Christi class XXXIX (BEST class EVER!!). He is pictured on the left sitting down, Jimmy (the facility manager) is pictured standing. Jimmy was giving a short talk on the cold hard reality of not having a home. The Mission on 911 Park Street is now his home and his life because of Mr. Tony Reyes' dedication and hard work. Mission 911 is an old elementary school facility that Mr. Reyes attended as a child. He applied for a grant to purchase the property over 10 years ago and has been there since. While it has been cleaned up and repaired, this wasn't always the case. Mr Reyes informed us that it took 8 very large construction dumpsters to clear out all of the trash and junk from the old dilapidated school. From walking the facility this morning, you can tell that the people living here take pride in the property. The lawn is mowed, the trees are trimmed and it the facility looks tidy. There are people living here that want to change their lives for the better and Mr. Reyes does all he can to help them. The grounds and facility require constant upkeep and improvement. I urge you to donate time, or support in ANY form. Please check the following link: http://www.ccmission911.org/pages/Support.htm

SAPPY or not, written on the wall pictured here was this:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of GOD." Romans 12:2.

What does this have to do with a 40 something crossfitter? "Open Source" and renewal. Being open to change and ALWAYS learning. Everyone has something to offer if you're open to receiving it.

We as human beings tend to take advice and comments (constructive criticism) as a personal affront. We can sure as helk dish it out though. It's human nature. We've all been there. It doesn't take a 40 year old to know this. Integrity and honesty are large.  I'm not on a soapbox, I'm not perfect, never said I was.

If someone offers advice and you don't like their tone, don't get down, don't get upset and if you do, channel it in a positive way. WORK HARDER.

Mr. Reyes has AND he won't stop. He hasn't let anyone stop him from helping others. He has had countless obstacles that he has overcome. Those obstacles could not stop him. He is on a mission from GOD. He is an incredible individual. For 10 years he has been running Mission 911. He is driven, passionate and is always learning.

Anything is possible. It starts with setting a goal, then HARD work and tenacity must follow.

It's all about collaboration. Lumberjack 20.

I was invited earlier this week to attend an open wod at a brand new affiliate xfit gym in Corpus Christi, TX. SeaCity Crossfit. Doesn't take much to twist my arm, even after finding out the wod was going to be the Lumberjack 20 wod. Check the link, it's worth the read. If you have it in you, please donate time or money to the cause, even if you only do the wod and remember the fallen and their families.

Lumberjack 20

20 Deadlifts (275lbs)
...Run 400m
20 KB swings (2pood)
Run 400m
20 Overhead Squats (115lbs)
Run 400m
20 Burpees
Run 400m
20 Pullups (Chest to Bar)
Run 400m
20 Box jumps (24")
Run 400m
20 DB Squat Cleans (45lbs each)
Run 400m

my time: (Rx) 28:35

best time today: (Rx) 26:45 by Tony Reyes, who killed it.

Tim Hamilton had a great turnout, so good that we had to do 2 heats. Their was a diverse group in attendance. Tim is an encyclopedia of knowledge and is always spreading a good vibe and most of all he is an excellent trainer. He had been telling me for a while that he wanted to get a group together for a wod and collaboration on Saturday afternoons. This was the 4th one, 3 of which I have been in attendance and was by far the best. What's the big deal and why is this important to me? WELL because it embodies what has been called the 'open' source crossfit attitude. Crossfit Family. I have found this to be the case for most of the people I have crossed paths with since I started crossfitting in Feb 2009. What is the point? The point is there is much to be learned and everyone has something offer. People have different experiences, backgrounds, ideologies, & methodologies.  My dad raised me to   always be open to ideas and learning. I have had eye opening experiences from the most obscure situations and people. All that matters is that it is honest and truthful. This afternoon was such an occasion. People coming together to find a common bond and help each other improve and better themselves. That is, after all, what it's all about.