Push Press 3 x (6-8)
then 2 Rounds of:
- Run 3:00 @ 85% / Rest 1:00
- Plank 1:00 / R Side Plank :30 / L Side Plank :30
- Row 3:00 @ 85% / Rest 1:00
- Plank 1:00 / R Side Plank :30 / L Side Plank :30
**NOTE: Please bring a watch with a timer, or equivalent, to today's workout**
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Chris, our CFMSP mens Paleo Challenge Winner - before and after picture. See below for his experience on Paleo.
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1. What was the most motivating factor for you in the Paleo challenge?
Having a community of paleo eaters was such a huge motivation to me. It was a comfort at first to have others going through similar challenges. Once the paleo challenge turned into a paleo lifestyle, that same community was a huge resource for eating tips, recipes, and great stories. Oh, and accountability, too.
2. What was the hardest thing for you to cut out of your eating habits; what did you struggle with most?
We had been doing the zone (40/30/30 carb/fat/protein) eating for a while before we started the paleo challenge, and I really liked it. However, I would use a cookie or donut for a carb maybe a little too often. Cutting out the baked goods was probably the hardest thing, and surprisingly, those were the only things I would get cravings for.
My biggest struggle, though, was trying to eat enough at the beginning. I am totally convinced that my body just kept expecting an easy-to-digest refined carbohydrate for the first ten days or so. I would get hungry almost immediately after eating. After getting some input from the group with some food tips and just giving my body time to adjust, though, this ended up going away.
3. Did you notice energy level increases, better sleep, better recovery from workouts?
All of my lifts increased in weight while I was on paleo, and I added that ever so important extra round to my Cindy, too. In general, my post workout recovery was at least as good as my pre-paleo days.
During the challenge I also tried to wake up without an alarm clock. I got into a really good rhythm doing this, and felt really well rested during the whole challenge. My energy level throughout the day was wonderfully uniform. I didn't have that midday dip or sense of exhaustion after eating a meal once during the challenge. That alone is one of the big reasons I will maintain this lifestyle.
4. Do you plan to continue eating Paleo?
I'm hooked. I will definitely stay on paleo (with just a little more flexibility than I did during the challenge).
5. What do your cheat days look like?
I'll admit, I really didn't have a cheat "day." More like cheat meals or snacks. For the most part, I cheated when we would go out with friends to a restaurant.
Finding paleo food isn't always impossible going out, but most of the time it was hard. I got good at asking for things to be made a particular way, but if that didn't look like it was going to happen, I would just go all in on a reprieve. Oh, and if the cheat didn't feel satisfying enough (like, if it wasn't "my kind of cheat"), we'd follow up with a good cheat - like ice cream with magic shell.
6. What kind of cheating foods do you like?
Baked goods are totally tops for me, so a good donut was my favorite cheat. During the challenge, my sweet tooth was the only thing that really got me. Now that I'm off the challenge, though, I expect my favorite cheat will be pizza. Or chimichangas.
7. What will you do with the winning $$?
Um, check out crumbs.com. There will be a lot of cupcakes to share with my fellow paleo enthusiasts at the gym. I think with the remainder, I should take my personal chef and challenge partner out to a nice Italian dinner.
8. What was one thing that you learned from the Challenge that surprised you?
Dairy and I have parted ways. I really didn't know how much dairy adversely impacted me, and probably never would have without the challenge.
I think one of the best parts of doing the paleo challenge is that it provides an awesome experiment with your body. You come away knowing how so many foods (and in particular, modern foods) impact you in so many ways: body composition, energy levels, output, and more. And for me, the difference on paleo was dramatically better than anything I've tried before.
