Paleo

Quality groceries on a budget

by ITP student Uran
I’ve heard people complain that eating healthier, be it Paleo or otherwise, is too expensive.
Trust me, I understand. If you’ve ever tried to do your weekly grocery shopping at Whole Foods, you’ve probably walked out of there gasping for breath at the realization that you just dropped a small fortune on a week’s worth of groceries for ONE person.
Here are some tips and tricks on eating clean and keeping your wallet happy:
Shop around – Yes, it takes a little bit more planning and time to hit up more than one store, but it can really be worth it in terms of savings. Trader Joe’s is your best bet for most of the week’s food if you’re eating paleo…great prices on organic, free-range chicken, frozen wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats, grass-fed and raw-milk cheeses (if you’re into dairy), cage-free eggs, nuts, coconut oil, and organic produce.
Dekalb Farmer’s Market is another great choice for veggies and some clean meats as well. They have a gigantic selection so you’d be hard-pressed not to find what you’re looking for there.
Finally, Kroger (specifically the Ansley Mall Kroger) is great for everything else. They have a pretty decent organic produce selection and always have good sales on goodies like sweet potato chips, lara bars, Amy’s soups, coconut waters, etc.
Don’t buy everything organic – If you can afford to buy everything organic, go for it. But if you can’t/don’t want to, then just buy organic for the “dirty dozen.”
Plan your meals in advance – Spend just 30 minutes figuring out what you’d like to cook in the coming week, buy some items in bulk and get more bang for your buck. Learning to love leftovers is helpful here as well. You can make 3-4 portions of one meal, and have it several times over the course of the week.
Plus, you’ll cook less and avoid the what-am-I-eating-for-dinner crisis, which will help keep you on track during the CFMakeover. Win-win-win!

Congrats to Emilio on getting his muscle up last night. He’s had the strength to get there for awhile now, and his hard work on technique & transitions finally pays off!!!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym – Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 3 rounds: Max strict pull ups or ring rows, rest 3 min*
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 15 minutes*:
20 double unders (or 60 singles)
10 burpee broad jumps (jump your height…we’ll premark the floor)
5 handstand push ups
*CFMakeover use Part A, Round 1 for STRENGTH WOD 2 result. However you scale today’s workout is the same way you’ll scale for retest at end of month.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Deadlift: 3×5 workups
B. 4 rounds for reps: :30 work, :30 rest- 1. Rope climbs 2. Wall balls 3. KB/DB russian twists 4. Row for max calories

WED 10.2.13 Quality groceries on a budget Read More »

Listober CFMakeover Goals: get LEAN & stay SWOLE 🙂

Coach Lis breaks down her goals for the CFMakeover.
In October 2010 I competed in another box’s Paleo Challenge and came in third place. I ate strict paleo for 30 days…no booze, no grains, no dairy. My only indulgence was a post-workout shake that wasn’t entirely paleo.
At the time I was a bartender at the Nook, on Piedmont Park. YES I was pouring fish bowls and surrounded by totchos at every shift and I STILL stayed clean. SOBERTOBER, ya’ll.
It was worth it. In 30 days I lost 7# of bodyfat AND gained 4# of muscle. I FOUND MY ABS! I slept better, felt stronger and got relief from my seasonal allergies, IBS and acne.
Since then, I continue to eat 80/20 paleo… indulgences are weekend alcohol, dark chocolate and sweet potato fries.
Here’s the plan this time around:
In November, I compete in the USAPL state powerlifting meet. I’m currently about 10# heavier than the weight class I hope to compete in. So I need to cut weight, yet maintain my strength.
I will eat strict paleo with exceptions for pre/post workout supplements, limit alcohol and sugar, and focus on recovery to stay healthy.
OH, and I have a weekend trip to NC planned 10/18-20, so I’m allowing myself one cheat weekend. 🙂
Goals:
*Lose 6# of bodyfat
*Maintain muscle mass
*10 Strict Pull Ups
Diet:
*Strict paleo with ONE cheat weekend
*NO alcohol (SOBERTOBER), sugar, grains, dairy or legumes
*100 oz of water a day
Meals:
*I’ll lean on my girl Chef Veronica at Edesia Meals, the BEST paleo meal delivery service in town, for most of my grub.
*I’ll also cook a few meals on Sundays to freeze/save as backups. SO EXCITED it’s pumpkin season. NO, not the fake syrup sh*t they put in your coffee. REAL pumpkin, like the kind I’ll put in this pumpkin chili recipe… my FAVORITE of the season.
*AND I’ll shop in the CFM Pro Shop for a few backup snacks like Paleo Kits & Epic Bars.
Training & Recovery:
*Whatever my coach tells me to do 🙂
*Lift M, W, F, Sat
*Wed night Metal Yoga at Tough Love
*2 add’l conditioning days: sled pulling/tire flips
*8 hours of sleep a night
*Weekly massage
*Weekly acupuncture
*Weekly float tank (sensory deprivation)
*2x/wk chiropractic adjustments & ART
*3x/week cryotherapy
Other
*Daily meditation
*Daily journaling

What are your goals for the CFMakeover? Post in the comments below… Not registered yet? What are you waiting for? Get in the game to change your life by Halloween! Check out CFMakeover details here.

We’ll place the CFMakeover t-shirt/v-neck orders Monday. Let us know your size!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 10 min mobility work
B. 10 min goat work
C. “Karen” – For time:
150 wall balls 20/14

And coming tomorrow…Team Chipper

Work in teams of 3-4. Complete in any order, but once you start one movement, you must complete all reps before starting another movement.
40 Tire flips
60 Box jumps
80 Kettlebell swings
100 Burpees (jump to a 45# plate)
120 Walking lunges
Optional cash out:100 yard sled drag OR prowler push

FRI 09.27.13 Lis’s CFMakeover game plan Read More »

The Paleo Diet

By Coach Beka
With the CFMakeover right around the corner, let’s address a common question: What IS paleo and why is it so common with CrossFitters?
Paleo is a very clean, back-to-basics way of eating.
It’s not a fad, it’s not a trend, it’s a lifestyle.
It’s free of all the refined foods, trans fats and sugar prevalent in the Standard American Diet (SAD :().
So what foods are paleo?
Meat & seafood, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and healthy fats…the way our bodies were meant to eat…the way our ancestors ate before the Industrial Revolution when grains & corn syrup & chemicals (Yellow #9 anyone???) invaded grocery stores.
This is why people who follow a paleo lifestyle have more energy and lower instances of conditions like autoimmune disease, heart disease, depression, IBS, seasonal allergies and other inflammation issues.
We’ll discuss paleo in more detail at our CFMakeover pre-challenge huddle meeting this Saturday at 10a. I’ll break down the basics for you guys & take questions. I have tons of great resources and tips so don’t miss it!
If you’re still on the fence about joining the challenge & want to come to the meeting this Sat to ask questions before deciding whether to join, BRING IT ON!

CFMakeover Challengers

GO HERE to sign up for a prelim measurements time slot.

Great energy in our noon class Monday!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit – Cassie
8:15p: Yoga – Samantha

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 4×4 workups (add 5# to last deadlift workout)
B. 5 rounds for time:
5 Power Cleans 185/120#
20 Double Unders

And coming tomorrow…

A. 10 min mobility work
B. 10 min goat work
C. “Karen” – For time:
150 wall balls 20/14

THURS 09.26.13 So what IS paleo? Read More »

HOW to transform yourself in the CFMakeover

I want to address another concern I’ve heard from CFMers on the fence about joining the CFMakeover:
This isn’t a nutrition challenge. You decide your goals and we’ll help you get there. Of course, the cleaner you eat, the better your results will be, but I get it CFM football fans… some of you want to fall off the wagon once a week (or maybe every weekend). Be honest. Is that better than you usually do? Probably. If so, you have something to gain (or lose?) from this challenge.
After you register, you’ll tell us whether your goal for the month is to lean out or bulk up (get lean or get swole?). We will give you tips based on EITHER goal.
The PRIMARY habit that will help you reach either goal is QUALITY SLEEP. Get 7 to 9 hours in a cool, dark room (yes, Midtown-high rise dwellers, you need blinds to cover that gorgeous city view while you sleep).
For those who want to lose body fat or have never tried the paleo diet, we recommend following the Whole 30 plan for 30 days of strict paleo. This means you’ll eat meat, vegetables, some fruit, nuts and other good fats. You won’t eat grains, dairy, legumes or sugar of any kind.
We’ll help you do this, by sharing plenty of great recipes like these OR referring you to a local paleo meal delivery service. CFM recommends Edesia Meals.
If you’re an endurance athlete or “hard gainer” (as in, you’ve always been on the lean side…maybe even scrawny. And it’s tough to put on muscle), we’ll recommend a paleo diet (LOTS of protein) plus starchy vegetables (white potatoes, yucca, sweet potatoes), more fruit, and a few grains (white rice, oatmeal) on your training days.
We’ll also provide tips on recovery, supplements and more to transform your life in 30 days. I’m not being dramatic. I did my first “Whole 30” in October 2010 and it changed my life. More on that next week…
Get all the details here. Register by Tuesday to get the Early Bird perks.

If you choose to eat strict paleo during the CFMakeover, here’s what that entails.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day

A. 10 min mobility work
B. 10 min POSE skillwork
C. “Nancy”
5 rounds for time:
400m run
15 overhead squats 95/65

And coming tomorrow…

In teams of 2-3:
Row 5000m
One teammate rows. One teammate does kettlebell swings. One teammate holds hollow or superman position.
Final score = 5k row time MINUS total number of kettlebell swings. Subtract one second per kettlebell swing.

FRI 9.20.13 Change your life in 30 days Read More »

Bring-A-Friend Days:

This Thursday, Friday & Saturday, bring your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else you’ve been jabbering on to about CrossFit… BRING EM ALL to any class later this week on Thurs, Fri or Sat*. Just PLEASE RSVP so we can reserve their spots (visitor space is limited to 6 guests per class to accommodate both guests & students). Email FRIENDS at crossfitmidtown.com to save your friend’s space!
*The Sat 11a WOD is now an Advanced/Intermediate class. Friends & guests are welcome to join this session IF they have prior CrossFit experience.

Schedule changes start today!

Reminder on the schedule changes starting today:
BEGINNER classes will continue on Mondays at 8p with Lis, on Thursdays at 8p with Cassie, and Saturdays at 9a with Cassie.
TUESDAY 8p will now become an Advanced* class.
WEDNESDAY 8p will now become Open Gym with Raul.
SATURDAY’S schedule will now be: 9a Beginner/Intermediate, 10a All Levels, 11a Intermediate/Advanced, 12n-2p Olympic Lifting with Cheryl when available (look for weekly blog updates confirming O-lifting days).
ALSO, we’re trying out a new time slot… 8am on Tuesday & Friday only (both classes with Beka). This class is temporary. We’ll reassess in one month, on September 15, and determine whether demand is high enough to keep the class on the schedule permanently.
We continue to offer a free yoga class to all CFM students on Thurs at 8:15p with Sam, and Sun at 6p with Monica.
*ADVANCED classes will work on advanced skill work, techniques and lifts. Students should be knowledgeable of all CrossFit movements…mastery of all skills isn’t required, but knowledge of all skills is. SOME programming for advanced classes will be posted in advanced. SOME won’t. ADVANCED CrossFitters must be ready for the unknown & unknowable, right? To complement our regular programming, the Tuesday class will always involve Olympic Lifting, as well as some competition prep and additional skillwork.
Lis & Beka spent three days last week learning more about Paleo nutrition & health at the Ancestral Health Symposium. Our new knowledge will come in handy to lead CFM through September’s Farm-to-Gym Challenge & our October nutrition challenge. More details coming soon!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
8p: Beginner CrossFit- Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back squat: 5-5-5+
B. Every min on the min for 15 mins:
Complete 2 Squat Cleans and 5 Chin Ups on the minute for 15 minutes.
*Use ~60% of 1RM for this workout

And coming tomorrow…

A. Snatch: 3-2-1-3-2-1
B. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 reps of:
Push press 95/65
Toes to bar

MON 08.19.13 Bring A Friend Days this week! Read More »

Grab a Kelapo coconut oil sample at the box this week!

The generous folks at Kelapo sent us some coconut oil samples to share with the CFM community, so come & get ’em!
If you’re new to the Paleo diet or haven’t yet attended a Food as Fuel workshop, you may not realize that CFM recommends you eat a diet of meat & vegetables, nuts & berries, some fruit, little starch & no sugar. That, my friends, is the Paleo diet in a (coco)nut shell.
But seriously, if I have to retrain one more former low-fat dieter’s brain that THE RIGHT FATS ARE GOOD FOR YOU, I’m gonna scream. Eat more fat, people!
And coconut is one of the best fats for you. It’s my favorite cooking oil. And for the CFMasseuses out there, it also makes a lovely massage oil. Hubba hubba.
Read more about it from Dr. Mercola here, or for the click-thru lazies out there, I’ll bring an excerpt directly to you:
According to Nubo Beauty, coconut oil is also nature’s richest source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also called medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs. By contrast, most common vegetable or seed oils are comprised of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), also known as long-chain triglycerides or LCTs.
LCTs are large molecules, so they are difficult for your body to break down and are predominantly stored as fat.
But MCTs, being smaller, are easily digested and immediately burned by your liver for energy — like carbohydrates, but without the insulin spike. MCTs actually boost your metabolism and help your body use fat for energy, as opposed to storing it, so it can actually help you become leaner.
That’s right, fat can help you get leaner! So snag a sample at the box and sauté up some veggies with it… Or give that lucky someone a massage. Thanks Kelapo!

Lee M crushing Fight Gone Bad back during Bring-A-Friend Days

TONIGHT: Ninja Run Club at 7 & Gymnastics class at 8!

Gymnastics class –
Skill: Handstands & handstand walk progressions
Workout:
4 rounds for quality of :
10 chin up L-hold on bar
5 push ups
6 rope pull ups (3 each arm)

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. High hang clean: 2-2-2-2-2
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 12 minutes:
5 Kettlebell snatch R
5 Kettlebell snatch L
10 burpees

And coming tomorrow…

A. Weighted pull up: 3-3-3+
B. Goat work: 10 minutes to work on a skill of your choice
C. 5 rounds for time:
3 wall climbs
10 pistols (5 ea leg)

TUES 06.18.13 Free coconut oil! Read More »

Food as Fuel recap

We had a great showing for last night’s Food as Fuel session. The basis of the paleo diet: eat meat & vegetables, nuts & seeds, little starch, some fruit and no sugar.
After you master those basics, I shared my TOP 6 NUTRITION RULES TO REACH YOUR GOALS:
1. Drink more water.
2. Drink less booze. When you do drink booze, stick to red wine or clear liquor mixed with with club soda or water. Sawwwwwy beer snobs. DISCLAIMER: alcohol is still broken down as sugar in your body. And it’s a neurotoxin, so if you wonder why you’re so depressed/anxious/ADD after a bender of a weekend, MAYBE it’s the booze (But maybe it’s also all the $ you spent. I digress).
3. Sleep 8 hours in a cool, dark room. If you have trouble with this, try winding down earlier, turn off the TV/computer/smartphone, turn down the lights and try a natural supplement that includes magnesium sulfate, melatonin, zinc and/or GABA… different stuff works for everyone.
4. Eat breakfast. It doesn’t have to be “breakfast food.” I often eat dinner for breakfast. Eff all that breakfast for dinner noise. Unless it’s bacon. Bacon goes with every meal.
5. Then throw in a few supplements: fish oil, vitamin D3, probiotics & digestive enzymes.
6. Post-workout is NOT the time to skimp on calories. Get some protein into your system within 45 minutes… preferably a high quality supplement like SFH.

Rowing class is taking the summer off

We’re gonna give Uran a few months off to make way for you guys to take advantage of our Tuesday Ninja Training & Gymnastics classes. But we have a super fun rowing event in the works for the fall, so stay tuned for details!

FREE PARK WOD SUNDAY AT 10a!

Join the Instructor Training Program students for a free park WOD in the Active Oval at Piedmont Park on Sunday morning.

Matt C won these abdominal muscles in last year’s Summer Challenge. You could be CFM’s next abtastic member. Register by Monday & you also get an awesome new CFM shirt!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 3-3-3+
B. 10 min goat work
C. Grace:
30 clean & jerks for time 135/95#

And coming tomorrow…TEAM WORKOUT

Team Chipper:
20 hands-behind-head abmat sit ups (strict: don’t swing arms for momentum)
20 supermans
20 air squats
20 double unders (sub 20 burpees)
20 kettlebell swings 53/35
20 pull ups
20 hand-release push ups (MODIFY WITH BAND ON HIPS)
20 mountain climbers
20 walking lunge steps
200m row
Teammate 1 starts at station 1. Teammate 2 goes to station 1 once teammate 1 moves on to station 2. Teammate 3 goes to station 1 once teammate 3 moves to station 2 and teammate 1 moves to station 3. Teammate 4 moves to station 1 once teammate 3 moves to station 2 and teammate 2 moves to station 3 and teammate 1 moves to station 4. Athletes cannot advance stations until station in front is clear.

FRI 06.13.13 Food as Fuel recap Read More »