Coffee

Yesterday I did my weekly grocery shopping and decided to get some Heavy Whipping Cream (HWC) and treat myself to an old favorite - coffee with plenty of HWC.

It was.........horrible.  I was so looking forward to what once was my most favorite thing to eat or drink. It made my stomach hurt - bad.  So, now the nostalgia is gone, the desire is gone, any leftover feelings of deprivation are GONE!

I was honestly taken by surprise by this whole thing.  While making this cup of coffee, I knew it could send me back to where I used to be - drinking many, many cups of this each day.  Instead - I like my plain black coffee better than I thought I did.  I have one or two cups in the morning and once in a while a cup in the afternoon.  Down from what was an average of 5 cups a day with the HWC.

My sister-in-law asked me how I made this switch.  I told her I just decided to make the change.  It was about doing what I felt I needed to do - not what I wanted to do at the time.  I am still surprised I was able to stick with it.  Yay, Me!

Just one of those things that took me by surprise!  That's all I have for now!

Food - It Makes a Difference

I have been doing some work with 3 and 4 years olds in the area lately.  Lunch time is always an experience!  Notably what is packed by the parents of these children in their lunch boxes.  I am always amazed.

This picture was no exception.  This child had in the lunchbox a container of cartoon shaped mac and cheese, two ziploc bags of Fruity Pebbles, a ziploc bag of Goldfish Crackers, a Little Debbie brownie and a bottle of water.  I was so shocked, I had to get a picture of this.  Sorry the picture is so small but I did not want any of the kids faces in the picture so I had to crop it down quite a bit and all I really wanted to show was the food.  There were lots of Lunchables, the pre-made frozen PB&J sandwiches (really, you CHOOSE to not take 2 minutes to make a PB&J???), if it came in a single serving pack from the store it was there.  One child had a nutritious home made lunch each day.  There was meat, veggies, a small amount of fruit and sometimes a small dessert.  That was so nice to see!

I am not the least bit skeptical of the idea that what we eat greatly influences our brains and behavior.  When our bodies are given a diet of sugar, artificial coloring, flavoring, carbohydreates, hydrogentated oils, heavily processed items and other various chemicals we are unable to function properly.  Our bodies are designed to run on protein, fat and a few carbohydrates.  Without proper nutrition, it does not matter how much time and effort you put in to your workouts.  You simply cannot out exercise a poor diet.  Diet meaning nutrition and fuel for your body.

Like I have said before, I struggle with staying on a strict paleo diet.  This past week I have been having trouble sleeping, getting up on time, having productive WOD's I am proud of, staying fully on track with fueling my body properly and having a positive attitude about many many things.  So - I took a long hard honest look at my nutrition.  You know what?  It was horrible!  I don't like that I let myself over indulge.  It affects me on so many levels.  But - it was all my choosing.  I could have chosen differently in every situation.  I cannot blame being extra busy.  I cannot blame anyone or anything other than myself.  And, I know that I can and I will do better.  I have had so many headaches and migraines over the past month it has been a real struggle.  When I am tired, in pain, not at my best it makes it more difficult for me to take the time to cook and eat right.  But when I don't everything gets worse.  I have not been able to pinpoint my migraine triggers, but I know it must be food related.  I will figure this out.

I am a work in progress.  No doubt about it.  I try to be as transparent as I can so my athletes know that if they veer off their path, they are not a lost cause.  It can be very difficult to truly change your lifestyle.  It also can take a great deal of time to fully make the switch.  This change can be even more difficult if you live in a house where you are the lone paleo person.  When family is not fully supportive of the changes you want and need to make for your own health and there are still grain products (typically one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people) in the pantry.

There will forever be excuses as to why you didn't do this, that or the other.  Rise above.  Do what is right even when you are busy, tired, pissed off, happy, sad, whatever.  It will be worth the extra time!

BTW- I think this is one of my most disorganized, no real topic posts EVER!

REST! Getcha Some

My last post was written while on a true high from my AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge results!  Still very excited about those results!

Last week I spent on the beaches of Florida. Aaahhh!  A week spent in the sun, clear water and white sand.

Beach Burpee with my little man!

I was able to fully relax and take a much needed break from what has been a very busy summer.  Coming back to reality is always a total culture shock!  Especially when one of the air conditioners is your house decides to quit cooling.....in July..... in Texas.

The week before we left I did something that I have not done in months - WOD three days in a row.  One of these days included Tabata Thrusters - who comes up with Tabata Thrusters?!?!?!  MM, that's who!  I forgot how truly taxing that is on your body.  Rest is such an important part of CrossFit.  The demands we put on our muscles and central nervous system by being CrossFitters are huge!  If we do not give our bodies adequate rest, injuries begin showing up, inflammation becomes an issue, and general burn out is on the horizon.

Think about it this way - why do you CrossFit?  I do it because I want to live a stupid crazy long time, I want to be the fittest I can be, I want to be healthier than I was yesterday, I love being strong and picking up heavy things.  I do it because I love myself enough to invest in my own health and well being.  If you continuously work at the high intensity of CrossFit WOD's, your body is going to fight back at some point.  Who wants to be sidelined for a long stretch of time with an injury?  At CrossFit Champions (CFC) I am know for my grace - which often leaves me with broken bones.  They don't call me Bubble Wrap for nothing!  *(NOTE:  name has been changed to Cornholio due to my impersonation of Beavis as The Great Cornholio, but I will also answer to the name of Frankie Pancakes)  Where was I going with this, oh yes, it really sucks to NOT be able to do a WOD.  I know from several experiences.

This is what happens when you are not paying attention when you put your dumbbells down.

By rest - I don't mean you have to be a goddess on a beach for a week (hee hee) but listen to how you are feeling.  Are you able to put 120% into your WOD if you workout 3 times a week instead of 5 times?  On the days you are not at your box, do you do fun outdoor activities with your spouse, your kids or your dogs?  Use your time outside of the box to strengthen your mind and your soul and your relationships with those you love.

And Now Some Bacon........

So, while shopping in Downtown Fort Walton Beach, I came across this bakery and their cupcake flavor of the day.  Bacon AND Pancakes?!?!?!?!!!!  HOLY YUM!  I did not eat one.  Now I'm wishing I had.  Oh well.