One more study showing High Fructose Corn Syrup does indeed make you fat. High-Fructose Corn Syrup can be found in nearly all processed foods – from ketchup to sports drinks (and cough syrup too). Read the nutritional label on all products you plan to purchase – they’re full of unhealthy surprises.
“A Princeton University research team has demonstrated that all sweeteners are not equal when it comes to weight gain: Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same…”
Especially of late I’ve been getting a lot of questions on “how to go paleo”. I will often respond with the standard CrossFit nutrition statement : eat meat, vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starches and no sugar. This statement is usually followed by a lengthy, possibly overwhelming, detailed-oriented conversation on paleo nutrition specifics:
There is a moment of silence as they realize I’ve just described what most folks eat on a regular basis. Slowly a look of shock and disbelief spreads across their faces as they realize they should not be eating whole wheat toast at breakfast, chicken pasta with veggies for lunch, and even the sacred brown rice for dinner. Before they can justify their dietary habits with the usual response of “everything in moderation”, I begin to explain the science behind foods not permitted on The Paleo Diet: hyperinsulinism, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, skewed omega 3 to omega 6 ratios, lipid profiles, ph acid – base balance, phytates, lectins, gluten, leaky gut, metabolic syndrome, silent inflammation, CVD, auto-immune issues, diseases of modern civilization, etc.
I summarize by explaining that The Paleo diet is the oldest diet around. For millions of years we were hunter- gatherers eating what nature provided. Our bodies evolved to process these natural foods, unlike the foods that were first introduced 15,000 to 20,000 years ago during the agricultural revolution. So, how do you go paleo? What can you eat? Paleo friendly foods include:
At each meal (and snack) I’m combining a protein, some veggies (sometimes a little fruit) and a healthy fat. It’s that easy. Yet, it’s important to understand that there is a “method to the madness” – there is science and research (and my own personal experiences) that link this diet to a healthier body. To help you jump start your journey into paleo nutrition, I’ve added a new “Paleo Tools” resource tab. Click on the ‘Paleo Tools” tab at the top of this page to find:
Videos on Paleo Nutrition
Paleo Shopping List and Guides
The BEST Paleo Cookbook
Leading Paleo Nutrition Experts
Paleo Reading Recommendations
Free Paleo Recipes
Additional Paleo Resources and Blogs I Follow
One last thing. Don’t believe everything I write or say. I’m not a dietitian providing nutrition counseling or nutrition management programs. Doubt me. I’m a skeptic by heart myself. I never accept what others say, especially those practicing and preaching conventional wisdom with little results. I’m interested in not only how fit you appear to be on the outside, but also how fit you are on the inside with excellent bio-markers of health. I search for the latest, cutting-edge information and research. I spend a great deal of time reading and reviewing abstracts, books, and other websites. I suggest you begin this journey by doing the same. Do your own research, find your own answers, become your own expert. In addition to the resources listed in the “Paleo Tools” tab, I also use the following unbiased internet resources on a daily basis:
Consult with a physician before beginning in new exercise or fitness program
Choking on CrossFit “Kool-Aid”, disillusionment resulting from the most recent behavior of CrossFit HQ management, I was a little more willing to acknowledge a few glaring inconsistencies that persisted in my overall fitness level, despite my extreme passion and dedication (only one body weight pull up, few chest to floor push-ups, etc). How could I continue to utilize the underlying CF principles (minus management) which had worked so well for me in the past? How could I continue to grow stronger at the ripe age of 45 without turning to steroids and conventional body-building methods? How could I continue my quest to not only “look fit” on the outside, but also “be fit” on the inside by achieving good bio-markers of health (low insulin levels, low triglycerides, Pattern A LDL, high HDL, low CRP, normal HbA1c, etc,)? My search for answers and guidance led me to James Fitzgerald (aka OPT), the owner of Optimum Performance Training and champion of the very first CrossFit Games.
OPT • Commercial from OptimumPerformanceTraining on Vimeo.
Admiring OPT’s work and clients from afar, I began following OPT’s CrossFit Calgary WODs, and later his “Big Dawg” blog and programming. Within a few months I began to notice new changes in my over-all body composition as well as new strength gains. His programming reflects his extensive and varied knowledge in many aspects of health and fitness: from exercise physiology and nutrition to the study of human motivation and perseverance when faced with mental or physical challenges. Based on his dedicated study and tons of “tried and true” empirical data, OPT presents “the best of all worlds” in one cohesive package to produce dramatic results.
Christmas Surprises!
Gifted with a new fitness website and blog by my family Christmas morning, I’ve felt an overwhelming need to become more accountable than ever. Despite recent gains I must admit I have continued to enjoy the freedom of “doing it my way” – scaling the Big Dawg WODs to suit my needs and my busy schedule, working out at my own pace, and working out without posting results in the comment section as instructed. I’m one of those controlling, stubborn, fiercely independent, older women that truthfully prefer “to answer to no one”. By keeping workouts comfortable and convenient, I wondered if I was holding myself back from achieving more. It was time to find out if I was actually my own worst enemy.
7 weeks ago I “stepped up to the plate” and contacted OPT to begin a formal coaching program under his supervision. My goal was to not only improve my performance, but more importantly to meet minimum performance requirements to be eligible to participate in OPT’s extensive Coaching Certification Program. Via skype online video consultations, regular emails exchanges, nutrition recommendations and monthly program designs, I have learned working with OPT goes beyond reporting my progress and being accountable. The last few weeks my fitness and nutrition knowledge base has expanded:
I have also refocused my determination to “get comfortable with uncomfortable” and have been inspired to push beyond previous roadblocks to reach new limits resulting in new PR’s (and sore muscles after every single workout) to prove it! At the ripe age of 45, when I’ve been told “it’s all downhill from here”, I have continued to experience positive changes in both my health and fitness level as a result of OPT’s guidance and programming. I am enjoying this new journey. I am so excited about the possibilities! Pura Vida!
The following is a sampling of OPT info and videos. Enjoy!
OPT Websites
OPT Certifications
OPT the Family Man
Cheryl,
It says here that Cheryl has a new blog. I say, it's about damn time. Cheryl has been accumulating knowledge and experience about the serious side of exercise for a while now, and I can't think of a better ambassador for barbell training to women who typically refuse to consider its benefits. One look at Cheryl dispells any apprehensions they may have regarding the aesthetic effects, and she is quite capable of explaining the health and fitness advantages to this group of folks in desparate need of a better way to approach their exercise prescription.
Cheryl, I hope this message finds you well. I think we all at one point had an aha moment about why we do the things we love to do. When I first came upon CrossFit I knew that my world would be turned upside down. I’ve learned so much and am so grateful for the people like you that make my fitness journey such an exciting one. I honestly do what I do and strive to become better at what I do because of genuine people like yourself. Take pride and be passionate about what you do and how you do it. Get comfortable with uncomfortable is a theme we’ve chosen here at OPT, because we believe that getting into this uncomfortable zone unfolds many life lessons. Here’s hoping you teach others about this, make it happen, all the best.
EvolvingHealthConcepts