The Paleo/Crossfit Challenge: Week 1

So how did the first week of the challenge go?

Okay, I'll admit.  I was NOT 100% paleo.  :/  Paleo fail!  I had bread 3 times, beans once and a pumpkin spice latte once the first week.  I feel so guilty about that and I can't cheat like that anymore.  Gotta clean it up more if I wanna see bigger/better results.

My purse: looks like a kitchen pantry. So many paleo snacks so I don't go off track and buy a candy bar if I'm hungry. Apple, baby food mush, mixed nuts (no peanuts), banana, carrots.

Life Savers
Trader Joe's Cold Brew Coffee.  Add unsweetend almond milk and daily allowance of Stevia. Yum!  Not really sweet, but the stevia makes it less bitter.  It also prevents me from getting sugary coffee from starbucks.


Frozen grapes.  They are so good and they totally satisfy my sweet tooth after dinner.





New Obsession
Brussel Sprouts - cook bacon in EVOO or Coconut Oil.  Add brussel sprouts, let crisp/brown - about 5 mins.  Add balsamic vinager (not vinagrette) and water to pan.  Cover and let steam for 5 mins.  So good!















WOD 1 - Level I

I started CF mid-July of this year so I'm fairly new. I completed my first challenge WOD on 9/18/2013.

WOD 1, Level I was as follows:
18 min AMRAP
21-18-15-12-9-6-3
8lb Wall Balls
55lb Deadlifts
12" Box Jumps

OMG, this WOD totally kicked my butt!! The wall balls were tough! The line was higher than I normally use and I almost had to jump a little to get the ball up to the line. I felt light headed at times during the WOD and my legs felt a little shakey during the box jumps. I felt pretty solid with the deadlifts though. My coaches and other crossfitters were cheering us on, which helped me push harder. I almost made it through the complete WOD! I made it further than I thought I would. My score was 18:14. Which means I made it through 81 Wall Balls, 81 Deadlifts, and 76 Box Jumps...all in 18 minutes. WOW. That's a lot! I think I did well for being a beginner and now I have something to work for....COMPLETING the WOD when it comes back around at the end of this challenge.

WOD 3 - Level 1

WOD 3, Level 1 - The Hang Power Clean Sprint
5 min AMRAP

The Rep Sequence

Round 1
10 45lb Hang Power Cleans
20 Meter Sprint

Round 2
8 45lb Hang Power Cleans
40 Meter Sprint

Round 3
6 45lb Hang Power Cleans
60 Meter Sprint

Round 4
4 45lb Hang Power Cleans
80 Meter Sprint

Round 5
2 45lb Hang Power Cleans
100 Meter Sprint

 

I finished at 4 minutes 10 seconds.  I'm just happy I finished under the 5 minutes!  I was definately out of breath by the end of this WOD.  I just went hard though.  My legs felt a little shakey when running and I had a few no reps.  When I got tired, I forgot that I had to deadlift it and then do the power clean, and another time I just didn't get the bar up all the way.

 

 

Inspired to get back on Paleo

What did you give up for lent?  I decided to challenge myself to be healthier and get back on paleo.  My goal is to eat mostly paleo, allowing myself 2 cheat meals a week. 

My boyfriend, Chivo, inspired me to get back on paleo.  He's been very good about eating mostly paleo foods, even when I was eating whatever I wanted.  He said he really feels a difference since he's been on paleo.  He doesn't need naps like he use to, and his body is looking more defined - which I am totally loving!  I think his love for Crossfit is what originally inspired him to start paleo because he'd hear about it at the box from the people he'd work out with and from articles that he'd read online.  He really is turning into a fine tuned machine!  He just got his L1 Crossfit Certification, which taught him even more about nutrition and his Crossfit form.  I must say that it really inspires me to do better for myself.  I want to get in better shape.  I'm not too worried about being tiny, I just want to be toned and healthy.  We are going to the Smokies in May and I gotta get in better shape so I can keep up with Chivo and all the hiking he has planned for us!  Chivo has been showing me some Crossfit moves and he's challenged me to do 25 push-ups and 25 air squats a day.  I've done so so on this challenge so far.  I gotta step it up!  The squats aren't so bad, but the push-ups are murder!!  My arms are weaklings.

So I've been back on paleo for almost 2 weeks now.  I've done pretty well about eating mostly paleo, although I think I have cheated a little more than 2 times a week.  It's hard to not having any grains, legumes, corn, etc!  Monday's and Wednesday's are my most difficult because I go straight from work to school at lunchtime and the campus eateries aren't really all that paleo friendly.  They have lots of sandwich shops.  So most of the time, I'll have a Core Power protein shake.  I know it's not 100% paleo but I think it's better than eating a sandwich and chips. 

I do much better when I plan ahead and bring plenty of paleo friendly munchies with me.  And let me tell you, Trader Joe's is my new best friend.  I think we go there at least once week.  That place is amazing!  Organic, healthy and affordable.  You can find dried fruit that has no added preservatives or sugar.  Lots of fresh veggies and fruit.  A nice variety of meats, and delicious bacon chunks. 

I like the way I feel on paleo.  I ran a 5K this past weekend and I ran more than I have before.  I feel like I have more energy, I'm happier, I feel leaner and better about myself.  When I say happier, I'm serious!  I've noticed that things are making me laugh more.  That kind of laugh that is contagious and makes your eyes tear up.  I've noticed that during cheat meals, I get full very fast when I eat grains and then I feel kinda miserable afterwards - bloated, and that Thanksgiving-full feeling.  That feeling makes it easier to stick to paleo.  I'm working on getting better!  Did I mention that I've lost 5 lbs in the last 3 weeks??  I started a C25K program and paleo.  I'm really enjoying my results so far.

I really like the way my life is going right now.  I got a promotion at work to Sr. Civil Designer.  I'm following through with my goal to run a 5K without stopping - using the C25K program.  I'm Vice President of Enactus University of Houston and I'm in charge of planning and organizing a 5K.  I have a great boyfriend, I'm getting into shape and we have a vacation planned to go to the Smoky Mountains!

 

Run for Recess 5K - which benefits James D. Ryan Middle School's music progam.  I've found some great sponsors so far - Wal-mart, Fleet Feet and Core Power.  For more info on the 5K, click here.  Or Register for the run on active.com.  I really enjoy being in Enactus, but next semester I don't think I'm going to be an officer so I can focus more on Enactus projects and my working out.