Here at CrossFit Zone, we are known to sing the praises of the Zone Diet plan. Another important dietary plan that aligns itself with the CrossFit ideals is the Paleo Diet. For those of you who attended the Eat Well seminar recently, you will be familiar with this eating plan. For those of you who didn’t, here are some Paleo facts.
The Paleo Diet is a way of eating in the modern age that best mimics diets of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Humans perform best when they eat combinations of lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. By eating the foods that we as humans are genetically adapted to eat, followers of the Paleo Diet are naturally lean, have acne-free skin, improved athletic performance, and are experiencing relief from numerous metabolic-related and autoimmune diseases.
How is this diet different? With readily available modern foods in grocery stores today, The Paleo Diet mimics the types of foods every single person on the planet ate prior to the Agricultural Revolution, which was 500 generations ago. These foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and seafood, are high in beneficial nutrients. Nutrients like soluble fiber, antioxidant vitamins, phytochemicals, omega-3 fats, monounsaturated fats, and low-glycemic carbohydrates promote good health. These foods are suprisingly low in things like refined sugars, saturated and trans fats, salt, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and processing chemicals that frequently may cause weight gain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and numerous other health problems. The Paleo Diet encourages dieters to eliminate dairy and grain products from their diet, and replace them with fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods are more nutritious than whole grains or dairy products. Most importantly, the Paleo Diet is focused on consuming only non-processed and chemical-free foods, which are so important to your body’s health!
How does the Paleo diet differ from popular fad diets? The Paleo Diet is the unique diet to which our species is genetically adapted. This program of eating was not designed by diet doctors, fads, or nutritionists, but rather by Mother Nature’s wisdom acting through evolution and natural selection. The Paleo Diet is based upon extensive scientific research examining the types and quantities of foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate. It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic!
If you need more convincing, check out this excellent video. In a simple, easy to follow sequence, it explains the reasons why the Paleo Diet makes so much sense. It also provides you with some important information about the way the world views food in general. Watch it, and educate yourself!
Today’s Workout:
Buy In – High Hang Snatch Pull – from knees to “pockets” to jumping shrug with arms straight (PVC to light bar/ weighted bars for advanced) – 15 min.
The purpose of this drill is to focus on developing the maximum power in the snatch at the top of the movement – at heavier weights, the “pop” of the hips forward and upwards creates the last crucial bit of momentum on the bar. People who pull too early with the arms or have the bar drift out at the top of the movement will lose power and will not make heavier
lifts.
WOD – “Test Day”
5 attempts to get your best weight for one repetition in:
• Front squat
• Shoulder Press
2-3 attempts (if you need them!) to get your maximum number of:
• Pullups
Cash Out – 3x(5 dislocates with PVC, 5 deep overhead squats with 2 sec
pause at bottom).
