Written by Sarah Yee
It’s a new year, and like many people, I’m thinking about my nutrition. Mariah Carey had barely been able to tell us what she wanted for Christmas when cookies, fudge, full spread buffets, and BBQ started showing up every day in my office. My sweet tooth appreciated it, but my energy levels and blood pressure? Not so much.
I’m sure many members here have the same experience each year, so it’s only natural to feel like January is a chance for a reset. Fortunately, MGCF is here to help, including some articles from yours truly.
The logical place to begin is, “why?” Why does MGCF care about what you put on your plate as much as your clean & jerk PR or Fran time? Fitness outside the box
As evidenced by that holiday feeling that we’ve become the stuffed turkey, fitness goes beyond what happens in the hour we’re at the box. We need exercise, but we’re missing half of the equation if we’re not thinking about our nutrition too. But as difficult as handstand walking or a heavy snatch can be, considering our food choices can feel more overwhelming.
After all, if you’ve lived on this Earth for more than a day, you’ve heard some wild stuff about health and diets. There are grapefruit diets, “calories in, calories out” mantras, meal replacement shakes (and tigers and bears, oh my).
We all know that Krispy Kreme and beer isn’t the breakfast of champions, but three almonds and a glass of water or eating half a cow and no veggies won’t cut it for most of us either. There is so much space in between those extremes.
Realistic nutrition for your everyday life
Different goals and different bodies require different nutrition. We are not bodybuilders or runway models or action film stars. If I earned millions to look ripped like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, I would be willing to eat nothing but spinach and white fish for six months too. But I’m not, and I’m willing to bet that none of you are The Rock either. (If you are, please loan me your Hawaiian mansion for a month.)
Sustainable nutrition
CrossFit HQ gives its stance on nutrition in two simple sentences: “Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.”
This will be the guiding principle in these articles; first, because it’s an easily grasped concept but with lots of details and flexibility to discuss, and second, because it works. I have seen it, and maybe you want to, too. Practice, support, & education
Good nutrition is not difficult to understand, but it is hard to do. We are not here to count every calorie or tell you what you should weigh or sneer at what or how much you put on your plate. (Please, smother me with a pillow if I become that obnoxious.)
These articles only aim to help those who want to look at their nutrition as a part of their fitness, so they can use it to improve their performance at the box and in life. There will be a lot of talk about whole/unprocessed foods, common nutritional pitfalls, and yes, cheat meals. I and the MGCF coaches are here for your suggestions and your questions. Interested in more information on nutrition? Sign up for a consultation to discuss your goals HERE.
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