I am happy to see that people are taking advantage of our workouts - keep up the good work! I don't know about you guys, but by the end of each week I am looking forward to some much deserved rest.
At any rate, there have been some inquiries regarding nutrition, supplements and recovery / rest. If you refer to "Our Favorite Links," you will find some useful resources. My primary nutritional outlet is Mark's Daily Apple - the author, Mark Sisson, debunks popular nutritional myths and shares his dietary habits with readers.
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**UPDATE: Check out this interesting article on grains: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-grains-are-unhealthy/#comment-734862
Let me know what you guys think.
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Supplements have been a matter of debate since whey protein began to hit the shelves. Many of us use a pre-workout supplement (N.O. products) and post-workout recovery drink (whey protein). If you want to introduce supplements into your routine, do some research. Figure out what you need (energy, rapid recovery, focus, etc.) and browse various bodybuilding forums to find the product you're looking for. A good place to start: discussbodybuilding.com and bodybuilding.com - both of these websites have customer reviews and detailed descriptions of each product they carry.
Finally, rest and recovery. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for those sore muscles is to work them out. You will find that we occasionally post WODs titled "Active Recovery Days." These days are simply designed to get the blood flowing throughout your body and losen up areas of fatigue. Now, rest days (doing absolutely nothing) are extremely important, especially if you follow a schedule that lacks periodization like ours. Two rest days per week are ideal...but if you find yourself going stir-crazy, you may limit it to one and substitute the other for an active recovery day. A rule of thumb I use: I try to be totally repaired and fatigue-free every Monday.
I hope you find this information helpful. If you would like to discuss any of this further, don't hesitate to hit me up.
Happy training.
I've been researching these primitive, neanderthal, low-carb, carnivore diets for months now and the biggest problem I seem to find with transitioning to this diet is a variable I can't fix. This diet isn't cheap, especially now that my income is only enough to scrape by. Nuts, fresh meats, fresh veggies and fruits, aren't cheap at least from what I see when I grocery shop. My question is, what would I spend aprrox. each week transitioning to this diet? Where do you recommend shopping around here?
ReplyDeleteFood follows the same law as most consumer goods - you get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right; sponsoring a neanderthal lifestyle is not as cheap (nor convenient) as swinging through the Mickey D's drivethru...but there are creative ways to minimize your wallet's abuse. Here are a few techniques I use when grocery shopping:
1. Shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Unless you live in SoCal, fruit and vegetable prices vary with the changing seasons. For example, in the winter months root vegetables (squash, turnips, etc.) can be grown locally. Local production means zero travel expense and a much cheaper product. Familiarize yourself with which fruits and vegetables correspond with the various seasons.
2. Shop around. It is not uncommon for me to shop at 2 or 3 grocery stores to fulfill one week's worth of groceries. I prefer Kroger for my meat and produce, Trader Joe's for nuts and trail mixes and Costco for any bulk items (Mahi Mahi filets, olive oil, etc.). Simply find bargains that suit your needs.
3. Food should be your wallet's priority. Before you purchase the latest technological device, the new t-shirt from the mall or opt for the premium package through your cable company, check out the status of your fridge. The only payment I have that tops my monthly grocery damage is the rent - I intend to keep it that way.
4. Stick to the basics. Eggs, apples, hearts of romane, carrots, celery, chicken breast, etc. These items are typically available year-'round...and cheap! Save the NY Strips and Filet Mignon for special occasions.
I hope you find these tips helpful. If not, let me know and we can tackle this in greater depth. Happy eating.
How did your body react to cutting out grains, with the adjustment to little to no carbs? I was unfortunately born Italian so you can imagine that pasta and bread play a huge role in my diet since being a little tike. Even without a low carb diet my body constantly freaks out when I don't get enough carbs, so I'll eat some pasta or something with bread until it goes away. Irregular insulin levels run in the familly. How did your body handle this transition? I hear if your body does act negatively it can last up to 2 months until it adjust.
ReplyDeleteContrary to popular belief, zero grains does not equal zero carbs. I simply get my carbs from starchy vegetable sources (all types of squash, yams, sweet potatoes, etc.) and leafy greens.
ReplyDeleteInstead of yammering on about how grains are the devil, I strongly suggest that you read the article posted above.
That said, I do have my cheat days. Lets face it, life without pizza is...well...bleak. I still appreciate a fresh scone or piece of italian bread every once in a while. When I cheat, I CHEAT. But for the most part, grains are completely 86'd from my diet and I couldn't be happier.