Summer Paleo Challenge Complete!

Louie has a sense of humor

This Sunday was the conclusion of the Summer Paleo Challenge. Most of you know Louie C. and probably aren’t too surprised that he vanquished the Challenge and are dying to see the before and after pics. Rather clever, passionate and awesome people in my opinion, he and his wife Regan have had their Challenge tales shared by me and others as they learned a great deal over the Challenge. They have some great notes that I shared below. Louie wins the entire Category A (100% paleo, no cheats) cash kitty. Sean M. and Jeff R. are the winners for Category B with some impressive pictures, Challenge Logs and benchmark numbers as well.

Many of the Challengers partially completed the Challenge and took a step in the right direction by doing so. Everyone learned a great deal and had a good deal of positive feedback and new ideas for future challenges.

The next Paleo Challenge will start near the end of October and will go through the holiday season. In that time, you’ll have the chance to sign up for a Hunt/Gather/Cook seminar in addition to the Nutrition 101 Seminar. Those interested in redoing the Challenge are more than welcome!

Paleo Challenge winner: Louie C.

Louie’s progress is nothing short of awesome. His matter-of-fact attitude, his passion for cuisine, and his competitive spirit seemed to make the Challenge nothing more than an obvious step in the right direction. Here are some excerpts from his notes during the challenge:

In week one, a sample breakfast entry: “braised beef toppedwith a poached egg; grilled asparagus”

In week two of the Challenge: “Is it impolite to say that I grin when I read about certain competitors eating In-n-Out and tacos during this challenge?  I’ve been hardcore Paleo for 10 days now, and my uniform (I wear a flight suit at work) is BAGGY!  I’m so excited at the result so far.”

A snack in week two: “collard greens w/ bacon; 1 heavily spiced chicken thigh”

In week four of the Challenge: “I’m at the point now where I’m not even tempted to eat crappy food.  I was smiling while I ate my leftover chicken and kale out of a tupperware during lunch.  I remember how I used to feel after eating a huge burrito…NO MORE! 9 lbs lost!  Plenty more to go before week 6.  I’m so glad to be part of this challenge; especially when getting out of bed, KNOWING that I’m more capable of being productive and putting on my uniform which keeps getting baggier!”

A sample breakfast in week four: “scrambled eggs w/ chorizo; wilted spinach (coco oil)”

At the end of the Challenge: “The way I saw it, 6 weeks was going to pass one way or another.  I just wanted to look good at the end of it (and not feel guilty from cheating).”

A sample dinner in the final week: “porterhouse steak w/tomato salad and wilted rainbow chard”

Body fat change: -4%
Waist: -3.5″
Hips: -2.5″
Weight: -16.1 lbs.
Benchmark Lift: Shoulder press before = 155#; after = 175#Weight: -16.1 lbs.
Benchmark WOD: 5 rounds: 10 deadlifts, 40 m sprint, 20 pushups, 40 meter sprint; before = 11:30 @ 155#; after = 10:36 @ 165#

Category B challenger: Regan C.

While Regan didn’t complete the benchmarks, she saw some gains and losses in all the right places.

Body fat change: -3 %
Muscle mass gain: 2 lbs.

Notes from Regan:

The hubby and I decided to give this ‘paleo’ thing a try seeing as how we both had some extra weight we could stand to lose. I went with category ‘B’ just to play it on the safe side. I figured, “if I need some cream and sugar in my coffee then I’ll still be in the running and won’t be losing a whole pot of money.”  Louie went with Category A. As it turns out, I ended up following Category A (aka ‘strict paleo’) with him and I’m so grateful I did. Besides looking and feeling 10 times better, my skin cleared up, the persistent rash on my chin went away, I have a ton of energy, I no longer have a desire for crappy food, not even sugar.

I’m so glad I was up for the ‘challenge’ because now, I no longer view it as a’ challenge’ at all. Although it’s over, I feel like this is just the beginning of my new way of eating. I will continue to implement all that I’ve learned as I find it to be uncomplicated and effortless. I eat as much food as I want, when I want and I never feel deprived.

After six weeks, what I’ve taken away from the challenge is this:

• If you’re truly serious about making a change, this challenge will NOT be that difficult. It will however require time and effort on your part but you most certainly won’t be disappointed with your results.
• It IS possible to eat delicious, nutritious foods. I know because we did so every day.
• If you’re not willing to make the time to cook for yourself (and pack lunches because god knows you’ll need them), then this challenge is pretty much pointless. All half-ass attempts will actually only make it harder. Save yourself six weeks of misery and do it when you’re 100% committed.

Category B winner: Sean M.

Average  change over eight separate skinfold caliper measurements: 12%
Benchmark WOD: 21-15-9 Ball slam @ 30#, pull-ups, power snatch @ 95#; week 1 = 11:55; week 2 = 9:58

Category B. winner: Jeff R.

Jeff was the first and only 7 a.m.-er for a long time, so I’ve almost exclusively gotten to see Jeff’s hard work. And it’s paid dividends in some nice ways since he started CrossFit. His lifts and movements have improved immensely with some mean core strength gains, improved flexibility, and endurance. He was kind of coy about joining the Challenge, not letting on just how well he was doing, but it really started to show in his WODs and when he finally shared his log with me a couple weeks in, my suspicions were confirmed. While he had been cheating all along, it was steady progress.

Waist: – 3″
Hip: – 1″
Chest: – 1″
Weight: – 8 lbs.
Benchmark WOD: “Helen” blue band/1.5pd; week 1 = 12:31; week 2 = 10:58 (with MUCH better pull-ups I might add)
Benchmark Lift: Shoulder Press 2-2-2-2; week 1 = 115#; week 2 = 130#

Notes from Jeff:

I’d been flirting with the idea of taking the challenge for a few weeks before Remy finally convinced me to just give Cat B a try. Despite my reluctance to commit, I did my best to embrace the experience and it wasn’t long before it didn’t feel like a sacrifice to eat differently. I found meat and veggies left me satisfied and I had much more energy throughout the day.  I wasn’t perfect and I know I could’ve done better, but I made some nice gains, improved my diet and most importantly taught me a lot about my eating and drinking habits.

Recipe for the week: Porcine Crock Pot Heaven by Remy

Ingredients put in Crock Pot in hour 1: 2 lbs pork chops, cover with water, 2T garlic powder, 1T dried rosemary, 1/2T dried sage, 3 sliced sweet potatoes. Mix well.

Ingredients put in Crock Pot in hour 6: 2 chopped onions, 1 bunch de-stemmed kale, 1T dried dill, 1 small bunch fresh basil. Let sit for another hour, enjoy!

Workout of the Day 9/29/2010

A. Jerk 5-5-5

B. 5 Rounds
12 Knees to Elbows
12 Push Press or Jerk (95/65)
20M of walking lunges (every 5 lunges stop and do 3 air squats)
180M Run (run from the end of the 20M walking lunges to the 200M mark and back)