The winner of the Spring 2011 CFSB Paleo Challenge was Lauren R. and the runners up were Danielle B. and Ash J. Check out the Challenge summary post and their write-ups and results below.
Lauren R.
I thought at the beginning of the Paleo challenege that 6 weeks was a long period of time over which I would have mastered the paleo diet, developed my own Paleo blog, had the energy of a 2 year old, and looked like this. More practically, 6 weeks was long enough to see the changes that give me faith to keep going, and to have a grasp on how to eat and live Paleo consistently regardless of work, social life, and food cravings. One of the fortunate and unfortunate things is I’ve become in-tune with how I feel. I’ve eliminated excuses (like I’m hungover, I ate crappy food, all I consumed today was coffee with my favorite hazelnut creamer) for not having energy or not feeling great. By not destorying my body on a regular basis I started to get spoiled about what feeling good means. If I don’t get enough sleep I feel a mild form of a hangover. If I eat too much fruit my stomach hurts. I realized there was more than just eating paleo to feeling good..manage stress, get your ass to Crossfit (but don’t overtrain), and sleep enough were bigger factors than I realized.
Another thing that was difficult is the information overload. It’s important to warn people that this diet that will change our lives won’t always be on a pedestal in our day to day world. Anyone who takes on Paleo should be prepared to trust what their hearts and brains are telling them and cater it to your own bodies and environments. Even after I saw such amazing results, I had days where people gave me unsolicited “advice” that made me doubt what I was doing and feel confused. It seems natural to question what you are doing and why you are doing it. Just keep seeking founded answers and you should be on your road to paleo. Overall I am so glad I did the challenge, I’m leaner, healthier, stronger, and motivated to keep going. I would recommend that everyone give it a shot. I don’t miss 95% of the stuff I gave up….and have discovered so many things I was missing out on.
Here’s a synopsis:
Week 1: The Torrance farmers market was the coolest thing I could be doing, learning the names of fruits and vegetables I’d never used or heard of, learning how much better a strawberry should actually taste…watching Danielle become addicted to frozen cherimoya. My sister also came to visit and I subjected her to liver and onions with parsnip mash. Sorry sis…maybe I could have started her on something more Level 1 Paleo. Favorite food, week 1: Remy’s sweet and savory recipe (involves meat seasoned with cinnamon and other spices)
Week 2: I told everyone I knew the only things I missed were hazelnut Coffeemate, and wine. I did my first hand stand pushup! Wohoo 
After becoming busy and lazy about varying my cooking, I got bored, developed massive cravings, and started to eat fruits and nuts. I realized I needed to allow for some leeway on my fat loss goals and get more creative with my recipes & spices if I was going to last 6 weeks. Favorite food, week 2:Danielle invented brocoli mash, which became my new addiction even though I’ve never been into brocolli.
Week 3: 3 different people told me my skin was glowing by now. I think this was the result of coconut oil (good for skin) and vitamin absorption from getting enough healthy fat intake. Most of my work pants were literally hanging off me and people were commenting on my body regularly at both work and crossfit. Favorite food, week 3: apples sauteed in coconut oil with cocnut flakes and cinnamon.
Week 4: I got really tired. Danielle and I signed up for a triathalon, and I was maxing out on crossfit, work, cooking, and not allowing enough time for sleep or rest. I may have also been undereating. Some guy at my work told me that I should think about where I was losing the weight and whether it would be the preference of the opposite sex I was trying to attract. I’m pretty sure Remy would have shot him if I had introduced them. Favorite food, week 4: Lavendar and rosemary anything. The key is using fresh herbs. Sauteed, the herbs taste like crunchy oily goodness..can’t believe its good for me.
Week 5: PR’d my deadlift after several attempts. Another proud moment. Actually I jumped on John Moery out of excitement. Still tired and not getting enough sleep but starting to figure it out. Favorite food, week 5:sliced bananas, nuts and coconut flakes sprinkled over a baking pan and lightly toasted in the oven. Tastes so amazing..doesn’t necessary help with fat loss but ok for cravings. We finally made cocoa a coco (dark chocolate powder – no sugar – mixed with coconut oil). It was really bitter but when mixed with the sugar in fresh fruit…tastes like pre-paleo dessert. Also.. Bacon, bacon, bacon
Week 6: Finally slept. Alot. Also finally lost 1/2 inch in my waist (last place to respond to the diet). Got food poisening, which all kinds of people told me was b/c paleo weakened my immune system or something, but got past it with some good recommendations for supplements and more water and sleep. Favorite food week 6: Salmon covered with sauteed mushrooms and rhubarb…its not just for pie
It has been an exciting journey to uncover some truths about health, see rapid changes in my body and receive so many compliments on the physical appearance of my changes. I have and continue to become in-tune with which foods affect me how, and concede to my need for more sleep. Its also been really fun getting into the “urban forager” stuff as Remy calls it.
A: Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space ParkFavorite motivational phrase you like shouted at you while working out: I’m going to be complimented and motivated if anyone cheers for me no matter what they are saying.
A: November, 2010. I did ELEMENTS and would never look back. I learned so much valuable information that I never would have learned in on-ramp that I use to this day when I think about setting up for lifts, and using my body efficiently. The personalized advice and attention I received in Elements got me past a recurring back injury in a matter of only a few weeks.
A: I like to workout in general, especially with friends. I love snowboarding, music, cooking, socializing, good wine, traveling and exploring, and just getting out of my comfort zone on a regular basis.
A: I played soccer, water polo, and swim team in high school, then turned into mush in college libraries trying to get through engineering. I’ve always enjoyed picking up almost any sport socially. I’ve never been amazing at any of them but always improve with a little time and effort.
A: General: I guess I would say hiking the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, followed by a 30 mile backpacking trip into the virgin rain forrest in Costa Rica. I felt physically in great shape and the combination of some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen with the athletic challenge together was amazing. Crossfit: My proudest accomplishment at CF has been to see myself go from struggling with air squats and a back injury to feeling strong and confident at 113lbs back squat. It may not be a large number relative to the women I compare myself to, but feeling mobility in my lower squat that I never had before, and not being afraid to hurt myself anymore is priceless.
A: As an athlete I can’t wait until I’m completing WODs at RX. I will be so proud of myself when that happens. As a woman, I’ve always wanted tiny toned abs and muscular shaped hamstrings…and never found anything (athletic or nutrition) that got me there. I’m putting my faith in Paleo and CF and hoping for the best.
A: It makes me feel stronger and more capable physically than I’ve ever felt with another workout. It gets the grump out (thank you endorphins) and it kind of feels like home…like a team…at an age where its hard to have something like that in your daily life.
A: Do it. Throw all of your faith into it. And don’t look back.
A: Rockin Fish (grogs) and Simmzys (pulled pork panino) but I’m afraid to mess around with any of that. After 6 weeks Paleo my stomach genuinely hurts when I have alot of sugar.
Danielle B.
Age: 29
Q:Favorite motivational phrase you like shouted at you while working out:
A:“Pick up the bar D!” “Let’s go!” “Finish this!” “NO REST go straight through.”
Q: How long have you been a member at CFSB?
A: Since mid August so about 7.5 months.
Q: What is your day job?
A: Human Resources Manager for Famima Corporation
Q: What are your other hobbies besides Paleo and CrossFit?
A: Soccer, Snowboarding, Camping, Hiking, Family & Friends, Movies
Q: What is your athletic background?
A: HS – soccer, swimming, track College – Div2 Collegiate soccer & personal trainer/spin instructor Post-College – 2 marathons and many 5k & 10ks
Q: What is your proudest achievement?
A: Mt. Lemmon Marathon 2010 (6k foot vertical climb), deadlifting 2x my body weight.
Q: What are your most desired goals?
A: Ironman, 100m run, own my own CF gym someday & have an amazing family
Q: Why do you CrossFit?
A: Keeps me fit and love the social aspect of it. It makes my world go round.
Q: Any advice for someone thinking about trying CrossFit or someone who has just started?
A: Just get through the first month of classes then decide if you love it or hate it. Go at least 3x a week even when you start out. You will survive and it will make you a better person in so many ways.
10 Greatest Things about Paleo Experience
1. I now have ridiculous self-control around food and drinks.
2. I love things plain like black coffee and raw onions.
3. I never have a fat day. Even when I feel fat I can still see my six-pack though it protrudes a little bit further.
4. I have now resorted to leggings and dresses because my fat jeans fall off and my cute tight jeans are baggy.
5. My skin is more clear and vibrant than ever. I rarely look in the mirror anymore and look old.
6. I’m rarely tired and rarely feel “bad” during a WOD.
7. I can eat bacon and almond butter everyday. I love sucking the grease out of the bacon fat.
8. I appreciate food preparation more and actually make time for it and know exactly what I’m eating for almost every meal. Food is a priority now, not like before.
9. Paleo has become my lifestyle and it goes hand-in-hand with CrossFit.
10. I have become a food snob which is bad, but I will forever be healthier b/c of it.
THANK YOU PALEO! And THANK YOU CrossFit SOUTHBAY!
