Deprivation vs. Self-Mastery

Posted: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 by Mike at CFS in
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I've been thinking a lot this week about the Paleo Diet (that's a shocker, I know). There have been many people who have already commented to me that they know that they couldn't make it through the Food Rehab because that couldn't live without __________(fill in the blank with just about anything). There is clearly also a common sentiment from people on other Paleo sites as well who say that Paleo diet is too restricting diet-wise. Believe me I have already gone through this thought process myself.
In full disclosure, I want you to know that these 30 days are going to be a struggle for me too. Most of the reason why I thought this Food Rehab deal might be good is because I suck at eating and I figured I better make a change soon- and I wanted other people to accompany in my misery. With all that being said, I would like to address the dilemma of the "restrictive diet" from a different angle:
I am a Social Worker with the Child Welfare office in Albany. Everyday I work with drug addicts...everyday. The thing about drug addicts is that helping them recover requires much more then just telling them to quit using drugs. When you're an addict, your world is wrapped up in the drug and how you function in this life is wrapped up in the drug. Your life is organized to best suit the use of the drug. In a sense, you are mastered by the drug and it is calling the shots.
In order to quit most people have to leave friends (sometimes family) behind- a lot of people have to actually move to different cities to get out of the drug culture they were caught up in. It takes a deliberate re-organization of one's thoughts and lifestyle to escape hard-core drug addiction.
Well, I'll tell you what- I am an addict. I am addicted to all of the crap that comes into my mouth on a daily basis. I am addicted to the sugar, the carbs, the junk food, the energy drinks (even if they are sugar free), and definitely beer. I use food to calm my nerves, stresses and anxiety. I use it to celebrate and I use it even when I don't need it. And when I don't have my sugar in the afternoon, I do actually feel shaky. I am mastered by junk food, processed foods, and all other comfort foods. I am an addict. I bet you are too.
Getting rid of our bad eating habits is going to be tough- really tough. We are going to have to figure out ways to fight through the temptations and cravings for bad foods. We are going to have to re-arrange our schedules, perhaps, and even cut out some social activities if you are not strong enough to handle the temptation of your friends drinking shots in front of you.
But I would challenge you to stop looking at this "restrictive diet" in terms of what you cannot eat or drink. Start looking at it in terms of what you can and should eat. You are going to be feeding your body what it actually wants and needs. Instead of complaining about how deprived we are all going to be, start getting excited at the idea that you are about to take control of your own eating habits again. You are about to be the master of your own body.
Food Rehab is not about fasting. It's about becoming the master of yourself, and letting nothing else master you. At the end of Food Rehab if you want to drink soda, than fine- but do it purposefully and controlled, not because you are "deprived" and can't live without it. Perhaps there are other areas of our lives that we can focus on mastering over the next 30 days as well. Maybe we should set some other goals- what do you want your 1 mile run time to be come June 1st? How many pull-ups do you want to do in row? Maybe it extends outside of Crossfit...I definitely watch too much TV (in fact I think I'm probably addicted to that as well)- maybe I should cut back on the television too. Or maybe it has to do with relationships or work ethic... are there other areas?

If you'd like, you can write comments to this post about some other areas of your life that perhaps you would like to master. Take control- let's hold each other accountable and encourage each other towards better health overall. Or maybe this is all just cheesy ramblings in which case you can just disregard. :)

-Mike at Crossfit.

Food Rehab House Rules

Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 by Mike at CFS in
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Here are the conditions of Food Rehab:

1. Phase 1: We're going sugar-free from April 17th-April 30th.
2. Phase 2: We're going strict Paleo Diet from May 1st-May 30th.
3. You must commit, you must not quit! If you are going to quit, then do not sign up! Rehab'rs will buy in for $20. If you quit or fail, you lose your money. If you succeed, you get your $20 back plus the spoils of the fallen.
4. Food logs are required weekly. No log, no $.
5. Use the blog to post comments, struggles, and motivation. We are CFS community!


There have been some common questions already regarding Food Rehab- so I will try and address some of those right off the bat.

Q: Can I commit to a different diet? (Zone, sugar-free, etc)
A: CFS Food Rehab is doing a strict Paleo diet. With that being said, you are more than welcome to join us in improving your nutrition through partaking in whatever food plan you wish or by simply continuing without sugar for the full 30 days. However, CFS will not hold you accountable for other food plans. We simply don't have the time to look over every food log each week and compare to other customized food plans- so we are keeping it simple and will only check the food logs of those participating in the Food Rehab plan.

We will also be talking a bit about why CFS has chosen the Paleo plan and the benefits of it, so hopefully you will be swayed to try the Paleo with us for the 30 days.

Please do still join us and receive the support and encouragement of your community no matter what though. We will motivate you and push you on the reach your goals no matter what!

Q: There are some differences in different Paleo food lists (some include dairy and other things and some do not)? Which one do we use?
A: You will find that about 95% of the Paleo foods are agreed upon across various articles and blogs. There are very few that people differ on. For Food Rehab, you are welcome to pick a plan that is good for you and meets your goals and beliefs. You must, however, have documentation as to why you are eating what your eating. For instance, if you want to eat green beans that's fine- but you must provide an article or food list talking about the benefits of green beans and why they are Paleo appropriate. We will do our best to provide you with some resources as well. Start thinking and researching for yourselves- increase your fitness IQ!!

If you have any more questions, please post to comments...

Why Food Rehab?

Posted: by Mike at CFS in
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Why Food Rehab?

One of the bottomline motives and inspirations of CrossFit is this: "We train so that we can be better at life." CrossFit was never intended to be a faddish workout. Crossfit is functional in its methodology and holistic in its approach. When we categorize/specialize workouts and use isolation techniques we become limited in our fitness- so, by definition, CrossFit specializes in "not specializing," and includes a ridiculous number of movements and challenges when working out.

The problem is that many people, myself included, often stop the pursuit of fitness the second they leave the box. Sure I say that I am fit, and that I am mastering my body and pushing it to new levels- but what happens when there is a plate of food in front of me rather than a whiteboard with the latest WOD printed on it? Am I just as dedicated to my body and health and fitness when tempted with nasty sugars. Again we say, "We train so that we can be better at life." Well life is more than just an hour a day lived at the CFS box. How's the rest of your life? How is your training?

If your eating habits don't line up with your workout intensity, then you are not fully pursuing fitness. CrossFit is holistic and aims at improving you in every sense of your life. We've got to step up our game. What would our FRAN times look like if we kicked all the crap that we eat the 23 hours of the day that we're not down at CFS?

So why Food Rehab? Because you owe it to yourself, because you need to master your own body and cravings, because it will improve your Fran time, because it is the next great pursuit of fitness at CFS.

Join us in Food Rehab!