CrossFit

[Myka]

You guy aren't really putting the thread off-topic, it's really just fitness discussion.

Darryl, yes I've heard of MyFitnessPal. I do have it on my phone, and I use it for a few days in a row a couple times a month just to see what I'm doing. What is IIFYM?

I've already lost 2 lbs since starting CrossFit which is comforting. I don't think I need to lose weight but I do know that I'm 12 lbs heavier now as a truck driver than I was as a carpenter 5 years ago, plus my body fat percentage is much higher. I'm just plain ole out of shape. I've also been having some knee soreness and sciatic nerve pain in my left hip/leg, so it's time to do something before it becomes a real problem.

From my uneducated point of view, it seems the gym I picked is very good. They don't push me beyond my limits and they hold back new people from lifting heavy until the movements are well developed. The trainers all seem to know how far I can be pushed, and push me to do my best, but not so far that I am pushed beyond my limits.

[reefermadness]

Sorry. IFFYM is IF IT FITS YOUR MACROS or some are now calling it DCA (discretionary calorie allowance). Basically you set your calorie intake for your goals, get the optimal macros (protein/fat/fiber and maybe carbs) for muscle growth and/or retention and if you like you can use some discretionary calories for a treat.

Here are some links....if you have any question you could PM me.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=133634471
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=156380183

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I count everything I eat, and only eat single ingredient foods.

so when I come down next, its a good thing pizza is a basic food group

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I used to be close to 300 pounds many years ago, and I couldn't stand it.

yup you were close I was 300 when I met you after my knee repairs.
the problem I am finding now, while I am stronger and more fit than I was sense before I even met you I am still stuck around that 240ish mark. to aggravate this I have chronic Osteoarthritis. so both knees, 3 places in my back/neck, and in my right shoulder. while the pain is considerably less than it was down in Victoria (less humidity here) when I try do something it will flair up. my Dr. thinks it amazing I can play hockey at the level I am now. then I also do not work a traditional mon to Friday work week, I do two days, two nights then 4 days off. I work 12 hour shifts, so my normal day is I wake up at say 5:40 am, 20 min later I am out the door I walk back in the door from work at 9pm, am in bed by 9:30. on my switch over day I stay up till midnight, wake up at 5 am then back in bed by 9am so I can sleep and switch over to my nights. my first day off is sleeping, so basically I have 3 days off, which I have to fit in the kids schedules, coaching hockey, playing hockey, yard work, house repairs ect...

I have adjusted what I take to work for lunches and I have been losing a pound or two a month, so I am thinking of just starting up the old diet again and going back to the 5 lbs a week I was losing on that.

some times I really envy people who have time to work out, my only free time that is not contested is hockey.

oh Mindy, don't forget the before/after photos

Steve

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

so when I come down next, its a good thing pizza is a basic food group

lol, I had pizza last year just because, and was sick for 2 days. I eat too clean now that if I do eat something "junky", I feel it for days. Not worth it, and I don't enjoy it now.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

lol, I had pizza last year just because, and was sick for 2 days. I eat too clean now that if I do eat something "junky", I feel it for days. Not worth it, and I don't enjoy it now.

haha, I kinda go throught the same thing but thats becuse there is no good pizza in kamloops anymore so when I actualy find good stuff, it is a shock on the system

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

lol, I had pizza last year just because, and was sick for 2 days. I eat too clean now that if I do eat something "junky", I feel it for days. Not worth it, and I don't enjoy it now.

I can't even imagine the reaction you would have had since you've been "eating clean" for so long! I got a reaction from sugar just from being off sugar for a few weeks and I've never been a big sugar eater either. A couple days ago the other half wanted pizza really bad. I ordered a chicken pizza with green and black olives, and mushrooms. Before the pizzas arrived I ate a couple servings of veggies (green beans and fresh beets) so I wouldn't overeat, and when the pizzas arrived I scraped the toppings off mine and threw away the bread. I kind of cringed when I did it, but I can honestly say that I didn't miss the bread.

I really admire your level of dedication. I used to think I could never get like that, but I am definitely starting to see changes in my cravings. I used to love bread, but now I don't miss it. I used to have real issues with using anything but sugar in my morning coffee, now I am quite fine with just a touch of honey. I changed my yogurt to grass fed organic. I'm making my own clarified butter from grass fed organic butter because I can't find any locally yet. I switched milk and coffee cream to lactose free. I made Paleo-friendly pumpkin pie with ingredients such as coconut flour. I have removed grains from my diet to avoid GMO foods - except for popcorn once a week or so. I am on the hunt for non-GMO corn kernels, but I am not sure if they even exist anymore. I haven't been able to locate a reasonably priced source for organic and grass fed/free run meats yet - I'm working on that too. I have also cut back on fruit and really upped my veggies.

Right now, I'm trying to switch everything for the better, not necessarily for the best. I need steps to make it. I know I will fail and give up if I go too far too fast.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

Right now, I'm trying to switch everything for the better, not necessarily for the best. I need steps to make it. I know I will fail and give up if I go too far too fast.

Good plan. It takes time, and to just go "cold turkey" can be tough. But I haven't eaten bread this year, haven't had sugar in years and dairy is limited to the odd spoonful of greek yogurt.
Something I find is great for morning coffee is coconut milk with a bit of coconut oil, sweetened slightly with liquid stevia. No sugar (as opposed to honey), and the fats from coconut are incredibly good for you.
My version of pizza is made with ground turkey as the crust, and healthy toppings. Finding tomato sauce with added sugar is tough, but it's out there.
The reactions to junk are funny. In Feb I had a piece of my kid's bday cake and I was high for 2 hours!! Flushed, ears hot, etc, really not a good feeling -lol
All my beef is grass fed, as the omega 3 content is so much higher. I can't find grass fed butter here, so just stick to coconut oil for most things.
One thing that I find really helps is supplementing with fish oil (if you don't eat a ton of fish) as it helps with so much. I take 5g/day. Other supplements should include zinc and magnesium, both helping with hormone function.
One thing to remember is now that you're doing something as strenuous as crossfit, make sure you eat enough to fuel the workouts AND the rest of your body function. I find that the further I do this, the more I have to eat just to continue losing weight (weird, right??). I also recommend taking some BCAA during your workout to ensure you're not burning muscle tissue. Just use powdered form in your water bottle.

[reefermadness]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'm just gonna pretend I didn't read that

Why's that Brad? I dont practice it myself but it works. I just dont have the drive or determination to count macro's (protein,fat,carbs) and calories. I do try to keep a very rough count of my protein and try to eat enough good fat though.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefermadness

Why's that Brad? I dont practice it myself but it works. I just dont have the drive or determination to count macro's (protein,fat,carbs) and calories. I do try to keep a very rough count of my protein and try to eat enough good fat though.

Mostly it's used as an excuse to eat garbage. It's like Keifer's back loading, where he suggests downing a box of fruity pebbles after your workout (they're gluten free, you know!). But find someone under 8% BF using that, few and far between.
Same with IIFYM. While it's got some merits, it's loaded with excuses, and the old "everything in moderation", which, depending on your goals, will only give moderate results. The issue is every program in existence will work for somebody, but most won't work for a lot of bodies. And telling someone to eat ice cream if it fits their macros is just poor advice. Unless you're ok with not getting below 12 or 14% BF. But most physique trainees are after more, and for most, it will be a long struggle.
If you're more than casually interested in training nutrition, google Phil Learney podcasts, some great info.

[reefermadness]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Mostly it's used as an excuse to eat garbage. It's like Keifer's back loading, where he suggests downing a box of fruity pebbles after your workout (they're gluten free, you know!). But find someone under 8% BF using that, few and far between.
Same with IIFYM. While it's got some merits, it's loaded with excuses, and the old "everything in moderation", which, depending on your goals, will only give moderate results. The issue is every program in existence will work for somebody, but most won't work for a lot of bodies. And telling someone to eat ice cream if it fits their macros is just poor advice. Unless you're ok with not getting below 12 or 14% BF. But most physique trainees are after more, and for most, it will be a long struggle.
If you're more than casually interested in training nutrition, google Phil Learney podcasts, some great info.

I know what you are saying but the people who use it purely as an excuse to eat junk all the time don't get the point and dont know what they are doing that give it a bad name. You still have to get the bulk of your diet from good wholesome foods....it just allows you indulge a bit if you build it into your diet. a bowl of Ice cream doesnt automatically make you fat......calories and in activity make you fat.

All it is watching your calories and getting your basic macro nutrient needs met. After that you decide what you want to fill the rest of your caloric intake with. Whether you decide to have a treat or not. It basically allows you to build in some cheat, making a diet much easier to stick with. Its flexible dieting. No reason to eat 100% raw, natural "clean" foods. You are much more likely to cheat anyway if you try to do this. The good news is if you get your lean body mass up and your metabolism going you get more calories and essentially cheat a bit more.

And your very wrong about nobody using IIFYM to get super lean.....there are tons. I got to likely 10% myself this summer and I wasn't really using IIFYM just some of the principles.....I eat a lot of chicken, salad, eggs,nuts etc. but I didnt always say no to the hamburgers and ice cream either. Its not race for me.....sure I could get there faster by being more strict but ya gotta live.