Don't Sabotage Your Workout With Poor Nutrition

One of the biggest things I learned when I stepped into the world of health and fitness was that nutrition and workouts go together like a please and thank you. If you focus on only one you are cutting yourself short. Focus on both, and you'll see your performance progress and weight get in line.

If you just eat healthy but aren't active, no bueno. And conversely, if you work hard but don't align your nutrition, well you won't win the fight that way either. Shed your silent tear now and move on. 

Bob Harper, Biggest Loser Trainer, was featured in The Huffington Post and Harper touts that nutrition is the center. 

"It is all about your diet," Harper said. "I used to think a long time ago that you can beat everything you eat out of you and it's just absolutely not the case."

IN THE BEGINNING 
As a crossfit elements coach I got to speak with a broad range of people, from desk jockeys with zero activity to endurance athletes, strong men and everything in between. The most common issue I encountered on the nutrition front is an inability to cook. Very sad. Moving on. The next most common nutrition issue is athletes who are stuck in a rut cooking or buying the same old thing and don't think they can change.  They simply don't know where to start.

DON'T GET TOO COMPLICATED
Regardless of what you choose to do I believe the key to long-term nutrition change is not over complicating the matter. If you are making a life change it really needs to be easy to achieve FOR LIFE. And don't go b*lls out all at once making too many changes at the same time. Pick a few things a week to achieve. I know there are those rare people who seem to be able to make superhero changes and not waiver. I bow to you all. They are few and far between friend. Once you have a regularity in your commitment to fitness move on to adjusting your nutrition step-by-step.

WE ALL START SOMEWHERE 
If you've been in or around the crossfit community or any other fitness regimine for a while you likely know that many crossfitters subscribe to a paleo, zone or primal blueprint lifestyle. As prescribed by Crossfit HQ you should be eating:

• Meat
• Vegetables
• Nuts and berries
• Some fruit
• Little starches
• No sugar

Going Paleo Without Going Broke

Easy food/snack ideas to get you going:

• Boiled eggs: Boil a dozen up and use throughout the week as a quick on the go snack or part of lunch.
• Left overs from dinner: Cook good evening meals and make enough for lunch the next day. It will help you avoid making poor meal decisions when you are so hungry you want to chew your arm off.
• Kale chips: Super easy to make and have on hand as a snack.
• Avocado: Excellent on the go food. Slice in half and eat out of the husk.
• Nuts: Make small container with a handful of nuts. Stack them in the pantry for easy snacks or for packing a lunch.
• Seasonal fruits and vegies: If it's in season eat it. Fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, etc., etc. If Asian pears are in season grab one. Be adventurous. 

So, let's get down to the bottom line. If you truly want to see progress and maximize your crossfit work then you need to make changes to your nutrition in addition to WODing regularly. Take that first step, make a few changes and then dive in.