CFSTL 2017 Paleo Challenge
Are you looking for some guidelines and recommendations on nutrition, but not sure where to turn? Would you like to improve markers of health in a positive direction? Do you want to look, feel and perform better? Then the 2017 CrossFit St. Louis Paleo Challenge is a great place to start.
The specifics:
Saturday, Jan 7th, 2017
CrossFit St. Louis (in the bleachers)
Seminar: 12:30-2:00
Price: $50 for members; $75 non members
(bring a check or cash the day you get measured)
Before pics and measurements immediately following
(Men, please bring shorts to take your pictures in; Women, bring a sports bra and shorts)
What to expect
Young coach is measuring his body fat of sporty woman with calipers.
The 2017 Paleo Challenge is a 6 week, whole food nutrition challenge based on an evolutionary template commonly known as “paleo”. The first 30 days consist of a Whole30, which is a 30 day, strict paleo protocol where we remove all foods that are known to be inflammatory like grains, dairy and legumes. During this time, we also cut out all sugar, alcohol and diet sodas. These 30 days allow us to create a baseline of health so we can learn to feel what “good” is supposed to feel like.
After the 30 days, we will reintroduce restricted foods back in very slowly and one at a time so you can see how your body reacts to them. Some people find that they are tolerant to certain foods while others realize that specific foods make them feel worse when they eat them. This is all an experiment
for you to find out what works best for YOU. In addition to nutrition, we will also be working on improving other lifestyle considerations that can make a huge impact in overall health. You will earn “lifestyle points” based on food, exercise, sleep, drinking water, taking supplements (like vitaminD, magnesium and fish oil) and mobility. We take a holistic approach because nutrition is only a small piece of what makes us healthy.
After the 30 days, we start to settle in to a more practical, sustainable type of nutrition plan that is both satisfying and enjoyable while still allowing us to continue to reach our performance and body comp goals.
The paleo “kickoff” seminar is mandatory for anyone who has not done paleo before or has never been to the seminar. I will give you a clear overview about the process, why we do what we do, and how we mean to achieve it. Before pictures and measurements are taken to see if the protocol makes a positive impact on body comp.
Things to consider
Collection of wild berries on a white background
This paleo challenge requires a strong commitment and a willingness to shake things up. If you are unsure about doing it or aren’t ready to do the necessary things that I will be asking of you, then this might not be a good fit. Treat this like a 6 week continuing education class. There will be homework every night. You will be expected to read and learn. Goals must be set and we will create a specific plan for achieving them. You will be part of a team that is counting on you. You will have to forego food and drink that you normally enjoy for at least 30 days. You must be an active participant. If you are ready for a challenge that can start you on a new path to health, then this is for you.
Required reading
The Whole30: The 30 day guide to Total Health and Food Freedom
By Dallas and Melissa Hartwig
Available on Amazon or at local bookstoresa
Optional reading
by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig
By Robb Wolf
Throughout the challenge, I will also be sending you emails with links to blog posts, podcasts, and articles I’d like you to noodle on. The more you know and learn, the better, more informed choices you can make. And that is empowering.
Toward the end of the challenge, we will take “after” photos and measurements and also take note of any health issues that may have responded favorably to the protocol. This challenge is more than weight loss. It is about empowering you to learn more about how to optimally feed your body so you can enjoy a life of health and fitness.
We wrap up the Challenge in February with a Paleo Potluck party at my house and we reveal the winning team and individual male and female winner based on lifestyle points, participation, and body comp changes.
More than anything, I want each participant to achieve something they didn’t think possible…whether it is cutting out diet soda or alcohol for one month, consistently getting 8 hours of sleep each night, reaching their body comp goals, or just learning about nutrition in a way they never have before. That is all winning.
About the group leader:
Leeny Hoffmann is a trainer and rowing instructor at CrossFit St. Louis and has been leading yearly paleo challenges since 2010. She has a degree in biology and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She also received her Precision Nutrition level 1 certification.
More questions? Email Leeny at [email protected] or text or call at 314-960-0696