Most of you, or should I say both or you, that read this will already know that I belong to a little gym called CrossFit Regina where I am both a member as well as a part-time trainer. CFR is promoting a New Year's Challenge of sorts. They are challenging their members to make a change in their lifestyle for the month of January. I thought I would take advantage of this and attempt my own challenge--the Caveman Challenge. In other words, I'm going to go "caveman" for the month of January.
What does this mean? Well, it simply means that I'm going to align my lifestyle with that of paleolithic man. I'm going eat, sleep, and move like my paleolithic ancestors did.
EAT -I'm going to follow the paleolithic diet according to Robb Wolf as closely as I can. This means lots of meat and fish, vegetables, some fruit as well as some nuts and seeds. I'm going to cut out grains, dairy, sugar, and all of the other non-paleo foods out of my diet. This also means taking fish oil each day. I'm going to make sure I drink more water each day. I may also engage in some intermittent fasting once I learn more about it.
SLEEP - I'm going to attempt to get 9+ hours of sleep a night. Now, this might be the hardest part for me as I am something of a night owl. I rarely get to sleep before midnight even on school nights. But I'm halfway through Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival and I'm already convinced that getting more sleep just might be the most important factor in improving my overall health. I'm definitely going to try and put myself to bed earlier. Paleolithic man rose and slept according to the sun and so will I.
MOVE -I'm going to engage in intermittent, intense physical activity much like my hunting and gathering forefathers did thousands of years ago. For cavemen, this meant long walks foraging for food interspersed with intense hunts and frantic fleeing from predators. For me, this means CrossFit. Traditionally, I followed the 3-on, 1-off cycle recommended by Crossfit.com. However, I might experiment with a more random, intermittent cycle.
Of course, I can't really call this a challenge or an experiment without some measurements or benchmarks. I've taken a cue from Robb Wolf (again) and his recommendations for a "Spring Leaning" challenge as well as CFR's paleo challenge from last fall.
PERFORMANCE - First, either today or tomorrow, I am going to do a CrossFit benchmark of some sort. This idea I'm taking from CFR. After 30 days, I will do it again and see if there is a significant change in performance. This is the real determining factor for me because that's where it really counts. I will never be an underwear model--I am a soldier. So for me, my physical fitness, my work capacity, and my ability to perform when it counts is what counts. However...
APPEARANCE - Second, taking a cue from Robb Wolf, my girlfriend and I took some before pictures of each other from the front, rear, and profile. I was wearing my swim trunks and she was wearing shorts and sports bra. After 30 days, we will take some after pictures and see if there are any changes in our body composition and appearance. I like this approach because that's the real reason most engage in lifestyle changes--to look better. So, while my main interest is in physical fitness and work capacity, there is that vain side of me that just wants to look good in board shorts.
That's the gist of it. Quite simply, I'm going to eat, sleep, and move like a caveman for the next 30 days. I won't bore you with the details--at least now. When I have a few minutes, relaxing in my cave, I'll scrawl something on the wall and keep you posted.
Grrr...
Nice work buddy. I am with you on everything. Sleep is definately the hardest thing to change. Kelly and I have gotten into the habit of going to bed shortly after 10pm normally and we wake up around 6:30am without alarms. I can't get Kelly to go pitch black as of yet but I am trying.(you would think she would like that part)
ReplyDeleteThere is talk of starting a, for the lack of a better term, "study group" for diet/nutrition. The meetings would be held on this side of Chubby's though.
I am sure you would be in for that eh.
I have been struggling with the adaptation of the lifestyle to northern latitudes. The caveman diet/nutrition/sleep schedule would have been established a bit closer to the equator. I am not sure how to adapt except for the obvious Vitamin D supplements. I guess a certian amount of artificial light on a specific schedule might be good. Also, it's hard to reduce the computer/tv time at the end of the day but i think the benefits are huge. Get it done earlier and read or cook before bed is what I have beed trying. Of course it has all gone to shit with the holidays.
Oh ya I have messed with IF a bit. Robb Wolf doesn't really reccomend it but MDA does. I think the best way to start implementing it is to basically skip breakfast. Eat late the night before and hold off till about 10 or so. Wolf says there are some definate negative effects after the 16 hour point. Also not to attempt it at all if you are under any kind of stress.
Well, sunset was at 5pm. I know you will read this tomorrow because you should have been asleep for 3 hours now.
ReplyDelete.....so when you start dragging Julie around by the hair at CFR, I will know that you have truly taken this to its limit:)
ReplyDeleteI also am going to do this challenge again, but not quite as hardcore as you two, meaning the sleep thing may not be possible for me, but I will try. Red wine? I took it out last time, thoughts.
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