2 weeks into the Spring Leaning Challenge

We are now 2 weeks into the Spring leaning challenge. So it is time to take stock and see where you are at.

We should evaluate whatever nutritonal plan we are on by a couple of simple criteria

1. Energy levels through out the day
2. Performance in the gym

By now you should have noticed that you do not have the highs and lows in your energy levels throughout the day. A constant even energy level is one benifit of the Zone Diet which I reccomend. This allows you to be more productive throught out the day and not feel the need for the afternoon soda or candy bar in the middle of your day. It also means you should have more energy at night after work. If instead you are feeling tired and sluggish or not mentaly clear through out the day. Then perhaps we need to tweak whatever nutrition plan you are on.

Performance in the gym should be improving. If you are finding it hard to complete workouts that you would have been fine with before then something is up. I know in CrossFit it is hard to judge from week to week due to the variety of our workouts however by now each of you should have enough knowledge about your body and how it should react to things that by the end of these two weeks you should know if something is off with your performance in the gym.

I have encouraged most of you not to bother weighing yourself during these two weeks since you will likely not see much or any change before this point. This is still largely true however if you feel the urge go ahead and hop on the scale to see what has changed. However remember that this is a performance based challenge and therefor not based on your weight in the slightest. if your weight hasnt changed or perhaps changed in a way you don't want it to, but your performance in the gym is improving and your energy levels are constant then don't worry you are on the right track and give yourself time.

Ryan Watkins has adopted the Zone Diet and has written up some of his thought about it that he would like to share with you.

I started the zone diet 11 days ago in preparation for the Crossfit Tulare 12 week lean challenge. This is my first experience with this particular diet. The first few days the first thing I noticed was how much food I was eating.

4 block meals was a lot more than I was used to... especially for breakfast. Also I had a slight headache for the first 4 days, probably due to me not drinking coffee.

 I noticed my energy level was more stable throughout the day. I didn't feel pooped out in the evening after work and workout, like I had felt before. My performance during workouts seems to be improving as well.
My weight is the same as when I started 11 days ago. I'm sure I've gained some muscle and lost fat. I'm having a hard time balancing eating enough protein and as little fat in my meals. I'm also having a hard time finding variety in my meals. I have a few core meals that I've developed that I eat every day. Next week I'm going to focus on more variety in my meals especially for carbs.
Ryan W.

what are your thought on whatever diet you have addopted? Do you have some core food you like to eat? Struggling with something particular? Post your thought and questions to the comments.