From Radiant Life Catalog:

So, what’s so bad about carbs?

Basically, all nonfibrous forms of carbohydrates are sugar once they are metabolized by the body. For many health reasons, we don’t want sugar to be our primary source of fuel! We need our fuel source to be fat, not sugar.

Consider a “fire as a source of heat” analogy.

Sugar is an incredibly volatile source of fuel. It burns quickly, much like paper and kindling when you are trying to start a fire. If you were going to heat your home with the fire in your fireplace, you would not want to keep the fire going with just paper and kindling. You would want to add some slow burning logs, so you could enjoy a steady source of heat, without constantly tending to the fire. Needing to add kindling every few minutes to keep the fire going is time consuming! It leaves time for little else if you want to stay warm.

When carbohydrates are your major source of fuel, you become pre-occupied with keeping the fire burning, as your source of fuel is being burned so quickly. Utilizing sugar as your body’s primary source of fuel requires a constant supply of carbohydrates. (Does the term “grazing” come to mind? Grazing is a continual search for nourishment. It can also manifest itself as a constant craving for carbohydrates.) You are constantly experiencing blood sugar spikes and dips. Your body becomes obsessed with trying to maintain a balanced blood sugar level. True endocrine balance can never occur if sugar is out of balance!

Using fat as your primary source of fuel on the other hand, allows you to adopt a ketone based metabolism (more on this in a future post). Dietary fat burns in a prolonged and sustained manner. This allows for more time to do other things besides think about how you are going to stave off hunger, feel satiated, become less anxious, etc. A steady, long-burning, efficient fuel, it’s like adding a large log to the fire before going to bed.

Switching from carbohydrates to fats as your major source of fuel frees you up to do other things besides think of what you need to eat in the next hour or so, when you are once again starving and/or anxious!

Consume healthy fats helps to ensure that your are getting the necessary essential fatty acids: EPA, DHA, and GLA, as well as the correct ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Eat foods from a variety of natural sources.

It is important to use an optimized macronutrient ratio of the following:

• grass-fed meat
• pastured poultry and their eggs
• wild-caught seafood
• coconut oil
• avacado
• grass-fed butter or ghee
• heavy cream (raw)
• olive oil
• sesame oil
• tallow
• organic lard
• nuts
• seeds
• evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil and organ meats
• high quality cod liver oil and krill oil

Consuming a higher percentage of healthy fat- eating only as much as you really need to satisfy hunger- can play a significant role in your health and vitality. The more that dietary fat serves as your primary source of fuel, and not carbohydrates, the better you will become at fat burning!

From TrueActivist.com:

Hungary has taken a bold stand against biotech giant Monsanto and genetic modification by destroying 1000 acres of maize found to have been grown with genetically modified seeds, according to Hungary deputy state secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development Lajos Bognar. Unlike many European Union countries, Hungary is a nation where genetically modified (GM) seeds are banned. In a similar stance against GM ingredients, Peru has also passed a 10 year ban on GM foods.

From Care2.com:

CrossFit Adventure and Diablo CrossFit are teaming up to bring you the true story of cholesterol. Mounting evidence shows that our unrelenting desire to lower cholesterol levels has only served to line the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies. It’s possible, in fact, that this campaign has been detrimental to our health by actually increasing the risks of coronary heart disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality. This is the story of cholesterol and saturated fat that they don’t want you to hear.

Nathan will follow this information with a natural, cost-effective approach to reach your optimum health. He will be available afterwards to discuss a nutritive interpretation if you’d like to bring in your results including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and LDL particle size.

Registration is only $10. Be sure to click on the link for more information on registration as walk-ins will not be allowed.

Dose of Dave

Get your dose of coach Dave three times every week!!

Technique Class

Mondays at 6:30pm and Thursdays at 12:30pm: Learn or reinforce all fundamental CrossFit movement standards. There will be a workout at the end of these classes. It may be different than the daily WOD depending on how well it applies to the technique being taught. Feel free to hit both the technique class and a regular class on the same day!!

Handstand pushups and kipping pullups have been covered so far this month and we’re excited to see what’s next!! Sara S. and DJ both managed their first pullups after attending the kipping pullups class. Don’t be left behind!!

Olympic Lifting

Sundays at 11am: Learn to be more proficient in Olympic lifting techniques. Be prepared to work with the barbells. Each class will conclude with a workout designed to reinforce what you learned that day. This class is free to unlimited members. 2x per week members and nonmembers pay a nominal fee.

CFA Competition Team Classes

Tuesdays at 12:30pm and Fridays at 6:30pm: With the wonderful success of our CrossFit Adventure team at the recent competition in Fresno, coach Mira will be heading up two workouts per week aimed at bringing together our members to be a part of a team. If you’d like to gear up for competition, we’ll have you adhere to strict CrossFit standards. Otherwise, just come in for a great workout . . . or two . . . or three . . .

All classes will be 60-90 minutes in order to fit in all the workouts planned for that day. Please be prepared to come in and do what you need to do to get warmed up. The first workout starts soon after class begins.

If you’re looking for something a little different and are looking to up your intensity once or twice a week, this is the class for you!!

Endurance Classes

Details coming soon: Beginning in March, coach Rob will be heading up Endurance classes. He will demonstrate proper running technique and show how you should be training for those long, endurance races you have coming up.

Improve your running efficiency by 50-75%!! Improved efficiency means more energy for that final push.

About 3 years ago, I was telling people that coconuts would be the next superfood in about 10 years. I’m going to forego modesty and say, I told you so!!

It’s about time we start understanding the power of whole, natural foods. You rarely hear about the effects of foods because no company will fund studies for it. Food makes them no money. There are no sources, scientific studies, peer-reviewed journals, etc. It’s common sense, folks.

We don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on medications. Hippocrates knew it when he said, “Let Food Be Thy Medicine”.

CrossFit workouts are rarely more than 15-20 minutes. Although these workouts greatly enhance endurance capabilities, in order to really maximize your potential, you need to understand exactly how to train for endurance events. Coach Rob Medsger will highlight the fundamentals of a sound endurance training program while also teaching proper running technique.

Injuries are a clear indication of poor running form. Ailments such as plantar fascitis and achy knees can be avoided, and even reversed, once proper running mechanics are instilled. Find out how to best utilitize the body’s design and mechanics to avoid injury and increase your running efficiency by up to 75%!! More efficient running means more energy throughout your race.

Join us on Saturday, February 4 at 2pm for Coach Rob’s Endurance Seminar. Massage therapist/ergonomics specialist Michelle Caras will be giving free sports massages during the presentation as well as presenting on stretching and avoiding injury. Dr. John Capanio, chiropractor and former US Olympic Bobsled teammate will explain why quality care is critical for today’s athlete. Finally, Fleet Feet of Pleasant Hill will be on hand to assist you in finding the correct footwear and technical apparel specific to your individual needs.

Bottom line – this is a seminar you can NOT afford to miss!!

 This method of testing your body fat is far more accurate than many of the products you see out there, like your scale at home or the handheld test version. Space is limited to 20 members, so please sign-up from 12-7p. First test is $49, and re-tests are $39.

Here is an excerpt from their website and you can also click on the image below for more info:

Why Hydrostatic?

THE GOLD STANDARD OF BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS IS HYDROSTATIC OR HYDRODENSITOMETRY. Hydrostatic weighing is the most accurate way to measure body fat and is the method by which all other means of measurement compare their degree of error.

Body Composition: What does it mean, and how do I fit in?

Body Composition is the technical term used to describe the different components that, when taken together, makes up a person’s body weight. Keep in mind that body composition and body weight are two entirely different concepts and they are not interchangeable. To get a better understanding of the difference between the two, you need to understand a bit about anatomy and physiology.

Body Tissues

The human body is composed of a variety of different tissue types. The so-called ‘lean’ tissues, such as muscle, bone and organs are metabolically active, while adipose (fat tissue) is not. Adipose tissue can be classified into three different categories:

1. Essential fat - supports life and is extremely important to normal bodily function.
2. Storage fat - protects internal organs and supplies some energy requirements.
3. Non-essential fat - serves no real purpose and may in fact be detrimental to health.

The difference in these tissues is not readily distinguishable by stepping on a scale. A scale simply takes the sum of everything (fat, muscle, water, hair - you name it), and gives an absolute weight measurement. Scales can’t determine the lean-to-fat ratio of that weight. An inividual can be “over-weight” and not “over-fat.” A bodybuilder, for example, may be 8% body fat, yet at two hundred and fifty pounds may be considered “over-weight” by a typical height-weight chart. Therefore, these charts are not a good indication of a person’s ideal body weight for optimal health, much less for athletic performance.

Come on folks. Are lifestyle habits really so hard to change that you’re willing to put up with feeling like shit all day long dealing with illness, disease, side effects, and fatigue?! Get your butt to a CrossFit gym and you have an instant support group. I am continuously amazed at the changes I’ve seen in people who start attending CrossFit gyms. It’s not just about exercise. It becomes your lifestyle!! We’ve changed so many lifestyles already and yours can be next. Our members have been through it and are just waiting to support YOU!!

CrossFit – The Drug I Need.

Winners get, well, nothing. But it’s always cool to be a part of a team and pushing each other. To sign up follow the link here.

Orienteering: We had over 20 people come to the Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline this past Sunday for a beginner orienteering event. Join us at our next event on Sunday, Jan. 22. This time it’s more local – Shell Ridge in Walnut Creek. We’re meeting at the Orchard Staging Area/Castle Rock parking. Find more info at our Facebook event page.

Primal Challenge: We’re all gearing up for the Primal Challenge which starts this Sunday, January 15. For more info, see our post below (Jan. 1 post) or click on the direct link at Mark’s Daily Apple. Our goal is to include Paleo nutrition while incorporating a healthy lifestyle as well. This means getting at least 3 CrossFit workouts in per week, getting out to play (our Orienteering events are perfect!!) and learn new things, get 15 minutes of sunlight each day, and probably the hardest thing: Get about 8 hours of sleep per night.

Hydrostatic Body Fat Testing: On Thursday, Jan. 26, we are having Mike back to test us once again. See if all this CrossFit and Paleo hype really means something!! The Sign Up sheet is at the gym. Please pay in advance – $49 for first time registrants, $39 for restesters.

CrossFit Adventure Athletes: Give Mira your support as she travels down to L.A. this weekend for the OC Throwdown. It looks like it’s going to be one hell of an event.

Also, give Doug your support later this month in Marin county as he competes in the NorCal 40s competition.

Allergies are on the rise. Autoimmune disorders (Celiac, Hashimoto’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type I Diabetes, etc.) are on the rise. Neurological disorders (Depression, Alzheimer’s, Insomnia, Autism, etc.) are on the rise. Do vaccines play a part?

Why do we always believe what our doctors tell us? Cause they’re really smart, right? (Can you sense the sarcasm?). Most doctors are just regurgitating information that they’ve been spoon fed. Nobody questions anything because it’s the way we’ve done it for so long. Well, guess what. We’re not getting better.

So do vaccines play a part? You’re smart too. Watch the video and make your own informed decision.