Answering Questions

I love getting questions – whether I know the answer or not.  Usually, it’s not and it gives me a chance to look something up, do a little research and ask some questions of my own.  If it is a personal question, that is just as good.  I have gotten to be a complete open book and will honestly answer most anything that comes my way.

As you can guess, a lot of the question are about exercise, techniques, injuries, nutrition and food.  Today, I thought I’d share a couple of recent questions.

 1.  Do you like CrossFit?

Well, that’s pretty much easy to answer honestly.  I would have to say that I do not know as I haven’t tried it.  That may then  lead to the “Why haven’t you tried it?” question.  That leads to a better answer.  I have been approached to try CrossFit.  I have been offered the opportunity to visit a couple of different CrossFit Boxes and have just shied away.

Being someone who is generally open to try most anything, especially by way of a new workout, this may sound odd, or chicken.  And maybe chicken is the better answer.  I love the challenges that are offered by a CrossFit workout.  For some people it is the perfect draw to get them in the door to workout.  There is a camaraderie with workouts that is really appealing and the short time spent is also a plus.  I have seen some remarkable strength gains in people who use this as their workout.  I love how a person is pushed to go as hard, strong and intensely as possible.

My personal reservation comes from some of my previous injuries.  I workout pretty smart these days in trying to get the most out of my workouts without teeing myself up for another injury.  My fear of CrossFit is that the entire workout seems to be so geared toward pushing oneself to the very max that either I would be hesitant to get there with some of the moves, or I would push myself there and and up with another injury.  I wonder how closely the coaches watch the participants.  I know with the right coach injuries  could be prevented.   I am sure I could shop around and find that coach that could fit my needs.

Jen DeCurtins of peanutbutterrunner is a yoga instructor, runner, personal trainer and past CrossFitter. She has written good perspective on the workout and her pros and cons.  Check it out HERE.

2.  How Can I Eat Less?

Isn’t that the age old question?  I think that we often eat much more than we need, myself definitely include.  However, usually the answer lies in not eating less, but eating the right things.  Feeding ourselves the right way leads to eating less.  Feeling satisfied and satiated with the right combination of protein, healthy fats and good carbs leaves us feeling full and gives our bodies the energy we need.

We often eat more than we need because we are eating foods that trigger our brain to want more and more and more.  Other times we eat more than we need because we are using food to help with emotions, stress or just plain boredom.  Of course, we also eat more than we need to because some foods are just darn good!

Personally, when I am in the habit of eating well, I am satisfied with less.  If I have gone off the grid and let my body “taste” some processed, junky type foods, my body and my brain want more.  There is so much more to this question than simply saying don’t eat so much or go get some will power!

Begin eating well and feeding on whole foods, lean proteins and healthy fats and you will likely find that you need less food.  For a really good article on just this subject, full of the science backing the way the brain processes our foods and needs, check out Eating Too Much?  You Can Blame Your Brain by Precision Nutrition.

3.  Do You Have Races or Workout Goals Now?

If you had asked me this question five to ten years ago, my answer would have been Yes!   I would have some type of fitness event on the horizon.  I would participate in sprint triathlons, maybe get a group together to walk the Susan G. Koman 3Day, plan on training for something.  Right now I have nothing by way of events forcing me to train or making me up my game.   That’s pretty pitiful I know, so I’ll work on that.  I’m open to suggestions!

In the meantime, I told myself at the beginning of the year that I wanted to do a handstand.  So far, all I’ve really done toward meeting this goal is do a few handstands up against the wall in our bedroom.  I don’t think that actually counts as working toward anything. I’m not sure why I decided I needed to do this –  maybe because I haven’t ever really been able to do a free standing handstand, maybe it seems fun and likely it would make me feel pretty strong.  At this point, just saying I want to do it isn’t getting me anywhere.  I need to make a plan.  Lo and behold, I found someone else had actually made out a plan for me!  Now I have no excuse. . .

The Ultimate Handstand Guide & Drills to Start Doing Every Day

Questions anyone?

Enjoy Your Day!