Getting ready....

After a bit of encouragement from two certain someones (ehem Maia and Flo lol)...I've decided to document my Paleo for Athletes eating regimen. I start Monday, July 23 and boy am I ready!!! Reason for this? I've been able to achieve so much healthwise and have only a little bit left....I know Paleo for Athletes will get me there! So I too will be taking my measurements, weight, body fat, etc come Monday!!!

Now I'm sure you've heard of the Paleo eating regimen...its' pretty simple really. All you eat is lean meats, plenty of fruits and veggies, and nuts. Now...for the most part I have eliminated everything from Paleo's "to avoid" list but grains from my current eating regimen (this includes quinoa which I love so this WILL be hard) but I am determined and NOTHING will stop me.

Now how is Paleo for Atheltes different from the regular Paleo regimen? Simple. Because the body is being pushed to the max....it will need a little more than what are our ancestors where use to eating. In other words, Paleo for Athletes experts recommend a manufactured recovery drink and high carb fruit after an intense workout and high carb fruit/veggies before your workout so muscle repair is faster and recovery periods are shorter. Our ancestors did not have the luxury of modern medicine and no amount of healthy, lean foods can completely give you all the elements you need to successfully recover from your workout like engineered and healthy recovery drinks. So for these reasons Paleo for Athletes experts recommend these two before and after meals to:

1. Replace expended carbohydrate stores - best taken in liquid form
2. Rehydrate to avoid dehydration - all that sweat you lost during the workout
3. Provide amino acid for resynthesis of protein tha may have been damaged during exercise - muscle
    protein is used during exercise to create more glycogen meaning it has mostly likely been depleted!
4. Begin replacing electrolytes - these are the sodiums, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
    which are found in our body's cells includign our blood - this is critical for muscle contraction,
    relaxation, and for maintaining fluid levels. These are all lost during sweating!!
5. Reduce the acidity of body fluids

Book I will be referencing and has been SUPER DUPER helpful - "The Paleo Diet for Athletes" A Nutritional Formula for Peak Athletic Performance. By Dr. Loren Cordain (author of The Paleo Diet) and Joel Friel.

Let's get it poppin......going grocery shopping this Friday :)