At the beginning of each introductory session I mention how important food and diet is in CrossFit. Usually the response is muted and then we move on to the short introductory wod. I know at some point though if the athlete decides to join CrossFit Carmel I will hear the statement “How do I get stronger and faster?”
This is usually after the first couple of months or on some occasions it is as soon as a couple of weeks. My response is always to ask how their food intake is and are they supplementing…
Most people are new to CrossFit and come from various backgrounds and fitness levels and have never put their bodies through the rigors of the types of workouts on a daily basis as they do now. Even if they are from a sports background their bodies just can’t keep up with the rigors and amount of damage they do to their muscles.
At some point you begin to realize that you need something to help you continue to improve and that something is fuel. Whether it is a decision to change to a Paleo or Zone type diet you have to change your habits. Just look around the gym and pick out the best athletes and ask them what they do or just watch them AFTER they are done with the wod.
You will see them walk over to their bag and pull out a Paleo kit or some type of food and eat it right away or they will pull out the shaker bottle and add water and pretend they are shaking the crap out of a Martini. What are they doing? They are starting the recovery process right away. This is what every CrossFit athlete needs to do! The first 30 minutes after you finish the workout you must start preparations for the next day.
Below I have included a blog post from Progenex about supplementing. Whether or not you use Progenex or some other supplement it is a good read. I prefer Progenex because it has been most effective for me, so take a read and make your own decisions. Whatever your decision or preference is just make a decision to get started on your recover now!
Progenex blog on CrossFit Supplementation
If you’re anything like us, you attempt to find balance between your (somewhat cultish) journey toward macronutrient purity andyour reaching of the athletic potential that our DNA will allow – enter the CrossFit Supplements Debate. The supplement “do we or do we not” discussion continues to rage…
