Life as Rx’d: Week One

Today is Sunday. The 7th day that God used for rest after he built the world. It is 2:00 p.m. and I am in bed reflecting on week one with CrossFit Counter Culture, LifeAsRx’d and La Jolla.

I would initially report that I think my first dedicated week to a strict Paleo diet and CrossFitting almost everyday was an uber success. The reality though is that while successful on some fronts, I have a lot of work ahead of me. As bandied about in previous posts, changing eating and activity habits are not an overnight decision nor an overnight success. Allow me to first speak about the Paleo diet.

And, before anyone starts commenting on the rigors and strictness of the Paleo diet, keep in my mind, I chose this path. Willingly. Since last Thursday, in agreement with my coach, Marcus, I embarked on a strict paleo diet which means the following: I eat nothing that in theory I could not hunt or gather. Simply, I eat fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, seeds and drink water. If anything comes in a package, it does not enter my mouth.

My main nemesis was removing diet soda from diet. And, I ain’t goin to lie. I fantasized about putting my soup coolers on the lips of a frosty silver can of that beverage. Yet, I persevered. Did I have headaches? Yes? Did I cry? Probably. Did I think Marcus was tough on that front? Absolutely. However, when all is said in done, after having one can a week later (last night), I will be damned that the Diet Coke wreaked havoc on my stomach. Not only did I feel high with the burst of sugar, my Argentine friend, Mariana will attest to this, the carbonation literally burnt my throat. And, today, I feel like shit.

I texted my Marcus to reveal my iniquity and true to his form, he replied succinctly, “I cannot teach you will power.” Damn.

Now, will power is a funny thing when you discuss changing your health habits. I am not of the mindset that my will power was weak and I am not sure will power is all that makes a change in life successful. Strangely, I do think that I could have resisted drinking soda last night. I simply felt it wouldn’t make a difference in how I felt. But, the devil is in the details. It is the little decisions that snowball into bigger decisions and potentially lead to lackadaisical habits and decisions.

I neither feel like a failure or success that week one was not perfection. It was week one. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And many of my steps were forward moving.

As regards, the workouts, Marcus wanted me in every day at 9:00 a.m. I made it to CrossFit Counter Culture at 9 a.m. promptly only one day. The other days ranged in time. I felt that as long as I got in and did the workout, that was good enough. However, Marcus didn’t agree. And, I will be damned my Ryan Phillippe looking coach (though intensely more likable than the actor) would have nothing of it. 9:00 a.m. is the time we begin. I cannot afford to slide. I have slid this entire year waking up when I want to, eating whatever and not holding myself accountable and that, my friends, did not get me very far. Somehow, Marcus’ commitment to a schedule and a strict eating plan, suddenly appeared in technicolor. Holding oneself accountable to a schedule and a routine is not about being OCD; its about showing some heartfelt respect to your body and your person.

Its rare that I get preachy. But, what I learned from last week was the following: I am cool, undoubtedly, however, I am not living the best life I could. I say this because for most of the week, when I completed a workout and ate clean foods, I felt a pride that I have experienced in a long time. I felt enormously hopeful that I had taken a bit of control of my life.

So, while this is not a cautionary tale (its way subjective), some times rules shouldn’t be broken.