You all know that I am expecting, but that will not keep me from participating in this awesome link up with Kelly’s Korner to chat about fitness, one of my favorite topics!
My husband is in the Army, and we live on Fort Bragg, which is home to the U.S. Army’s Special Operations. So let me just tell you—I live around a lot of VERY FIT people, who have perfected techniques to be in peak physical shape.
Shhh…Don’t let them know…but I’m going to share some of the secrets of elite soldiers.
Most soldiers around here follow this or a similar plan, although they all have the same basic ratios (high protein, high fat, low carb diets).
Diet: Primal Blueprint. My husband stuck strictly to this diet and lost 20 pounds in two months last year. His father and sister began this diet last week and lost 6.6 lbs. combined. The idea is that we still have caveman bodies in a modern world. Our bodies are not equipped to deal with all the processed and dead food we consume. You need loads of fresh fruit and vegetables and the right kinds of meats. You can learn a lot about it on the internet, but the mainly you need to know the ratios.
40% protein, 40% fat (good fats), 20% carbs
(You will find fit soldiers will do the Primal Blueprint or one that is very close, the Paleo diet.)
Workout: Crossfit is made up of about 90 or so different workouts that they draw from to pick a daily one. So each day you go into the gym and do something different. Some days you focus on cardio, other days Olympic lifting, and you’ll always find plenty of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and squats. The workouts are short and usually explosive. Don’t be intimidated by any of it! It is FUN! FUN! FUN! (Kelly Clarkson was quoted saying she loves Crossfit because she feels like G.I. Jane.)
You can also incorporate some of these ideas at home, like the tabata. I was recently interviewed in the Toronto Globe and Mail about these efficient workouts. You can find the story here.
Finally, I’ve heard so many super-fit soldiers say that they have given up on protein shakes, and have replaced them with chocolate milk! They say it is a near perfect combination of proteins, carbs and fat to replenish the body after a workout.
I don’t know about you, but friends, I don’t need further convincing to down a tall glass of chocolate milk! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to hear your thoughts and ideas about diet and exercise, too.
© 2010, Amy. All rights reserved.
{ 7 comments }
I just found your blog through Kelly’s Korner! We are actually in the process of PCSing to Bragg, very excited to be there soon!
Hi MG,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Bragg really feels like the pulse of the Army, so from a military perspective, it’s exciting. It is also so big that you will find many programs around things to do. Let me know when you get here, and I’d be happy to help you or give you some “insider’s dish”!
Amy
Oooh, this all sounds fascinating! I’m so going to research into Crossfit!
Cxx
I’m totally with you on the chocolate milk. My old cross country coach used to tell us to drink it after we had long workouts. Yummy.
http://asthefarmturns.wordpress.com/
As soon as things settle down and I’m not living in a hotel I plan on hitting the gym several times a week. I also plan on looking into Crossfit. We’ll see how it goes. I’ll keep you posted!
Jessi
I LOVE this post! I read through it nodding my head at all your thoughts. I especially loved the chocolate milk replacement. I have started reading “Eat This, Not That,” and it says the exact same thing and I told Evan about it….I didn’t think he believed me. So, naturally, I said “‘I told you so’ to him after I read your blog aloud to him!! =)
Yay Colleen!! I’m glad you liked it! It’s funny but I have HUGE chocolate milk cravings when I’m pregnant, and I think that’s why. My body needs a little extra proteins or carbs or something!
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