"Lay each brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid"

I have noticed a change in my philosophy over the years, and especially within the last few months at CFW. When I first started CrossFit I didn't want to embarrass myself or be last. I went as fast as I possibly could but was sacrificing full range of motion and proper technique because my ego couldn't stand the thought of not being "good" at it. The result was a dramatic improvement on my times but in reality I was cheating myself a bit. In most cases we are our own worst enemy. We sabotage ourselves, we don't allow or want to give 100% into something in fear of failure. We often times are most focused on just getting through or finishing something that we forget to take a look at the quality of work we are doing.

"You don't set out to build a wall, you don't start there. You say, I am going to lay each brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid... and if you do that everyday sooner or later you have a wall." - Will Smith

I made a conscious effort to start laying each brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid.... and in CrossFit terms that meant doing each rep as perfectly as a rep can be done. Of course we are all human and it is impossible to be perfect, but if you strive for perfection 100% of the time and end up at 80% you are still far better off than not striving for perfection at all. We are all works in progress and have unlimited potential. The only thing that limits us in this life is our own mind, our thoughts and our perception of ourselves. With goal setting it is important that you set two goals, one being the long term, big picture goal and the other being smaller goals and benchmarks along the way to make sure that you are on the right track and keeping motivated along the way through little victories that build confidence.

You can apply this to anything in life, especially nutrition. When overhauling your entire lifestyle it is important that you try to follow the same philosophy. "Paleo" might seem a little overwhelming at first, no one really likes change right? How overwhelming was CrossFit when you first started, how difficult was your first Hero WOD? You think you can't do something, but you surprise yourself every time if you just go for it. But you don't set out to build a wall. If you break down your 30 day challenge into weeks, then further break those weeks down into days and take those days and break them down into meals you will find you only have to worry about one meal at a time. Sooner or later you will be laying each brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid, or making every meal as nutritious as a meal can be made.

We are coming into the second week of the 30 day Challenge and you should start to feel a little more "normal". Your energy levels should start to level out, become consistent throughout the day and you should begin to notice some improvements on your WODs. Keep up the good work, the hardest part is behind you and the rewards are just around the corner.

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything..."

I am a man of quotes, metaphors and analogies... that is how I understand life.

When starting the Paleo challenge keep in mind that there will be many obstacles, hurdles, road blocks and temptations. I think just like with anything else in life, it helps to have a set of guiding principles when it comes to nutrition. Paleo is exactly that for me. The more you "drink the kool-aid" the more positive you will be which will lead to you being successful in this challenge. Day one wasn't too bad was it?

I received a lot of questions regarding the food journal. Winning this portion of the contest aside, the food journal is meant to make you more aware of what you are eating. Typically if it has a label it isn't super Paleo, but we understand the hectic lives you have. It is all about accountability. Every action has a consequence whether it be impeding your performance at CrossFit or potentially risking disease, cancer or any of the other illnesses that the Pharmacutical companies have pills for :)
You can get creative with your food journal. There are so many options. You can either do the old-fashioned hand written journal, use your Beyond the Whiteboard account, or any other website that works best for you. Ultimately it is up to you to do a food journal, but I highly recommend you do it!

This also seems to be a great way to track everything.
Paleo Track

You are all going to do great! Just remember you become empowered with every good choice you make. On the flip side, every bad choice potentially leads to three bad choices and so on before you have completely fallen off of the wagon. I say this because I have been there... many many many times before. The thing I love about Paleo is it takes all of the variables out of the equation and takes the wasted energy on guilt and self control away (after you wean yourself off of the drugs, I mean grains and sugars)

*Update*
By the way my seasonal allergies (which were awful) went away! I had horrible allergies for years (to the point where I was sneezing nonstop, could barely open my eyes and was in bed under the sheets because any light would irritate me more)! Turns out the research shows seasonal allergies are caused in part by inflammation, and guess what causes inflammation.... you got it! Grains, dairy and legumes. Ever since Paleo I haven't felt remotely allergic and in a time where everyone else is being affected by allergies, it just proves to me that your diet plays a big part in all of it. Paleo not only is the prevention to most things that ail us, but it can also reverse the damage already caused in most cases.

Read about Seasonal Allergies:

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/seasonal-allergies-treatment/#axzz1qWCepaYF