I’ve got a big stick…
March 9, 2010
Crossfit wasn’t in the stars today b/c of work obligations so I settled for a day at the park. This was no ordinary trip though. After reading Tom Greenwald’s blog on Natural Fitness (natural movement, natural training, etc), I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate a little “non-traditional” exercise into my routine.
Well, this afternoon could not have been a more perfect day to hit the nature fitness trail over at Broad Ripple Park. The roughly 1/4 mile dirt and gravel trail has several fitness stations along the way, with coordinating instruction plaques. You can find a rope climb, different bars for sit ups, pullups, pushups, and general monkeying around among the 15 or so stations. While warming up I spotted a fantastic 12 foot-ish fallen branch, and it was screaming at me to please pick it up and play… Who am I to turn down a good branch? We had the best time, the branch and I. We did power cleans, snatches, push jerks, front squats, over head squats, back squats, sprints, push presses…oh, the joys!
I’ll be honest, that while I sweated and panted, I really did have fun carrying around my big stick. The strange looks had to be the best part though. I’d say people were generally confused and curious; it’s not every day you see a girl sprinting around with a large branch.
On the nutrition front, I’m still chugging along with the 30 day Paleo challenge. I think I’m in day 5 now, but would have to refer back to my blog post to be sure. For breakfast, I’ve been eating eggs and either un-cured, nitrate free, low sodium bacon or sausage, usually with a piece of fruit, some nuts and a fish oil capsule. I like to get a big meal in to last me through the afternoon hours. Lunch and dinner vary depending on my work/social/hobby schedule, but usually involve a salad (spinach, cilantro, mushrooms, carrots, nuts, chicken, balsamic & EVOO – or some variation), some home made guacamole, salsa & veggies, and fruit combo. I’m always eating nuts (or almond butter) and seeds for snacks too. And lots of water as well. Black coffee (maybe with some cinnamon) is making its way into my menu a few times a week as well.
I can definitely detect a slimming effect going on as well as a shift in the digits on the scale, so it’s a success even 5 days in.
It’s currently time for the third most important thing in my day…sleep!
Happy Spring, everyone!
