There's so much goodness to be had from other folks' experience. So on these pages we're going to start sharing perspectives and tips from folks across the healthy eating and moving spectrum. Got a story you'd like to share or know someone we should chat with? Let us know.
CrossFit Coach Sarah Mills leads us off, sharing her nutrition story and some of her best tips. Check out the video or scroll down for the transcript. Paleo brownie? Nice.
What’s Your Name?: Sarah Mills
Your Gym: I coach at both Hammer Down CrossFit in Chantilly, VA and Ballston CrossFit in Arlington, VA.
Tell Us Your Paleo Short Story: My dad had a heart attack when he was 46 (I was 16) and as a result, our entire family went on a low-fat diet. Always an athlete, I struggled to be at my best physically. As an adult, I was marathoning and cycling, and even coaching cycling, but never with stellar results for myself. In 2009, I found CrossFit and went Zone/Paleo, and everything clicked. It was so much simpler to maintain a healthy weight, achieve my athletic goals and just feel my best! Now I appreciate working with others to find what works specifically for them in terms of nutrition and through CrossFit training.
Best Nutritional Tips: I’d have to say when going paleo, be patient, eat enough, and experiment! I find that the women I coach tend to lose energy at first, while the guys feel amazing. When I look at what they’re eating, they often aren’t consuming enough food to have the energy they need. I advise them not to be afraid of the fat in their diet and to consume enough protein balanced veggies, fruit and those good fats.
What’s Your Favorite Paleo Meal?: It’s more of a dessert, but I make a pretty stellar paleo brownie that’s quick, easy, and satisfies a need for chocolate that is deep seeded. In a microwavable bowl, combine: 1 mashed ripe banana, 1 egg, 1.5 T almond butter, 2 heaping T unsweetened cocoa powder, (and optional – add cinnamon, chopped pecans or other nuts, etc.). Microwave 3 minutes. BOOM!
What’s Your Nutritional Kryptonite: My biggest cheats have dark chocolate or ice cream involved. I find myself making smoothies often because I like that ice cream quality in my food . Almond butter, sweet potato fries, and raw cheese are a few primal-like foods I can’t stop eating if they are present!
How do you Stick With It?: The drive to feel good and achieve in the gym is a large part of what motivates me to stick with it, but periodically I participate in or have my own personal nutrition challenge where I do away with any cheats for 4-8 weeks…(no wine, no chocolate, zero dairy). This sort of resets things for me and makes me feel terrific and perform much better. When I add some of those other things back in, it’s to a much lesser degree.