9/3 Wednesday - Wheat Belly

Wheat Belly is our mind, body, spirit book club selection for September. I have started reading it and am enjoying it so far. It reinforces some information I learned from other books, e.g. It Starts With Food and The Paleo Solution, specifically how wheat-based foods have a high glycemic index, don't produce lasting feelings of satiety, and can cause gut irritation. What I have enjoyed learning about, that's new for me, is how wheat has changed in its genetic profile and composition in the last 50 years. As a result, the wheat consumed now is nothing like the wheat our grandparents consumed, and absolutely nothing like the wheat consumed thousands of years ago. Contemporary wheat is a dwarf plant, that requires a large amount of agricultural inputs (fertilizer and pesticide), and has been developed for high yield production, not optimum human nutrition. 

Dr. Davis suggests, corroborated through independent research, that consumption of wheat specifically leads to deposition of fat around our visceral organs and abdomen. I think most of us has seen someone with a "wheat belly." If you haven't, you have now. Look at the pictures of me above. On the left is over 4 years ago, just as I started CrossFit. I ate a bagel every morning for breakfast. I was totally skeptical of the Paleo Diet and was sure cutting out "heart healthy grains" was terrible advice. However, 4 months into CrossFit I read The Paleo Solution and did my first Whole 30. The result was elimination of my wheat belly, I lost 3 inches of my waist and 8% body fat. The picture of me on the right is two years into CrossFit with 80% elimination of wheat from my diet. I'm not perfect, nor do I strive to be. I try to make good choices and make sure I fill my plate with vegetables first. I Hope you are enjoying this month's book club selection and will join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, September 30 at 5:30pm at Bozeman Wellness Center. 

Today's WOD
Three rounds for time: 
10 Deadlifts 275/185
50 Double Unders

We have so many awesome upcoming events! Check 'em out:

• Sunday, Sep 7 - Volunteer Aid/Water Station at the Bozeman Marathon
• Saturday, Sep 13 - Whole Life Challenge begins.  
  
• Monday, Sep 15 at 6:30pm - Mountain Belles Night at True Spirit CrossFit & Yoga.
  
• Friday, Sep 19 - Last day to register for the Fall 2014 Whole Life Challenge. 
• Tuesday, Sep 30 at 5:30pm - True Spirit CrossFit & Bozeman Wellness Center mind, body, spirit book club. Our next book is Wheat Belly.