Robb Wolf's Nutrition Seminar

TheBumbler · 10-22-2009, 09:13 PM

I know there aren't a lot of CrossFitters on this board but I just attended a certification seminar on performance nutrition by Robb Wolf through CrossFit and I sat through the entire thing wishing I could have every cyster on these boards there in the room with me.

While the seminar is somewhat geared more for trainers than individuals, it was basicly nothing but a absolute smorgasboard of information that directly applies to cysters. He spent a huge chunk of the morning talking about PCOS, infertility, and metabolic syndrome (Syndrome X) and the underlying factors that result in the development of these disease states (insulin resistance and chronic low grade inflammation).

He then spent a great deal of time explaining how lifestyle changes - diet, exercise, sleep and stress management - can make significant improvements in both IR and low grade inflammation and what these can mean for significantly improving a person's health. There was also a really interesting section on the connection between low grade inflammation and the development of autoimmune disorders.

The afternoon then went on to talk about health optimization and the benefits that has on athletic performance and how to individualize plans to help every client from a beginner CrossFitter with metabolic syndrome to a high level athlete get the most out of their nutrition.

Best of all, the information was presented in a way to make it very accessible. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be blogging all of what I learned on Dechubbing (sometimes I swear on my blog so be forewarned) so you can get some of the information there but if you ever get a chance, please try to register to take his seminar. Times and dates for his seminars are listed on the right hand menu on the main CrossFit website.

Merigreen · 10-23-2009, 10:57 AM

Thanks for sharing, Bumbler... I don't do Crossfit because there are no convenient affiliates to me, but I'm familiar with it and with Robb Wolf. I would be interested in what he'd say in regards to PCOS, because it's hard to find paleo-nutrition resources that specifically address PCOS and infertility with any degree of nuance. There's always an assumption that PCOS is linked to high blood sugar and IR, but I have low blood sugar and IR.

And cool, you have a blog! I may start lurking ;-)

zigzag · 10-23-2009, 12:02 PM

I have soooo many questions, it sounds like a great seminar. I had a look at your blog and got so curious I started googling around various topics. So much to learn, this Crossfit is all new to me. Anyone tried IF (Intermittent Fasting) before? I'm wondering how it works and how often people do it.

I'm not in the U.S. so no chance of me getting to one of these seminars. Still, I'm going to try and look up as much info as I can.

februarystar · 10-23-2009, 11:44 PM

I <3 your blog! *added to favourites*

I can't wait until I get a fulltime job and can afford to go to CrossFit. I know I'd thrive off it!

am0rcita · 10-24-2009, 03:04 AM

Wow, CrossFit is for tough girls.

Thanks for sharing this info.

Merigreen · 10-24-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzag

Anyone tried IF (Intermittent Fasting) before? I'm wondering how it works and how often people do it.

I've experimented with IF. I tried doing daily 16hr fasts (from 8pm-noon the next day). Hunger was not an issue for me, since I eat a very low-carb diet (10-15% calories from carbs). But I'm hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), and began getting dizzy spells. What I find works better for me is eating a meal at 8am and then eating a meal at 8pm, with a small snack at around 4pm, and some light exercise twice a day. I do this 4-5 days a week.

Some people do 24 hr fasts. The goal isn't really caloric restriction -- it's all about improving your insulin sensitivity and giving your digestion a break.

TheBumbler · 10-24-2009, 05:04 PM

I also tried intermittent fasting last year and I felt okay during the day but my workouts were pretty rough. I think it was too many dietary changes all at once (I went paleo at the same time) so I kept the paleo but dumped the intermittent fasting.

We covered IF at the end of the day and it was a bit rushed so I don't have huge amounts to share.

Here's what Robb said about IF:
- it's not for people who have obesity, are currently taking medication, people who are sleep deprived or under high amounts of stress

In studies on animals, calorie restriction (a la the Calorie Restriction Society where kcals are cut up to 40 percent FOR EVER) has demonstrated a few really significant health benefits including almost doubling lifespan, and spectacularly reduced rates of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Unfortunately, it also turned the animals in the study into skinny, food fixated cold creatures with a very low sex drive. CR=no fun.

Studies on animals that equated to a 24 hour eat, 24 hour fast, 24 hour eat cycle for people with the animals eating a total number of calories equal to the ad libitum control group (a giant all you can eat buffet for mice) demonstrated the same benefits as CRON but none of the skinny, cold, non-sex-having drawbacks.

IF has been shown to markedly improve insulin sensitivity. He then went on to talk about a couple of approaches to it including the compressed eating window and then the eat-stop-eat approach. I've got spotty notes on this part so I'll need to get the voice recording from my buddy and re-listen to the entire thing (we were allowed to record so long as we don't distribute).

Sorry I can't provide a bit more information.

februarystar · 10-25-2009, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBumbler

Studies on animals that equated to a 24 hour eat, 24 hour fast, 24 hour eat cycle for people with the animals eating a total number of calories equal to the ad libitum control group (a giant all you can eat buffet for mice) demonstrated the same benefits as CRON but none of the skinny, cold, non-sex-having drawbacks.

Ooooo thats really interesting!