Mike Herlinger

The 5B Crossfit / Zone Paleo Challenge allowed me to develop a deeper look into the foods and the exercise I use in my lifestyle. The event gave me insight into balance, healthy eating and beneficial workout programs that will affect my way of thinking of nutrition in the future. I lost 17 pounds during the challenge and made significant body measurements for the better.

I appreciate the camaraderie I feel when I go to Crossfit from both the members and the trainers. This is one of the only places I have seen where members at different levels of the “fit” spectrum can truly work together, motivate each other and learn together. The coaching at 5B CrossFit is phenomenal. All the trainers are very educated in nutrition and physical movement. This knowledge flows freely inside and out of the gym to help us grow and learn in a positive and self rewarding path.

I am taking out of this challenge the baseline knowledge of how to fuel my body for my life which includes raising kids, physical sports and a healthy mindset. I plan on continuing my training at 5B in the future and in participated in upcoming challenges because of the rewards that I have earned over the last 60 days.

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Caron Oclassen

The Paleo diet has completely changed my life. There has not been a time since I have been 14 years old where I have not been fixated on my diet and losing weight. The majority of those years have been spent obsessing on how I could maintain a hunger management program. (How long and how low could I go reducing my caloric intake to lose weight?) Over the last three months I have lost 20 pounds on the Paleo/zone diet and do not feel like I have been on a “weight loss” type of diet. I have not had to have the discipline to get through being hungry all of the time. Now when I get hungry it is usually meal time.

On a scale of 10, I would rate myself a 9 on the level of strictness on both the Paleo and Zone portions of the program and will definitely continue this for the rest of my life. I look forward to each meal, and am satisfied after every meal. The Paleo/Zone program is not a “diet” for me. It is just the way I now choose to eat.

The combination of eating Paleo/Zone and the CrossFit  program have allowed me to not only carry around 20 fewer pounds, but has enabled my fitness level to improve dramatically. Before I started working out at 5B CrossFit, I could not do one pull-up, nor could I (or would I) run any distance at all. Five years ago I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and had to have my Thyroid removed, chemotherapy treatments followed by years of trying to get my body stabilized using a drug called Synthroid to replace the function of the Thyroid.  To put it mildly, my body became a messed up overweight wreck.  I tried everything including double workouts, starvation, every diet on the planet and NOTHING worked until I joined 5B CrossFIt and began the Paleo Challenge June 1, 2010.  By July 5^th, I had lost 11 pounds, and my fitness level and physical appearance began to change drastically. I can actually run (ok, still a weakness, but I did complete the 5K last week!), I pulled off 23 body weight pull ups and actually completed 45 body weight pulls during everyone’s  favorite WOD, Fran.

During the five week group Paleo challenege in June, I did not deviate from a strict Paleo/Zone diet. I only strayed from it on the last two days at my daughter’s wedding. Otherwise, I was a one of those almond counting freaks about how and what I ate. From July 5^th to September 26^th, I have not been quite the freak and do take breaks from the diet one or two times a week.  My weaknesses are wine at dinner when we go out, and cookies. (I can’t eat just one – ask Kristen about this addiction…)

I can’t thank Alex and Kyl enough for their inspiration, encouragement and the knowledge that they have shared with all of us. Their passion and dedication to fitness and nutrition has truly been life changing for me, and everyone at 5B CrossFit. They have created an environment that is welcoming and beneficial to all types, shapes and ages.

I have been so inspired by this program that I plan to pursue further education in the nutrition field so that I can help others improve their health, fitness and well being.

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Bob Shay

It would be impossible for me to overstate the impact of CrossFit dietary influence on my wellbeing.  The Zone diet principles I adopted in March significantly improved the feeling of steadiness and consistency in my waking hours.  Previous to this diet plan I regularly experienced rushes, faintness and nausea.  No longer are these symptoms an issue.  Additionally incorporating Paleo principles into my Zone diet reaped benefits.  My doctors’ visit, and blood panel that he enthusiastically reviewed, clearly illustrated positive results.  There is no reason I would ever discontinue the Paleo/Zone diet program.

The Paleo/Zone diet has leveled my blood sugar, and it seems to have controlled my exaggerated insulin response to food.  The dietary choices I now make have allowed me to feel so much better!  I have lost 12 pounds.  However, I am less concerned about weight, than lowering my body fat percentage.  Body fat percentage appears to have lessened.  My mental state has improved.  At the very least, I no longer worry about faintness or bonking.  Clarity also is a benefit.  Blood sugar levels are more consistent, headaches and nausea absent.

I plan to remain on the Paleo/Zone program.  Even when dining out, (or eating a menu not of one’s choosing),  one can select options that will be the most beneficial, (and on program), as possible.  Some deviance from the diet is inevitable.  However, Simple recognition to balance macronutrients, as well as portion control,  are tools that can be used to maximize performance and well being anywhere.  I may break down and have a beer, or maybe a cookie.  Nevertheless, and most importantly, the knowledge and experience I have gained in the last six months is not lost on me.  I will continue to look at my food as an opportunity to improve my wellness at every bite.

All contestants in the Paleo Challenge are praiseworthy.  5B Crossfit is filled with individuals seeking to improve their fitness and health.  Everyone possesses strengths and weaknesses.  Here are what I assess to be my strengths.  I show up regularly.  I put as much effort into all tasks and workouts as I can.  My fitness has improved.  I have implemented recommended diet changes into my daily routine.  My coaches and I have noticed improvement in my positions, movements and technique.  My flexibility is better than it has ever been.  I attended and successfully completed the CrossFit Level One Certification.  I listen to my coaches and attempt to put their instructions into practice.  I endeavor to be a good gym mate.

Thanks Kyl and Alex.  5BCrossfit has improved and enhanced my life.

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Bill Sherrerd

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To put it bluntly, all I can say is “Holy shit!!” I wish I’d known about CrossFit 30 years ago.

I’ve been an athlete all my life, but I never learned how to “train”. Since my primary sport, Ultimate, is a running based game, I just ended up running a lot to build endurance, and played the game a lot to build the skills and quickness. As I got older my skills and field sense were still there, but the quickness, power, and most importantly, the ability to be able to keep churning, were slowly eroding away. This season I have felt like a new man. Back in May at the season’s first tournament I got a glimpse of how the training was starting to pay off. In the past I would be physically crushed after a two day tournament, hardly able to walk, but this time I had a spring in the step, and I even though I was a bit sore, I felt good at the end of the weekend. The proof was in July. After 5 months of 5B CrossFit and a month and a half into the 4 month challenge I felt incredible. The holistic approach to training by focusing on good nutrition for fuel, flexibility (though the concept is still a relative one for me), and the varied strength and conditioning workouts was opening up a new world for me. Out on the field that weekend I felt like a fire breathing bad ass and if somebody was going to beat me they had better be a fire breathing bad ass themselves because otherwise they were toast. The beauty of it all was when it was all over, I was ready for more! I wasn’t even sore! The 5B CrossFit workouts were harder than the actual games. A year ago I was feeling like my time with competitive Ultimate was about done. Now, on the brink of 50, I don’t think that anymore.

I’m now 7 months into this and I’m completely addicted. I love the way I feel energy wise and I feel awesome physically, but most importantly, I feel really healthy. The workouts have been awesome, but the change in nutrition has really been incredible. By incorporating Zone, and then Paleo/Zone, into my life I have altered my health in an amazing way. In general I tend to have a nice consistent level of energy through out the day, and I haven’t been sick even one day since I started training in February! At my last check up my doctor was flabbergasted. I had been on statins for high cholesterol; now I am off of them on a trial basis to determine if they are still needed. By eliminating glutens and most processed foods I determined that I likely have some type of food allergy. This fall my typically raging sagebrush and rabbit brush allergies are hardly bothering me compared to years past. I have suffered from asthma since childhood, but as soon as the allergy season is done, my doctor has agreed to allow me to stop the daily prescription to see what happens. This is huge!

I have been so impressed by Alex and Kyl’s depth of knowledge about how to train safely and intelligently, and their passion and enthusiasm for what they’re doing has created an amazingly positive atmosphere to be a part of. However, the best thing to come out of this is that by seeing what 5B CrossFit has done for me my daughter has decided she wants to be a part of it as well. What can be better than hanging out with your daughter doing something you love? Thank you.