Thursday, April 2, 2009

Rest Day


























-News-

I follow a number of CrossFit blogs from around Australia and the world, its always interesting to see how other affliates run their sites/blogs - many just post their daily WOD and results, others are more media rich, CrossFit Newcastle has more videos per square cm than any other site around, a lot of their workouts videos are really slickly editted and different from the norm, definately worth checking out. Other sites as well as putting up their daily WOD have a bit of banter along with them, it is these that I generally enjoy reading and find the most thought provoking. CrossFit Santa Cruz an off shoot from the original CrossFit HQ, is one of my favourites. Todays thought for the day was relating to coffee and how even tho a lot of CrossFitters (and a lot of fit people in general) will follow either the Zone diet or another similarly healthy eating regime an exception is often made for a cup (or multiple cups) of coffee a day.
Even though there is much research to show that caffeine consumption is not the greatest for our health and well being there is also research proving caffeines ability to increase athletic performance. Is that the reason we punish multiple coffees daily? I know Im guilty of having a coffee or two before a workout (especially if im feeling a bit flat) is this any better/worse than someone having steroids to increase performance? Who is/isnt a coffee drinker and could/would you ever give it up?

Quick note about Fridays workouts, there will be two sessions and these will be the last weeknight outdoor sessions for a while so I encourage you to forget about the Friday night after work drinks for one week and come out and enjoy the great outdoors and there will be belated birthday beverages afterwards for Jasons birthday, nothing outrageous just somewhere nearby after the workout for a couple of quiet ones.


5 comments:

Karlis said...

Oh coffee, love it. Here is what I have found for myself.

In short term coffee will give nice kick on performance specially before morning WOD.

In long term I am better off without coffee, do not get flat or sleepy during a day.

More then 3 cups a day will just kill my performance.

It is crossfit, try different things measure and one will find what is best for him.

For me no coffee = better results and better mood

Kevin said...

Never been a coffee or tea drinker - I just never liked the taste of it.

However, for a long time I did have a serious iced coffee addiction. I couldn't get through a morning at work without one. As soon as FU brought out the "Strong" version I moved onto that too. This routine didn't have the best effect on my general health - I was putting on weight and always had that tired feeling until I got my morning fix.

Starting CrossFit kind of woke me up to where my fitness level was at and I decided I needed to kick this bad habbit. It was absolute agony for about three weeks while the cravings slowly faded away, but it was well worth it. I don't know how much of it was a caffine addiction or how much was to do with the sugar (probably a lot).

Anyway, the upshot is - I haven't had an iced coffee in about 6 months, I have no cravings for it anymore, energy levels and performance are way better.

I guess now I think of these type of cravings as a warning sign - whatever it is, it's probably not good for you.

Karlis said...

Tea, good point, anyone has any comments on black tea?

Ben Norman said...

Interesting thoughts. I used to drink green tea but always found it slightly unsatisfying, gave chai tea a go wasnt bad but needs milk and honey to be bearable so gave that up.
Never really tried black tea, think it would be just to flavourless for me, I can understand the addiction to iced coffee, its pretty damn tasty.

As you said karlis, try different things and see what works, I reckon Im going to try the reduced coffee intake and gauge its effect on overall performance.

titus said...

coffee is the drink of the Gods it it can be counted in the ranks of many of the worlds finer things. These things include wine, cigars, beer, chocolate, and cheese