@Jesse: We’re working on Atlanta right now! Once it’s up, I’ll let you know – it would be awesome if you could come down for it!

Melissa- Doing great running MEBB with some skill work inspired by you guys. Meeting and beating PRs, and keeping my diet dialed in. I’ve noticed I can keep lifting when eating bad, but my metcon completely goes out the window after a cheat meal or two, and comes right back after a couple of days dialed in.
~Jesse

P.S.- I totally second the Atlanta suggestion! It’s only 5 hours away, I could totally drive down and actually get to see you guys!

Your experience, both with cravings and with headaches, is a common one. While it won’t take away your headache, you might be able to take some solace in the fact that literally hundreds of people have experienced – and survived! – these same symptoms. But to answer your questions directly, yes, these cravings will subside as your body “detoxes” from those foods that were causing some degree of metabolic dysfunction. The more science-y explanation has to do with restoring insulin sensitivity, normalizing blood sugar levels (likely responsible for your headaches), and decreasing systemic inflammation by removing these poor food choices from your diet. The blood sugar “roller coaster” should become more like a gentle walk in a (slightly hilly) park, and that’ll get your metabolism humming right along, using more fat as fuel and relying less on the short-term carb “burst” to get by. But the short answer is, yes. Hang in there, take an aspirin if the headaches get intolerable, and envision the new, healthier you that will emerge out of this challenge. Keep digging deep!

Thanks SO much for an incredibly educational and motivating seminar last Saturday. I am working on incorporating everything you taught us about. I am having no problem removing dairy, beans, lentils, peas, and peanuts from my diet. BUT, I am really struggling removing grains. I didn’t eat that much to begin with since I have been on Zone for the last couple of months but I’m dying for my half of a whole wheat english muffin at breakfast and a whole wheat tortilla or pita at lunch with my protein. Additionally, I am having major cravings for caffeine. I am not a coffee drinker, I am an ex-Diet coke drinker and really want one.

Is this normal? Will I get past these intense cravings once I break my routine? Oh, one other thing I am not going to lie about: I have a low-grade headache and I am digging deep to deal with it!

Thanks!

As Dallas said, you’re on the right track with your steak and snow peas – because slamming a pile of fruit at 3 PM isn’t helping your cause. We’re trying to break that “need energy, eat carbs” cycle, and feeding your body “nature’s candy” isn’t going to cut it. Once you recondition your body to using fat for fuel, you’ll notice energy and hunger levels improving day after day… becoming more consistent, especially first thing in the morning and mid-afternoon.

Hope that helps!
Melissa

@Wade: We’d love to come to Atlanta… especially right now. It’s freakin’ cold up here. We usually are approached by the box owner directly to schedule a workshop, but if there are enough CrossFitters in one area who want a visit, we’ll make the trip for sure.

@Jesse: Holla! Hope things are going well.