Whole 30 Challenge

This spring, a group of athletes at  CrossFit Akron completed a 30 day nutrition and weight loss challenge. For 30 days, they learned how to eat clean and healthy by following the Whole 9 nutrition program.  By following the program, every single participant changed the way they looked, felt, and preformed during the WODs. The results are in, and we're asking that you help us vote for the Whole 30 Challenge winner. Each participant has written an essay about their experience with the program. We ask that you read essay and check out the photos for reference. After you've read the essays, please chose one athlete who you think deserves to win the challenge. You may vote on the poll located at the top of the blog. We are so proud of our athletes, each and every one has achieved great strides and we encourage you all to do the same in our next Whole 9 Challenge.

Thank you!

Participating athletes:

1.  Wes Laney
2.  Jen Sevald
3. Betsy Finley
4. Cathy Riedel
5. Chantal Ergh
6. Cindy Virdo
7. Colleen Wertz
8. Jamie Grigas
9. Jan Wojno
10. Katie Lancianese
11. Ken Riedel
12. Krista Beckman
13. Raun Skyrm
14. Scott Kolligan
15. Susie Hopper

Whole 30 Challenge: Jennifer Sevald

"Whole9 is a community focused on health, fitness, balance and sanity, all built on a foundation of real food and healthy nutritional habits." (Whole 9 website) CrossFit Akron athletes put their bodies to the test for 30 days. We've had nothing but success. Here are the stories to prove it.  Please vote at the top of the page for the winner.

Jennifer overall results: 3.1% body fat lost

Day one after the 30 day challenge was March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day. I had to make a decision. Did I want to continue eating clean healthy foods or did I want to go back to my old ways? It was an easy choice. I decided to continue eating clean. Green beer, corn  beef sandwiches with Thousand Island dressing, and fried food just wasn't did not seem worth all the work I had put in with eating correctly and my workouts.

As of March 17th, I had lost 10lbs and 3% body fat.  I have energy for my workouts and for taking care of my children. I like the way I feel through the day. I am not hungry or bloated. My skin does not have the cyst-like acne that I was experiencing.

I like having a pre-workout meal of hardboiled egg and handful of almonds. I also enjoy having a yam for a post workout meal. I do not miss dairy. I ate a ton of cheese, yogurt, and milk before this lifestyle change. I thought that this would be a hard objective to get out my diet. After the first few days it was pretty easy. In the past I have tried South Beach and Jenny Craig. I was successful but always returned to my bad habits. Whole9 Foods is the natural way to eat. It makes sense to continue and maintain this lifestyle.

My eyes have been open wide to the way American eats and cooks. It is hard for me not to glance into someone's grocery cart and evaluate their purchases. I want to start pulling the bad processed items out and set them towards the path of healthy eating. Restaurants were also an awakening. I went to a fundraiser were there was nothing available for me to eat. We went to Hyde Park afterwards and I ordered a steak. When they served the steak it was covered with butter. I was so discouraged. I have learned to be more conscience of ordering my skills.

I have also learned to be prepared with my food for the day. I had a seminar to attend in a hotel and I packed snacks and meals for the day. I had no clue what was going to be served. The menu for the day contained donuts, cookie, chips, fried chicken, pasta, and and buttered veggies. I was so happy that I had my food. Many of the seminar people were complaining that they were hungry and tired. I was just bored.

During the challenge I was able to box squat 215lbs which left me shaking in astonishment. I know I am faster and I am only getting stronger. I am still eating clean and plan on continuing this path of healthy eating. I love the way I feel and look!

Whole 30 Challenge: Wes Laney

"Whole9 is a community focused on health, fitness, balance and sanity, all built on a foundation of real food and healthy nutritional habits." (Whole 9 website) CrossFit Akron athletes put their bodies to the test for 30 days. We've had nothing but success. Here are the stories to prove it.  Please vote at the top of the page for the winner.

overall results: 4.3% lost in body fat

Essay:

The challenge was good for my family.  For me, the challenge gave an opportunity to jump start on paleo.  My family is eating paleo dinners, and my wife is becoming more of a fan every day.  We’re learning new recipes and are gradually transitioning old favorites to paleo.  I enjoy the wholesomeness of the meals and literally have no “bad” cravings; it’s easy to stick with it.

Pre-challenge, I didn’t eat enough fat and didn’t really know what to eat to optimize training.  Today, I’m way up on training volume, feeling better, and understand how to eat to improve as an athlete.  In short, if I ate the way I was pre-challenge, I wouldn’t be capable of the training volume I’m doing today.

216lbs. to 210 lbs.

14.7% bf to 8.7% bf

Whole 30 Challenge: Betsy Finley

Betsy Finley overall results: Body fat lost = 

3.8%

Tales of a Paleo Princess (AKA Soxy lady)

Once upon a time there was a 60-year-old lady.  She thought she’d done enough to keep herself strong and pure.  She was gluten and casein free, subsisting on soy – but eating lots of rice and oatmeal.  She worked out  challenges to win the heart of the lady but in this case the lady likes challenges! However, this one was rather daunting: absolutely NO sugar or anything processed.  In addition, no legumes, no soy, no rice, no oatmeal.  So what could she eat?  Well all sorts of meat, vegetables and fruit (within limits).  Her biggest vices of wine and chocolate were out…but hey, lent was starting soon and she’d be giving up chocolate anyways; bring it on!  

After the first week she noticed that she wasn’t missing the sugar or the chocolate.  Her steel cut oatmeal mornings were still haunting her mind and what to do about all those eggs in the morning was bugging her but the rest of the day was rather easy.  She experimented with new recipes…chicken in coconut milk and stuffed acorn squash.  These made great leftovers for lunch.  She discovered the bonus of eating ½ of a sweet potato and turkey or roast beef as a post workout meal.  YUM.  Larabars are pure – made of dates and nuts….no added sugar.  Kale with mango makes a great salad.  She even put a little bit of black coffee in her repertoire for an energy boost.  Her body continued to thank her for the simple eating.  There were no physical repercussions.  Her gut seemed happy with the simple intake.  She stayed healthy and continued to grow in strength and resolve.  WOW this was better than the Ultramind Solution (gluten and casein free).  She dropped 4% in body fat and lost a few pounds on the way.  

Did she live happily ever after?  Well she may have found a prince along the way – yet to be determined.  But it’s a lot of fun kissing this frog for sure and the body and brain sure feel stronger.  So she’s sticking with it!  She’s going to add a glass of wine or two to celebrate…but continuing on.  No backsliding for this princess.  Onward and upward!

Whole 30 Challenge: Susie Hopper

"Whole9 is a community focused on health, fitness, balance and sanity, all built on a foundation of real food and healthy nutritional habits." (Whole 9 website) CrossFit Akron athletes put their bodies to the test for 30 days. We've had nothing but success. Here are the stories to prove it.  Please vote at the top of the page for the winner.

Susie Hopper Whole 30

3.3% body fat lost

My biggest hurdle in writing this was separating the benefits of the whole 30 day

challenge from the benefits of CFA, they are so intertwined.  I appreciate very much

your focus on nutrition and sleep as important components of success.  Even after

having lost as much weight as I did, I could still never quite figure out why I was

unable to attain the level of fitness and strength that I wanted.  I was beginning

to believe those people who kept telling me "you're not as young as you used to be,

so just be satisfied with where you are".  You pretty much convinced me the first

day that was a load of crap.  Every day I come in there, I leave feeling a little

stronger.  Some days are tougher than others, and I still lack confidence, but I

think I'll gain that too, as long as I stay positive.  So here's the essay.

When I first heard about the 30 day challenge, I was pretty sure I didn't want to do

it.  It seemed hard, and there are a lot of things I like that I was going to be

without.  As it got closer, and I started reading the information CFA provided, it

made more and more sense to me.  I was especially drawn by the possibility of better

sleep, because that's been a big issue for me.  Having to put some money on it

helped me take it seriously.  I don't expect to win the challenge, nor do I deserve

to.  It took me a couple of weeks to really settle in to this new way of eating. 

That's OK though, because I've already won in so many ways.  Not only do I feel

better, but for the first time in many years I wake up each morning feeling like

I've gotten a really good night's sleep.  That results in my having more energy all

day long.  It helps me perform better during the WODS and keeps me from having the

midafternoon letdowns I used to have.  I feel leaner, and I'm much more conscious of

the quality of the food I'm eating.  Initially, I thought I'd just get through the

first 30 days, and then start adding things back in.  It's been a week since the 30

days ended, and I haven't added anything back to my diet - I really have very little

desire to do so.  That doesn't mean I didn't have rice and a cupcake at Mardi Gras,

but rather that my body is telling me it functions better without all of the

processed and nutrient-empty foods it used to get.  The biggest unanticipated

benefit has been to my family.  Although they have not adopted the lifestyle change

as fully as I did, we are all more thoughtful about what we eat, and it's been fun

trying and cooking new things.  I don't think my daughters will ever embrace mashed

cauliflower and brussels sprouts, but there are lots of new really nutritional

things that they love.  This has been a fantastic eye-opener for me,  I have

appreciated the opportunity to participate - it's just one more way CFA is improving

my life.

Whole 30 Challenge: Scott Kolligan

"Whole9 is a community focused on health, fitness, balance and sanity, all built on a foundation of real food and healthy nutritional habits." (Whole 9 website) CrossFit Akron athletes put their bodies to the test for 30 days. We've had nothing but success. Here are the stories to prove it.  Please vote at the top of the page for the winner.


Overall results: 

3.8% lost in body fat

FACTS

4. Plaintiff incorporates each and every paragraph previously stated in this Complaint as if fully rewritten herein.  

5. In approximately December, 2010, Sledgehammer was fat.  His weight was approaching 177 pounds.  

6. At that time, Sledgehammer had no exercise routine and definitely no diet plan.

7. In mid-January 2011, Sledgehammer attended an “Intro Session” at Defendants’ facility.  He nearly met a character named “Pukie the Clown.”  

8. Sledgehammer is deathly afraid of clowns.  

9. Sledgehammer subsequently, and against his will, enrolled in CrossFit Akron’s OnRamp and regular classes (referred to as “WODs”).

10. Sledgehammer was then invited to compete in a “Whole30” Challenge.

11. Sledgehammer took the challenge, and injuries and damages (mentioned below)

followed.

COUNT I

Intentional Infliction of Carb Deprivation

12. Plaintiff incorporates each and every paragraph previously stated in this Complaint as if fully rewritten herein.

13. Defendants knew of the requirements of the “Whole30” Challenge, and further knew of the anticipated results.  

14. Defendants intended that Sledgehammer would not be able to eat carbohydrates (a staple of Sledgehammer’s former eating habits), yet did not hesitate in recommending this diet to Sledgehammer.  

15. Defendants also specifically prohibited Sledgehammer from eating other delicious food, namely dairy, legumes, and Little Debbie Snack Cakes.  An itemized list of the so-called “healthy” meals Sledgehammer was forced to eat for the 30 days is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

16. As a result of Defendants’ intentional acts, Sledgehammer lost nearly 11 pounds in 30 days, and also lost approximately 4% body fat, from 17% to 13%.  

17. Sledgehammer further states that he no longer has an urge to eat bowls full of pasta, biggie-sized french fries, or even a baked potato.  These enjoyments in life have been intentionally taken away from Sledgehammer by Defendants.  

WHEREFORE, Sledgehammer prays for damages in an amount of $345.00, plus interest, court costs, attorney fees and any other relief permitted by Ohio law. 

COUNT II

Destruction of Property

18. Plaintiff incorporates each and every paragraph previously stated in this Complaint as if fully rewritten herein.

19. Sledgehammer is the owner of his body.   

20. Defendants’ actions, especially those of Defendant Brian Parana, have caused Sledgehammer to have less body to own.  

21. By misrepresenting facts for their own benefit, Defendants have destroyed loads of fat and a double-digit amount of pounds that belonged to Sledgehammer.  (See Exhibit “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein).  

WHEREFORE, Sledgehammer prays for damages in an amount of $345.00, plus interest, court costs, attorney fees and any other relief permitted by Ohio law. 

COUNT III

Slander

22. Plaintiff incorporates each and every paragraph previously stated in this Complaint as if fully rewritten herein.

23. Sledgehammer has friends. 

24. Sledgehammer did not see some of his friends during the time he was in the “Whole30” Challenge.

25. After Sledgehammer’s friends saw him subsequent to completion of the Challenge, they used phrases such as, “Wow, Scott.  You look skinny!” and, “Geez Scott.  You’re in great shape!” and, “Holy smokes - did you lose weight?!”  

26. These statements have caused irreparable injury to Sledgehammer because the only interpretation of them is that his friends are saying he was fat and out of shape prior to joining Defendants’ gym.   

WHEREFORE, Sledgehammer prays for damages in an amount of $345.00, plus interest, court costs, attorney fees and any other relief permitted by Ohio law. 

COUNT IV

Kidnapping and False Imprisonment

27. Plaintiff incorporates each and every paragraph previously stated in this Complaint as if fully rewritten herein.

28. Defendants have intentionally made their gym a fun atmosphere, and have encouraged a “team-like” mentality that is purposely addictive to individuals like Sledgehammer.  

29. Sledgehammer has been lured in by these addictions, and cannot leave on his own free will now.  

30. Defendants actions have caused Sledgehammer to stay at the gym in excess of three (3) hours per week, and have left him wanting to be in the gym for greater periods of time.  

WHEREFORE, Sledgehammer prays for damages in an amount of $345.00, plus interest, court costs, attorney fees and any other relief permitted by Ohio law. 

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

1. Based upon the foregoing, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court issue judgment in his favor and against Defendants jointly and severally in the amount of $345.00.

2. Alternatively, Plaintiff prays for judgment against Defendants in the amount of

something close to that (defined in Defendants’ gym as “2nd place money”).  

Whole 30 Challenge: Raun Skrym

"Whole9 is a community focused on health, fitness, balance and sanity, all built on a foundation of real food and healthy nutritional habits." (Whole 9 website) CrossFit Akron athletes put their bodies to the test for 30 days. We've had nothing but success. Here are the stories to prove it.  Please vote at the top of the page for the winner.

Overall stats: Feb 2011 to July 2011 lost 14% in body fat!!!

Raun Skrym

My story had been written.  The men of my family don’t have long or healthy lives. My Grandfather had his first heart attack at 67 with many more to follow and finally take his life.  My oldest uncle, heart problems, dying at the age of 52. My second oldest uncle, now 53, in and out of the hospital with diabetes andpancreatitis.  Last but not least my youngest uncle, 5 years my senior, my best friend, died at the early age of 47 of a heart attack.  This may sound like bad

luck, bad genes but it really comes down to bad habits and my footprints were right in line with theirs having ballooned to approximately 350 pounds (not knowing for sure since the scale and I were not  friends).  Every year buying the next size up in pants.  I had started exercising and watching what I ate but never pushing myself.  Walking around the block had me out of breath. 

 I found a flyer for Crossfit at a restaurant one day and thought it looked like it would be fun to try.  Thinking this was going to be another gym that maybe a new atmosphere would spur me on.  Well, it did more than that.  I met with Josh for the first workout.  I was exhausted afterwards.  He said to me that we could cut my time in half in 6 weeks.  I laughed to myself thinking  that he had high hopes for that.  He was right.  Starting on-ramp the following week with Brian and Josh, within a few sessions I was hooked.  Josh was right, by the end of on-ramp my time had decreased almost in half doing that same workout from the first day.  I became a believer.  I started the Whole9 food plan and haven’t stopped.  

 I can buy my pants at a regular store, not a “big and tall” store.  I don’t get winded walking around the block, in fact, I just ran my first 10k. 

 With the help of Brian and Josh, I have been able to tear those pre-written chapters out of my book and start to write new ones of my own. My many thanks and

appreciation to them and the other members of Crossfit Akron that encourage and support everyone every day.

Whole 30 Challenge: Krista Beckman

"Whole9 is a community focused on health, fitness, balance and sanity, all built on a foundation of real food and healthy nutritional habits." (Whole 9 website) CrossFit Akron athletes put their bodies to the test for 30 days. We've had nothing but success. Here are the stories to prove it.  Please vote at the top of the page for the winner.

Krista Beckman

My Experience with the Whole 9

overall results =3.4% body fat lost

For most of my adult life I have enjoyed working- out and staying active.  Eating a balanced diet on the other hand, has never been a priority.  I worked -out to justify my unhealthy eating lifestyle – making the excuse that the two balanced each other out.  I never saw drastic results from working-out, but I never gained weigh either…basically it was working for me.  

When I decided to take the 30 day challenge it was primarily because I like a competition and I knew I needed to do something to jump start better eating habits.  As I looked at the list of approved foods, I realized almost every food I typically enjoyed on a regular basis was off the table….literally.  

As each week passed I realized that sticking to the plan wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.  I’m not a creative cook, and I ate a lot of the same meals day after day (honestly, it just comes down to being a creature of habit), but overall I found that I didn’t crave the food that I thought I would, primarily the grains and dairy.  I did however struggle with an INTENSE craving for sweets, which I found surprising because I am not really a sweets person.  This craving for chocolate and the like never went away, and became a huge mental struggle for me.

Overall, I was extremely happy with the results that I have seen since embarking on the Challenge.   Moving forward I have added some foods back into my diet…primarily complex carbs.  As far as dairy goes, I’m off of it and very happy about it.  Fruits and veggies grace the shelves of my fridge that used to be occupied with process foods and beer.  I am happy to say that my fridge is now being utilized and filled with fresh foods, and for once in my life my freezer is void of Lean Cuisine frozen meals…and I am a healthier (and smaller) person for it.