Day 8: Andrew

Andrew’s Goals
I eat to fuel myself enough to stay active as a father to a toddler, fit enough as a strength & conditioning coach, and powerful enough to compete in Olympic Weightlifting. I want to be strong enough to avoid getting brittle as I get older, healthy enough to avoid metabolic disease.

Andrew’s Nutrition
I eat 4-6 times a day to make sure I keep my metabolism consistent, with my biggest meal coming in the evening on days I workout hard.

We try to eat fresh whole foods (more or less paleo), but still enjoy the benefits of food science for convenience and storage. I probably cook more than Sheena does, but we also have to provide food for our 3-year-old so sometimes we just eat whatever we make- generally Annie’s mac and cheese.

Proteins: I always tend to have ground beef in the freezer, canned tuna in the cupboard, and eggs in the fridge. Most of our fats come from whatever I cook with- Kerrygold butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and sesame oil. Carbs come from wherever we can get them! Carbs are many. Large sack of white rice always at the ready (we’re Filipino!), frozen broccoli, riced cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and green beans ready to be nuked in a time crunch or when out of the fresh stuff. We get Imperfect Produce CSA boxes every other week, otherwise we’ll hit up a grocery/farmer’s market for whatever recipes we decided on. My favorite produce is probably spinach, scallions, yellow onions, spring mix, Braeburn apples (fight me), and bananas.

(In a later post we’ll be sharing what our staff puts on their grocery lists.)

I try my best to avoid all the sugary, fatty stuff- but it’s the best! If I’m shopping and I see something I usually grab a once-a-week treat: could be ice cream, a bag of chips, a couple of sleeves of cookies, etc. Fortunately I do well with carbs metabolically so it’s been easy for me to “stay in shape” even when I’m eating like crap.

Andrew’s Favorites
I drink at least one Zevia (zero-calorie soda) a day. I have a ton of favorite recipes: pastel de papa, primalaya, and sinigang– basically everything I share on the blog is good too- find them here. Favorite meal is scrambled eggs or a breakfast sandwich (croissant + egg + ham + mayo). Favorite kryptonite is Chili Cheese Fritos or shortbread cookies.

Andrew’s Typical Day
When I wake I’ll try to crush as much water as possible to get the systems going. Some mornings I workout, and that’s generally on an empty stomach. Pre-workout or BCAAs or coffee if I need a lifeline. First meal usually includes a combo of eggs and butter, greens if I have them handy. Coffee. Will try to snack on some protein/fruit/or nuts in the mid-morning if my coffee wasn’t a latte. Lunch is usually heavier on carbs if I have my daughter (I just share), otherwise I’ll try to have a protein and greens. Another coffee or snack in the afternoon when I start coaching at FCF. If I workout in the evening I’ll try to supplement with a protein shake before I have a dinner that looks like lunch (protein, greens, carbs, all cooked in fat).

Andrew’s Hydration & Sleep
I’ve done way better in 2020 about my hydration so check out my journal for that- I don’t include my coffee or Zevias. I also suck at sleep- maybe average 4-6 hours daily.

Nutrition, Health, and Training Thoughts
How you fuel your body determines how your body performs and looks. It’s all connected and as an athlete in the gym who works really hard at completing your given exercises, why aren’t you as disciplined with your food intake?

CrossFit WOD for Monday 2/10/2020

handstand pushup strength ladder 4x (1-2-1)

EMOM for 18:00
a. 20/15 calories
b. 15 box jump overs
c. 20 kettlebell swings

Pick your poison- I would prefer the ski erg or Echo bike over the rower, but depending on the size of the class I just want you completing the work within each minute. Challenge yourself with higher boxes or heavier bells, but complete the work every interval!

Post-workout should be calf stretching and Super Pigeon.

READ: The Story of Breakfast, Part 1 – CrossFit
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