Exclusive: Sara Sigmundsdottir Documentary, EP. 2

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“Your dream doesn’t have an expiration date. Take a deep breath and try again.” — Unknown

WHAT ELSE IS IN YOUR PROTEIN SHAKE?

Window of gainz.

For many CrossFitters, a post-WOD protein shake is a non-negotiable. If you’re a macro-counter, you probably rely on a protein shake every now and then to help hit your numbers— but is your protein supplement totally safe?

The story.

A new study from the Clean Label Project, a nonprofit org that examines labeling safety issues, shows that many of the top-selling protein powders may contain heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, as well as toxins like BPA, a chemical found in many plastic containers and food liners.

Long term, regular consumption of these substances have been linked to cancer, brain damage, and even reproductive issues.

What you need to know:

The study tested 134 different protein powders and virtually all of of the products had some detectable trace of a heavy metal. 55% tested positive for BPA.

Some popular brands definitely scored better than others. Overall, egg proteins had the best score. Whey proteins stacked somewhere in the middle, and plant-based supplements came in last— likely due to the absorption rate for these types of proteins.

So what do we do?

Well, you can sign the petition to demand label transparency from the FDA. Research the products you’re buying.

Or you could just make Strongman Derek Poundstone’s chicken shake.

EXCLUSIVE: SARA SIGMUNDSDOTTIR EP. 2

COFFEE BREAK CONVERSATIONS

What to tell your friend who thinks they could lose a few…

Americans are getting fatter. New data which measured adult obesity from 2007 through 2016, reveals that Americans are gaining weight at an alarming rate. As of 2016, nearly 40% of adults are obese, up from 33.7% in 2007. Even worse, 7.7% are severely obese. Adults are defined as over 20-years-old. Kids aging from 2 – 19 fared somewhat better, remaining steady over that period to 18.5% obese and 5.6% severely obese. But before you take a victory lap, early childhood (ages 2-5) obesity rose significantly (nearly 4%) to a staggering 13.9%. And no, health officials don’t see this going down anytime soon. 

THINGS TO…

WATCH: 720 Hours

At over 300 pounds, Kai Rainey knew she was going to end up losing her ability to move without a mobility device. So Rainey decided to lose weight and transform herself instead. By November 2017, Kai had finished her 720th CrossFit class. 

FROM SICKNESS TO FITNESS.

HEAR: Happiness is a Choice

Lauren Gibbs, the American bobsledder who won a silver medal at the 2018 Olympic Games, joins the Sisu Way Podcast and talks about happiness as a choice, how you can achieve your dreams if you work hard and are honest about deficiencies, and believe in your ability to choose.

CHOOSE TO LISTEN.

EAT: 17 High-Protein Lunches You Don’t Need to Reheat

Cause sometimes it’s just that kind of day and you’re really not feeling cold chicken with cold brocoli and cold sweet potatoes and even colder rice and quinoa. For those days, it helps to have a backup plan. 

SKIP THE MICROWAVE.

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START SHOPPING.

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CHALK UP COMMUNITY

• DELOADING TIP — What is it and why do you need to do it? Deloading is one of those terms you’ve probably heard the big fellas throw around in the gym. Spoiler alert: it’s not just for them, it’s for you too, and here’s Brute Strength to explain it more. 

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES (a highlight reel around social media of CrossFit pros and average joes)

Happy Birthday to Kristin Holte • Fourteen-year-old Maddy Espinoza hits a 200 pound clean PR • Magaux Alvarez hits a 235 pound clean • Coach Mike
Burgener’s gym is back open after being burned down in a fire last year.

Most is quiet as 99% of us rest up, and the 1% turn up the heat. 

Data Dump Incoming — Our lab rats are finishing crunching the numbers from the 2018 Open. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be releasing some data analysis on overall performance and participation so stay tuned. 

“An Open Letter to Those Who Need to Lose Weight” by Kai Rainey, CrossFit Journal

From the outside, no one can tell that you think about your health and fitness every single day.

Nothing about your actions or appearance suggests that you care.

If they only knew.

I know.

At 42, I was over 300 lb.—officially morbidly obese, with a BMI of 49.9. Painful hip joints, painful knees, plantar fasciitis and minimal capacity to breathe all dictated a sedentary life. I could see the future: I knew my quality of life would continue its downward trend.

I know it feels like you woke up fat one day. You didn’t, of course, but by the time you realized your weight had become a problem, you had more than a few pounds to lose. Maybe you saw a photo of yourself and didn’t recognize the chubby person in the back until you identified your own shirt. Maybe laundry-day desperation made you realize you can’t even pull up a formerly too-snug pair of jeans you had been avoiding.

You are angry with yourself for letting it get this bad, and you know this isn’t who you are meant to be.

3/30: Last Day to Sign Up for Northern Italy w/ VoyEdge RX4/7: Battle of the Badges (Anaheim, CA)

4/7: The Revolution (San Antonio, TX)

4/7: GenX Masters Comp (Salem, MA)

4/7: Lt Col William “Wild Bill” Schroeder Memorial Competition (San Antonio, TX)

4/7: Burpees for Bellies (Williamston, MI)

4/13 – 4/15: The Railyard Games (Albuquerque, NM)

4/14: Battle for the Mountain (Dawsonville, GA)

4/14: Appalachian Games (Asheville, NC)

4/14: Deuces Wild by Warrior Affiliate League (Baldwin Park, CA)

4/14: Atlas Blarney Stone Competition (Denver, CO)

4/14: RISE of the Masters (Statesboro, GA)

4/14: CrossFit Forte FORCE For Families (Nashville, TN)

4/14 – 4/15: Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Challenge (Columbia, MD)

4/14 – 4/15: WOD Wars Fitfest (Dunedin, FL)

4/14 – 4/15: Funky Town Throwdown (Ft. Worth, TX)

4/19: Teens and Masters Qualifier (Invitation Only)

4/20 – 4/22: Athens Throwdown (Athens, Greece)

4/21: Festivus Games (Nationwide)

4/21: Mayhem for MSR (Cookeville, TN)

4/21: Loganville Lockdown (Loganville, GA)

4/21: FoxWOD (Panama City Beach, FL)

4/21: Swamp Challenge (Gainesville, FL)

4/21: Mucctown Throwdown (Winnemucca, NV)

4/28: Battleground SoCal (Wimington, CA)

4/28: Girls Gone Rx (Cincinnati, OH)

4/28: Salem Slaughterfest (Salem, OR)

4/28: 3rd Annual Appletown Throwdown (Cornelia, GA)

4/28: Beastette Bash at CrossFit Ananda (Arlington, TX)

4/28 – 4/29: Walter’s Cup Throwdown (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

4/28 – 4/29: Battle of the Bluffs (Council Bluffs, IA)

4/28 – 4/29: King City Throwdown (Tupelo, MS)

5/4 – 5/5: Tough As Nails (Lubbock, TX)

5/4 – 5/5: No Gutz No Glory (Denver, CO)

5/4 – 5/5: Throwdown in Joe Town (St. Joseph, MO)

5/4 – 5/6: European Masters Throwdown (Budapest, Hungary)

5/5 – 5/6: Tribal Clash (Quarteira, Portugal)

5/5 – 5/6: Barbell de Mayo (Woodbridge, VA)

5/5: Cinco de Mayo Classic (San Antonio, TX)

5/5: The Locomotive Games III (Youngstown, OH)

5/5: Granite Games Throwdown (Southaven,  MS)

5/5: Battle of the Boro (Goldsboro, NC)

5/5: New WODs on the Block (Grand Rapids, MI)

5/5: The Crawfish Challenge (Columbia, SC)

5/11 – 5/12: Beast Mode Games (Greenville, SC)

5/11 – 5/12: Midwest Monster (Joplin, MO)

5/11 – 5/12: Reebok’s Ready for Action – Fittest in Israel (Israel)

5/12: Barbells for Bullies (Danbury, CT)

5/12: The Mountain Meltdown (Park City, UT)

5/12: The 5th Element (Bedford, NH)

5/19: Raising the Bar for Recovery (Medina, OH)

5/19: East Coast Battle (Hanover, MD)

5/19: Barbells in the Burbs (Carol Stream, IL)

5/19: Gladiator Games (Concord, NC)

5/19: The Pillage of Palm Harbor (Palm Harbor, FL)

5/19 – 5/20: GameDay Mankato (Mankato, MN)

5/26: Beauty is a Beast 2 (Indian Rocks Beach, FL)