Sunday 12923

Rest Day

Tomorrow’s Workout:

"Fran"

21-15-9 reps for time of:

95 pound Thruster

Pull-ups

Coach Mark’s Notes:

Veganism is basically hard-core vegetarianism.  Rather than simply refusing to consume flesh like an old fashioned vegetarian, a vegan will avoid eating anything that comes from an animal. Taking this extra step into dietary delusion forfeits the last bit of hope that the vegetarian had of maintaining even a somewhat healthy diet.  Below are some of the most common myths that a vegan will try to make you believe.  To help you prevent being sucked into a tornado of lies, I have included the truth underneath each statement.  I fully understand the futility of arguing with vegans, but I feel obligated.  I have brought three people back from the dark side in my life, hopefully more with this post.

It's much healthier being a vegan.
I thought I'd start with the most ridiculous of the things vegans commonly say. Saying that your body runs better exclusive of animal goodness is like saying your diesel engine runs better on gasoline.  You're so wrong it makes me sick.  I don't even know where to begin when I hear someone say this.  First of all, the few protein sources that you have to choose from are insufficient at best and don't hold a candle to quality meat, fish or eggs.  Third world protein sources aren't going to cut it; like Robb Wolf says, "Your protein needs a soul and a face." Next, without the proper fats in your diet (particularly saturated fats), many of the nutrients from fruits and vegetables cannot be absorbed, making them nearly useless to eat.  Most vegan diets will almost certainly lack these fats, especially in any significant amount.  These fats are so important to your health for many other reasons, and the best sources come from well raised animals.  Lastly, meat, eggs, fish, etc. are all high protein foods.  Ruling them out leaves the vegan with an almost inevitably high carb diet.  I won't go into detail, but we all know what a high carb diet results in right?  It sure isn't a strong, lean, fit and healthy athlete.

Meat is full of all kinds of chemicals and hormones.
Some meat is, you're right, just like any other food product being sold for profit. Good versus bad quality.  Take a little bit of time and effort to find a good quality naturally raised and properly fed meat, and you're laughing.  The quality of any food, not just meat, should be important to everyone.  How many self proclaimed vegans are eating foods that have man made additives or have been sprayed with harsh pesticides?  I wouldn't know, I don't associate with vegans but I would assume a lot.

It's wrong to eat animals.
I can't really help you here.  If you truly believe this, there isn't enough national geographic footage in the world to bring you back to lucid thinking.  Animals eat other animals.  It's natural and completely normal.

I just don't like to eat meat because of the ______. (Taste, texture, sight)
I don't particularly like vegetables, but I'm knowledgeable enough to realize that they're necessary for me to eat, so I eat them.  If you truly don't like to eat meat, figure something out and start getting it in you.  See a shrink, explore options that you may not know exist, or just be tough and force yourself.

Being a vegetarian isn't all that bad.  You can still eat eggs, and some eat fish, some of them are even okay to hang out with.  Vegans on the other hand, take it way too far.  If you are a vegan and you've made it this far in my post, good on you!  You are obviously very patient; channel that patience into educating yourself on the grave disservice you are inflicting on your body.  Eat what you want, all I ask is that you inform yourself of what you're neglecting. To everyone else, enjoy your steak!

"Muscle-Ups at 10,000 Feet" with Neil Amonson, free CrossFit Journal video [wmv] [mov] [HD mov]