“I think people don’t place a high enough value on how much they are nurtured by doing whatever it is that totally absorbs them.”
In case you might have missed it, TTP reader/commenter Dexter had this to say in relation to CNS priming:
“…Could it be that IF is a CNS stimulator? That IF creates an actual threat to the organism? I find that when I exercise at the end of a 36 hr fast, I usually achieve that zone of invincibility…that zone where reps at higher and higher weights come effortlessly…”
Absolutely. In fact, a Paleo athlete would be much better off going into a competition in the fasted state; 18 to 24 hours fasted, I believe, would be optimal. Of course, this is just my opinion, and is not substantiated by any evidence whatsoever — outside of my own, that is. My experiences and results with my own demanding workouts while in a fasted state, are sufficient enough to serve as positive n=1 evidence of this notion’s efficacy. So much so, in fact, that I’d have no qualms whatsoever in advising a properly adjusted athlete to do the same. Properly adjusted is key here, though. The athlete must be fully adapted to the Paleo lifestyle for this method to be effective. I think we all know what the results would be otherwise. Bonk city, severe cramping, the shakes/trembles, debilitating weakness, nausea; the list goes on. Contrast this to the added boost the Paleo athlete would garner from the added CNS stimulation/adrenaline rush, not to mention the added energy available from the body’s not having to deal with digestion issues, and the edge of not having to deal with that “fullness” in the gut. The team-building ritual should be that of the post-game feast — a nice fatted calf offered up in a “spoils-of-victory” fashion (i.e., the post-hunt feast). Unfortunately, though, this scenario is a long, long way off. To wit (from the NAU Football Blog, 10/3/09):
“…The players have their pre-game meal on campus. Today’s menu was rice, stir fry, lasagna, and breadsticks. After this each position will meet and then the game countdown begins…” (emphasis mine).
I don’t offer this up as a slam against anybody’s program, but simply to illustrate a point. Eating a pre-game meal of this fashion is the only way possible to survive if an athlete is a sugar burner. I ate the same manner of pre-game meal myself back in the day(admittedly, this was back in the dark ages). What I’d love to see, though, is a few of these kids make the transition to a full-on Paleo lifestyle, and reap all the performance enhancement that comes part-and-parcel with primal eating patterns. Their success and stellar results from doing so would have the Paleo way spread unabated through the collegiate and professional ranks. Really, it is just a matter of time before an already successful athlete takes the leap of faith. That almighty sought-after edge is there to be had; and no anti-doping agency has yet to put the Paleo lifestyle on any banned substance list…yet.
In health,
Keith
Theory to Practice 