Mid-Atlantic Tough Mudder and the Wounded Warrier Project
I’m abusing the power of the pen in this post…
Last week’s CrossFit post inspired the athlete in me, so I joined a team and registered for the mid-Atlantic Tough Mudder in Virginia. The thought of running a ten-mile obstacle course complete with fire and 10,000 volt wires was just too much to resist. I still plan on using the IBD-friendly CrossFit model to train for it. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I don't know who this is, but she looks like she's having fun!
Besides being one of the coolest events in North America (any event that gives away free tattoo vouchers is #1 in my book), the Tough Mudder also raises funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They assist our wounded solders in rehabilitation and in their transition back to civilian life. Check out their programs here.
As a Tough Mudder participant, I have chosen to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. I would like for you to consider helping me reach my $250 goal. It’s a great cause. Give and help our soldiers who have given so much for us.
Click the logo below to donate. I will also place a logo in the sidebar.
Onward…
Tagged with: Athletes • Events • Fitness
Filed under: For Athletes • Misc.
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Matt,
my husband has crones and we just started to scd diet about a month ago. we run and work out regularly. i feel like we are loosing steam and our muscles dont repair as fast. my husbands stomach does feel better so it is working but i wondered if you had advise for energy?
Chrystal,
Great question!
A few quick questions of my own first: You said we… Are you eating SCD too? Are you feeling less energy as well as your husband? How long have you been on the SCD? I’m curious to know what your daily diet looks like; what comprises the majority of your day-to-day diet.
Without seeing your daily diet, I can give you a few general suggestions to try. First, you should know that it’s pretty normal to feel…different the first month on the SCD. Your body is adjusting to less sugar, and an entirely new eating paradigm. That leads me to my first and the most important suggestion–Rest. Be sure to get as much rest as your body asks you for. This applies especially to your husband as he is healing from real tissue damage, and that requires energy. You don’t have to stop working out, just slow down and let your bodies catch up. From there…
1. Make sure you’re getting enough water. 2L/day. You’d be surprised what this does to your energy levels.
2. Vitamin supplements can help with energy. Aside from a good multi, a B-complex will help, as well as making sure you’re getting enough C (Vitamin C is great for energy levels; it’s an immune booster; it helps your liver detoxify too, but you should take it in mineral ascorbate form, as ascorbic acid can cause diarrhea), Zinc, and Magnesium (be careful with Mg, it can exacerbate diarrhea). Liver is a great source for Iron and B vitamins. Yes, it can taste good too.
3. Vegetable juice does wonders for my energy levels. Fresh pressed is best as it still contains all of the valuable enzymes, and some of the more delecate vitamins are not lost. For energy, make dark green juices from Kale, chard, collard greens, wheat grass, and spinach. Most fresh, homemade juices are about 50-60% carrot. My favorite is: Carrot, Kale, spinach, and wheat grass.
4. There are also some supplements you can try for energy, though I recommend you do some reading or talk to a naturopath for recommended dosages before you try these. Also, as with anything in IBD, test it to make sure it doesn’t exacerbate your husband’s symptoms. Eleuthero Root (a.k.a. Siberian Ginseng), Reishi, Miatake all help with energy levels. You shouldn’t take Eleuthero for more than two months at a time, and the others have guidance too you should read about before taking them.
Let me know if this helps. If not, email me and we can try other things.
Best,
Matt
I know this is a little late, but i am also concerned about this. Im about to begin working out again even though I’m still showing a few symptoms (pretty close to the symptoms you described having in one of your posts). I have been on scd for about 6 months and only on asacol and trying to kick the last few symptoms as just like you, I feel like we have alot in common, scd only got us 80 percent better. Anyways my question was does weight training seem to exaggerate your condition or help them? Ive put a lot of thought into this.
Oh sorry disregard, that message, I just seen the cross fit post.
Tylotyler,
I’ll answer your question anyway, for the benefit of others reading the comments:
Weight lifting hasn’t exacerbated my symptoms. In fact, I think it helps me in that it gives me motivation, purpose, and helps me forget about my UC for a while. It improves my mood, and gives me energy–I wouldn’t give it up unless I had to.
Oh thanks for the reply, yea I actually went to the gym just the other day and felt great and still do. Im like you It does improve my mood and gives me energy. I need some release because i had to give up going out with my friends on the weekends because i quit drinking since my colitis diagnosis and I believe exercise will be my new release. Great job on the website by the way its answered so many questions I have had about following the scd and incorporating supplements and stuff.
Matt,
Tough Mudder sounds like a lot of fun to me.
Thanks for the Wounded Warrior Project plug. I spent 2 years in Iraq and know that there are many who need the help. Even if they weren’t wounded on the outside, some still need the help and support of others. Thanks again.
Kenny
Kenny,
My pleasure. Thanks for your service.
Matt