Post workout shakes are like getting rewarded after beating yourself into the ground in a workout. They were totally invented as positive reinforcement. Not because they refuel you, but because they taste like heaven.
If you have read my blog for a little now, you know I love working out. Absolutely love it. Mostly in the form of CrossFit. I don’t like going to 24 hour fitness or other globo-type gyms and just lifting weights or running on the treadmill. I love being in a class format with my close friends, sweating a ton, lifting quickly and doing cardio at the same time, going through a lot of pain in a short amount of time, and seeing results. That’s what CrossFit is. CrossFit to me is about working hard for your results. It’s not about judging other people or feeling uncomfortable in the gym. It’s about finding your inner fire and learning about your body. I know that sounds lame, but I’m serious. CrossFit gave me confidence, it made me a hard worker, and it’s brought me closer to people I would never have known without my gym. CrossFit has honestly made me the person and I am today and I truly love that person.
Quick back story if you haven’t read my blog for very long. STORY TIME YAY. I started CrossFit around 2010ish. I competed in CrossFit Southwest Regional twice in 2011 then 2012. I ate, drank, and breathed CrossFit. It was the only thing I did. I wanted to get stronger and faster AND sexier. For me, that didn’t seem to be possible. When I started to compete, I put on about 30 pounds, mostly muscle, I think. I got stronger AND faster, but I didn’t fit into any of my clothes other than my Lululemon spandex, and my acne was out of control. I went back and forth about how I felt in my skin, but it was a bit exhausting not feeling comfortable regularly. After Regionals 2012 and an injury soon thereafter, I decided that I didn’t want to compete in CrossFit anymore. I wanted to feel good in my skin and be comfortable with myself. So I did what was very hard for me and cut back in my weights in workouts. I stopped trying to beat others in workouts and just concentrated on myself.
After probably 3-4 months, I had lost almost 10 pounds. After over 1 year, I think I’ve lost about 15 pounds, but I try to not get on the scale because the scale doesn’t mean sh*t. I don’t know what my weight is now and I probably won’t until I go to the doctor and that b*tch makes me step on a scale. Dumb. But I am finally comfortable in my skin for the first time in years. I still CrossFit usually 6 times per week, but I tend to not go very heavy in my workouts. I eat more than I used to and I don’t worry near as much about being super strict with my diet. I honestly believe that my hormones were so out of control from lifting so heavy, that my body just couldn’t handle it. The less I lift super heavy, the more my body evens out and the happier I am. The happier I am, the more my body does the things I want it to do. It’s weird.
So anyways, I sometimes like post workout food and sometimes don’t. Yesterday, I did. So I made a shake that would refuel me AND keep me even more hyper than I already am. It did the job. I was bouncing through the roof while I taught my CrossFit classes. They were annoyed. I was thrilled. It was awkward. And based on the length of this post, I’m still really hyper. I’ll stop now.
Post Workout Sweet Potato Coffee Protein Shake
- Yield: 1-2 1x
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed, cooked, and frozen* (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1 scoop Vanilla Primal Fuel (or any protein you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2–1 teaspoon ground coffee (depending what you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon groundchia seeds (this is optional, but it thickens the shake a bit)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a Blendtec (or other blender/food processor) and puree until completely smooth.
- Drink up buttercup!
Notes
I cooked the cubed sweet potato at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, then let it cool and froze it over night. If you don’t have frozen, cooked sweet potato, just add a cooked sweet potato along with 2 cups of ice
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This looks delish! I’m going to have to try it! I usually just do a few banana slices, almond milk and pb 2 plus protein powder.. but this sounds like it actually might be filling 🙂
ps. I just recently started following your blog and you on IG. I love how real you are and the fact that you’re not afraid to be yourself. I feel like that’s hard to find in people in the fitness world. I really respect that! Thanks for being an awesome blogger! 😉
this is 100% not food related, but are you watching the current season of the bachelor (and as bored with Juan Pablo as I am)? **by the way, the smoothie does look good, though!!!
I only watch it on on demand when I have absolutely nothing to do lol he is insanely boring
such a snore, right? although there have been some HILARIOUS lines from a few of the girls (and JP). I’m already ready for it to end and the new season of bachelorette to start. glad we’re on the same page! haha.
I am kinda struggling with a similar situation right now. I used to weigh about 135 6 months ago then started lifting heavier, and gained a solid 30 pounds. Yes, I am a lot stronger and a lot faster, and can RX every workout but Ive been really unhappy with my body. I eat pretty clean paleo with the exception of a cheat meal every now and then but I think its the weights that are limiting me from ever losing any weight. Frustrating. Hard to decide whether or not I want to try and be a competitive athlete or just do what you did and scale down a bit and feel happier.
It’s a really frustrating situation and it’s hard to decide what you want to do. Just do what makes you happy!
Amen on this post. After 2 yrs of CrossFit “addiction”, I took a step back and have become so much happier in my own skin. Stopped focusing on the score board and more on to own self. Has made my life with CrossFit so much better, my competitive side was getting the best of me – mentally and physically.
Hi juli
I’ve been reading your blog almost daily for over a year and appreciate how open you are about how you feel about your body and being athletic.
I’m curious though – you mention hormonal issues while you were lifting. Did you ever have your bloodwork done during that time?
I’m dealing with some hormonal stuff now (confirmed through bloodwork) and am trying to balance Crossfit and downtime to get my adrenals under control. It sucks because I love training, but want to be healthy in all aspects of my life…
i got some bloodwork done, but it didn’t tell me much. i’m just basing that off of what i experienced with weight gain and acne problems when all i was doing was the right thing. it’s super frustrating, but regulating the adrenals is super important
Juli, I’d love to know what kind of workouts you would recommend without joining a cross fit gym. I want to know how to work out, I just can’t afford it.
this string is intense
As soon as my whole 30 is done, I have some pumpkin pie protein that I think would be outstanding in this! Thanks Juli!
I would love to try this, but I am on day two of quitting coffee due to some of the same issues. Although I have never done crossfit and do not plan on it, I have skin issues lately which I believe are attributed to high cortisol levels from over training for so many years. I just started taking yoga classes and have switched to green tea. Yes, I still workout, but I’m taking a break from the whole heavy stuff to reduce cortisol and other stress hormones.
I can try this minus the coffee though. I’ve done it before with sweet potatoes or even kabocha squash makes a great shake.
Thanks for the recipe.
By the way…I like A Dash Of Meg as well. 😉
I love your post on over-exercise and well-being. I don’t Crossfit and right now I’m realizing I need to incorporate more exercise back into my life (I’m a mom of a toddler) since it makes me happier. But balance is so important. In my early 20s I was way into overdoing it and ignored that my body was telling me to bring it down a notch (or four). It was hard for me to do that but it was a lesson in finding what makes you happiest throughout your days, not just in short bursts when you’re at the gym or on the trail or whatever your passion is. Thanks for sharing your stories with your readers. XO
its a hard lesson to learn. when you workout and lose weight, of course you think that working out more will accomplish even more goals, but it doesn’t seem to work that way, at least for my body. good luck getting back into working out more!!
Thank you, Juli!
I am just getting back into working out following a heart surgery this fall. I was cleared by my doctor last week to begin working out and I have started doing a few small things at home. It’s great to see others who are striving to improve their bodies in a healthy way. I have adopted Paleo eating at the recomendation of a friend and I am hoping that adding in exercise will allow me to whip my body back into a comfortable place. I am curious if there are any CrossFit exercises that can be done at home?We don’t have anything like that in my small town.