Progress begins here

Things that make me happy today and the past few days: Christmas of course. I love giving presents and spending time with the people I love. I'm so fortunate to have each and every one of my family and friends. Secondly, having my best friend Kelsey home. Someone I can truly be myself around :D

Anyways, I can finally write something related to fitness/Crossfit and I'm psyched about it. One of my best Christmas presents is beginning a new journey in my fitness "life," especially after having knee surgery less than two weeks ago. I have been out of Crossfit for about a month and a half and it has been a struggle, both mentally and physically. My body is just not the same...it's 'looser' and semi-flabby. I am starting (yesterday) to change that. My physical shape is something I pride myself in and am willing to start from ( almost) scratch to achieve the results I want. I am going to take progress pictures to take you on this exciting next step with me. Please note that I am slightly ashamed of these pictures and it's taking me a lot of courage to put them out there! Here goes!

Don't worry a Christmas post is coming tomorrow!

who cares?

Things that have made me happy in the past two days: Frank and getting to meet his beautiful daughter, getting to see my best friend Kelsey for the first time in months and Christmastime!

 

Who cares? Last week I had a conversation with my roommate and one of her friends about not caring about what people think. We spoke about what is running through our heads when we get dressed to go out or go to work etc. I can 100% say I dress (and do a lot of other things) only for me. Not once does it cross my mind when I'm picking an outfit or doing my hair or makeup that I hope someone likes how I look or what if this person doesnt like how I look. I try and look good so I can feel good. It is instinct for humans to want approval from other people, to get reassured that we are "pretty" or smart or funny. To feel important. But can you #1 really rely on other people's opinion of you, it is so subjective and #2 your self-worth and security in who you are will be a roller coaster ride if you are always trying to impress someone or prove that you are something.

 

You are the only one who has to see and be with yourself every single day of your life. You have to learn to approve of yourself and the rest will follow. The confidence and security you exude will not only attract people to you, but it will be for the right reasons. Life will reward you in ways you arent even expecting. Take crossfit for example: if you go into a WOD trying to look good for someone or finish a workout first just so someone notices you, you will never improve. You have to walk in there and be one with the barbell. No, I'm kidding...you have to push through those 100 burpees and feel good about you and what you did. You can only achieve as much and be as much as you allow yourself.

 

So look in the mirror and learn to love what you see, no one else is going to do it for you.

Do it for you

Things that made me happy in the past day: Christmas Shopping in a mall. I never go to malls and they are just so warm during the Holidays and then also nice French toast dinner with some awesome people. (I know, not healthy AT ALL).

 

Something my Dad said the other day really made me think: that our generation is a bunch of narcissists. My first reaction was the obvious "What? No! I'm not a narcissist." And then I asked him to explain...we all use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Group text messages to communicate, share our thoughts, photographs and life events. Some of us more than others but either way, we always want (maybe subconsciously) people to know what's going on with us, whether positive or negative We take "selfies." We let people know what we did today, we complain and we celebrate. The more 'likes' we get on a status or photo, the better we feel about ourselves. Saying it out loud makes me feel slightly pathetic...

 

Bottom line is: we are constantly looking for our peers approval on who we are and what we do. We need that approval (whether we want to admit it or not) in some ways; we leave Facebook for a week and we feel 'out of the loop.' Is that a narcissist? Maybe. Either way, we need to be careful. Are we doing things that are true to who we are? Why do other peoples "approval" matter so much to us? When you are at the gym, do you need other's approval on your WOD time or the weight on your barbell? Probably not. Bring that into life. It's not about the posting of the pictures or the status, its about the reasoning behind doing so. Just like it's not about putting 125lbs on your bar, but its about whether you are doing that to challenge yourself or to be better or show off to someone.

 

What are your intentions?

Poker Face

Oh hi :) Hmmm...things that made me happy recently: my roommates birthday (I love other people's birthdays and hate my own), being able to drive again today after surgery! and lastly, buying christmas gifts. I hate being broke but I LOVE to buy gifts.

 

One of the most valuable things I've learned in the past year or so is how different people and situations play a role in my life. You decide how much someone knows about you; you decide how large a role something or someone plays in your life. You are in control of how many cards in your hand that person or thing deserves.

For a long time, I thought everyone had to be my best friend, that I should open up to anyone who wanted me to. I would have a hobby or be involved in something and I would make it my life. I dedicated all my time to it and all my energy into trying to become closer to other people. Someone very important to me used an analogy that really stuck: you have a hand of cards, say 7. Some people you show 3 to, some 6. Some parts of your life you give 2 to, some 4. Learning to judge the # of cards each thing and person get is learned. First I learned how to do it with people; every person I met does not need to know my feelings and thoughts about everything. People come into my life for a reason, not always to be there forever. With this outlook, I have ended up with some of the best friends I've ever had and some of the most fun I've ever had. It's the same with Crossfit. It's a stretch, but when I got injured I realized I had given Crossfit all 7 cards, put everything into it. And when it was gone, I started to realize other parts of my life I neglected. For one, my mental health. And I'm not saying it's bad to be dedicated and committed to something or someone, but it's learning the balance of your life and who you are. Make the most of your life. Accept people for what they are in your life. Give energy to the things and people that enrich your life.  

I realize I'm not explaining this well, but it was worth the try :)

Imperfection

Hello! Before I begin my inspirational speech (hehe) things that made me happy the past couple of days: one would be playing rock em' sock em' robots with my friend Jen and realizing that this awesome childhood game sucks, another would be how much I now love a dark purple/red lip color on me, and lastly....I make BOMB homemade chocolate chip cookies. Now if only I could workout so I could eat all of them...

 

Back to business. Today I get the results from the MRI on my knee and I'm actually excited. The sooner I know exactly what it is, the sooner I can fix it. You'll hear all about it tomorrow!

 

My choice of topic today: imperfection. My friend Kate will be happy that this post was inspired by Ne-yo's new album. First thing that comes to your mind.....what is wrong with this girl..but...here's the lyrics: And in the end they all learned a valuable lesson
Perfection is just glorified opinion
When in the grand scheming things it's our imperfections
That truly make us perfect
So do yourself a favor
Find the beauty in your cracks

 

Crossfit does not only point out your imperfections, but throws them right at your face in the middle of a WOD, when you are vulnerable and tired and just want to push through to the end. Yes, it's too hard to deal with a weakness at first, but it takes real strength to face that weakness or accept that you are not perfect. You will drop the bar, you will finish 15 seconds slower than you wanted; this will all happen. In life too. You will be late to work, your heart will get broken, you will break someone's heart, you will mess up something at work...you are not, nor ever will be perfect. So find beauty in these imperfections...what do they teach you? have you become a better person, a stronger crossfitter? do you strive to keep achieving regardless of these "roadblocks"? Who decided what perfect was in the first place?

 

It will surprise you. The people who love you will love those imperfections. Theyll love the way your nose is a little crooked and that scar on your chin, learn to love them too.

 

 

Compassion

What made me happy in the past 24 hours: hot yoga, mainly the teacher who reminded me why we our on this Earth (I'll speak more about it in a little bit) and secondly...I know two today!...my faith in God to show me the right path to take really shining through lately

 

Now how the hell does this all relate to crossfit? This is a crossfit blog isnt it? or maybe just a stream of consciousness disguised as a Crossfit log and inspiration...hmm. I may just be fooling you all.

 

ok here goes it...Crossfit strips you down. Of insecurites, of your ego and of anything else that sits on your shoulders all day. It is just you and the WOD, every single time. Since I can't get that feeling from crossfit at the moment, I am getting it elsewhere and laying it all out there on this blog. Every week in yoga, the teacher tells us to practice for someone, not for ourselves, but offer up what we are doing for someone we care about. Learning compassion. It reminded me that everything is not always about me. Why do you do the things you do or think the things you do? Is it really for other people or is it only to make yourself feel better? Do you Crossfit only for you? Crossfit and life is about community and determination and teamwork. Let that bleed into everything you do...

 

I could talk for days...but I'll save the rest for tomorrow.

 

 

Peace, Love and Compassion.xoxo -A

The Beginning

When I said I was back, I actually meant it this time...so you're stuck with me!

First to my promise to myself, 1 thing every day that makes me happy and since it's the morning it will be yesterday: my bosses dog at work getting about as excited as I do over goldfish crackers...odd, I know...but it put a smile on my face :D

Anyways...
I am one day closer to my MRI and hoping that it is something that can easily be fixed so I can get back to crossfit ASAP. In the meantime, I plan to fill my time with meaninful things that make me happy and are also productive, like Crossfit did. What could this possibly mean? Sometimes it's hard to translate the feelings and relief we get from crossfit into "real life," but I'm starting to get a hang of it. Tonight, I am going to a hot vinyasa yoga class with some of my friends, last night I did Tabata hollow rocks and more than anything I look forward to writing my Holiday cards. I sent about 50 and I just love the feeling of this time of year. I may not be able to crossfit or stay in the shape I want, but I can take care of my body and my mind and make sure the people around me know how much I love them. Can I really start thanking my bum knee and shoulder for perspective? I think so...

Crossfit may be amazing and will always be a huge part of my life, but don't let injury be the only thing that reminds you what else is important...

...as I like to say, Muah!

Confusion to Clarity

I know...it's been a while. Or maybe a bit longer than a while; regardless I'm back.

I wasn't sure if I was "allowed" to write a Crossfit blog if I wasn't currently crossfitting. You might be saying..."Huh?" Let's rewind a little bit..

 

About two months ago, I injured my shoulder: some bursistis and a sprained rotator cuff. Because of this, I spent two months pretty much only working out my lower body i.e squats, box jumps, air dyne, row etc. Then, about 2 and half weeks ago, I injured my knee-not sure what it is yet, but I have an MRI on Thursday (wish me luck!)

 

Never in a million years would I have said being injured would be something I wanted, but it has definitely been a blessing in disguise. Since I began Crossfit, I used it to drown my problems, to hide my insecurities, my fears, and the unhappiness I have about some things in my life. 2 and a half weeks out and I am being forced to face them, to have to embrace and deal with the emotions instead of beat up my body to bury them. My friends sure know, but lately I have been sad and retreating, overwhelmed with things I should have dealt with a long time ago. Thankfully though, I am finally dealing with them, head on, with the foundation of strength that crossfit gave me. So now, since I'm out of the gym, I will take you on this journey with me, of inner strength rather than the lbs I can put on my barbell.

 

Step 1: find something every day that makes me happy

 

Damn do I miss crossfit :)

Beast of the East-Pride, Motivation and Love

This past weekend I went to go watch my friends Kate and Chris (also the owner of my box) compete in the Beast of the East Competition in Durham, CT. This was the first competition I would ever be watching, besides the games on ESPN, and I was so excited. At the same time, I had no idea what to expect out of the atmosphere, the other athletes and how well my friends would perform.

Overall, it was amazing.

Kate placed 4th and Chris 5th. They showed me (and I'm sure everyone else in there) what true heart is. The two of them battled to make it into the final workout and finished strong. After 6 workouts, I have no idea how they had the strength to even lift a barbell. Their bodies were tired, muscles and joints exhausted, but they took themselves to the next level and put their heart into one of the hardest WODs I had ever seen done. I saw pain on their faces, but they kept going, right until the very last second. Truly inspiring.

Not only was it amazing to see athletes I know compete, but to see the limits that other athletes also push themselves to was incredible. Small (looking) girls lifting 200+ lbs overhead, men doing muscle ups like they do them in their sleep and teams strategizing so well to play on all of their strengths to finish each WOD.

I came back to my box yesterday inspired, motivated and ready to work.

So thanks Crossfit, thanks Kate and Chris and thanks to all those athletes for pushing, inspiring and just being bad ass.

Back to logging my WODS:

Monday

Find Heavy Bench press (hurt my shoulder :/ )

95#

WOD: AMRAP 12

50 cal row

50 deadlifts 115#

50 Box Jumps 24"

50 cal row

got to 29 cal on the second row.

DEAD.

Beat that weakness!

A pretty amazing person in my life said this to me today:

"Identify your weaknesses, make friends with them, and beat them to death"

I feel like a lot of times, I/we look at ourselves and see our strengths, pat ourselves on the back, realize we have weakenesses, ignore them and just let them continue to be there.

For example, I know that burpees (pre-shoulder injury) are one of my weaknesses. What did I do? I would say, "oh well Burpees are my weakness so I will just continue to do them slowly..." Whether you call that a cop out or making an excuse, I definitely was not making friends with it and beating it to death.

In life...I won't sit here an list out my weakenesses, but I can think of one or two that are in the forefront of my mind lately. Am I "making friends" with the right ways to fix them? Am I sticking to my guns or letting those weaknesses run my life? Lesson learned: beating them to death does not usually happen in one day. Little by little, attack that weakness, let it know who is the one in control. I can get better at burpees, you can do that muscle up, I can confront my demons, you can forgive that person. Little by little, the weaknesses won't be your weaknesses anymore. They will be your story. One you can tell and be proud of.

and some Crossfit Barbie entertainment...

Where HAVE you beeen....

So I asked myself why I haven't posted on this blog for the past two weeks and to be honest, it was out of fear. I have been a miserable bitch recently and didnt feel like I could properly compose a blog post, and if I did, I'd be faking it. And I am not a fan of faking it. I mean, we all do it at one point or another, but it most definitely takes more effort than it's worth.

Now what did I do with this miserable bitch attitude I've had for the past few week's...I wallowed in my own sorrows and in a sense expected to be pitied. I analyzed every little thing every person said to me, every workout I had, every minute I spent doing anything, I made it ALL into more than it was. Yesterday, I was given a wake up call. I am alive. I am healthy. I can Crossfit (and pretty damn better than I ever thought I could). I have an incredible CFW family (see below) that I've found at my gym, awesome, inspiring friends AND I PRed 3 times in the past two weeks. What the hell have I been doing walking around feeling sorry for myself???

A good friend of mine told me about a little thing called Positive Self-Talk, that's what I have been focusing on today. What is great  about me and my life? Take that and repeat it over and over again in your head. You CAN lift that barbell and finish that project at work and go to bed at the end of the day with a smile on your face. You are strong no matter what your head is telling you. You are beautiful no matter what the mirror is throwing back at you.

One step at a time. Fall down 7 times. Pick yourself up 8.

Hello 125# Squat clean, 195# back squat and 225# deadlift. #baller

Optimisitic Change

For those of you who know me, I have been completely up and down the past couple of weeks. I think it began with hurting my shoulder, as well as my issues with my career and future that seem to be plagueing me. One day I'm happy and positive and excited about life, the next I'm a big ball of mush, Negative Nancy, whatever you want to call it, its no bueno. For the past 4 or 5 months, I have taken my personal problems and brought them with me into my WODs, taken them out on the barbell and my body....and now I am hurt (physically), and although I can still go to the gym, do some of the workouts and sometimes do my own workouts, it's not the same.

I have been in a pretty bad funk.The serenity prayer, combined with my fellow crossfitters and friend's support, has helped grab onto a little bit of optimism. An optimism towards change in the future. We will not always be able to go hard in every WOD, nor be fully happy in every job, nor have every relationship in our life go perfectly, but being optimistic about positive change in our lives we do have control over. And I am slowly, but surely taking control.

Hopefully this will help me get back on track with posting on here :)

Happy WODing

Journey Together

This past week I hit my first real low or as I like to see it, roadblock, in my crossfit journey.

It started with hurting my shoulder and culminated with me siting in front of my closet on a Friday night crying because nothing fit me anymore.

In between was a few missed workouts, low energy levels and lots of conversation about how to tackle these issues.

To be honest, this week was not something I could have shouldered on my own (no pun intended, or maybe it was...).  I am lucky enough to have found Crossfit and to have people in my life that look at me, knowing I am hurting and lift me up/help me power through. Without crossfit, I never would have found all the beautiful women in my life. I can't tell you how many people have noticed that I wasn't myself this week, went out of their way to give me advice or just listen or let me know they are there. From tips on my diet, how to stress or just comments to make me laugh; this group of women kept me in the mind set I need to be in: positive.

In particular, two beauiful women in my life have been where I've been in the past and know exactly what to say to bring me back to Earth. They are both strong, physicall and mentally. And supportive to say the least. Combined, these things remind me the beauty of a crossfit woman. (I know, it always seems to come back to this). So, thank you and I hope you continue to walk with me on this AMAZING journey.

So when you feel down, look around you.

They are all here for you.

I am here for you, whoever you are.

We are Crossfit. We are beauty. We are strength.

(My WODS this week have been disasturous to say the least, haven't even recorded much! Will get back to it this week :))

Passion to Serve

I belong to a community overwhelmed with a passion to serve.

This week was difficult for me; during the Monday WOD I struggled, and I  went to do a thruster and my shoulder couldnt lift the bar overhead. I was in pain. Immediately, I had 2 or 3 of my fellow crossfitters encouraging me to listen to my body and finish the workout with cleans.

Since then, people have gone out of their way to ask me how it felt and friends gave me advice and suggestions on how to handle my first "crossfit injury."

It's inspiring to see how people, some who I barely know, go out of their way to help me and others. Their passion for crossfit overflows into how they treat people.

 I constantly see encouraging words being exchanged, tips on how to eat right, how to clean the bar, what to do to get their first pull-up. People take care of each other, they want to make themselves and the people around them better.

We are a family, a community that has each other's back, that actually cares when we say "how are you?", that worries when you're in pain, that lifts you up when you are down.

Let that passion flow, baby.

WODs this past week:

Thursday: Oly
Split jerk work- w bar
Work up to heavy jerk
PRed at 105#
Clean & jerkx2
Worked at 85#
After class: 4x 15 GHD

Saturday:

10-8-6-4-2
HSPU to 45lb plate and ab mat
30" box jumps
Time: 5:23
Core

Back squats
Warm-up 10 @ 95#
10-8-6-4-2
115-125-135-145-155

Monday:

"Julia"
60 Cal Row
30 Burpee over the box jumps (24")
thrusters (Hurt my shoulder, couldnt even do 1 thruster, subbed 65# squat cleans)
Time: 11:21

Always Love

I have always had a really odd relationship with death. In some ways I pretend it doesn't exist, but today I am reminded it is real and we can lose our loved ones or our loved ones can lose us in an instant. Life is so precious. It is worth more than most of us realize on a daily basis. We forget how valuable each moment is, each person around us is, and how lucky we are for every single thing in our lives.

Today I will remember and I will be grateful.

Grateful for the men and women that serve this country, overseas and at home.

For the policemen and fireman that protect this beautiful city <3NY

For my family and friends that love me day in and day out.

For my health and that I wake up every day blessed and here.

For Crossfit and my box and the postivie influence it has had on my life.

For the barbell, the kettlebell, the rower for challenging me and showing me my strength

For my home and my job.

For love.

For God.

For life.

Tonight, we WOD for those that died, those that fought and fight and for each and every person in our lives that we love and cherish.

Remember to always love.

Set em'

It has been about 6 months since I started Crossift and for about the first 5, my goal was pretty much to make it through each WOD without dying. I didn't think much about my 1RMs or my times or my fitness or appearance goals until about a month ago.

Progress shots!

The other day I sat down and wrote down all my maxes and made goals for myself to hit in the next 2-3 months. It made them tangible and solid. It's same with the goals I have for my life. I want to eat paleo, I want to be happy in my career and I want to be happy and successful in my personal life, but I won't get anywhere with any of that without goals. With those goals, we can create plans and strategies.

One of the most important things for me is sharing those goals with others, with people you know will push you and support you. I have taken full advantage of the amazing people at my box to push me toward my goals with love and support. In turn, be there to push others to their goals. It is good to work alone and work on improving yourself, but imagine what that looks like when you have the effort of an entire community?

It's the 305# clean I saw at my box the other day, a first string of HSPUs, and soon to be 1st muscle ups. Push each other, set goals,  and work your ass off until you accomplish them.

Then set some more...

Still gotta look cute while doing it :)

My maxes and goals:

Squat Snatch: Max- 70# ,Goal-85#
Strict Press: Max 60# ,Goal-75#
OHS: Max- 85# ,Goal 105#
Split Jerk: Max-105#, Goal 120#
Front Squat: Max 135#, Goal 155#
Deadlift: Max 205#, Goal 220#
Clean and Jerk: Max 105#, Goal 120#
Power Clean: Max 105#, Goal 120#
Squat Clean: Max 110#, Goal 125#
Back Squat: Max 175#, Goal 195#

Walk with me and let's do this...

Paleo Noms Adventure

Welcome back from the long weekend :)

So, I wanted to wait to share this until I was a little more into it, but a couple of weeks ago, I read the book, Paleo Diet for Athletes and I decided I was going to try this lifestyle (I don't like to call it a diet because that implies in my head that I am going to stop it one day). I have jumped into it head first and I'm a lot happier with it then I thought I would be.

In the past, my day consisted of healthy meals + really unhealthy snacks aka a lot of chocolate, brownies, and jelly beans. Sometimes to the point where I would feel sick. I thought that I would have a really difficult time cutting all of this out, but fortunately, I've been amply satisfied with the Paleo-friendly foods I've been eating. AND for the first time in my life...hold your breath....I am COOKING. Thanks to my friend, Kate, I have been able to navigate a kitchen pretty decently. Here are some pictures of what I've made so far!

Sweet potato and Basil crusted Chicken// Turkey Burger and Sauteed Asparagus and String Beans

Avocado Deviled Eggs///Buffalo Chicken meatloaf from Paleomg.com

Egg Bake with Peppers, Spinach, Onions &Turkey bacon//Roasted Parsnips & Onions and Steamed Broccoli

Doesnt that make you hungry???

Recent WODS:

Friday:

3 min clock
50 wall balls
*HR pushups in the remaining time
rest 3 min x4
37-21-16-17=91 HR pushups

Saturday:

*12 min cap
5 Rounds
7 squat clean thrusters  75#
10 Burpee Box jumps
Rounds completed: 3 rounds +7

Skill work 20 min:
HSPU
Handstand Holds
1 min on-3 min off x6

Monday:

Power clean
1-1-1-1-1-1-1
85-95-105-110-115 (fail) x3
EMOM 10
5 T2B

Skill work: Pull-ups
EMOM 5
4 Pullups with red band
(shoulders were dead, listened to my body and stopped at 5 instead of 10

I am NOT afraid

Fear.
In my opinion, our number one hindrance of success.
Getting in our head, psyching ourselves out, not taking chances because we are afraid of the outcomes, not living life to its fullest because we don't know if we 'can' do it or if we are 'good enough.'

Week after week for the past 4 months I stood in front of the barbell, loaded with 105#, would get in my starting position, take a breath and go...and fail...every time. Abou two weeks ago, I stayed after Oly class and cleaned the bar about 50 times and power cleaned 105# once, barely. Since then, every time I am up against that weight , fear tightens up my muscles, tells me I can't lift it....and I don't.

2 weeks ago, our Oly teacher did a certification seminar with Jon North. Since then, our programming has changed and the way the movements are taught have changed. I saw how inspired and excited our trainer was and I got inspired and excited. I have taken Oly classes more seriously and really tried to pay attention to my technique rather than the weight on the bar. I looked on how to perfect my means, not my end.

Last night, I let go of my fear and told myself that I was taught the proper way, I had the strength and I was just going to do it. And I did...with ease. I even was able to squat clean 110#, when last week I could barely squat clean 100#.

Lesson learned: Fear is fear. That's it. It has no control over what you can accomplish in your life and what you can accomplish in the gym, with the barbell, with your body. Let it motivate you to push it out of the way and achieve, not hold you back and shy you away from becoming great.

[I was scared to do this for months, now I LOVE it]

Last night's WOD:

Skill work: Pullups
2x completed unassisted (first time!)
Red band only: 5-5-5-5-5-5
Purple and red band: 10-10

Each with about 90s rest.

OLY class:

Clean&Jerk
110# Squat Clean
100# clean and Jerk
both PRS babbbbbbbby.

Look in the Mirror

As women, we should be proud of our strength, look in the mirror and feel good, not criticize.

One thing I've spent a lot of time exploring and thinking about recently is body image, and specifically body image for women in this country. Crossfit has completely transformed my outlook on my body...I am proud of my growing butt, my strong thicker legs and my defined arms and shoulders. I look in the mirror and see PRs and times, not flaws and fat.

And trust me, it took me a long time to get where I am today. If you look at the pictures of me below, I was all over the place. Up to 160lbs of fat at one point and down to 110lbs of skin and bones at another. It was a constant mental battle for me and I watched some of my closest friends struggle with the same exact thing. The media provides us with this "skinny is good, fat is bad" mentality that in turn causes women, including myself, to focus on how small my waist is and how much the scale throws back at me when I step on it.

After years of wanting to be smaller, to have skinnier legs and fit in a size 2, I am now heavier, a bigger size and stronger, more solid. Love your curves, love your body, but treat it right. It's not healthy to not fuel your body and not healthy to overfuel your body. Respect your body and it will give you what you want in return tenfold.

So whether its Crossfit, yoga or running etc.Remember you can be strong and be beautiful.

(This is the stuff I think about on my rest days....)

[I have thunder thighs...]

Ahhhh...Rest Day

[made a trip to the Reebok NYC store for some new kicks]

Rest Day. Oh how I love you. Why do I love you? Not because I'm lazy or I don't want to workout (because trust me I'd be there every day if I could), but because I know today's rest will let my body recover enough to kick ass tomorrow and the day after and the day after. Although my stubborn self had a difficult time accepting FULL rest days (I used to run or bike etc.), I've come to appreciate them, in my workouts and in life.

Sometimes your body and/or your mind needs a day to unwind, to process the days prior and to prepare for what's next. Since beginning college, I was always on the go, half the time I couldn't sit still. I took a full class load, was in and the President of multiple clubs and had 4 jobs. The word rest was not in my vocabulary. Eventually, I would break down and just crash for a day or two. This past year and 6 months doing Crossfit has taught me the value of slowing down, letting my body heal and letting my mind just wander and do what it wants for a couple of hours. So don't be afraid of rest, take advantage of it! Your body and your mind will thank you later.

Last Two day's WODs:

Monday:

A1. Deadlift x 3 (heavy) reps
A2. 60s AMRAP -Burpees
Rest 4m x 5

Score: Deadlifts: 175-185-190-195-205 (my 1RM)

Burpees-19-18-17-18-16

Skill Work:

 HSPU
5 Rounds to 2x 45lb plate
5 Rounds to 1x45lb1x35lb plate
Rest 90s between rounds
5-7-8-8-9
4-5-5-5-5

Tuesday:

4 rounds:
500m Run
25 Toes to Bar

Time: 24: 40something (I don't know why I keep forgetting to write things down!)

*I really struggled with the T2B in the last two rounds, slowed me down alot...gotta work on that movement

Oly: Snatch Work

Warm-up

15 min to find 1RM Squat Snatch (no more Power Snatches!!! :/ )- 70# 1RM PR

10 min Doubles at 55#

10 min Triples at 55#

[Oh you know, my just rocking an obnoxious tan, bright colors and a crossfit booty ;) ]

Crossfit Woman

It's actually very exciting that it's Monday morning because it's the start to another training week. It's amazing that if you look at every start of a week as an opportunity to get stronger, to accomplish things and to work hard, your perspective on Mondy mornings completely changes. This is much needed for me this week since I spent the last 3 days moving myself into a new place. (Thanks to Crossfitters for their muscles and their help)

First of all, I need to go by this ^ t-shirt. I am a Crossfit Woman. Getting to know other women in the gym, I understand that this is not just an identifier, but something that runs deep. We support each other, we relate to each other even when it's kind of difficult to relate and we help each other with everything, from eating to boy problems (yes, we still have those). A Crossfit Woman is strong. Unbreakable. I am happy to say I am surounded by these women. They inspire me on a daily basis and push me to be a better Crossfitter and a better person. So cheers to the Crossfit Women out thee. We are strong, we are unstoppable, we are badasses ;)

Some catch-up on my past few WODs

Wednesday: Elizabeth

21-15-9

Power Cleans #75

Dips (did first 12 and last 9 unassisted), used red band

Result: I'm SO mad at myself for not writing this down...

After class Skill work: 20 min

Handstand holds, rest 2 min between each

38s-35-29-45-52-1:06-1:10

Thursday: OLY

Clean Progression

Clean for 20 min

Doubles a #65

Some pull-up work after class, but my body was exhausted

Saturday: Cindy

AMRAP 20

 5 Pull-ups (blue band)

10 Push-ups

15 air squats

Score: 17+18

Crossfit Changed My Life

The words I am about to write will make me vulnerable, open my life up to people who may know me well or that don't know me at all.

Crossfit changed my life.

 We can probably all say those 4 words and mean them, but to each of us they mean something different, from making us stronger, to helping us cope with weakness in other areas of our life, to losing or gaining weight and for others just for having some fun. 

For me, it runs deep. The past (I would like to say 2), but the past 5 years of my life have honestly been a struggle for me. I had no idea where I belonged in this world and I was always trying to grab onto something to control. When I went away to college it meant starving myself and throwing up, then it became excessive drinking, and at some points I lost myself in my studies. I went to school positive I was going to be a doctor...I didn't make it. I turned to law school, I got in and I panicked last minute and didn't go. My parents separated and my family was thrusted apart. I constantly sold myself short when it came to men and dated people that didn't and could never appreciate the person that I am. 

I was lost. For five years.

 I worked my ass off in college because it was an escape. An escape from my lack of social life, the depression and anxiety that plagued me on a daily basis and the self esteem that barely reached my knee caps. I lost two of my best friends in less than a year. 

I was drowning. 

And then Crossfit found me. At first I was hesitant. Hesitant to talk to people at my box, to lift a heavier weight, to feel comfortable in my own body, my muscles, my soreness. I look back at this  and smile.

I am no longer lost. I am strong. I am on the journey of life and the journey of Crossfit. The journey to embrace those moments when life puts me at my lowest, when I fail a heavy lift, when my time in a metcon just isn't where I want it to be. I no longer run from them and let them run rampant in my life, I face them. I discipline myself and take control of my life. After all, it is mine right?

Crossfit taught me that I can push myself to my limits, that I can and will succeed and that I am in control.

Crossfit changed my life.

How did it change yours?