Thursday, January 6, 2011
Scared
I'm scared to go to Crossfit tomorrow. Jason makes it way too hard on Fridays. It scares me. I don't want to go. I will because my friend, Kristen, joined. She'll be there. I don't want to let her down, but I don't want to go. I just had to be honest about this. I don't want to go. I want to stay in bed and hide. I'll be happy I went..but that doesn't stop me from being scared right now.
Monday, January 3, 2011
I get knocked down....
So, yea....I got knocked down by the holidays and wasted two months. My trainer is right - nutrition is 80% of the battle. While I did not gain any weight over the holidays - something I attribute to the muscle I have gained at Crossfit, I did not lose any weight either.
Worse than that, I spent two months struggling to hit workouts. With bad nutrition, Crossfit was not joyful because I wasn't seeing improvement. What makes Crossfit addictive is seeing your body respond to proper nutrition and training. The human body has a powerful ability to progress when fueled and trained the right way. When one element is missing and progress halts, it's frustrating. It becomes just another workout program that you are slugging through.
On the bright side, I can say that I left 2010 25 pounds lighter and on the road to personal fitness. I made a GREAT start in 2010. I have made friends who are invested in my HEALTH at Crossfit. I learned to give myself a break - to not give up because I miss perfection. That has been the most amazing thing about Jason. When I have been down - stressed out personally and unable to commit the time and attention I need, he has encouraged me to keep going..not to be perfect but to stay in the game. I rode out the rocky patch because of his encouragement and now I'm back.
Because of Jason's encouragement, I didn't quit and lose all the gains I have made. I rode out the rocky parts and sustained. That means I can pick up and move on. I don't have to start over. I simply recommit and hit it hard. I find the joy, again.
That's life people...getting knocked down and getting up, again. My motto at Crossfit is, "The only way out is through". The only way I am getting out of a work out is by doing it. Giving up is not an option. I have committed another year to Crossfit. I sense this is a lifelong affair. This year, I look forward to truly morphing into the fit and active woman I have always felt lives on the inside.
Let your trainers know where you are. Let them train you. Let them walk you through the rough patches. Don't shut down or shut them out. They can truly be your best friends on your journey.
Keep on keeping on. And Jason, thanks!
Worse than that, I spent two months struggling to hit workouts. With bad nutrition, Crossfit was not joyful because I wasn't seeing improvement. What makes Crossfit addictive is seeing your body respond to proper nutrition and training. The human body has a powerful ability to progress when fueled and trained the right way. When one element is missing and progress halts, it's frustrating. It becomes just another workout program that you are slugging through.
On the bright side, I can say that I left 2010 25 pounds lighter and on the road to personal fitness. I made a GREAT start in 2010. I have made friends who are invested in my HEALTH at Crossfit. I learned to give myself a break - to not give up because I miss perfection. That has been the most amazing thing about Jason. When I have been down - stressed out personally and unable to commit the time and attention I need, he has encouraged me to keep going..not to be perfect but to stay in the game. I rode out the rocky patch because of his encouragement and now I'm back.
Because of Jason's encouragement, I didn't quit and lose all the gains I have made. I rode out the rocky parts and sustained. That means I can pick up and move on. I don't have to start over. I simply recommit and hit it hard. I find the joy, again.
That's life people...getting knocked down and getting up, again. My motto at Crossfit is, "The only way out is through". The only way I am getting out of a work out is by doing it. Giving up is not an option. I have committed another year to Crossfit. I sense this is a lifelong affair. This year, I look forward to truly morphing into the fit and active woman I have always felt lives on the inside.
Let your trainers know where you are. Let them train you. Let them walk you through the rough patches. Don't shut down or shut them out. They can truly be your best friends on your journey.
Keep on keeping on. And Jason, thanks!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Diet
I don't care what anyone tells you - my trainer is right - diet is 80% of the weight loss/fitness equation. You can bust your butt in Crossfit every day of the week but you won't progress the way you will with the right diet.
For me, the diet has been the hardest part. Crossfit is a challenge but it's 1 hour and you are done. I see progress and I have a lot of cheerleaders in there. Eating is a different story. I don't binge anymore and I eat on target about 50% of the time right now...but the other 50 is killing me. How did I get here? Too much to do. Too little sleep. Stress. Anxiety. I'm sure a lot of you are there right now and are thinking, "This is all too much - give me a sandwich so I can be done with this meal" or "Let's just order a pizza, there is too much going on." Then, it becomes a horrible cycle.
The cycle happens inside your body. Your hormones go awry and you are fighting your own body chemistry. It starts to feel impossible. Thankfully, there is usually a point where my body shows me that the pain of eating bad far outstrips the momentary pain of ignoring my manic hormones to get back on plan. Last night was that night.
It was date night. We were at home and we decided to have pizza, salad, and a beer. Then we ran to Home Depot and I had a crazy ice cream craving. We stopped by Publix to pick some up. I'm usually ok with feeding these weird cravings because they come so rarely. Unfortunately, this one came after a couple of weeks of bad eating and my body was over it. We had dinner and watched a movie and then I had ice cream. I was immediately MISERABLE. Pain in my stomach. Tired. Gassy (yes, that's a great thing on date night). My boyfriend looked totally dejected because I didn't want to touch because I felt bad. Yes, I'm one of those horrible people that doesn't like people touching me when I'm sick.
That was IT! The ice cream and left over pizza were purged and I went to bed with the 'this is enough' feeling. I woke up feeling hung over but I had a great Paleo omelet with mushrooms, onions, and basil, a banana and a cup of tea with almond milk. After just one 'on target' meal, my body and mind feel clearer.
Back on track. Yes, it's the holidays. I don't care. I started this to be healthy, to not feel this way all the time - and one night of feeling that way tells me NO MORE! Here we go - back on it, people! If you've given up on the diet...suck it up and get back on it. Your body will thank you.
For me, the diet has been the hardest part. Crossfit is a challenge but it's 1 hour and you are done. I see progress and I have a lot of cheerleaders in there. Eating is a different story. I don't binge anymore and I eat on target about 50% of the time right now...but the other 50 is killing me. How did I get here? Too much to do. Too little sleep. Stress. Anxiety. I'm sure a lot of you are there right now and are thinking, "This is all too much - give me a sandwich so I can be done with this meal" or "Let's just order a pizza, there is too much going on." Then, it becomes a horrible cycle.
The cycle happens inside your body. Your hormones go awry and you are fighting your own body chemistry. It starts to feel impossible. Thankfully, there is usually a point where my body shows me that the pain of eating bad far outstrips the momentary pain of ignoring my manic hormones to get back on plan. Last night was that night.
It was date night. We were at home and we decided to have pizza, salad, and a beer. Then we ran to Home Depot and I had a crazy ice cream craving. We stopped by Publix to pick some up. I'm usually ok with feeding these weird cravings because they come so rarely. Unfortunately, this one came after a couple of weeks of bad eating and my body was over it. We had dinner and watched a movie and then I had ice cream. I was immediately MISERABLE. Pain in my stomach. Tired. Gassy (yes, that's a great thing on date night). My boyfriend looked totally dejected because I didn't want to touch because I felt bad. Yes, I'm one of those horrible people that doesn't like people touching me when I'm sick.
That was IT! The ice cream and left over pizza were purged and I went to bed with the 'this is enough' feeling. I woke up feeling hung over but I had a great Paleo omelet with mushrooms, onions, and basil, a banana and a cup of tea with almond milk. After just one 'on target' meal, my body and mind feel clearer.
Back on track. Yes, it's the holidays. I don't care. I started this to be healthy, to not feel this way all the time - and one night of feeling that way tells me NO MORE! Here we go - back on it, people! If you've given up on the diet...suck it up and get back on it. Your body will thank you.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Say What?!
It is almost time to (oh goodness) go down another cup size in my bra. I mean, really?! Granted, I started at DD and love the idea of being a C cup...but I have a feeling it isn't going to stop there and I am going to have prunes for breasts. I'm just calling it like I see it. They still look good now but I seem to trade off and lose fat from my breasts then butt then back to breasts then back to butt. My weight loss seems to be very fair this time....
It really is crazy to look and see your body change. Every other weight loss has been about smaller size clothing or a number on the scale. This is about fitness, performance and health. It just amazes me me when I look down and I see my muscle definition starting to peek out. It's SO weird. I like it. I feel good but it isn't an arrogant thing..it's more like, "This is how life should feel."
Today, I am sore as all get out. SORE. SORE. SORE. I skipped Crossfit. With greater range of motion has come first day soreness. AGGGH! That's ok. I'll push through this and get there.
Alright peeps. Go get 'em. Share the changes when they happen because it's fun to celebrate.
It really is crazy to look and see your body change. Every other weight loss has been about smaller size clothing or a number on the scale. This is about fitness, performance and health. It just amazes me me when I look down and I see my muscle definition starting to peek out. It's SO weird. I like it. I feel good but it isn't an arrogant thing..it's more like, "This is how life should feel."
Today, I am sore as all get out. SORE. SORE. SORE. I skipped Crossfit. With greater range of motion has come first day soreness. AGGGH! That's ok. I'll push through this and get there.
Alright peeps. Go get 'em. Share the changes when they happen because it's fun to celebrate.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Yummmmmy
This was dinner last night. Almond crusted chicken with avocado, baked applesauce and roasted asparagus. Completely paleo using almond flour. I was so satisfied at the end because it tasted REALLY good and was so filling. I have been into efficiency lately and that causes me to eat boring food...something that sets me up to eat crap later. You see, if my healthy food becomes monotoneous (same five flavors), eating clean seems undoable in the long term.
Here's the recipe:
Almond Chicken
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup of almond flour
salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and basil (you decide the amounts)
chicken cutlets - yes, they even make the good kind this way
Prepare two bowls. One has the beaten egg in it. The other has your spices and almond flour mixed together. Heat a pan over medium heat. Add a teaspoon to tablespoon of coconut oil and let heat (use olive oil if that is what you have). As it heats, coat the chicken with egg and then the flour mixture. Make sure both sides are coated.
Cook about 4 minutes on each side - or until coating is golden brown. The chicken is thin enough that it should be cooked through. Plate it up with your favorite veg and fruit and add sliced avocado on top...eat a little avocado with each bite of chicken - YUMMY!
You can also turn this into a chicken parm recipe by serving it over spaghetti squash with marinara...oh wow! I may have to try that variation next time!
Mange!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
This Really Works
I don't have a full length mirror in my home. I have three mirrors total - one in the bathroom that you can see your head and shoulders, one in the bedroom where you can see from hips up, and one in my roommate's room where you can see head and shoulders. We have discovered that the front door works perfectly as a mirror. I check myself out as I exit the house. If something is horribly wrong, I'll go back in and fix it..but usually I'm fine with the outcome.
Today, I stopped, looked at my reflection and thought, "This Crossfit stuff really works. My body is changing."
There are changes I see in the head and shoulders mirror. My shoulders are more defined. I have killer biceps. My face is thinner. My collarbone is back. Today was the first day that I looked in the full length mirror and thought, "Wow. I am changing."
The novelty of Crossfit has worn off. That's good. It's no longer a new thing I'm doing. It's now what I do. Eating clean and Crossfitting are a part of my life. The changes have not been overnight but they have been consistent. I'm no longer staring at the scale or measuring every week. I'm just doing it and letting the results follow.
Here are some other things that have changed..slowly but surely:
1. I can walk hills and stairs without losing my breath.
2. I fit into an airline seat without flowing into the seat next to me.
3. My stamina has improved.
4. My shoes are too big - you know you are losing weight when your shoes are too big.
5. I want to meet my friends to do active things.
6. I prefer to eat in rather than eat out.
7. I prefer my healthy food to the unhealthy stuff I used to eat.
8. I get sad when I see soda and junk food commercials.
9. I don't get the headaches and body aches I lived with all the time...I am sore but not in pain like I used to be.
Crossfit really works. Keep at it. One day at a time.
Today, I stopped, looked at my reflection and thought, "This Crossfit stuff really works. My body is changing."
There are changes I see in the head and shoulders mirror. My shoulders are more defined. I have killer biceps. My face is thinner. My collarbone is back. Today was the first day that I looked in the full length mirror and thought, "Wow. I am changing."
The novelty of Crossfit has worn off. That's good. It's no longer a new thing I'm doing. It's now what I do. Eating clean and Crossfitting are a part of my life. The changes have not been overnight but they have been consistent. I'm no longer staring at the scale or measuring every week. I'm just doing it and letting the results follow.
Here are some other things that have changed..slowly but surely:
1. I can walk hills and stairs without losing my breath.
2. I fit into an airline seat without flowing into the seat next to me.
3. My stamina has improved.
4. My shoes are too big - you know you are losing weight when your shoes are too big.
5. I want to meet my friends to do active things.
6. I prefer to eat in rather than eat out.
7. I prefer my healthy food to the unhealthy stuff I used to eat.
8. I get sad when I see soda and junk food commercials.
9. I don't get the headaches and body aches I lived with all the time...I am sore but not in pain like I used to be.
Crossfit really works. Keep at it. One day at a time.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Useless Without Pictures
I need a quick moment to vent about something on the Crossfit Message boards. I love the success stories. Everyone does. That's why you see them on every single fitness/diet/training site in the world. People love to know someone has done it and that success is motivating.
Pictures are fantastic with success stories. It is great to take a quick glance and see the success. However, reading stats are great, too. I love knowing someone lost 40 pounds in 6 months eating ABC and working out X times per week at Crossfit. That is motivating, too.
What irritates me are these bobos who comment on success stories with a 'this post is useless without pictures'. What?! Why? The part that is most annoying is 9 times out of 10, it is on a woman's post.
I am not some crazy feminist. I get that guys like to look at women's bodies. I get that these Crossfit guys are into super fit women and they get excited looking at their bodies. Whatever. What bugs me is that a success post is seen as worthless to these guys without a picture for some horny guy to oggle. What's worse are the horny guys who mistake the site for a porn site and comment on success pictures posted by girls in a sexual manner..like:
Pictures are fantastic with success stories. It is great to take a quick glance and see the success. However, reading stats are great, too. I love knowing someone lost 40 pounds in 6 months eating ABC and working out X times per week at Crossfit. That is motivating, too.
What irritates me are these bobos who comment on success stories with a 'this post is useless without pictures'. What?! Why? The part that is most annoying is 9 times out of 10, it is on a woman's post.
I am not some crazy feminist. I get that guys like to look at women's bodies. I get that these Crossfit guys are into super fit women and they get excited looking at their bodies. Whatever. What bugs me is that a success post is seen as worthless to these guys without a picture for some horny guy to oggle. What's worse are the horny guys who mistake the site for a porn site and comment on success pictures posted by girls in a sexual manner..like:
- I'm saluting you
- Good thing you can't see me below the waist
- I'll spot your back squat anytime
Really?! Some girls love it and respond. Doesn't matter. Crossfit spends hours talking about how they are a serious sport and that you can take your shirt off in the box without feeling like it is a meat market. Why, then, are the message boards allowed to be filled with this type of crap?
I am a work in progress. I don't have a bikini or sports bra photo and I am not going to have one. When I hit my goal and am hitting Rx and am 80 pounds lighter (down 22 right now), I will post my success and sing Jason and his team's praises from the mountaintops. I probably won't post a picture though. For those who have seen me slog it out day in and day out...they know the post is not worthless - it is priceless. Sorry, just had to let that one out!
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