Last Chance Workouts!

As we come into the final week of the 90 day challenge I have been reflecting back on how far I have come throughout the challenge. Not only the way my body looks or feels but my attitude and new found confidence.

90 days ago I was scared to walk into ACF and attend a WOD without the security of boot-camp or my boot-camp friends. My first WOD – (after doing 7 minutes of burpees) was very intimidating. I wasn’t sure what to do for the warm up, I couldn’t front squat more than 45 lbs and the workout was wall-balls and pull ups with a partner (thankfully I had Renee there with me).

Now three months have gone by and I walk into crossfit knowing at least one person in every WOD. I am not scared or intimated by the workouts. I know what to expect (most of the time) when I show up. I put everything into the warm up, can front squat 75 lbs or heavier now, and just completed 87 wall-balls with the 14lb ball.

Two weeks ago I had my worst WOD week yet but this past week was amazing! I was PRing at every workout!! My clean and jerk – which I struggled to do 5 at 75lbs – I was able to split jerk 90lbs multiple times. Tuesday ACF was closed due to the weather but it didn’t stop me from working out! I took the idea from the Biggest Loser and did the deck of cards workout – hearts – burpees (of course); diamonds – squats; clubs – hollow raises ups; spades – pushups. It took me about 30 minutes to complete but it felt good once I completed it! 90 days ago I would have never completed a workout at home on my own!!! Wednesday was my first ever Caleb WOD – yes I have been going to CrossFit for 4 months and had yet to try a class with Caleb! It was a partner WOD where we had to row, lateral burpees over the bar and then power snatches. The week before I couldn’t do any snatches and now I was pushing through 7! Caleb was great at giving me pointers of setting me up so that I was doing the movement correctly! Then Friday I came in to work on my jump rope skills with Dave, I had to get past my school girl jumping and finally I was able to understand singles! So my week needless to say was WAY better than the week before!

Now the intimidation of doing the 90 day workouts is gone, I have a new energy about crushing my previous workouts and getting great results. Although I don’t know where I will end once this is all over, I have won so much since starting 90 days ago. My body feels and looks great – I have had many people comment on how my face is slimmer and I look great!!

So to everyone in the challenge – good luck this week!!!!! We have all worked so hard and win or lose we have already gained so much!!! 

Tough week – need to learn to shut my thoughts off while I am at Crossfit

This was by far my toughest workout week I have had!! After doing WOW 13.1 I was feeling pretty impressed with what I was capable of doing! Then Sunday came and I was a little hung-over from the night before and tried to go for a run, I only made it a mile and was exhausted! Monday came and I had a lot of my mind, work has been super busy and everything was irritating me! I went to crossfit hoping that the distraction of the workout would help – it didn't  We did Angie and I couldn't get through the sit-ups because of my tailbone and instead had to hang from the bar and crunch my knees up. I just couldn't hold my grip and was getting irritated. I ended up finishing the workout but didn't feel that normal – wow I just did that feeling.

Tuesday was another difficult day as it just seemed that anything that could spike my anxiety was spiking it into high gear! Again I went to Crossfit hoping for another distraction but couldn't get out of my own head! We were working on snatches and I couldn't hit one – I had just hit 30 on Saturday and couldn't get the bar up. Then we moved to the WOD and I couldn't jump on the box because my tailbone was hurting again. I was very frustrated because for the first time since joining I really wasn't giving it 100% and was miserable.

Then Wednesday night 13.2 was announced. At first I wasn't too scared – I mean if only I could do a proper jerk I could get 75lbs overhead right??? Since I was going out of town this weekend I needed to get the workout done Friday. I had asked Dave to judge me as I know he would get me to stop thinking and through the workout but again I couldn't get out of my own head. Watching the workout prior to doing it and then seeing another member get sick after didn't help my head!! I was stuck – then I started to workout and the first 5 shoulder overhead presses were hard but I made it through them, then the dead-lifts and box jumps went smooth – what didn't go smooth was the next set of shoulder overheads! I couldn't get one, couldn't get out of my own head! I probably attempted it 10 -15 times and only got 3 to count. The workout was over and I had hoped to get through 4-5 rounds and I only did 1!

I was very disappointed in myself and Dave was trying to remind me that I am still new and still developing my skills but it still sucked!! While in Boston I was able to shut my brain off and have a great time! Today on the ride back I was still thinking about 13.2 and how disappointed I was but knew I was in no shape to try it again – although I was very excited for all my new friends killing it and even doing it multiple times!

As I was unpacking and putting my clothes away I found my goal sheet from BootCamp:  

My short term goal was to keep up the motivation to work out and complete boot camp - check

My Mid-Term Goal (set by Kevin) – 3-4 visits/week consistency = results – check

My Long Term Goal(s) – Lose 25-30 pounds/tone up (am down 18 since starting boot camp) 

                                       Learn how to become accountable for my health – check

                                       Look good in a bathing suit in Aruba this July – getting there!

As I read through my goal sheet the last question mentions what problems may arise and how will I deal with them? My answer – losing motivation and my solutions – continue to be around positive people who will motivate me to work out and make smarter choices!!!

 So now that the 90 days are coming to an end I need to learn to shut my brain off during workouts and continue to surround myself with the awesomeness that is crossfit!! I have made so much progress since joining here – physically and mentally that I don’t want to go back to where I once was!!! Hopefully this bump in the road was small and I can get back on track for the last two weeks of the 90 days and to achieve my long term goals!! 

WOW- what a weekend!

Ever since Kevin’s video I had been thinking about signing up for the open but then I looked at last years workouts and never thought I could do any of the workouts. Then the announcement came about the workout and I was still hesitant. Burpee’s and Snatches??? I have only done a few snatches and 45 pounds is my 1RM and now I am going to have to do 30 of them??

Well my brother-in-law called me Thursday morning to tell me how he had just signed up and did the workout. Once I realized that I had 17 minutes to complete it I figured it was worth a shot – what do I have to loose??? So I emailed Kevin, knowing he would say yes and I registered. Then came Saturday morning – my stomach was in knots! I was glad I had my buddy Gannon there at the same time!! I was paired up with a coach (Sarah) then the workout started – burpee’s with the 6” target! 40 went by at a good pace, a little over 4 minutes. Then onto the snatches – I was able to get through them but it was difficult – 30 done! Back to burpee’s at this point I cannot catch up to my breath so it was very difficult getting through the next set of 30 burpee’s and I was not ready for the 75# snatches!! So it took me the rest of the time to get through the 30 burpee’s with a score of 100! That was my goal and I achieved it!!

Thankfully I had an amazing coach that kept me going and pushed me to finish the 30 burpee’s and helped me get through the snatches so thank you Sarah! Also the amazing members at the gym that suck around and kept encouraging me through the workout!!!

Then the prepping for Saturday Night – The CrossFit Formal!! I was very excited to get to hang out with all the new friends I had made and meet new ones!! It was an amazing night!

Thursday night Danielle, Renee and I went dress shopping at crossgates! I think the last time I was dress shopping like this might have been high school and it was such an amazing time! Renee and Dani made me try on dresses I would have never tried before. Renee handed me a dress that was 2P (navy blue with a gold strap). I told her she was crazy if she thought that I would fit . . . and it did, maybe because it was stretchy but it felt so amazing to fit into the dress and look pretty good!! As amazing as the dress was it wasn’t worth the money and I found something very similar for less that was a 4P!

 I LOVED my dress – especially because the size was the smallest I have ever purchased!! I also went shopping for the first time at Charming Charlies – that place is amazing!! It has every accessory that you could possibly need and more. I left with a new pair of shoes, a clutch and a necklace/earrings pair!! I got home and got myself ready for the night – curled my hair put on makeup and slipped into my new sexy dress! We headed out to the Formal and when we arrived it was a little awkward at first, didn’t really see anyone I knew well enough and didn’t know where to sit – it was like the first time you walked into the cafeteria when you were a kid and had to decide which table to sit at. Then I saw Gannon, met his beautiful wife and found a place to claim! 

 (Awesome bootcamp peeps - MIA James and Keho)

The rest of the night was so much fun! I was able to introduce my husband to the people I had been talking about for months (Dave, Kevin, Dani, Renee, Kyle, Gannon, James, etc) and just have a good time with good people. The wine made it a good time too! The photo booth was too much fun and wish we had taken more pictures but I have the memories locked in my brain! I also got to meet people that I have never met before, even though we are friends on facebook. It was nice to finally see them in person (Stacia)!! I think since joining CrossFit I have added so many new friends and really love the community!! I hope that after the 90 day challenge is over that it continues – I don’t know how it can’t as I have the Kool-Aid running in my blood! 

Bruising – steps towards becoming a “crossfitter”

So after Monday’s workout of doing power cleans I had my first experience with bruises!! At first I didn’t notice them but then I went to work and of course wore a low cut sweater and everyone was asking me what happened. Yep I had three bruises that almost looked like finger marks on my collarbone, see below:

As the day went on the bruises got darker and darker . . . working at a high school I even had a student ask me if they were hickeys!!! It wasn’t until I got to CrossFit and showed my bruises off that I knew I was on my way to becoming a crossfitter! (Then Dave game me the idea to write about it in my next blog, so my Aruba blog will have to wait)

Then we worked on snatches on Tuesday and I always end up with blisters and bruising on my thumb and a nice bruise on my thigh! It was a couple days of abuse but I enjoyed every minute of it!!

I can definitely see that I am making progress with crossfit. Tuesday I actually did my first handstand but didn’t hold it for two long. I love going to Kim’s class Tuesday nights because she is always pushing us to take our workout to the next level. The snatch is one of the movements I struggle with – my hands instantly blister. Kim did a great job helping me with the move and walking me through the steps – even saying have the bar hit my boobs!! J It worked and made me get the snatch move down a little better (still not perfect).

This week the workouts were tough and although Kevin wasn’t there pushing me, I had Alex, Dave, Pat and Kim there to keep me motivated. I have started to see some great results so far losing 12 pounds, 5” from my waist and 3.5” around my hips. I also came home Monday and did the P90X ab ripper workout to start working on strengthening my core.

I am looking forward to the next 31 days and hope to continue seeing some more amazing results and becoming a stronger crossfitter in the end! 

A Reason to Thank

This week I have been reflecting on what caused me to make this change and jump into CrossFit. A little less than four years ago my life changed forever. I was preparing to marry my best friend and was moving onto the next chapter of my life when another life changing event happened, I lost my mother four days before my wedding. To this day it was hardest week I have ever faced in my entire life.

As I struggled to understand the reason why I lost my mom and what happened I started to forget to take care of myself. My mother was the best at taking care of others, but never took care of herself. She hadn’t been to a doctor for a checkup since I was born, dentist – forget about it. Everything I knew about her side of the family’s health was through my aunts. My mother had lost her father at a young age due to heart disease and we always struggled to convince her to see a doctor.  When she unexpectedly passed away it was due to heart disease. That week was the longest week for me; we had a wake, funeral and a wedding all within days of each other. I was so thankful to have such an amazing family and friends that helped us get through all of it.

I was angry that my mom had made such bad health choices and her life was taken so early because of it. I had thought I was good at going to the doctor, going to my yearly exams, seeing a dentist regularly and going to the doctors when I knew something wasn’t right. As the years have gone by I have worked through my feelings of losing my mom but didn’t realize how unhealthy I was getting. My eating habits and weight was getting to a point I was no longer comfortable. None of my clothes were fitting and the number on the scale kept creeping higher and higher. Around October I went to see a Medium (don’t judge) it was an amazing experience and although some of the things didn’t seem to make sense the stuff about my mom was right on point. I felt validated about my feelings around my mother’s death and knew that she was always with me. It seemed to finally coming to the acceptance stage of grief!

This is when I knew I needed to make a change. I no longer wanted to accept my weight for what it was and needed to make a change. A few weeks later I heard about CrossFit from a good friend, I had heard about it before but never thought it was something I could do. I finally got the guts to call and set up an appointment to learn more about Albany CrossFit. After playing phone tag with Murph for a day or two we finally made an appointment for me to come in. I was nervous walking in, not sure where to go, who Murph was or what I was expecting to see. As we talked it seemed as though CrossFit was going to be new but just like everything else I had tried in the past – going to commit to the boot camp but not follow through at the end.

Fortunately I met some really amazing people who kept me motivated throughout bootcamp and welcomed me into the WOD world when I transitioned. Throughout bootcamp I didn’t make a ton of progress with my weight but I learned a lot about CrossFit and how capable I was on continuing on. I now truly know what it means to be healthy. It is not just going to a doctor regularly but taking care of myself through exercise and eating healthy too. I finally feel good and don’t want to lose that momentum. I have been going to around 4 WOD’s a week and following Paleo/Primal eating habits. There are a few things I haven’t been able to let go of but the few changes I have made are really working!

 I can’t even begin to express my gratitude towards everyone who has influenced me at CrossFit:

Kevin – Thanks for being such a great coach, every WOD you are always pushing me to finish and put my best foot forward. You truly are a great person and always help me get through the butterflies of trying a new workout!

Gannon, Renee, Kyle and Dani – Thanks for being awesome friends! I am so thankful to have gone through boot-camp with you guys and still staying in touch. I think the group text has definitely helped keep me on track and I love having (at least) one of you there doing the WOD!

Dave – For always letting me get my whining out and then pushing me past what I thought was my limit. Seeing the progress that I have made so far is what is holding me accountable to work harder in the WODs and you reminded me of that Monday.

James – Thanks for working with me one-on-one for the snatch and the back squat. I lack confidence in certain moves and you are great at helping to build that up!

Mary, Lynn and Carmen – Thanks for welcoming me into the CrossFit community! I felt so welcomed by all of you and Carmen I can’t begin to thank you enough for pushing me through those Burpee’s!!!

(I might need you again day 90 to get me through them again!)

Albany CrossFit – Thank you for being such a great place. You really have made a huge difference in my attitude toward being healthy and making better choices. Your coaches are the best and I don’t think that I have met anyone there that hasn’t been welcoming and supportive! (Even Andrew who had me do FRAN wrong the first time and coached me through it the second time!) 

Half way there . . . .

45 days done . . . well today we are at 49 days! I can’t believe how fast it has gone by! I remember when I was 17 years old and had my license temporarily suspended due to a car accident (one day short of being off the initial probation) for 60 days and it was the longest 60 days ever!!!!

45 days later I have lost 10 pounds, 3 inches from my waist, 2.5 on my hips, and .5 around my neck (really don’t understand the neck measurement??). I have loved every part of this challenge, even when I am whining during the WODS! I have such a different attitude towards working out, eating healthy and making better choices.

This past week was a difficult one when it came to food because of Valentine ’s Day. My husband had been begging me to make him a carrot cake for almost a year so I finally made it for him last Sunday. IT WAS AMAZING!!! The thing that is different today versus 49 days ago is that I would have never thought twice about having the carrot cake after dinner, taking some for lunch and then having more the next night! Now – I sampled one piece, brought some in for a co-worker, and had another small piece later in the week. For me it wasn’t worth it to ruin everything I had worked so hard to get! I also love to bake and make things for others . . . so I made my co-workers a brownie bottom peanut butter cheesecake – yes it was very bad for you but O so good!! As I was purchasing the items for this I walked past a display of twizzlers . . . my addiction!! I kept on walking, 49 days ago that would have never happened!!! Those twizzlers didn’t get me in the shape I am in today!! I made the cheesecake for my colleagues and sampled a small piece but didn’t really enjoy it because I knew I was going to be working out later!!

I can’t remember the last time I committed to a weight loss/exercise program for this long. P90X – maybe a good 30 days, kettleworks – 2 weeks, weight watchers – consistently maybe a month! What I enjoy the most about this challenge and CrossFit in general is the support and motivation I get by going to WOD’s. Kevin is always pushing me to work harder, Dave is there to tell me I am not going to die, James is always sneaking up to correct something I am doing wrong, Pat has helped me improve my squats and ring rows, and Dean brings an energy that keeps me coming back on Saturday mornings!

I also love the compliments I am getting from people who see me. I have been in such a lull for so long that I never felt confident to wear certain clothes. Now I can wear things I haven’t been able to wear in over a year and I am not packing myself into one of those flat stomach things. When I get dressed I am excited to see how the outfits look in the mirror. My husband unfortunately doesn’t get to see me too often because he leaves before me in the morning and I get home late in my workout clothes that the days he does see me in “normal” clothes he is amazed at how far I have come!!

Still I can’t believe I have made it through these 49 days and look forward to the progress I am going to make over the next 41 days. 

What I use to feel like . . . what healthy feels like!!

So I have been doing the Paleo diet now for a couple weeks and have been pretty good at not cheating. That was until this weekend! Since it was the superbowl I figured that I could take a day off. I was going to about 4 WOD’s a week and had lost 7 pounds since the 90 day challenge had started. I have been feeling great about my progress and impressed with what I could do. So I thought I desereved a cheat and what could possibly go wrong . . .

I am really enjoying being part of this new family at Albany Crossfit. Every workout I feel like I might die, not sure if my body can take another workout. But you know what . . . I wake up the next morning ready for the next one. Saturday I went to the WOD and was dreading the workout: I don’t think I have ever done 50 squats in a row, let alone with a weighted barbell!!! I scaled the weight and the reps and 28 minutes later I was done with the workout, I didn’t die!!!

Then came Sunday . . . My husband loves to go snowshoeing/hiking and has been bugging me forever to go out with him. He first asked me Saturday and that wasn’t going to happen so I promised I would go out with him Sunday. So off we went on our winter hike!!! It wasn’t too cold and I had just downloaded a new app for my phone to track our hike. He told me there was a small hill but it was a cliff to me!! We got halfway through and I thought I would show my CrossFitting off by stopping and doing some squats (THANKS GANNON)! I use to hate snowshoeing/hiking because I never could keep up, would get out of breath or get cold/tired. I was impressed that I could keep up, although my husband is a good foot taller and has larger strides!

As for the food . . . Sunday started with some pancakes and bacon. Now I really haven’t had any carbs intentionally and I have been a little cranky because of it! Sunday night we went over to our friend’s house for the superbowl. I had made a buffalo chicken wing dip . . . with cream cheese, blue cheese, cheddar cheese and I had Pita Chips to serve with it. When we got to our friends I had some of the dip but it was so addicting I just kept going back for more and more, and then it was all downhill. I was drinking diet soda, eating chips, cheese and crackers. I couldn’t stop! Finally my stomach was starting to bother me so I decided to stop snacking.

The whole ride home I was groggy and felt exhausted and it was already 11:30. I had barely drank enough water and had a lousy night sleep! I overslept this morning and was in a rush to get to work. I made it through the day but barely drank water and didn’t get a lot to eat. I went to the WOD at 4:00 and felt like death. As we were working on power cleans I was starting to put it together. I ate lousy yesterday, had a bad night sleep and didn’t get enough water in me . . . this is what I use to feel like all the time!! I don’t think I ever want to feel like that again and I guess everything they told us was true!!!

So needless to say I will no longer cheat that way again!!! I am going to Boston this weekend for a beer festival but will be a little bit smarter about my cheats and how much!! Will also work on getting some WOD’s in at the hotel so that I am not too out of shape on Monday (although I am sure it will be a tough one). 

(Here are some pics of our winter hike) (BTW I love my warm winter hat) 

He claimed this was a small hill, I called it a cliff! 

Stopped to hit some squats! 

Even had some obstacles!