Posts Tagged ‘CrossFit



02
Jan
13

It Is Supposed Be Hard

As I got about halfway through an hour of rowing this morning, I started that little mantra in my head “Yes, it IS supposed to be hard and yes, you WILL finish this”…  Funny thing about this cardio thing, I’d rather lift weights all day than to do a cardio workout for an hour.  That being said, personal growth is found in discomfort.

Really, I’ve learned over the years that there is very little in the scheme of being fit that is truly easy.   I have realized though that I get stronger as time goes by.  

In the old days of battling for big losses, doing an hour of any type of cardio was mentally not possible.  I was lucky to get through 20 minutes. 

Who knew that 12 years later the battle for tiny losses would surpass the previous battles.  I love it.  Getting stronger and more fit is my end goal.  Both mentally and physically. 

As I pulled that rower handle over and over all sorts of things went through my mind.  I started out facing my garage door, then I jumped off the rower and turned it so I could face my Vision Wall (a wall in GG107 filled with memorabilia). I realized that it has been quite sometime since I’ve updated it.   It’s time for new motivating pictures and quotes.

Motivation isn’t always available in our endeavors.  Discipline must come in to play at some point.  It’s not always what I want to do and self-discipline is what pushes me to do what must be done.

Looking back over my journey, progress has never come when things are “fun”.  Progress comes after the most challenging discomfort.  Whether it was a personal struggle, work struggle or a fitness struggle there has always been growth during the greatest of challenges.

Hat Tip For Photo: Good Movies List.

Famous words of YODA: 

YODA

 

27
Dec
12

That Space in Between

Today I find myself sitting in that space between Christmas and New Year’s.  You know, that space where most people sit around nibbling on the goodness left over from Christmas while in wait for the celebration of New Year’s.

For some folks, that space in between is the black hole of every excuse under the sun for throwing months of hard work away with that “I might as well wait (weight) until the new year starts”. 

How about committing to yourself to not waste (waist) these next few days with that mindset.  You know who you are.  Especially those who are totally out of the normal routine.  Trust me, your routine is calling you just as loudly as those left-over treats.  In fact your routine is probably calling you just a tad bit louder.

You know you want to feel good.  So get up and moving.  Throw that crap out, in the trash can, down the disposal, whatever it takes. 

We are brought up not to waste food.  If someone gave it to you, throw it out.  If the person that gave it to you truly knows you and knows what your goals are, they won’t care if you throw it out.  If they get upset, then ask yourself what their true intentions are.   Because trust me, it is your goal at stake.  Not theirs.

This two-week sprint through the holidays is not about moderation.  If you ate treats in moderation for two solid weeks, then really, is moderation truly the ultimate goal?

Get your food cleaned up and get on with your goals.   Goals, you know, those things you set long before the treats of the season started showing up in every nook and cranny.

Get on with bringing your mojo back!  You know you want it!

go after it

 

28
Nov
12

A Set Back Is Not An Obstacle

I’ve read a lot of posts over the Thanksgiving weekend and on in to this week.  So much so that I felt the need to hold off on posting a new blog until I could really say something.

You see, I’ve been where so many people are today.  The holiday season becomes such an obstacle for people who struggle with food.  They tend to lose all sight of their personal goals and simply exist through the holiday season almost as if they have no control over the outcome.  Phhhfffttt. 

Having a work function one day, a group of friends celebrating another day, a holiday party on the weekend, not to mention the blended family chaos that comes for some of us.  Kids can’t be here then so we will celebrate again with them, etc.  These all turn in to excuses to forget your commitment to self.

It’s so easy to get caught up and just throw in the towel at the first tiny set-back.  That little set-back snowballs out of control and becomes the obstacle.  The daily effort now becomes a huge mental hurdle so the average or uncommitted person will say “well the damage is going to be horrible so just forget it until the new year”.  

First off, don’t allow your small set-back to grow.  Isolate the incident, remember your goals and keep yourself on the clean rails the remainder of the day.

Secondly, remember that it truly is ok to say no, whether its to a drink, an appetizer, a fancy schmancy dinner or that tin full of goodness someone dropped off at your desk.    Live this season guilt free.  You didn’t ask for that tin of goodies, so don’t feel guilty for putting it in the break room at work, just do it.

I’m not saying you should go without a treat or two.  There is a huge difference between a treat or two and throwing in towel for the whole holiday season. 

It is much easier to stay conscious of where you are and what your goals are than it is to back slide and then be faced with re-digging the whole you’ve already cleared. 

Stay the course and don’t let a set-back become your obstacle!

 

20
Nov
12

Female Body Building

I have a crush on female body building.  I have since I was in my early twenties when Cory Everson and Rachel McLish were so popular.  I still admire both of these women greatly for pushing the level of fitness for women.

Is it right for me?  I believe doable for me.  I’ve put my body through an incredible trauma by increasing my body weight to 328# over a two-year period.  That left marks, both physically and emotionally.  I used to consider those marks a negative reminder of the things I’ve been through.  These days, I just consider them reminders of victorious battles fought.

Anyway I digress.  Here is a picture of one of today’s more popular female body builders.  Her name is Dana Linn Bailey and she is awesome.  What’s more awesome than Dana?  The fact that my friend Katie wore one of the garagegym107.com sweat shirts to Xtreme Nutrition’s latest grand opening and Dana posed with her.

My friend Katie put this little photo together for me.  I adore it.  The poster will now be hanging in GG107.  It makes me feel famous and we all know that I’m not.  Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. 

If you want it, get after getting it.

16
Nov
12

No One Walks In Your Shoes

Friday Fun!  Now dance like a Boss!

Yesterday I found myself rather overcome with emotion the minute I set foot in Garagegym107.  There is powerful MOJO associated with this place.  I don’t question things in life that bring me joy and helping others surely does that.

Highlights from this week:

Two people commented on the progress one of the ladies that works out with me on the parking deck at work.  Progress being noted by people not working out.  Love.

One of the ladies that works out said “I see definition in my legs and I like it”.  Small pleasures!

The old man in the gym who now waves at me every morning after I commented to him that I missed him this last few days.  Just being noticed that you’ve been missed motivates some.

My friend said to me “treat yourself as good as you do your best friends”.

I got to speak to a group of women about nutrition.  Now they realize we all struggle at some point.  Realize that your journey is only about you.  What’s right for you may not be right for another.  Do not criticize their way because it’s not your way.  Respect our differences.

 

 

 

 

09
Nov
12

Fabulous Friday

Here we go with another little trip down memory lane. 

This reminds me of fun times on roller skates…uh as in quads.  Yes, I realize that I am again showing my age.   I’m still having fun anyway.

Do something that you love to do today!!  Life is too short not to.

07
Nov
12

Getting Lost To Find Yourself

Funny how folks allow an event to alter their daily lives even when it is totally out of their own control.  I’ve seen more morose faces today than I care to.  But this is life and I’m going to live it.

There are several highlights already happening in my day.

I watched a beautiful sunrise this morning after successfully hang squat cleaning 100# for 5 sets of 5 reps. 

I worked out with a group of ladies at lunch that are all showing improvement.  They are happy about it.

I closed my office door and buried myself in my work while listening to music.  Thankfully I have a boss that understands on occasion I need to tune out interruption and focus.  Getting lost in music today was a blessing.

This song reminds me of when I was a young mother of three rambunctious little boys.  In fact this reminded me of the day the youngest got a Nerd candy stuck up his nose.

There are greater things in our lives happening everyday.  Choose to see the greatness.

05
Nov
12

Momentum Is Inside You

There are days in my fitness and nutrition where momentum is non-existent.  I mean literally, picking up a barbell and going through the movement with no momentum is hard, mentally.  

This morning I ran a few  minutes late getting to the gym.  Big deal, I was still there by 5:30am.   But my mental momentum wasn’t there the second I stepped in front of the barbell.  In fact it took a good ten minutes to warm up to the barbell.

As I got a little looser, the momentum started changing too.

The barbell seemed lighter, my badonkadonk seemed to go lower and the balance seemed to level out.

Squat snatching.  It is such a technical movement. 

A movement that has humbled me over and over again over the past 2.5 years.  Just when I thought I had it, I realized I was training in the realm of power snatch far more often than the squat snatch.  To the point I had literally begun to stop myself from squatting under the bar.  Needless to say, a very poor habit to develop.

This morning I did something that I rarely ever do anymore.  I put my ear buds in and listened to music while I was lifting.  Just me, the barbell, and the music. 

There is always music playing in the gym so it’s not like that part is new.  But this morning I literally closed my mind from distraction and lifted.  Over and over I lifted that barbell, slowly increasing the weight.   It felt good.  Really good.

Today I remembered why I love lifting a barbell.  Because I am able to.  For no other reason than that I am capable.

I have two friends who are injured and can’t lift.  Today I lifted for them as much as for myself.  Thinking each time I pulled that bar high against the front of my body that they would each do the same for me.  

Carol and Caroline…for you.

 

 

 

05
Nov
12

Flash Cards

Just typing that subject reminds me that some things, no matter how old school, still work.

I spent a couple of hours getting caught up on making the flash cards for the key terms in the introduction and chapters 1 and 2.

Things are progressing along and each time I sit and study I am reminded that you are truly never too old to learn.  I’m also reminded that to pass, you must study.  I truly don’t believe I could fly through this material and nail the test.  It’s going to take hard work and discipline on my part.  It’s worth the work. 

It’s been years since I’ve had writer’s cramp.  Bring it ON!

02
Nov
12

You Just Never Know

I have a very small personal training business with only out-of-pocket money for equipment and so on.  That being said, I recently put together an order for some cool Garagegym107 sweat shirts (special order only).   I must say I have been very humbled by the ladies who have gotten shirts.  Just the sheer fact that they are wearing my blog name on their back is humbling.

This morning in the gym, I was asked to order more shirts.  When I stop and think of the fact that my friends and family are willing to wear them I get all teary-eyed.  It is a very special thing for me.  You just never know who’s reading or who might be hearing a much needed message.

My little brother would probably laugh at me for being sappy.  But deep down he remembers how unhappy I was before I started my weight-loss journey. 

I want people to look at those shirts and google this blog from those fancy smart phones everyone has now-a-days and I want them to see the about tab.

I want people to know that this is me keeping it real and spreading the message that if you want to get fit YOU can.

If you want to beat the odds, YOU can.

If you want to take a step to a healthier life, YOU can. 

But the real kicker here  is YOU.

There are days that this journey isn’t easy, but it is always doable.  The statement “how bad do you want it?” is often used. 

For me it’s “How good do you want to feel today?”. 

For me that feeling good comes from doing the right things for me.  Whether that’s clean food, a hard workout, a free meal or a rest day.  Getting to the point of even understanding what your body needs takes time and patience.  But it’s so worth every single second and every tear you may shed.  Anything worth having is worth working for.

Everyday we go through this life just trying to live through it.  I ask you, what are you doing to really LIVE?

For now just keep moving forward.