You need balance in your life. Sometimes that balance shifts, sometimes it topples, sometimes it's a perfect. I often remind myself of this need when I get "mom guilt" for going to Crossfit, or girls night, or escaping the boys to watch Dateline (obsessed). My husband and mom are very good at reminding me that if I don't take care of myself first then I can't take care of all my people.
I'm pretty sure he takes care of me more...
When smaller/lighter they loved to join me for runs
Love my post workout hugs!
Such an occasion happened on Tuesday. I was feeling like maybe I should stay home, play with the boys, take a day off, and just chill (BUT I really wanted to go to Crossfit). I picked them up from school and when we got home they went right outside with friends and played. They are happy, they know I love them, I went to Crossfit. That made ME happy. When I get to workout, and REALLY workout, I am less stressed. I yell less (there's that New Year's resolution). I'm funnier. Yep. True. Everyone likes me more.
My body and mind need exercise to be balanced. I didn't used to think that was true. Once I graduated and stopped playing Lacrosse 6 days a week I went right into Graduate school. I didn't have time for much else. I was stressed, I gained weight, I cried. When I graduated and got a full time job I had some more time on my hands and played on an adult lacrosse team. It was fun, but it was not an easy commute and it wasn't 6 days a week. I think we practiced once a week and played a game once a week. Not exactly body/mind changing.
Then Weight Watchers happened. That did save me for a while. I wasn't really working out at all, so just being really mindful of what I ate worked. I lost about 20 pounds doing that and started to feel better about myself. Then I got pregnant. Twice. Back to back 60 pound pregnancies. Yep. 60 pounds. Each. I got back to pre-baby weight before I got pregnant again, but that was tough.
ps. I am NOT pregnant in this pic :(
I began walking. Then jogging. Then running. I went through all the distances: 5K, 10K, 10 miler, 1/2 marathon, full marathon, sprint triathlon, olympic triathlon. It was fun. I got back to where balance was restored.
Va Wine 1/2 Marathon
One of many 1/2 marathons
Currently my balance comes from family, friends (work, neighborhood, my girls, etc), and Crossfit. They all make me really happy. REALLY HAPPY. I have a ton of family around. I live in the area I grew up in so there are friends everywhere. Then Crossfit. It's close to home. It's close to work. It's become like a second home.
Annual Beach trip!
My first 10 miler
CFA Superfit Delaware
CFA Movember
Wine 1/2 marathon with the girls - so fitting
You need to find what makes you happy. What you can't wait to do - then do it! Find your balance!
9 days until The Open! Have you registered? Do you know what it is? It's one of many things the Crossfit Community does to get the average Joe involved in The Games. The Open is one of many steps that can lead you to Regionals and The Games. It can also lead you to PR's, a chance to see progress from last year, a chance to bond with your box (hehehehehe), a way to have some fun, etc. It's a good time, at least at Crossfit Annandale.
To get ready I've made goals (you know I don't share those much), been working hard, doing mobility, and checking out new products that will help with my goals, fitness, sanity........
First thing I have found that I LOVE is Fuel for Fire. Wow. I tried two flavors, both amazing. The sweet potato apple one tastes like sweet potato pie. The banana cocoa tastes like heaven. I used them before, during, and after workouts. So yummy, so portable, and a lot of nutrition. I was surprised by how much they filled me up - they got a lot of sweet potatoes in that yummy little pouch. 10 grams of protein and the carbs are natural from fruit. No crazy add-ins. No chemicals. Clean and easy.
My husband also got me something fun - a new wedding band. It's from Qalo and it's made of some stretchy silicone type material. Sam and I have not been wearing our rings due to increased Crossfit/Weight lifting. Have you tried to wear a ring and do pull ups? Cleans? Dead lift? Nope. You will rip your shit. It hurts. I just didn't wear them because I didn't want to loose them at the gym. Then Sam found Qalo. Now we each have a ring that we can wear at the gym. I love it. I've done rope climbs (my first ever), kettle bell swings, cleans, kettle bell snatches, rowing, and handstand walks with it on. No pain, no rubbing - I didn't even notice it!
My Ring
Sam's ring
I love it. We thought about getting tattoos, but that part of your finger is so small. I'm also not creative, so I couldn't think of what I wanted. This is perfect and I love it!
The other thing I have recently found - that I hope saves my hands - is Goat Tape. I got the sticky for olympic lifts and soft for gymnastics moves. I used it to when I ripped my hand, but needed to do a bunch of cleans and kettle bell snatches. Perfect!
This stuff is great, is super affordable and the guys at Goat Tape are doing awesome stuff with charities and savings peoples hands. I dare you to not fall in love with this. I ordered mine through Rogue Fitness.
So I've got my fuel, my ring, my tape, and my plan. I think I'm ready for The Open!
Sundays at CFA are great. Not a lot of people usually are there and it's open gym. Win-win. Most Sundays I have a TON of work to get through, but I'm getting much better at getting stuff done in bigger chunks during the week. Funny how that happens.....you get stronger and can do more at once. Crazy.
So I worked on a few things (pull ups, tire flips, mobility) and then had time. Lots of time.If it's not written down I don't really know what to do. I'm great at following a plan, not making it. I know my biggest weaknesses - The Clean, The Snatch. Nasty pair. I have developed some terrible habits that I'm working on breaking. Today was drill work to get past some of those bad habits.
This drill was to work on stringing cleans together and keeping form. In a WOD I have a tendency to just go fast and form goes to shit (what little I have). If I want to hit the goals I have set and stay safe and in one piece I need to be efficient. I also need good form so I can keep getting heavier cleans. My max right now is 140#, when I failed at 145# it was not due to strength - it was form. Bleh. This video was me doing ok for the first two cleans and then the third one I just reverse curled it. Point made.
The Snatch. I know. Hilarious.....I giggle when people say it. I need to work on staying back, staying tight, and just being awesome. I want so badly to get big numbers with this lift. My max is 93# - my goal is much higher than that. Gotta start from the bottom - awesome form will result in awesome #'s. Right?
Today was the first Crossfit Kids class too. I tried to stay away so the boys would just do their thing, make friends, and listen to the Coach. I snuck a few pics and videos though. They had a blast, the did squats, they played dodge ball, and even mowed threw some burpees.
Sunday Funday typically ends with a lunch out with friends too. I really like that part. I love to lift, I love to laugh, I love to lunch.....perhaps that should be a shirt???? There is always room in my collection.
Hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready to kick this weeks ass!
This stuff is great, is super affordable and the guys at Goat Tape are doing awesome stuff with charities and savings peoples hands. I dare you to not fall in love with this. I ordered mine through Rogue Fitness.