Redefine Winning

Photo Credit: Lex Artis

For those of you who don't know, I'll be competing in the 2014 Michigan Barbell Classic on Saturday. A month ago I was excited, very excited. Today, I'm nothing but nerves!

Initially I signed up for this competition because I love to lift. It's my passion and that's no news to you! After encouragement from my friend Ace over at Eat.Pray.WOD. & my former coach Sean, I knew it was something I wanted in on.

I'm a competitor. I know the quotes about "only worrying about beating your own time," but honestly I've never bought into that. I'm all about getting better, but I'm also about striving to become THE best. I fully understand that I probably will never get there, but I'll never stop trying. I'm losing weight rapidly and my goal is to maintain my strength. If I can do both, I'm confident that I can do great things.

This competition is a whole different situation. On paper, I'm strong, very strong. But it is literally impossible for me to win. Take all of my one rep maxes, they look great, but divide them by my weight (315), not so great. The scoring at this competition will be pound for pound.
ex. If I got a 350 pound deadlift, it would be divided by 315 and my score for that event would be 1.11

Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with the scoring of the event. In fact, in the long run, it makes it fair. For me, I'm at a pretty big disadvantage because (in my opinion) all of my excess weight does not account for all of my strength.

What does this mean for me? 
It means that I have to redefine winning, at least for this weekend. It means that I have to decide what I want out of THIS competition.

I want to feel strong. To feel empowered. I want to do my best. I want to not be ashamed of my weight, even if people are wondering why I'm there. I want to show off all of my hard work from the last two months. I want to recognize my limits (so my knees don't fall apart). I want to make my coach proud. I want to PR on at least one thing. I want to have the highest lift on something.

I recognize that all of that may not happen, and I may be way out of my league, but winning can look like a lot of things. So I know, no matter what, this weekend, I'm going to win.

Plus, I'm super psyched to see my friends from CrossFit 734. It should be a great weekend!!!

The Box Is A Drama Free Zone

CrossFit is my safe haven.
It's the only place I feel my best.
The only place I feel I am my true self.

When I have a bad day, the barbell is there waiting.
Waiting there for me to lift. To let go of my anger or my sadness.

What's even better, is the family I have waiting.
When I walk through the door I could seriously say, "Honey, I'm home." & that would be the truth.

This is a feeling I want everyone to experience. The CrossFit Community.
The unity you have when completing a tough WOD.
The coaches that really do care about you.

CrossFit is a family and everyone is welcome.
That is what I believe.

But what baffles me is when I hear stories about people tarnishing the community that we have.
When drama becomes the focus, and fitness and family fall behind.

CrossFit is a family (have I said that enough?)
No one person deserves to be there more than another.
CrossFit is an open door to those who want to improve their fitness.

So please, cut the bullshit.
CrossFit is purely about fitness.
Love each other.
Encourage each other.
Invite everyone.

5 On Friday - CrossFit Confessional

Hey Hey!!!

So happy to be writing for a second day in a row (: I knocked out sociology today, so I feel like I earned some down time! A.K.A, curling up in a ball & watching "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs"

Something I'm even MORE excited about is linking up with Carolina Charm for another 5 on Friday!!

So today I thought it'd be fun (yet extremely embarrassing) to let you in on a few of my MOST embarrassing CrossFit moments...

ONE.

The very first time I hit a BIG pr on my back squat.... I peed. A LOT. Let me tell you, it. was. awkward. Obviously my body confused which muscles were what, cause that exertion, whoowee... The good news was, I made the lift and hit #215!!! (Which at the time was a super big deal)
The even better news, I know I'm not alone... This video is pretty funny!!!

TWO.

Some time in the summer I was joking around with Sean & Justin. I was running late so the group had taken off for their warm up run... I turned around and started running backwards so I could talk to them, & fell flat. on. my. butt. I was new to CrossFit, so this couldn't have been more embarrassing... I hurt my wrist, but what hurt even more, was my pride!

THREE.

Yoga pants... There was a time that I definitely didn't realize how see through they are. I mean hello?? Has everyone seen my leopard print panties???

FOUR.

It's no secret that I can be a ditz... It was just last week that I unloaded a bar that had 275lbs on it... The smart person would unload the sides evenly, but me? Nope... I unloaded 120lbs off one side first. Which means the other side came crashing down, knocking over the racks, the weights, the rigs, everything.... It was loud, awkward, and so many eyes were on me!

FIVE.

At the CrossFit Christmas party I may have gotten slightly intoxicated (way more than slightly). The last thing I remember is publicly ranting about grandmas and breast reduction... Other than that, it was fun. #partyhard

Ever had anything crazy embarrassing happen to you??

Never Underestimate A WOD.... NEVER.

Hey lovelys!

I know it's been over a week since my last post. I've been crazy busy with Criminal Justice papers, Sociology research, and about 3 hours of CrossFit a day. By the time I get home (around 11PM) I crash... Seriously. It's THAT bad.

Doc & I have been working... hardcore! Even adding one extra WOD a day, I've seen major improvements. More on that later...But if you haven't checked out my progress lately, CLICK HERE.

Two big accomplishments this week:
I completed "Karen" RX in 7:14 (which I've been told is crazy good)
&& I got a 295lbs back squat!! Couldn't be more psyched about that, 300 here I come!

So I'm sitting here at the box, waiting for Doc to come && I can't help but write about the WOD I just finished. Earlier today I sent a text that said "this is going to be the easiest WOD I've done all week..."

Oh the irony...

Ladies & gentlemen, never ever ever ever underestimate a WOD. It seems like those ones always turn out the worst. Take tonight for instance...

15 min AMRAP
20 Double Unders
15 American Kettle Bell Swings (53#)
10 Sit Ups
5 Ring Dips

If you're like me... You're thinking "piece of cake..." After all it's only 15 minutes of my entire life!!!

This WOD kicked my butt.
Like bent over, on the ground, half way through the 3rd round of kettle bell swings, ass kicking... I even let out a few cuss words... Which usually doesn't happen! Oops.

So after I recovered... It got me thinking, how did I underestimate that so badly?? I began to realize that you should never underestimate any WOD... because if you're working to your full potential, it shouldn't be easy. Does that make sense? If you're going as fast as you can, as hard as you can... The challenge is there. If it's too light? Lift heavier.

Short and sweet tonight guys, but that was just on my mind.

Work fast.
Work hard.
Lift Heavy.

For more of Justin's kick ass programming... CLICK HERE.

You'll be hearing more from me tomorrow (;
Keep warm, yall.

"I'm Feeling So Exotic..."

"I'm feeling so exotic!
I'm hotter than the tropics!"

As I truly experienced Zumba for the first time ever this week, I confirmed what I've always been afraid of... I. Can't. Dance. You'd think that since my mom is a Zumba Gold instructor, I would have inherited a little of her rhythm!

There's really no comparison between CrossFit and Zumba, they are completely different ideas! I can definitely appreciate why people find it appealing though. Women of all ages (and one old man) got together to "shake their thang." It's an inviting atmosphere that makes you feel like no matter what shape or size, you're welcome to be there.

Perhaps for some people, it makes you feel sexy! Latin music just has that effect... Once you learn the dance moves, you do feel, "hotter than the tropics."

That's another thing I'd like to point out... To get a GOOD workout, you probably have to go at least 5 times because if you don't know the songs, you'll spend more time trying to keep up than moving. Not knocking on it, but it definitely takes some time to get "in the groove."

Other than that, I can definitely see why people would benefit from a class that is this uplifting.

For someone that just wants to get moving, it's a great option. Here's a few reasons why:

1. It burns a TON of calories because seriously, it's constant motion.
2. It makes you HAPPY. You can laugh at yourself or feel confident in your body.
3. It's a great stress reliever. (Seriously... Where was this class exam week?)
4. The time goes by FAST.
5. The instructors were great!

Those are just a few reasons why it's a fun, happy go lucky, workout.

Will I be going back?
Probably not... It's really not my kind of thing. Once I got hooked on CrossFit, I have very high expectations for a good workout.

One thing: If you are a Zumba queen (or king) make sure you're incorporating some weights and body toning. It'll make the progress go even faster!

What's up next?
Here's the thing y'all, I realized that "WOD Week" was a little ambitious considering I have school, work, and CrossFit. (And a low budget). So I've modified it to, "WOD-A-WEEK" so stay tuned for next Wednesday to see what this CrossFit girl tries next!

GAME ON.

Most people see me as the girl that just wants a healthier life. The girl that says "hey, no matter what physical activity you're doing, you're doing a good thing!" But I have a dirty secret... that's a lie. I'm so engulfed in CrossFit that I truly believe CrossFit is the BEST if not ONLY way to achieve the ultimate level of fitness. I'm convinced of that. Narrow minded? Sure. I think that is the only workout that will kick my ass every single day.


Stay with me here... Lately, as I've gained a ton more readers and have a wider audience, I'm getting messages from people doing all sorts of workout routines & I think that's great. But like I said, I don't know anything about that. But I'm willing to learn...

My mom challenged me to trying out other activities to see if they "kick my ass" the way CrossFit does. So this week is officially, WOD hopping week. Each day I'll go do a different kind of workout. I think CrossFit has me prepared for all of them... But who knows, maybe I'm wrong.

MONDAY - ZUMBA
TUESDAY - STABILITY BALL
WEDNESDAY - CYCLING
THURSDAY - BARRE
FRIDAY - YOGA

Anything else I should try? Shoot me a message so I can get in on it!
I'll keep y'all posted with how they're going (: I think we're in for a treat...

Take it easy, y'all.

Five on Friday! CrossFit, School, & Teeth!

[ONE]
Pull-Ups
Doing a pull up is one of my long term CrossFit goals. Honestly, it will take a LONG time before I can get there because it is so so weight dependent. But this week I reached a short term goal. I hung from a pull up bar for FIVE SECONDS. Considering that means I had to hold 320lbs up, I'd say that's quite the accomplishment!

[TWO]
Battle of London.
My friend Amy from Chemical City CrossFit qualified to compete in LONDON, ENGLAND and thats where she will be THIS weekend. She is a beast and I'm so proud of her. Hopefully we'll get her on the blog one day!!!




[THREE]
10K
Well, it's official... "The Weigh" has reached 10,000 views. I can't even begin to explain how much that means to me. I've been overwhelmed with the support y'all give me. I get emails & messages all the time with questions and that makes me so happy! I hope that, "The Weigh" has provided you with motivation and encouragement because we ALL deserve to live a healthy lifestyle!

[FOUR]
Corrections.
I'm taking a corrections class this semester & I absolutely love it! We learn all sorts of crazy stuff. This week we talked about the old Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. This was back when they used solitary confinement for all inmates and when they came in and out of the prison, they would even put bags over their heads that way they never knew who else was there. Also, it prevented them grouping up after they were released. Ha, that would never fly today...

[FIVE]
Toothaches.

Besides the pain, I'm not gonna lie,
I love my teeth, they're gorgeous.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a cry baby. But forreal y'all, my tooth HURTS. Thank goodness Doc is a dentist and he's got an awesome staff if it comes to that.... But I think I'll avoid that at ALL costs. #dentiststruggs




I hope y'all have an AMAZING weekend! Look for another post soon && maybe something special (:

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