“Four Months from Now, Will You Care About Your Open Score?”

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit Open

This was the response of an athlete at my box when asked whether or not she’d re-do the workout or not.

At first, I agreed.Image result for crossfit open 18.2

However, it has kept coming up in my mind over and over again–a nettle that won’t let go–because deep inside I don’t agree.

The Open for me is about doing the best I know I’m capable of.  This entails re-doing the workouts because there is a learning curve–especially to movements such as the hang dumbbell clean that is not all that frequent of a movement in CrossFit programming.  If I have an opportunity to do better, I’m gonna take it!

This applies to all aspects of my life.  I always strive to do my very best in everything I do because I care about my work and the results.  I want to learn to do things better.  I want to be a better parent.  A better wife.  A better employee.  A better member of society.  A better writer.  A better CrossFitter.  A better person.  This involves practice.

I re-did 18.2 and 18.2a today.  My goal was to do 18.2 30 seconds better.  My goal for 18.2a was to clean 5 more pounds.

I met both of these goals–almost exactly.

All because I knew I could do better.

If I don’t try when I know I have more in me, I’m letting myself down.  And for me I can’t live with that.

So to answer the question:  I care and I will care in four months when the lights dim and the hubbub diminishes what my Open scores were.  I want to do my very best in this competition.  For myself.  To verify in my mind all my sacrifices are worth it.  It’s important to me.  Don’t get me wrong–I’m always in it to win it.  But the competition is within.

Challenges and goals.  Some met, some not.  But always doing my best.  Till the day I take my last breath…

A Gratitude Run…

by crossfitmomm, posted in Running

Image result for runningAs I posted a few days ago, I have been learning a lot lately about achieving your goals and defining them.

One thing Chop Wood Carry Water recommended was a gratitude walk when you’re comparing yourself to others.

Well, I took this idea and turned it into a “Gratitude Run.”

I love to run.  There’s nothing better to clear the mind, promote clarity, have some quiet time to yourself, and be healthy.  It’s the cheapest exercise program out there!  I have some of my best ideas when I’m running.

So yesterday I went on a gratitude run.  I tried to take everything I saw and be grateful for it:  prairie dogs, melting snow, grass, pavement, trees, bird calls, lakes, memories, etc.  I also used this time to be grateful and thank God for all the blessings in my life:  family, love, happiness, house, home, car, CrossFit, time to meditate and time to run, my job, my life, this moment, my future, my past, etc.

This was a great exercise!  I had some ideas I want to implement in my life not to mention I feel I’m not grateful enough in my life or humble.  I need to remember how blessed I am so I am a better person, more empathetic to others, more compassionate, more caring.

I plan to make every run (except maybe when I race) a gratitude run.

Try it yourself, see if your attitude or mindset changes, and let me know what you think!!

You Can’t Exercise Away a Crap Diet…

by crossfitmomm, posted in Nutrition

The number one factor in how your body looks is the food you eat.  Period.

From my own struggles with food, I’ve learned this is the truth.

Exercise is key as well, but it’s not as important as food.

If you’re not eating healthy, you’re negating all the exercise work you do.  You can run, bike, swim, lift all you want and you’ll never have the look you desire if you eat fast food every other day and have ice cream and chocolate for dessert every meal.Image result for diet and exercise

This has to do with the hormones and insulin your body secretes in response to the types of food you ingest.  You are either triggering fat-storage mode, sustaining mode, or losing weight mode.

THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO WEIGHT LOSS:

  1.  Adjust your diet FIRST. Nail it down.  Research.  Find the “diet” (really nutrition plan) that works for you and your lifestyle and put all your focus on implementing it.
  2. THEN add in exercise and come up with a sustainable exercise program that works for you and your lifestyle, interests, and hobbies.  “Going to the gym” is not the only form of exercise.  Find your passion:  climbing, biking, swimming, running, kayaking, hiking, walking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, skiing, boating, etc.  If it’s a passion, you’ll stay with it.
  3. Finally, COMMIT.  You have to commit to both for the short-term and for the long-term.  Hopefully, we all lead long lives.  We need to be healthy for all of it, not just for a month or two every few years.  Commit to diet.  Commit to exercise.

Nail it.  Combine the two (nutrition for life and life-long exercise) and you’ll be happier, have more energy, and lead the best possible life you can.  Commit to you.  By committing to you, you commit to your family, your job, your community, society, etc.  But it has to start with you!

It’s THAT important.  Do it now!

 

Chop Wood, Carry Water

by crossfitmomm, posted in Book Reviews, Life Lessons and Advice

Image result for chop wood carry waterChop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf is a book that will change your life if you apply all its principles.

In this book we follow John who as a child had a dream to be a samurai archer.  As a young adult, he travels to Japan to make this a reality.

Little does he realize that it takes years to become an archer, not a few weeks.  In fact, he’s not even allowed to touch a bow for months.  First, he had to learn to chop wood and carry water, which he did every day he lived in the complex.  Chop Wood, Carry Water is a euphemism for the process, both internal and external, one must go through to be great.  It’s the fundamentals.  It’s the person you become in the process, while achieving your life skills.

In total, John spends 10 years in Japan before he graduates as an archer.  However, he has gained what most people don’t:  a character that dares to do what others won’t, who works hard in the process, and someone with a purpose in life.

This book is so full of life nuggets that it’s hard to cover all of them in such a short post.  Here are some of my favorite principles from this book:

“Choose to do what others won’t, and eventually you will be able to do what others can’t.”

“My value comes from who I am, not from what I do.”

“You are building your own house.”

“Choosing to believe that anything that happens is in your best interest…will develop within you an ability to change the world.”

“The setbacks of today become the forging blades of greatness for tomorrow.”

“Every little thing we do matters greatly when it is multiplied by the number of times we do it.”

“Focus on the process; control the controllables.”

“In order to reach your greatest potential you must operate with a heart posture of gratitude, commit to the controllables, surrender the outcome, and trust the process.”

GET THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!  GO TO AMAZON.  ORDER IT.  YOU WON’T REGRET IT.  IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE IF YOU LET IT.

 

There’s Something Within Me That Wants to Be the Best…

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit, Life Lessons and Advice

Image result for achieving dreams

We all have this burning desire to be number one in something.

No matter what it costs us.

That “something” is different for all of us.  But it’s there.  It’s the part of human nature that has made us innovate from the time of the Stone Age till now–the Technology age.

For me, this is CrossFit.

I went to the gym early today to work out by myself.  It was 2 am.  No one was awake or on the streets.  Empty and silent like a forgotten tomb.

I cranked the music and got to work.  I immediately noticed how sore I was–especially my legs.  I had done 18.1 twice now and worked out yesterday as well.  I had lifted heavy on Saturday.  I had deadlifted on Monday.  And here I was…beating myself up again…

And why?

To be number one.

I thought how I’d look to an outside person.

One word:  insane.

It’s 3 am, and I’m working out.  The volume of work I had done since Friday would be enough for the average person for a month.  I’m pushing my body and pushing and pushing.  My legs are sore.  My arms are sore.  I’m bruised and battered.  Yet I’m at it again.

To be number one.

I stayed after my workout to work on handstands and muscle ups.  I can’t get them, and when I can’t get something I work all the more harder because I want it so much more.

To be number one.

At some point I think we all ask ourselves, “Is this worth it?  Is all of this work worth it?”

For me, the answer has always been yes.

I thrive on what others won’t do.  Can’t do.

Quitting is never an option.  Ever.

I’ve gotten this far with this attitude.  This mindset.  This process.  Hard work.

Regionals?

Who knows?

 

The sky’s the limit.  The stars are reachable.  Dreams exist for a reason.

Embrace them.  Strive for them.  Love them.  Cherish them.  Respect them.

But above all don’t quit until your dream is a reality.

Otherwise, life has no meaning…

Do I DARE to Hope?

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit Open

I told you all yesterday how I re-did CrossFit Open workout 18.1 and improved substantially.

Well, that improvement jumped me to the top 20 in my region in my age group…which got me thinking about Regionals?  Could I make it?  Do I dare to hope?  To dream?CrossFit DNR 8

It hasn’t ever been a goal of mine–Regionals–or the Games.  It just seemed so far out of my reach.  The Games athletes are professionals. They spend hours every day working out.

To tell the truth, it scares me because I don’t have muscle ups or handstand walks consistently or pistols.  I would have to work my butt off if I made it to have these by Regionals in a few months.

Whether I make it or not, I’m enjoying the thought of it.

The whole point of the Open for us lay people is to see how much we’ve improved since last year.  Based off of Workout number one, I’m VASTLY improved. This does wonders for the mind because sometimes it feels as if I’m wasting my time with all this hard work.  Being sore all the time.  Tweaks here and there.  Massages and muscle activation just so I can move again.  Hours and hours dedicated.

Results?

Priceless.

Currently, I’m sitting in 33rd place.  I’m very excited about this.  I will probably fall down as the workouts emerge.  But all the blood, sweat, tears, soreness, pain, anxiety, sacrifices and heartache are worth it. Even if it doesn’t last.

But for me I won.  In my heart and mind I’ve won.

This is better than any expectations I could ever have.

So I’m going to enjoy Cloud 9 while it lasts.  Savor the moment.  Then get right back to work!!

Chasing Excellence

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

Image result for chasing excellence ben bergeronChasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their lives either in sports, professions, or any goal you may have.

Bergeron is a well-known name in CrossFit.  He trains CrossFit Games athletes and champions including Mat Fraser and Katrin Davidsdottir.  Many affiliates follow his programming (including us).  He is top notch in the CrossFit industry.

His premise is this:  train the person (character), the process (maximizing every minute of every day), ability (training), and strategy (plan).  This is his pyramid for success.  Day in and day out.

This book is packed with nuggets so I’ll break it down to the most important:

  1. You have to have a plan to get where you’re going.  You have to be willing to sacrifice every day, making small gains which will add up to the large jumps for success in life.
  2. You have to commit to the process of achieving your plan through developing character traits–grit, resilience, accountability, confidence, optimism, perseverance, and passion.
  3. You have to stay positive and focus only on the things you can control (nutrition, recovery, sleep, mindset, and training) and ignore everything else–the things you can’t control.
  4. Embrace adversity–the struggle is what grows us.  Not complacency or doing the things we’re good at or staying in our comfort zone.  We only grow when we take risks and do the uncomfortable things.
  5. You have to give your best at every moment.  You are only competing against yourself ever–never anyone else.  The goal is to know in your heart you gave your best effort every day in every situation.
  6. Practice must be deliberate.  You must maximize every minute of every day.
  7. Focus on the small steps that will lead to the big results.  We are our habits; we are the sum of what we repeatedly do.
  8. Create the right mindset.  Live in the moment.  Let go of the past.  Don’t worry about the future.  Focus on what you can control.
  9. Readily admit your problems and focus on them to change them.
  10. Success is a decision.  You must take action.  Do your best at whatever you do.

Overall, Bergeron says excellence is a habit.  You must take advantage of every opportunity every day.

Clarify what you really want and then work as hard as you can for as long as it takes.

This was exactly the book I needed to read at this exact moment in my life.  I had been diligent in some areas of my life but complacent in others–the big one being nutrition.  Eating healthy is a decision.  “Cheat” days shouldn’t be every day or even every week.  Excellence is a mindset.  It’s hard work.  It’s sacrifice.  It’s clarity.

This is a book you can apply to all areas of your life and all goals.  It’s prompted me to really sit down and figure out what are my goals and how to reach them.  I don’t have all the answers, but I have more than yesterday and that’s a start!  Happy reading!!

I’m Glad I Didn’t Listen…

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit Open

“You gonna re-do it?”Image result for crossfit open workout 18.1

“Nah, I’m good.  I’m happy with my score.  If I re-did it, I’d only improve by a few reps.”

This was the reply I heard most frequently when around the internet community if they were going to re-do CrossFit Open Workout 18.1.

Ben Bergeron’s advice:  You’ve spent one whole year training for the Open.  Why wouldn’t you re-do it?

So I followed Bergeron.

And I’m SO glad I did.

I re-did 18.1.  I gained 30 more reps!  Almost 2 whole rounds above my old score.

I was hoping for 3.  I got 30.

So what changed?

Two things:

  1. I figured out the hang cleans and had all clean reps.
  2. I pushed harder.  I knew in my head I didn’t want to re-do this workout without improving my score so I kept thinking the entire time, “You gotta go, Jen.  You gotta do better.”  And I did.

Furthermore, I knew because of the dumbbells and the no reps in the first 2 rounds I could do better.  I knew it.  And I did.

I’m proud.

I love Bergeron now more than ever.

He was right.  I’ve spent so much time, effort, and energy over the past year training for this.  I HAVE to try it twice. Every time.  NO matter what.

I owe it to myself to do so.

Don’t you?

When You Need a Mental Workout More Than Physical…

by crossfitmomm, posted in Fitness

Image result for exercise for the brain

Today I back squatted and bench pressed.

My body wasn’t all that sore after 18.1 yesterday, and I hadn’t done much strength work because of the Open.

Today my mind needed it.

I was sorely disappointed in my performance in 18.1 and I was feeling pretty low.  I needed to lift some heavy weights to re-boost my confidence and re-set my mind for next week.

Plus, exercise is like hitting the reset button for me.  It clears my mind and allows me to think and focus on what I have to do in the day.  It’s clarity at its best.

So today in was me and the bar.  Afterwards, I felt better.  SO much better.

I  know…I’m weird.

Friday Night Lights

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit Open

Image result for crossfit open 18.1

I just returned from doing CrossFit Open Workout 18.1:

AMRAP 20 min:

8 Toes to bar

10 dumbbell hang clean and jerks

12 calories on the rower

My score:  267

It was okay.  I wanted 10 rounds and didn’t quite get 9 rounds.  I may re-do it, but I’m unsure.  The row seemed to go on forever.

The atmosphere was great.  We all supported one another and cheered one another on.

Still, something was missing, and I can’t put my finger on it.  It was different than last year.  I think I had all this hype built up in my head, and it was a bit of a let down.  I’m unsure.  I have such high expectations of myself, and I was disappointed in how I did.

All I know is the Open is different for me this year.  It will probably be different next year.  And the following…