There are a lot of days when I’m dragging myself to the gym. I look at the CrossFit workout, and I have no desire to go. I look at the movements, think how sore I am, and want to say, “Fuck it.”
But, instead, I either do it myself, or drag myself to the CrossFit gym. Most of the time, the CrossFit workout turns out to be really good, or I’m glad I did it.
HANG UPS ON WORKING OUT
Most people don’t work out because of this. They think how horrible it will be and what a crappy time it will be, so they stay at home, in bed, after work, and never work out — much to the detriment of their health. When truly all it takes is a shift in attitude.
Doing stuff that you hate doing that is good for you is a necessity in this world. So just do it, as Nike says!
There is a big difference between soreness and injury. Injury is when something hurts for longer than 48 hours, and it impedes movement or things you normally could do. Soreness lasts less than 48 hours and is a sign of progression — of change, if you will.
Soreness means you are changing — in a good way.
When I do things that make me sore, I relish it, really.
Don’t get me wrong, there are days when not being able to bend over very we
ll is downright annoying. There are days I wake up and wonder why I did something so stupid like 60 back squats at 75 lbs, 100 wall balls, squat cleans, and more at a CrossFit competition that made me regret it. And there are days when I wonder why I even do this when I don’t look like I want to look and when all I do is get injured.
But when I consider the alternative, I let the feeling pass. Plus, truthfully, I don’t think I could NOT workout.
No part of me wanted to deadlift. I had done a HIIT workout the day before, ran 3 miles, and was sore.
But I did it anyways.
It got me thinking, “What part of me does these things when I really don’t want to?”
Why You Don’t Do Things
People wait until they “feel” like doing something. Somewhere along the way, we’ve all bought into the idea — without consciously realizing it — that to be motivated and effective we need to feel like we want to take action. Yes, on some level you need to be committed to what you are doing — you need to want to see the project finished, or get healthier, or get an earlier start to your day. But you don’t need to feel like doing it. The solution: just do it.
Fear of failure. The unknown is fear of the things you can’t control. Focus on what you can control.
It’s hard. No one really wants to work. We all would rather spend out days, lying by the pool or reading a good book with a cat on our lap. Instead, set a deadline. If “such-and-such” happens, then I’ll….
Perfectionist. You have to fail and learn from your mistakes; waiting for the perfect moment will never happen.
Comparison. Stop comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone better than you. Let go of that fact and just do it anyways.
Stuck in a rut. We’ve all been there — the same ol’ every day. What has to change is the same ‘ol. Switch it up to get a new routine going.
Lack of planning. You must plan out your time or time will plan you, and before you know it, your life is over.
Seeking validation. Who cares what others think? Just keep moving.
Push through your mental blocks to accomplish your dreams; no one else will accomplish them for you.
Last night, I went to bed at 6:30 pm. I was physically exhausted — something I am definitely not used to.
After a 2-day CrossFit Competition, and I worked out yesterday morning with no rest day (I squatted and did a workout with a run, hang power snatches, and burpee box jumps), I was dragging all day at work and when I came home, I was tired. I couldn’t even eat dinner. I just went straight to bed.
CrossFit Competitions will wear you out — emotionally and physically. You want to do your best, you’re disappointed when you don’t do your best, you stress over the details like the drive down and when to eat, and then there’s the actual workouts themselves, which are bears to get through.
The Importance of Sleep after a CrossFit Competition
Preparing for CrossFit Workout
All of this equals exhaustion. When this happens, listen to your body and get some rest. Sleep is so important with CrossFit to let your body heal, recover, and rejuvenate. Here’s my advice after a CrossFit competition or some other grueling workout, such as a Tough Mudder or Spartan Race:
Get extra sleep. This will allow vital tissues and muscles to recover and recuperate after what you’ve just put them through.
Drink more than you think you’ll need. I usually lose about 4 pounds every CrossFit competition. Most of this is water weight. At a CrossFit competition, you usually don’t drink much because you don’t want to have to go to the bathroom, you forget, or you’re just too nervous. Afterwards, you need to replenish. Drink extra water and recovery drinks for optimal muscle recovery.
Take rest days. I’m a hypocrite. I don’t do this. I don’t like to get behind on my training. Yet, you usually suffer if you don’t (or you’re so tired you lose a whole night!). Give your body some well-deserved time off.
Take inventory of what you’ve learned. I learned a lot from this last CrossFit competition. I learned once again I’m stronger than I think I am when I flipped a 300 pound tire multiple times. I learned I need to practice on a bar that I can’t touch the ground on. I learned I can still kick ass when the I have to, especially if the moves are in my wheelhouse. I learned I still have the fire to compete that I thought I had lost from burn-out. I learned I’m just as good as others, if not better.
The whole point of CrossFit competitions is to learn from them, push yourself, and be proud of your achievement. You probably won’t win them all. But within each competition, there will be a personal victory — either a move you did you didn’t think you could do or a workout you annihilated.
Keep in mind why you compete in CrossFit, and you’ll just keep getting better and better.
Two-day CrossFit Competitions are rough: You’re tired from Day 1 and you have another tough day ahead of you.
Day 2 of the Turkey Challenge began with a “Burden Run,” and, yes, it is just what you think it is.
Wearing a 10 pound weight vest, you had to run with a 60 pound sandbag on your back for 150 meters, do 10 back squats with the bag, 6 lateral burpees over the bar, and then do max calories on the rower. 5 rounds. 2:30 minutes each. 30 seconds rest in-between.
I actually did really well on this one, except once I couldn’t get the bag up. But I got 4th place.
I did 7 tire flips with a 300 pound tire (never done that before).
AND I won my final WOD: 10 rounds of 15 double unders and 1 rope climb.
Overall, a great day. It boosted my confidence after the first day and has got me wanting more. After I take a break and get my tooth fixed.
Lessons Learned from 2-Day CrossFit Competitions
Double Unders at CrossFit Competition
You get to do exercises you otherwise don’t: sandbag runs with a weight vest and tire flips.
I’m stronger than I think I am. I did 300 pound tire flips — 7 of them — and I didn’t think I could do one.
Overall, a great competition. Fun to watch. Learned a lot. Got remotivated for CrossFit. Good, albeit long, weekend!
I have a confession to make: I’m addicted to CrossFit. It’s better than drugs (not that I’ve tried any) or any other artificial substance.
I’ve been doing CrossFit for almost a year and a half. My Journey (which will become this blog) is as haphazard as all of yours. My goal is to create a community here where we can go to vent, encourage, and regenerate when you’re in a funk. It’s a place to grow and maintain accountability because it’s all to easy to be complacent in areas (like I just discovered in the Open).
Please leave comments. Please email me (crossfitmomm@gmail.com). Please grow with me. In whatever your goals are: weight loss, build muscle, be healthy, or just to beat the boys! I’d love to hear from all of you!
The thought of coffee can propel me through a workout, especially one I don’t really want to do. It makes me move faster and work harder.
My Journey to the CrossFit Games 