Do It

Do it to be fit, not skinny.

Do it because they said you couldn't.

Do it because good things do NOT come to those who sit around and wait.

Do it because excuses don't burn calories.

Do it because every journey starts with a single step, but you'll never finish if you don't start.

Do it because no one else is going to do it for you.

Do it to make them jealous.

Do it because its worth it.

Do it because YOU are worth it.

Do it because feeling sore is better than feeling sorry.

Superman

"Do you remember when Soulja-boy Supermanned that ho?"

This is literally what I heard today in reference to a kip hang (I think that's what it's called...) at Crossfit tonight. 

Are you jealous of where I train yet???

One of our lovely coaches, Taryn, said it to get one of us to get up and get it done when we were all freaking out about not knowing how to move our bodies a certain way.

This is what I love so much about Crossfit.

Yes, I get my butt handed to me every day.

Yes, I end up on the floor feeling like some part of my body is going to fall off/burst.

Yes, I get pushed to my limits and THEN some.

And yes, I have some of the best support around.

I would love if someone could prove to me that their gym was even on the same level as amazing as mine, let alone surpass it. I have yet to hear of a gym where you have 2 coaches that care about every one of their members as much as Danny and Taryn care about us. Or a gym that has such a close knit group that is willing to call one another family when there are maybe 3 blood relatives in the whole place.

Sure, working out solo, or even having one or two workout buddies is cool, and if you can stay on top of your workout with that much support than I applaud you because, from experience, that is WAY difficult to pull off. There's always that chance that you'll let your partner slack off, so they'll do the same for you, and soon, you're both in your workout clothes, eating Nutella on the couch while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (True story.)

Where I train, we all push one another. No one lets anyone slack off because we know you'll never get any better if you don't give 100% Every. Single. Time. Our coaches train with us, from 5:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night, sucking it up and giving their all to help us reach our peak performance. What's the last thing the front desk person at the 4 Seasons did for you, other than grab you an extra towel and charge you $5 for it? When is the last time your step aerobics instructor at the YMCA stayed after to floss various body parts because they just didn't feel right, and they want to make sure you don't have any injuries?

I'm not saying anyone's workout is less valid because of where they happen to be a member.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with either of those venues.

However, if you haven't given Crossfit a try, I hope you'll consider giving it a shot for a week. Just one week. The on-ramp program is the perfect way to become integrated into the program, and it's free. A free week with a coach? How much do trainers cost at those other gyms?

Anyone wanting details on Crossfit locations in your area, please let me know and I'll get you as much information as possible. You owe it to yourself to try it out!

Until we sweat again!

Yo Adrian

I am back in the Dirty Sioux and I officially made it back into the gym, peeps!!

Can I just say how difficult it is to drag yourself to the gym after you've been on vacation? Albeit my vacation wasn't very far away, let alone to someplace covered in white sandy beaches and tan, muscley guys everywhere. No, I spent time being a lazy bum with my very favorite partner in crime, and forever beloved, sister.

Back to getting my butt back into the gym.

I honestly felt like I was going to die when I saw the WOD today.

15 Minute Time Limit

15-12-9-6-3

Hang Cleans

Front Squats

With the remainder of the 15 minutes, max effort wall balls.

I saw the words wall balls and, no lie, immediately thought "I am taking my sweet time on those hang cleans and front squats" and for the most part, I did- although not on purpose.

The total weight of my bar was 65 lbs, which doesn't seem a lot to most people, but I have very limited upper body strength and its more than plenty for me. (The prescribed weight was 85 lbs, but that just was NOT happening.)

I originally started with 75 lbs. and got one round in and realized that it was way too much weight. After dropping it down just those 10 lbs, I felt like I was rocking my reps out and getting into Beast Mode. I knocked them out, yelling and making weird noises all the way, and finished up in no time.

Which is when I looked at the clock.

I had finished with 3 minutes and 22 seconds left. And we all know what that meant!!

WALL BALLS!!!!!!!

I hate wall balls. With a fiery passion. If given the choice between doing 15 wall balls or 30 burpees, I will go with the burpees, which is REALLY saying something, because burpees are a gift from the devil himself. I did manage to get 27 in, averaging in 9 wall balls a minute (roughly), and made the cutest sweat angel ever on the mats after I collapsed and refused to move upon finishing.

And then I felt like this:

That's right. I felt like screaming into a microphone, to my wife at home, that I had done it. I'd finished and I had WON- and that's all that mattered.

This is how I want to feel after every workout- like I've just won the coveted belt; Like I've proven myself and no one can take me down. As lame as I sound, this clip goes through my head after every workout that lands my butt laying on the floor fighting to regain the strength to move. What pushes you? What drives you into giving it your all when you feel like you have nothing left to give? What line goes through your head when you finish your workout?

Let me know and I'll share with other readers! Maybe we can all become newly inspired to get back at it!!

Until we sweat again!

Crossfit Chronicles

This week is Spring Break.

WHOO! Spring Break! Time for booze and wet t-shirt contests!!!

Except no.

For my Spring Break, I've been spending the extra time with my sister and her babies. I would take this over going to the beach and making a fool of myself any day of the week, but this does mean that I'm away from Crossfit and that kind of distance makes me, in a word, NERVOUS.

I'm nervous because I've come so far and spend so much of time at the gym every day, and I'm afraid of breaking that routine and sliding downhill fast. (It also doesn't help that my mom just surprised me with a dark chocolate orange. Oh holy weakness.)

Enter Crossfit West Ames and (can you believe it??) Pinterest!

I had no idea how welcoming a group of strangers could be until I set foot inside Crossfit West Ames. Without knowing anything about me, the coaches and the members training brought me in and made me feel like I was right at home- pushing me the same way my family at the Crossfit in Sioux City does; Giving me encouragement; Helping me perfect my techniques. I only went for 2 days this week, but boy did I sweat enough to last me for days. (This is my shout out to the coaches and members at Crossfit West Ames- You guys rock!!)

Now I know I made some lady ears perk up at the mention of Pinterest, because rarely do I mention Pinterest on my fitness blog. Well, its true, ladies and gentlemen. Pinterest has a more relevant purpose than just giving ladies a reason to wile away the hours pinning ideas they'll never actually use.

Do yourself a favor real quick- Go to Pinterest and search "Crossfit at Home." You'll thank me. I found weekly workout charts, I found countless variations of sit-ups, push ups, burpees, squats, lunges- you name it. Everything you can do at home, and with instructions on how much time you have, etc. Just like at Crossfit! The only difference is there isn't anyone there to give you some extra motivation. (Which is why you come here, right??)

Go look it up, find a workout you want to try this week, and get it done! I know all you need is that one little push to get you started and I am more than willing to give you that nudge!

Go sweat it out and let me know what you think of this Crossfit craze!!

You Are Not Fat

Hola e'erbody!

So I heard this quote recently and LOVED it. It goes something like...

"You are not fat, you have fat. You have fingernails, too, but you aren't a fingernail."

I'm trying to keep this in mind, because apparently some of my friends think I have body dysmorphia- so I'm changing the way I talk about my body. :)

So it's been since December, has it? Well I finally got a new computer so it looks like we are back in business, kids!

I started Crossfit about 6 weeks ago and I pretty much love it. I would say it's a love-hate relationship, because I hate running with a fiery passion, but I love going, and I love how everyone I train with pushes me to work harder and do my best, and I LOVE taking my selfie as soon as I'm done. (Ask anyone. They all make fun of me for it.) Having photo evidence of all that sweat and grime all over my face is enough to make me feel like a total hottie. (I'm easy to please, apparently.) So basically, there is no hatred to fulfill the "hate" portion of a love-hate relationship. Therefore, I just love Crossfit.

Seriously- How am I not married?

To give you a little taste of what's going on down at the good ol' neighborhood Crossfit, here's what I did today. (See above picture. I am NOT typing all that out. I have got sleep to catch up on here, y'all.)

To my Sioux City friends, let me know if you want to try it out! First week is free and I bet you will end up loving it as much as I do. (Which is a lot. I have no life.)

State Center/Ames/Altoona peeps? (Amy, when I say Altoona I'm talking directly to you.) I will be in town this weekend and the following week and would LOVE to get my sweat on, I just need some workout buddies :) Let me know when you're available!!

---Until we sweat again!!