Happy New Year's Eve

Everyone get out their pens and paper and get ready it's time to put those resolutions in writing.  Make a deal with yourself to make good on your resolutions and not just give up after a few days.  Make yourself a better you for you and all those around you.  I've not decided what my goals for the year are going to be yet, however, I do know that I plan on eating better during the year 2011.  The holidays are so hard and I've been eating like crap.  I have to get my butt in gear so that I feel better.  This is one of my resolutions and a promise to myself.  So tonight as you watch the ball drop make a promise to yourself to follow through on everything you set out to do in the coming new year.  Have a safe and Happy New Year:)

Todays WOD (Workout of the Day):
1x1x1x1x1 front squat at 95, 115, 125, 135

Then:
3 rounds with a 3 minute rest between rounds:
100 double unders
100 air squats

My time: 38:57

New Shoes

I recently purchased my first pair of inov-8's from the shoemart.  Of course I had to get the pink and yellow ones.  I could not believe the difference in this shoe compared to my running shoes.  When I put the shoes on I instantly noticed a difference in the weight of the shoe and the comfort.  These shoes are the perfect fit for me.  Now I won't have to take my shoes off to lift weights like I used to be, and when I do my workouts that involve running and lifting I won't have to be overly concerned with the rise of my shoe like i used to be. 

So for the first workout for my inov-8's I chose to do death by double unders.  Here's the scheme: 
During the first minute you do one double under, second minute two double unders, third minute three double unders and so on and so forth.  Being new to actually doing double unders (This skill is only a week old) I made it to the eleventh round.  Of course my coach giggled a little at my form because by that point in time I was tired and when I get tired I over exaggerate all of my movements.  Sometimes I think I should just video tape myself so I can laugh at my goofiness.  I can't wait to try these shoes out when I go running with the Crossfit Thunder ladies this weekend. 

Approaching a New Year

As we approach a new year let's all get ready for the resolutions.  The ones that all concern our health and fitness but this year let's make it different from previous years let's follow through with the resolutions.  I will definitely be following through with mine this year.  I followed last years once I found Crossfit.  I've not decided what my new fitness and health goals will be yet, but fortunately I still have time to think about it.  So what are your resolutions this year?  Good luck in the new year with all of your endeavors:)  If you're interested in finding out more about a great way to obtain those goals just checkout some of my favorite sites. 

Motivation

Motivation never came easy for me while I was working out at a globogym by myself.  I would force myself to go to the gym three to four times a week and do your basic isolation workout.  I call it an isolation workout because I didn't talk to anyone at my old gym and as soon as I got there I put in my headphones and would go do my thing.  I was miserable the whole time I did the basic chest and shoulder day, leg day, back day, and arm (bis and tris) day and after that I may do 20 minutes of cardio.  It totally bored me and I found myself being like most resolutioners and slacking more and more and not going as much as I promised myself I would. 

I was the girl who said I just want to be tone.  Now that statement is laughable to me.  Tone.  What exactly does that mean?  To me it meant thin like a model and living up to expectations of beauty that even those models don't live up too.  Cause let's face it, most of those pictures are retouched and airbrushed. 

Now I desire to be stronger, quicker, and a role model to new Crossfitters like other Crossfitters have been for me.  I no longer lack the motivation to go to the gym.  I draw motivation from my desire to be stronger, quicker, and a role model.  But most of all I draw motivation from my entire Crossfit family.  Be it the soldiers who are training for selection, the Olympic lifting guru, the expecting mother who is still there pushing herself, the new members just trying it out, or those who are there just like me wanting to build a better self, they are all my motivation and the reason I return to the gym day in and day out no matter what.  For the first time I am working out through injuries by just modifying my workouts and thanks to my trainers it has been pretty easy.

I guess the draw for me to is the camaraderie and knowing that we will all see each other on the other side of the workout.  My cohorts in the workout will always be there pushing me on and making me better and for this I thank all of them.


Warrior Dash After




The Background

I began Crossfit Thunder in April of 2010 thanks to my sister-in-law inviting me to a benefit for Camp New You.  After a week I was hooked and I haven't looked back since.  My first workout was Coal Miner's Daughter in honor of the fallen coal miners at the Upper Big Branch Mine.  I had never been so sore in my life.  Two days later I made my return.

The initial body fat results were shocking.  I was 35% body fat at that point in time and weighed 140 lbs.  Two months later I had lost an astounding 11% of my body fat but still weighed the same.  Through Crossfit I've realized that weight doesn't mean a thing.  Most people think I have lost 10 to 20 pounds since I've started Crossfit.

Through much encouragement of other Crossfit members I ran my first 5k in June.  It took me close to 33 minutes and I didn't run the whole race.  I had to stop and walk.  Since that race I have ran over 10 races and PR'd (Personal Record) many times.  The most noted PR occurred in September when I took 3 minutes off of my previous PR and ran the race in 27:55.  Recently I ran a 5k with a 20 pound weighted vest in 29:55. 



5k with weighted vests

The coolest race I ran, I ran in October in Intercourse, PA.  The Warrior Dash was a great race and the best part about it was that I ran it with my fellow Crossfitters and my husband.  It was cold and muddy and I fell during the trail run and hurt my knee but it was a blast.

During my first Crossfit Total in June I did the following:
Deadlift: 175
Squat: 140
Strict Press: 60

November Total:
Deadlift: 220
Squat: 165
Strict Press: 80

When I began Crossfit I modified push-ups on my knees, used bands for pull-ups, and couldn't do a double under.  Now I do regular push-ups, pull-ups, and can actually do a double under.  I continue to make improvements and am very excited to share my journey with you all.