Note to Self #3:

Checking the WOD the night before is proving counterproductive right now. DON'T DO IT!!!

Planted Seed

Matt, my trainer, used to be a paramedic and firefighter so subsequently puts a lot of emphasis on safety. He requires personal training prior to his CrossFit classes to ensure that you are educated about and able to perform proper form. It's amazing how important proper form is in anything really. From sitting at computer desk to lifting your own body weight over your head. Either one can cause injury, chronic or acute, if proper form isn't constantly practiced. With CrossFit, I'm learning how my body functions as a machine, and any machine has the potential to fail or break.
Everything from the tilt of my pelvis or the angle of my wrist plays a role. I'm learning what my body wants to do naturally, and how I have to retrain it to ensure safe and proper forms. Minor deviations from proper form can cost you the entire benefit of that exercise, or worse, injure you irreparably. Of course Matt is quick to point out any imperfections "watch your head so you don't hit it" but then quickly follows with "meh...you signed the waiver anyways."
I view CrossFit as the crotchrocket of motorcycles. It has a bad rap because it attracts a lot of droided hotheads and adrenaline junkies who want nothing but to push themselves to the limits for the mere bragging rights. It is a great 'sport' for competitive people, it's even brought out a small competitive streak in me. It is dangerous, it can kill you. But as with any intense activity, or powerful motorcycle built for speed, it's only as safe or dangerous as those who engage in it. I respect my limits and listen to my body. I'm in no hurry to get in the best shape of my life because, quite frankly, then what'll I do???
I mentioned to Matt that I like the fact he has a background in health and safety, because I know it's important to him. Of course he responds with "Safety comes third." I had to laugh; that was probably the "CrossFit-cult" coming out if him.
However, it emphasizes the fact that CrossFit IS dangerous, you have to know your limits and be responsible. Putting this mentality into CrossFit, or anything really, is a good attitude to adopt towards life in general. I personally feel as though CrossFit indirectly promotes this and is another one of it's many benefits.

Today was my first personal training session. I learned how to do a proper deadlift, clean & press and Kipping pull-up. Thank God I just bought that pull-up bar for home. Then my WOD was AMRAP of 5 pull-ups, 10 push ups and 15 squats in 10 minutes. I completed 9 full rounds. Matt said that that was very very good. Noticing my fatigue around round 5 or 6, he yelled at me "Christi you know you can rest inbetween rounds...". I shook my head no, maybe that's the 'CrossFit-cult' in me? It was a good workout, felt amazing of course. As I was leaving Matt nonchalantly said "You know, you could do the CrossFit Games...if that's what you wanted, you're definitely one of the members here that *could* qualify."

All it takes is that little, planted seed sometimes to realize what you want.

Note To Self #2:

Official CrossFitter Here!!

So I had my first CrossFit class today...I sucked...got my butt kicked...still afraid of kettlebells...yep...it was AWESOME!! I think I can say that I'm hooked. The warm-up consisted of burpees, spider crawls, a 400 meter run, high knee running and butt kicks. My HR got up to 180...and this was still the warm-up. The WOD (workout of the day) is decided by the trainer right at the beginning of class. That's another benefit of CrossFit, it keeps your mentality sharp and agile. The WOD was AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) in 10 minutes of 15 wall balls, 15 box jumps and 15 kettlebell swings. My box was 18", Crossfit standard for women is 20" and my kettlebell was 15#, the CrossFit standard. My original thought "Ok, 15 is a good number (usually my reps are anywhere from 16 to 32 at Lifetime) and 10 minutes is nothing! I weight lift for an hour at Lifetime". 10 minutes came...and went...and I thought I was going to puke. I completed 3 rounds in 10 minutes, which is pretty good according to the trainer. Afterwards, I felt like I had accomplished more than I ever have at Lifetime or on a treadmill.
When I first joined Lifetime 2 years ago, I was overweight, had no muscle tone and had terrible cardio endurance. Now, 2 years later, I'm almost 40 lbs lighter, learned to like running, registered for my first race, learned to LOVE weightlifting and have trim, toned arms, and my calves have finally made an appearance. I've accomplished my goals that Lifetime was meant to serve, and I could stop here, but want to proceed to the next level. That's what CrossFit offers.
By no means have I mastered everything that Lifetime has to offer. Lifetime Fitness is a great company, in fact, I'll probably keep my membership just so that I can workout at 10 or 11 on Friday and Saturday nights. They promote healthy lifestyles in every way I can think of (except the older clubs still have tanning beds, those have got to go) and are ideal for someone who just wants to have complete access to a healthy life. On CrossFit's registration form it asked 'What goals do you hope to reach with CrossFit?', the realist in me forced me to pause for a few seconds "COMPETITIVE-LEVEL FITNESS PHYSIQUE". Yup I said it, there it is. Something that CrossFit can offer, that Lifetime simply can't. How do I know this? Several bodybuilders, including Jaquelyn Kay Roberts, who compete have stated that all they use for their training is Crossfit.
Another CrossFitter I met today said that he's seen more results in 3 weeks from CrossFit than in the several years he had been going to his local gym.
So I begin personal training on Tuesday for 6 sessions, and then I'll be ready to attend the classes. No joke peeps! CrossFit Woodbury requires personal training prior to the classes. This will help me practice the correct form, as well as gauge where my ability is currently so I know where to start, and where to get to, when I start the classes.
The people there are so nice. The trainer/owner welcomed me to the CrossFit family and I must say, it was a nice thing to hear. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I fit in somewhere.
I will, of course, post the quintessential progress pics, starting next week will be the (eek) proverbial BEFORE pic...stay tuned. Thank god not very many read this.

Who Woulda Thunk

Who would've thought that adopting a healthy, physically active lifestyle would instill some domestication in this broad?!?! I'm not the most domestic person. I don't bake. I don't cook much of anything except a pretty mean bowl of cereal or gouda and egg breakfast sandwich. I'm still perfecting my spaghetti. I blame my home economics teacher in 7th grade, Mrs. Bowman. She was your typical home economics teacher-elderly, button-up 'little-house-on-the-prairie' style dresses that stopped mid-calf revealing her ashy-brown pantyhose and black, thick-soled loafers. Her hair was poofy, she had caked make-up and she always had a sour pout. However, what I remember most was her voice-deep and monotone. And when she spoke, she had that shaky-head thing going on. Her facial expression was, well, not very expressive, almost stark. So needless to say my first experience in the world of domestication was not the most appealing and I've carried that with me all the way through adulthood...like when I ordered Byerly's pre-cooked dinner when I hosted my first family Thanksgiving, serving utensils and all. And yes...I took the credit on how delicious it was.

Tonight, I'm happy to say that I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and baked!! I found this recipe for Lemon Protein bars from one of my favorite bodybuilders, Jamie Eason, on bodybuilding.com. They turned out pretty tasty if I do say so myself! Definitely satisfies my sweet tooth and at 43 calories per bar I don't mind if I do!
I could get used to this baking thing. Next up are her sugarfree pumpkin spice pancakes...once I can find canned, raw pumpkin (not the pie mix).

Our Insides

I'm really excited to start CrossFit. I'm horseback riding every Thursday night for the summer and plan to begin CrossFit in August when the riding session ends. By the way, I must note for my own personal record, I galloped for the first time last week. I've always cantered, sometimes a fast canter, but I've never done a full speed gallup. It was the most amazing experience! The opportunity to gallup at a decent distance doesn't present itself too often. You need a good amount of distance, a safe terrain and of course experience under your belt. We were outside, the sun was setting, it was a calm 65 degrees and the horses were warmed up. I was going over and over in my head what to do and what NOT to do, both were equally important and any deviance could have dangerous consequences. If I passed the horse in front of me, he could become too excited and think he was racing, therefore raising the anxiety of the rest of the horses. Maintaining a two-point position; the only two parts of my body in physical contact with horse were my hands and my calves, keeping my seat (my butt) raised slightly off the saddle and leaning forward, but not too far forward in case the horse threw his head up. This requires using your calf, ab and back muscles to balance yourself, while at the same time, your arms and hands are firm, but not tight, moving with the horse's head and not pulling on the mouth. When done correctly, and remembering to move with horse, and RELAX, it can be a very powerful, unifying moment.

Anyways, CrossFit...so I've done some reading on typical WOD (workout of the day) and pull-ups are common. I haven't done a pull-up since 6th grade. I don't even think my gym has a pull-up bar. Really! Not the pull-up *machine*, but a good old-fashioned stationary, steel rod. If there is one at the gym it's probably back in the free weight aka beefy-roided-hothead section...I still feel a little intimated in that department. There's so much I want to try back there!! I want to try some clean & jerks, deadlifts, thrusters...everything! But I haven't been taught correct form, and I need to learn that first...even if it's just to spare the judgment from the other more seasoned athletes.
I still feel like the free weight area is the "Boys Only" club (did they even have those when we were kids??), or the frat that requires hazing, or a rite of passage before you can really say "I lift weights". I know that's not all true, but I feel I need to go in there with some level of amateur experience. I'm going to pick-up one of the those pull-up bars from Sports Authority that you can just place over your door. They're actually on clearance!! Which is kind of a sad thought actually.
I remind myself everyday that I am FORTUNATE to be able-bodied and able-minded. Whether a congenital defect, debilitating illness or injury or poor life choices, not everyone is as capable as I am. Everyday is an opportunity to make a good choice, and that's what drives me to exercise nearly every day. I had to force myself to not workout this past weekend because I had worked out 6 days in a row in addition to working a busy weekend at the hospital and my body needed a break. I slept 13 hours Sunday night.
I am not entitled to an able body and sound mind, I see it as a gift that keeps on giving. If you treat your body well, it will pay you back mentally and emotionally. If you treat it like sh*t, it will do the same...pay you back mentally, physically and emotionally...until it eventually gives up on you. Our bodies are very forgiving. Forget the basic functions that keep us alive; they are constantly repairing injuries and defending against external free radicals.
Our bodies bear the brunt of a lot of abuse before it becomes apparent. And sometimes when the damage is done it's irreparable. I will never forget the 31 year old alcoholic that had made the decision to live a healthier life and quit drinking. The withdraw was so stressful on his body, he went into cardiac arrest and died. We had to take x-rays of his lungs so they could be measured for transplantation. That man shouldn't have died.
I get to see the insides of bodies. I see the fatty livers, calcified arteries, lung scars, degenerate spines and renal atrophy...and this is just the stuff that results when we don't take of ourselves. It's really sad, and enlightening at the same, to see that our bodies ARE giving out on us! By the time our poor choices are manifesting into physical, detectable symptoms, our body has already taken a beating.
That's what I carry with me every day. That's my motivation. I hope it's enough to take me to the top!

Note To Self #1:

Running Lake Phalen is like running a dark, east side alley at night.