CrossFit Challenge Completed!

Well I did it! Done; Seven whole weeks of CrossFit under my now looser belt! :)

When I decided to do this, it was terrifying, and now it's slightly less terrifying. Each day I went I wasn't sure what I could do. How I could make this work for me without hurting myself? But as I got into the rhythm of things and learned all these new workouts I grew more confident that I could handle things as they came. And now here at the finish line I'm pretty proud of the progress I've made in CrossFit.

33 Days Till WDW2.0

The results are in... Before/After CrossFit:


I'm not sure that the photo really does justice to the changes I can see in myself. My thighs have really toned up... shrinking up my waist and hips. I've also noticed that my midsection seems to be getting tighter which is super exciting (that's where I want to see the change the most! Which of corse means its the last place I shed it.)

Measurements:

Total Weight: - 15lbs
Body Fat%: - 7.6% (side note; Now I have more muscle than fat! I've crossed the threshold!)
Shoulders: - 2.4 inches
Chest: -  2.7 inches
Waist: - 3.5 inches (I'm in a size 14 pants now!)
Hips: - 1.25 inches
Thighs: -1.5 inches

Side Comparisons are fun too, but I don't have one from before CrossFit, but this is from December to now...


And this one; I'm really proud of my strength progress in my arms!

Dec 28th / March 17th (yes the face is necessary!)


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What do I think of CrossFit?

CrossFit is Hard. And it's been hard on my Knees and Hips, But Golly how I've grown stronger and more sure of myself and my capabilities by doing it. I can honestly say I do love it. CrossFit is intense - I like that. CrossFit is Olympic Lifting - and I like most of that. CrossFit Demands a lot of you, and expects you to push yourself - I like that expectation and striving to surpass myself. CrossFit is Structured - I need that and appreciate that about it. CrossFit is a community of crazies, some of the nicest people I've meet, all who really care and encourage me every day. CrossFit was a great Experience for me. It hasn't seen the last of me thats for sure!

What did I learn?

Silly as it seems, I learned to listen to my body more. I thought I had gotten good at knowing my limits before CrossFit, but once I started I became acutely aware of just how much I had to pay attention to what i'm feeling. Both to keep myself from over-extending my abilities but also not to hurt myself.

I also learned that even if something seems harder than I can do, that it doesn't mean that it'll always be too hard! Movements that I couldn't do two months ago I can now. Today I bench pressed almost 80 lbs!!! That's Huge for me! I couldn't do sit-ups, but now I can do them confidently and with a fair amount of gusto. Nothing is out of reach for long if you keep at it! Heck... I've lost 70 lbs... I never thought that was within my reach a year ago!

What am I doing next?

I'm still not sure. Honestly I'd love to keep doing CrossFit; but knowing my body and trying to respect the strain i've put on my knees and hips, I'm going to step that back for now and try something new. I've rolled around a few ideas in my head; taking a cycling class or a swim class... Maybe taking up another personal trainer if I can find the right one.

With so much coming up I've got to keep pushing myself so that I don't backslide though. I'm on the search for my next thing, if anyone has suggestions I'm open to them! <3 Thanks.

Add a Bonus Week, and Needles too!

So last week was supposed to be the last week of CrossFit. But following the fact that nobody got measured like they were supposed to... the Coaches gave every lady in the 6 week challenge group an extra week free. So six weeks of CrossFit will now be Seven!

37 Days Till WDW2.0

So last week I decided to go full out, and make every single day of my last week count... So I made the goal to go every day that week; and I did! I felt very proud of the fact that I got through something so challenging. I just didn't realize how harsh it was going to be on my knees. I pulled back (or so I thought) but apparently not enough... I can't help it I'm competitive as heck; even when the only person i'm competing with is my unrealistic expectation of myself.

#sweatyselfie (selfies at crossfit! super sweaty!)

After an entire week of crazy CrossFit and lots of Lunges and Squats my knees were in lots of pain over the weekend... Lucky for me, I had a chiropractor appointment this morning. FYI, my Chiropractor hates... I repeat hates that I'm doing CrossFit. He'd rather I do any other kind of working out. He's a really nice though, I like that he cares so much.

Anyway, after my adjustment he suggested that we try acupuncture for my knee pain. Anyone that knows me, knows that I hate needles (almost as much as I hate spiders... almost.) Granted my ability to deal with needles over time has increased out of shear i-gotta-be-an-adult kind of way. But still the idea of having needles stuck into me isn't the most appealing thing in the world.

But I was in a lot of discomfort and thought that I'd give it a go. I mean, what could it hurt right?

It was uncomfortable, I couldn't move, and I so wish i'd relaxed more before he put the needles in... There was definite discomfort, but my knees were really inflamed so I suppose I should have expected it... I've got to say though, That i'm impressed. I feel like it actually worked! After it was over I stood up and I'm pretty sure could feel a difference. I really do think so! So maybe this hokey chiropractor isn't so hokey after all. Who knows? I seem to be at the point of trying things that I might not have considered doing before; add acupuncture to the list.

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So... I wore my blue dress to work today, did my hair and felt pretty good. It's funny how people at work freak out when I wear a dress! It's like they think the same thing, no matter what... That i've got an interview and that's the only reason i could have to be looking so awesome! PSHhha! Nah, I just look good because i'm feeling good. :)



Thanks for all the nice things everyone has said about my new Facebook profile pic. I figured it was about time to change it since my face looks so different! Yay! Bonus because i felt pretty today. Thanks for the love and support, it means the world to me really!

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125 Days till Italy! Woot! Passport is officially off and pending approval. Fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong. Airline Tickets are booked and this thing is happening! I couldn't be more excited or nervous. What an adventure! Ahh!

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Busy Busy me... Work has me going crazy. I've been put in charge of art directing this massive catalog, and coordinating among a lot of departments is stressful and not nearly as easy as putting together the past Pet catalogs that i've done. But I'm hoping that things turn out good and that I can ensure a great catalog! Being in charge causes me stress, I'm trying not to stress as much and to enjoy it. I can still learn new things... but golly it makes me miss Holly Pocket! I miss my old work friends. Sigh!

Onward and upward... every day is another chance to do my best, and forget the rest. Got to learn I can't control everything... and that sometimes I have to be kinder to myself when i'm not at my very best, perfection isn't obtainable even though I have the habit of beating myself up for not being perfect. <3 Heaven have patience with me lol ;)

Nearing the CrossFit Finish...

So, Here I am, in the trenches of the last week of my CrossFit adventure! Wow! It's getting down to it now. Only half a week left and my 6 week challenge will be over. It's time to make a decision, do I want to keep doing CrossFit after this or not? Tough question...

42 Days till WDW2.0

#sweatycrossfitselfie



It's my personal goal this week to attend CrossFit every single day. So far I'm on track to do just that. Final weigh in will happen Saturday morning on my last work out of the challenge. Over the last two weeks of the challenge we've been able to come to as many classes as we want, not just the previous assigned days and times... and i kinda had to slack off a bit last week because I had my wisdom tooth pulled, Ouch!

Following that I'm renewing my determination and it's going to pay off if I have anything to do with it ;) I'll do a sum-up type post of my CrossFit experience once i've gotten that last work out in. Once I've decided how if I'm going to stick with it or try something new.

I think just being active and accountable will ultimately keep me on track with my new fitness lifestyle and goals; that, and not over eating... even over eating healthy food can still set me back (bummer I know!)

More #sweatyselfies


On my last week, Week#6.



Biggest Ouches from CrossFit: Bruises, Knees, and Hips.
Biggest Wins: Confidence, Drive, Community, Accountability... and with any luck WeightLoss ;)

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Stuff happens in waves, not trickles of gentle rain showers... So much is happening this summer, so many things that I'm excited about:

- I've got some big Projects at work (both exciting and scary)
- I've got my Walt Disney World trip in April.
- My sister Melisa is getting married, and I'm Maid of Honor! So much to plan, so much to do before the big day in May!
- Italy in July. I've just got Plane tickets booked, and my passport application will be sent out by the end of the week -I've got lots to do to get ready for this exciting trip.

It's going to be an exciting summer... I think its going to keep my busy and happy. I'm taking life by the drainpipes and swallowing every wave of crazy! (that metaphor.... oh dear, lol...)

Just Keep Swimming Right?!

The Mysterious Case Of The Tilted Girl

Crazy things have been happening this past week! I have this list of all the things that I need to do before I go to Disney World, among them was visit the chiropractor about my hip and knee pain...

49 Days Till WDW2.0

#sweatyselfie



So I found a local chiropractor that has good reviews online and made an appointment. I consider it very adult of me that I can now make appointments at the doctor, the dentist and other such adult places without the panic that used to accompany these activities. I'm becoming immune... more adult. AHHHHHhhhhh!!!

Met with Doctor Giles, and he was nothing but nice. He listened to my concerns and my explanation about how i've been having a hard time with knee and hip pain for a long time now. Working out has been a struggle with the localized pain i'd have to work around. Curse you squats and lunges!!!

So he assessed and confirmed my suspicion, I'm tilted. Or more accurately, my pelvis is. My right hip sits higher than my left, causing uneven distribution of weight when I walk, run or work out... If it was much worse he said it would be considered scoliosis. :O SAYWHAT?!

Just this last Monday he fitted me with custom shaped Orthotics (special fitted inserts for my shoes, meant to correct my gait and weight distribution). Next week he'll add the lift in one side to even out my tilt. Until then i've been wearing these inserts (for three days now) and I'm feeling mixed feelings about them. But mostly positive feelings.

#weirdsensations



They don't fit in every shoe the same, but they DO fit in my workout shoes sublimely! I think I can really feel a difference in how my weight is distributed. Still having the knee and hip pain, but I'm hopeful that it'll get better as I work on things.

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CrossFit continues in a blur. I can't believe that i'm nearly on my last week of the six week challenge. It's really flown by. On top of that I'm loving it. It's challenging, but rewarding... and the structure of intense work outs is really satisfying, I love knowing that planning has gone into the classes I attend. Structure and Community make CrossFit really wonderful. I love the ladies that I work out with; and now that they've put us in the regular classes with all the other cross-fitters... it's even more intense than before.

I'm feeling pretty stoked about my progress with every completed work out! I've even gone to CrossFit all three days this week so far! Crazy Sauce!

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I've discovered a breakthrough for me... Shopping! without fail, once i'm at the store i'm easily tempted to buy stuff that I shouldn't... and once something i shouldn't eat is in my apartment cupboards I'm doomed to eat it and receive the guilt. But perhaps I've now stumbled upon a something that might help me out there.

#healthyshopping



Tuesday right after CrossFit I headed to the store to pick up groceries. Doing this activity following my workout really helped me be chipper and have more self control. I didn't buy anything i shouldn't have, and then I even prepped meals for later that night without snacking. This is HUGE! going to they store hungry or emotional spells disaster for me, but going after working out when i'm full of self confidence and a sense of accomplishment really curbs my desire to mess it up.

Staying Strong! Yay!