This will be a short post because Im pretty busy with work today. But I just wanted to point out that I have not been to Crossft in 4 days and I believe I am going through symptoms of withdrawl!! I mean, I really really cant wait to go workout after work. (Im also certain that is the first time I have EVER uttered those words.)
So, for now let me just say how excited I am to be this excited about a workout. I think tonight I will even take my before picture (finally) and upload it. Eeeek.
About Me
- Melissa
- I am a 28 year old executive account manager living in Atlanta with my wonderful boyfriend Nick. I relocated to Atlanta almost 5 years ago from Buffalo, NY by way of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. And, this is my "Life as I know it".
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sober October and the Paleo Diet
Thats right Commit to "Sober October"! Yep, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I will not drink for the entire month of October.
There a few reasons why this seems like a good idea, not the least of which is that yet again I have an upset stomach. Lately I have been getting a lot of random and seemingly unexplained stomach aches and honestly I am just sick of it. I hate having an upset stomach more than anything. To me, that is the worst part of a hangover. Not that I'm hungover right now, but I had two beers today during the Bills game and its like I can just feel them sitting in my gut wreaking havoc.
The other reason that this can't be a bad thing is my determination to lose weight and get fit. We are paying an obnoxious amount of money to do Crossfit and I am certain that it is going to kick my ass into shape in very short order. Saying no to booze for 30 days can only help expedite the process, right?
On another somewhat related note - hard core Crossfitters also subscribe to the Paleo diet as a long term lifestyle choice. It basically says you can only eat foods that our ancient ancestors would have had access to - meat, fish, nuts, vegetables, fruit, seeds, eggs, water and so on. No dairy, deli meat, potatoes, processed foods of any kind (bread, pasta, sweets, cereal, dressings, etc). Definitely no alcohol. So anyway, our Crossfit trainer has brought this up to us as something to research and consider. Research? Sure. Consider? Not so much.
Now let me say that I am open to modifying my diet to remove some of the forbidden items, but I am pretty sure that I am not willing to ever go that extreme. I am not, nor am do I aspire to be an elite athlete. I love food. And beer and wine. So let me say now, no Paleo for me! Perhaps a watered down, half assed version. But not striaght up, hard core Paleo.
There a few reasons why this seems like a good idea, not the least of which is that yet again I have an upset stomach. Lately I have been getting a lot of random and seemingly unexplained stomach aches and honestly I am just sick of it. I hate having an upset stomach more than anything. To me, that is the worst part of a hangover. Not that I'm hungover right now, but I had two beers today during the Bills game and its like I can just feel them sitting in my gut wreaking havoc.
The other reason that this can't be a bad thing is my determination to lose weight and get fit. We are paying an obnoxious amount of money to do Crossfit and I am certain that it is going to kick my ass into shape in very short order. Saying no to booze for 30 days can only help expedite the process, right?
On another somewhat related note - hard core Crossfitters also subscribe to the Paleo diet as a long term lifestyle choice. It basically says you can only eat foods that our ancient ancestors would have had access to - meat, fish, nuts, vegetables, fruit, seeds, eggs, water and so on. No dairy, deli meat, potatoes, processed foods of any kind (bread, pasta, sweets, cereal, dressings, etc). Definitely no alcohol. So anyway, our Crossfit trainer has brought this up to us as something to research and consider. Research? Sure. Consider? Not so much.
Now let me say that I am open to modifying my diet to remove some of the forbidden items, but I am pretty sure that I am not willing to ever go that extreme. I am not, nor am do I aspire to be an elite athlete. I love food. And beer and wine. So let me say now, no Paleo for me! Perhaps a watered down, half assed version. But not striaght up, hard core Paleo.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Crossfit day 3. Holy workout, batman!
This morning Nick and I got up at 6:30 to make sure we got our workout in for today. He plays flag football tonight and as his loving, adoring, and awesome girlfriend that means I also have flag football tonight. Actually that is only partially true, we arent nearly that lame. While I do enjoy supporting and cheering for him, I am meeting the other girlfriends there so we can hang out and catch up during the game.
But nonetheless, we needed to get our Crossfit on early today. It is worth noting that we both despise waking up early and are generally pretty unbearable before 8am. This morning it just seemed easier. That doesnt mean I didnt hit the old snoozeroo a few times, I just means that once I got my gym clothes on I was anxious to get out the door. Nuerotic me had already checked the blog and knew that the WOD had a high likelihood of killing me.
Exhibit A - the WOD. Dont forget this comes after the warm up - which if you cant remember, please feel free to refer to my previous crossfit blogs.
Run 400m (backward)
30x Sit-ups
15x kettlebell swings
15x Push Press
33x Pull-ups (assisted w green band)
66x Push-ups
50x Squats
Lunge 50 Meters
25x Back extensions
25x Sit-ups
30x Box jumps
20x BurpeesRun 400m (forward)
My initial thoughts were as follows. 33 pull ups? Ha. Wait a minute - 66 pushups? AFTER 33 pull ups? Squats and THEN lunges? *RUN, HOME, NOW*
But I didnt, I stayed and I finished the workout. The entire thing. Granted I was the last to finish, but my time was 37:57. Only about 20 seconds behind the guy in front of me.
So here I am now, 3 days into Crossfit and feeling pretty good. I can hardly move and I could use a good nap but so far I would say I am doing very well.
But nonetheless, we needed to get our Crossfit on early today. It is worth noting that we both despise waking up early and are generally pretty unbearable before 8am. This morning it just seemed easier. That doesnt mean I didnt hit the old snoozeroo a few times, I just means that once I got my gym clothes on I was anxious to get out the door. Nuerotic me had already checked the blog and knew that the WOD had a high likelihood of killing me.
Exhibit A - the WOD. Dont forget this comes after the warm up - which if you cant remember, please feel free to refer to my previous crossfit blogs.
Run 400m (backward)
30x Sit-ups
15x kettlebell swings
15x Push Press
33x Pull-ups (assisted w green band)
66x Push-ups
50x Squats
Lunge 50 Meters
25x Back extensions
25x Sit-ups
30x Box jumps
20x BurpeesRun 400m (forward)
My initial thoughts were as follows. 33 pull ups? Ha. Wait a minute - 66 pushups? AFTER 33 pull ups? Squats and THEN lunges? *RUN, HOME, NOW*
But I didnt, I stayed and I finished the workout. The entire thing. Granted I was the last to finish, but my time was 37:57. Only about 20 seconds behind the guy in front of me.
So here I am now, 3 days into Crossfit and feeling pretty good. I can hardly move and I could use a good nap but so far I would say I am doing very well.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Crossfit, Day 2
Last night was Nick and I's second workout at Crossfit Smyrna. We were both still sore from our first workout on Saturday but we were determined that we would go and we would finish the WOD.
So lets start with that, the WOD. Three little letters that mean so much. Pain, exhaustion, being out of breath, thinking you cant do even one more rep. And then, doing another rep. And another. Pushing through one more 400 meter run even when you were convinced after the last one that you couldnt possibly run that route again. That train of thought crosses my mind every time I think about the WOD. Anyone who knows me knows that I am slightly OCD, which means that I check the blog first thing in the morning to see what the WOD is. I do this out of anticipation and because I need to psych myself up all day so that I am prepared for what awaits me when I get to the gym.
Back to the actual WOD. Same warm up as Saturday (and I suspect most days) - 400 meter run, 3 squats held for 10 secs each, 16 shoulder passes, 50 meters of walking lunges, 50 meter sprint, 15 more squats. So by the time I finish the warm up my legs are already very heavy and tired. And then we get into the WOD - a 400 meter run, 30 box jumps, and 30 wall balls. Repeat 5 times without a break. Haaaaaaaaa! After my first round I thought I would surely die before I finished. But alas, 38 minutes and 05 seconds later, I had finished! We were both exhausted last night but today we feel pretty good.
I wont lie, I only used a 12" box instead of the recommended 20" and I used an 8 lb ball for wallballs instead of the 14 pounder. That is the beauty of Crossfit though, everything can be scaled back or up depending on the person and fitness level. The point is that I finished. And Nick finished in 37 minutes and 40 seconds. We both pushed through when we didnt think we could and we both encouraged one another when we knew we needed it.
I am proud of us for starting Crossfit and I am proud of us for making it through two workouts in three days. Today is a rest day at the gym and the trainer encouraged us to start slowly, so our next workout will be tomorrow morning. I would like to post some photos to track my physical changes over the coming months but I am still apprehensive about it. I am really uncomfortable with my body right now and cringe at the thought of posting photos that are designed to showcase that. I will think about it...
Let me also say that while I am certainly not obese or even "fat" I am definitely not in good shape and can see and feel the weight I have gained since last summer. I do not fit comfortably into clothes that I used to wear all of the time. So I am not very concerned about what the scale says, but I am very concerned about how I look and feel. I would like to be fit and healthy, not "skinny". Of course I would love to be bikini ready all year long, who wouldnt? This mission to get in shape is about changing the direction of mine and Nick's health and fitness. We have a lot to live for and look forward to so we are taking control and starting now!
So lets start with that, the WOD. Three little letters that mean so much. Pain, exhaustion, being out of breath, thinking you cant do even one more rep. And then, doing another rep. And another. Pushing through one more 400 meter run even when you were convinced after the last one that you couldnt possibly run that route again. That train of thought crosses my mind every time I think about the WOD. Anyone who knows me knows that I am slightly OCD, which means that I check the blog first thing in the morning to see what the WOD is. I do this out of anticipation and because I need to psych myself up all day so that I am prepared for what awaits me when I get to the gym.
Back to the actual WOD. Same warm up as Saturday (and I suspect most days) - 400 meter run, 3 squats held for 10 secs each, 16 shoulder passes, 50 meters of walking lunges, 50 meter sprint, 15 more squats. So by the time I finish the warm up my legs are already very heavy and tired. And then we get into the WOD - a 400 meter run, 30 box jumps, and 30 wall balls. Repeat 5 times without a break. Haaaaaaaaa! After my first round I thought I would surely die before I finished. But alas, 38 minutes and 05 seconds later, I had finished! We were both exhausted last night but today we feel pretty good.
I wont lie, I only used a 12" box instead of the recommended 20" and I used an 8 lb ball for wallballs instead of the 14 pounder. That is the beauty of Crossfit though, everything can be scaled back or up depending on the person and fitness level. The point is that I finished. And Nick finished in 37 minutes and 40 seconds. We both pushed through when we didnt think we could and we both encouraged one another when we knew we needed it.
I am proud of us for starting Crossfit and I am proud of us for making it through two workouts in three days. Today is a rest day at the gym and the trainer encouraged us to start slowly, so our next workout will be tomorrow morning. I would like to post some photos to track my physical changes over the coming months but I am still apprehensive about it. I am really uncomfortable with my body right now and cringe at the thought of posting photos that are designed to showcase that. I will think about it...
Let me also say that while I am certainly not obese or even "fat" I am definitely not in good shape and can see and feel the weight I have gained since last summer. I do not fit comfortably into clothes that I used to wear all of the time. So I am not very concerned about what the scale says, but I am very concerned about how I look and feel. I would like to be fit and healthy, not "skinny". Of course I would love to be bikini ready all year long, who wouldnt? This mission to get in shape is about changing the direction of mine and Nick's health and fitness. We have a lot to live for and look forward to so we are taking control and starting now!
Crossfit...can it be that I actually like a workout/gym?
This was an action packed weekend, despite my assertion that we do nothing and relax all weekend.
Saturday morning Nick and I attended our first Crossfit class. This was brought on by several things, not the least of them the "happy in love" weight gain we have both experienced since we met. I have several friends who swear by the Crossfit gyms and method and after some research we were both pretty excited to try it out.
The workout of the day (WOD) on Saturday was created by one of the gyms long time members and consisted of 3 sets of rowing 150 meters as fast as possible, 5 kettlebell swings, 7 push ups and 10 wallballs...repeated 3 times! You read that right...3 set was one round. The workout called for 3 rounds. Now, I did not meet said gym member and I cannot say this with certainty, but my guess is that he is either insane or a glutton for punishment. Possibly even both. Oh, and did I mention that the warm up was a 400 meter run, 3 squats held for a 10 count, 16 shoulder passes, 50 meters of walking lunges, a 50 meter sprint and 15 regular squats? Yea. So, after we finished the "warm up" we were placed in a group to start the actual WOD. After the first round Nick ended up outside dizzy and nauseous because he forgot to "check his ego at the door" as directed by the trainer. I cant say that I blame him though, Crossfit is one of those things that just brings out the competitive side in you. I was able to make it through 2 rounds before the trainer stopped me "so that I would come back and not be scared away". His words, not mine. Good thing the man happens to know what he is talking about.
We were not able to "crossfit" on Sunday as we had made plans to have friends over all day for football. Not to mention that neither of us probably would have even made it through the warm up. Bot that is neither here nor there. Instead of working out and venting frustration we ate crappy (delicious, deep fried) food and watched our beloved Buffalo Bills suck out loud against the Packers. Not that we expected any different, but its just something you never get used to. Two day weekend - one workout down. More to come tomorrow after we attend our second workout.
Saturday morning Nick and I attended our first Crossfit class. This was brought on by several things, not the least of them the "happy in love" weight gain we have both experienced since we met. I have several friends who swear by the Crossfit gyms and method and after some research we were both pretty excited to try it out.
The workout of the day (WOD) on Saturday was created by one of the gyms long time members and consisted of 3 sets of rowing 150 meters as fast as possible, 5 kettlebell swings, 7 push ups and 10 wallballs...repeated 3 times! You read that right...3 set was one round. The workout called for 3 rounds. Now, I did not meet said gym member and I cannot say this with certainty, but my guess is that he is either insane or a glutton for punishment. Possibly even both. Oh, and did I mention that the warm up was a 400 meter run, 3 squats held for a 10 count, 16 shoulder passes, 50 meters of walking lunges, a 50 meter sprint and 15 regular squats? Yea. So, after we finished the "warm up" we were placed in a group to start the actual WOD. After the first round Nick ended up outside dizzy and nauseous because he forgot to "check his ego at the door" as directed by the trainer. I cant say that I blame him though, Crossfit is one of those things that just brings out the competitive side in you. I was able to make it through 2 rounds before the trainer stopped me "so that I would come back and not be scared away". His words, not mine. Good thing the man happens to know what he is talking about.
We were not able to "crossfit" on Sunday as we had made plans to have friends over all day for football. Not to mention that neither of us probably would have even made it through the warm up. Bot that is neither here nor there. Instead of working out and venting frustration we ate crappy (delicious, deep fried) food and watched our beloved Buffalo Bills suck out loud against the Packers. Not that we expected any different, but its just something you never get used to. Two day weekend - one workout down. More to come tomorrow after we attend our second workout.
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