Not chocolate.
Not sauvignon blanc.
It's this -
I can't really call it a NEW addiction, really.
Back in December (December 13th to be exact, I'll remember that day for a long time), Nick and I headed out to our first CrossFit class.
I had no idea really what to expect when we started. I knew it was a core strength and conditioning program, but other than that I was naive. Nick's brother and his wife and Nick's sister had been going to CrossFit for about 6 months at that point and they'd been encouraging us to try it out.
I'd heard stories of their workouts. Crazy, unbelievable, 'I couldn't possibly do that' stories. Stories about running with 35lb sandbags on your shoulders, lifting weights equivalent in size to my children (have you seen my kids? they're big!), things called Hero workouts (honoring fallen military who have died in combat) where you push yourself physically to the absolute limits.
Truth be told, I was scared.
Scared to try it. Scared to look like an idiot because I would have no clue what I was going. Scared to be pushed physically to do things I didn't think I could do.
I'll remember how I felt after that first class for a long time.
Like I wanted to barf. Like I couldn't lift my arms for 2 days. Like I had no idea how I could go back and do it again.
But I did - both lift my arms AND go back (not barf though!)
I went back 2 days later, and I've been going back ever since December 13th. 4 days a week, week in and week out.
And I love it. I'm addicted.
For me, it's replaced running.
It's a total body workout, including psychological (for me). It's hard, I won't lie. But if feels amazing when I'm done. Like I've accomplished something. Something really good.
I love our gym - CrossFit Sandy. It's not pretentious. I don't PUT ON makeup to go. Honestly, that's what's kept me away from gyms my whole life. The thought of getting 'ready' to go workout - WHAT?! Makeup? Hair? Designer workout clothes? What's the point, it's not a fashion show people, it's sweat!
People at our gym are friendly - people help each other, and support, and encourage. The trainers are amazing. Encouraging. They do everything they can to make you feel like you CAN do it. It's feeling like a family. And I love that.
I won't lie, for the first 2 weeks I was worried before each class.
Worried that I wouldn't be able to do the workout. But I quickly learned that all of the workouts can be modified based on ability. And the trainers get that and know that and help you with that, while at the same time make sure you are pushing yourself.
Worried because, ahem, let's be honest - I'm no spring chicken... Most people at our gym are in there 20's. Hell, I'm 43 people! That's a 20 year difference. But this is what carries me through every time I go -
"MY" being the operative word there...
I've come to the realization after 43 years that I'm never going to be skinny. Just not going to happen, not in my genes. At the same time I've come to the realization that although I'm never going to be skinny, I am going to be fit. And healthy. And strong.
After all, have you heard?
:)
And that works for me!
So the answer to the big question - no, I haven't lost weight. After 3 months. In fact, I went up about 6 lbs. YIKES! For someone whose day starts on the scale EVERY SINGLE DAY of her life, that's super unsettling.
But as of this morning, I've lost 4 of the 6 lbs that I'd gained, and that's the right direction. On advice from Nick's family, we did 6 different body measurements at home before we started (bust, hips, waist, thighs, neck, bicep), and we continue to take those measurements every two weeks. The silver lining - I HAVE seen a difference there - about 8 inches lost so far.
I know, not an earth shattering loss of inches, or life altering loss of inches, but the inches are smaller, none the less, and I'm celebrating. That and the feeling of the waist of my jeans getting really loose. That and starting to notice definition in places on my body that I thought I'd never see definition...
So take THAT, scale!
And there you have it. My new addiction.
Intrigued?
Give Crossfit a Google.
Lots of great articles and videos out there. Don't let what you read and see scare you, especially the amazingly fit people in the videos. Thousands of everyday people - just like me, just like you - are out there doing it every day. If I can do it - the girl who's so uncoordinated that, to this day, has NEVER been able to do a cartwheel - anyone can. You'd be amazed at how much stronger you are than you think you are. I know I've been.
There are many, many, CrossFit gyms out there, regardless of what city you live in. If you're thinking about changing up your life, your exercise routine, I'm a believer in CrossFit. If you have ANY questions about it - the good, bad and the ugly - just yell, I'm happy to share more about my experience!
