A Summer of No School and CrossFit Beginnings

It seems like I just finished my last final for school and now it's almost July.  June has flown by; I think trying to catch up with everything I neglected over the school year kept me from relaxing and enjoying 40 hour work weeks instead of the 60 hours I was managing with work and school.   

It also gave me a chance to look at myself closely, which is not something I care to do much at all.  The stress of school, work, and life the past two years has added more weight to my body and has stopped me from running.  I look and feel horrible.  Grief=weight gain for me.  I stuff my face and just want to sit and read books all the time.  My grief has eased, and now it's time to challenge myself and learn to be stronger and healthier.  

CrossFit was my answer.  My niece and nephew both do CrossFit where they live, and absolutely love it.  I've seen for myself how much weight both have lost and how much strength they've attained.  They are healthier and happier and full of energy.  It shows in their faces and attitudes.  

So I joined CrossFit a few weeks ago.  Went to the three classes that show how to properly do the basic moves.  Talked about what to eat--basically lean meats, veggies, and no "white stuff".  Some fruits (mainly berries) and lots of water.  You can go super hard and do Paleo, but I find that too restrictive and a recipe for disaster for me.  I've chosen to try the Primal way, but I just can't find it in me to be hard core about it.  I've been avoiding bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes; eating more meat, eggs, and greek yogurt, and eating lots of berries. Eating a lot of spinach, olives, and other veggies.  The Primal even lets you have red wine.  I haven't been super strict, but I think about what I'm eating.  I have noticed I don't crave the sweet stuff like I did, and if I do eat any "white stuff" I don't feel good and it doesn't sit well.  The tough part is finding something to eat for lunch every day.  I have to take lunch to work; having a cafe in my bookstore just leads to bad eating choices when I don't have a lunch ready and waiting for me in the fridge.  

Bud has been very patient and willing to eat whatever I make for supper.  Mostly we've stuck to grilled meats and grilled veggies.  No desserts.  

And Crossfit?  I've set a goal to go 3 times a week.  This is my second week; I can honestly say I am the weak kitten in the 5:30 AM class.  I am astounded at just how out of shape I am.  But everyone there is encouraging and the coaches say "do what you can" and take as many breaks as I need to.  A few short term goals I've set for myself:  do a proper push-up!  And get my tush down low when I do squats.  My mobility is terrible, but I've already seen a bit of an improvement just after a few weeks.  Starting at the bottom means I can only improve and that's what I'm looking forward to in the next months.  By the time school starts in August, I hope I've improved my endurance and strength. I'll need them to keep myself together and moving forward over the next semester.  

What are you doing to stay fit?  Have you tried CrossFit?