Thursday, January 17, 2013
Hey Barbara....I want a rematch!
I went last night to do my CrossFit WOD, knowing I was way behind on my nutrition for the day, but I NEEDED the workout, both physically and mentally. I had heard that Barbara was on deck, so I went and looked it up online and saw that Barbara is 20 pull-ups, 30 push ups, 40 sit-ups and 50 air squats. I thought, "Well, that's gonna be tough but I think I can handle it". I was talking to one of my 5:30 buddies, who has been doing doubles the last few weeks and she said, "It's 5 rounds" and I felt my heart drop. Then I decided it would be fine, and I was going to go and introduce myself to Barbara.
Well, I did just that. I went, I got warmed up, I set up my station, and When the clock hit 0, I started.
20 pull-ups (I still used the red band)
30 push-ups (the girlie kind)
40 sit-ups
50 air squats
Round 1 completed in 6:33. Round 2 completed in 7 minutes. Round 3 completed in 8 minutes.
Round 4 I did my pull-ups, I did my push-ups but I could feel myself getting far weaker with each one. I got in position to do my sit-ups. I laid there for a second to catch my breath, and I felt myself shaking, internally, all over. I felt like my heart was gonna burst through my chest wall at any second. I did 1 sit-up and felt and saw my world caving in. I had tunnel vision and everything in the periphery was white. I laid myself right back down on the floor to let it pass.
Now, there are some lessons to be learned here:
1--DO NOT do Barbara without a healthy day of eating. I had missed breakfast due to appointments, so All I had had was a cup of coffee, a slice of banana bread, about 15 french fries, and 72 oz of water....the last I had eaten was at about 2:30 and that was the 15 french fries.
2--Many have asked, “Why are the workouts named after Girls?” Coach Glassman, the founder and President of CrossFit explained it best. “I want to explain the workout once and then give it a name. I thought that anything that left you flat on your back, looking up at the sky asking ‘what just happened to me?’ deserved a females name. Workouts are just like storms, they wreak havoc on towns.” Mission Accomplished! As such, I will point out that it is INCREDIBLY embarrassing to have 2 gentlemen from the next WOD have to come help you up off the floor and over to the couch in the office.
3--If you have ever been left laying in the floor of the box, sweating, crying, shaking and feeling like you are on the verge of passing out, there is absolutely NO doubt you gave the workout everything you had in the tank.
4--I LOVE to be challenged, and can't wait for my rematch with Barbara. She's a witch, but one I look forward to meeting again soon!
After about 45 minutes getting my breath, cooling off and getting warmed up. I had overheated, and had also hadn't had enough to eat to fuel my body. Not going to be able to let that happen again.
Till next time...
Krista
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
War of the WODs
So, last weekend I decided it was time to jump WAY outside of my comfort zone. I have heard repeatedly that if you want to change, you have to push yourself into a place you aren't comfortable. This is a major leap for me, because I am of the firm belief that I should be prepared at all time. I typically do not undertake any task that I haven't already prepared for, both mentally and physically for a long time. I didn't try out for athletics teams in high school unless I KNEW I had the ability to make the team. When I tried out for Softball, I KNEW i had the skills to make it. When I tried out for color guard, I knew I could do it. I've never gone completely out of my comfort zone but once (remember the Princess Half Marathon 2012?) Well, when I've jumped really far out of my comfort zone, I have failed, MISERABLY! So, fast forward to now, 2 weeks before a CrossFit competition. On the day of the War of the WODs, I will be 1 day shy of 6 months at CrossFit. I have been told that CrossFit competitions aren't about judgement and that I'm not going to embarrass myself or anyone else, and that it is a very supportive environment, but really? All 254# of me, competing at a a CrossFit competition? Am I going to be the laughing stock for how much I have to scale? Has I lost my mind?
Last night I was invited to a WOD specifically for those folks who are competing at Greensboro. They have started to release the WODs for the scaled division. After signing up I realized that some of the women at our box that I look up to the most and jokingly, but in all seriousness say regularly, "I want to be her when I grow up" about, are going to be in the same division....including one of our coaches. WOW...I WAY overestimated my ability to participate in this. When I went to the WOD last night I had a specific strategy in my head, and failed. I think I went too fast right out of the gate, and if I had slowed down, controlled my breathing and stuff, I could have done more reps, because I got gassed really quick since my cardio is my downfall. I'm going to try the WOD again, maybe this Sunday with a totally different strategy and see if it goes better. I just don't know.
After last night, I am even more certain that I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I keep going back to the blog I read last week, about a CrossFit Athlete in San Diego who started CrossFit at 418 pounds. At the time the blog was written, she was at 268 pounds in 2 years. In the blog it talks about how this lady has signed up for every competition they have hosted at their box, and has visited 72 different boxes since she started CrossFit. This is the hard part for me, and probably for most overweight folks. The reality is, we have a comfort zone where we have surrounded ourselves with people who may not understand our struggle, but have grown to like us, and encourage us. I feel that way at CrossFit APX. The coaches are amazing, our box owner has believed in me since day 1, when I clearly didn't. I've spent hours sitting on a big tire in the parking lot talking to Andrea about eating disorders, the process of gaining strength, confidence and the journey of health and fitness. It is scary to go to another box, or put myself out in front of people who don't know how far I've come, especially when my biggest fear is being judged for my weight. I keep reminding myself of Irene Mejia and what she has accomplished, I know that it is time to push beyond my comfort zone, and take the next step. I have a huge support system, both my family and my box, but I don't have the self-confidence. This is so SCARY for me, but I'm going to do my very best. I will push beyond my fear, and I will do everything within my power to finish strong at this competition.
Wow--this is scary, but it needs to be done! I can't succeed at something I'm too scared to try, so here goes nothing!
krista
Last night I was invited to a WOD specifically for those folks who are competing at Greensboro. They have started to release the WODs for the scaled division. After signing up I realized that some of the women at our box that I look up to the most and jokingly, but in all seriousness say regularly, "I want to be her when I grow up" about, are going to be in the same division....including one of our coaches. WOW...I WAY overestimated my ability to participate in this. When I went to the WOD last night I had a specific strategy in my head, and failed. I think I went too fast right out of the gate, and if I had slowed down, controlled my breathing and stuff, I could have done more reps, because I got gassed really quick since my cardio is my downfall. I'm going to try the WOD again, maybe this Sunday with a totally different strategy and see if it goes better. I just don't know.
After last night, I am even more certain that I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I keep going back to the blog I read last week, about a CrossFit Athlete in San Diego who started CrossFit at 418 pounds. At the time the blog was written, she was at 268 pounds in 2 years. In the blog it talks about how this lady has signed up for every competition they have hosted at their box, and has visited 72 different boxes since she started CrossFit. This is the hard part for me, and probably for most overweight folks. The reality is, we have a comfort zone where we have surrounded ourselves with people who may not understand our struggle, but have grown to like us, and encourage us. I feel that way at CrossFit APX. The coaches are amazing, our box owner has believed in me since day 1, when I clearly didn't. I've spent hours sitting on a big tire in the parking lot talking to Andrea about eating disorders, the process of gaining strength, confidence and the journey of health and fitness. It is scary to go to another box, or put myself out in front of people who don't know how far I've come, especially when my biggest fear is being judged for my weight. I keep reminding myself of Irene Mejia and what she has accomplished, I know that it is time to push beyond my comfort zone, and take the next step. I have a huge support system, both my family and my box, but I don't have the self-confidence. This is so SCARY for me, but I'm going to do my very best. I will push beyond my fear, and I will do everything within my power to finish strong at this competition.
Wow--this is scary, but it needs to be done! I can't succeed at something I'm too scared to try, so here goes nothing!
krista
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Kids' WOD and upcoming events....
Yesterday was family WOD day at CrossFit APX and my kiddos were SOOOO excited to go. We thought we had missed it last weekend. We spent not quite an hour in the parking lot doing frog jumps, duck walks, squats, jumping jacks, Fireman carry (My middle child weighs 75#, I have a WHOLE new respect for firefighters to have to carry full size adults out of a fire.) At the end, my little man asked to climb the rope, and fir the first time ever, he made it all the way to the top of the rope and touched the duct tape, which I believe is 15 or 20 feet.
We got done and quite a few of my buddies were still working hard to finish Murph. I was hoping to get to do Murph yesterday, but that's okay, working out with my kiddos made it worth it.
I came home and I'm not sure what has gotten into me, but I signed up to compete in my first ever crossfit competition. It is on January 26, and while I'm scared half out of my mind, the only way to continue to grow and improve is to push beyond your fears and limitations. So--I registered. I really think I'm losing my mind, and am horribly terrified that I will embarrass my box owner, or myself, and fail miserably, but I'm hoping not.
Finally, I've posted a couple of times about supplements that I am taking to help me with the weightloss process. I first want to say, that I do NOT believe in the magic pill theory. Everything in the supplements is natural and it is working for me, when I eat a clean diet and get in my exercise as well. If I don't eat well, and exercise, they have no effect what-so-ever. They are really helpful in curbing my appetite and keeping me on track but if I don't eat the right things, I don't see the scale going down.
I'm really excited, because since January 1st, I have lost 9 pounds. I feel good, and it's helping to fight the cravings. I'm cutting out the sugars and stuff slowly instead of all at once, because all at once makes me very sick, and I feel deprived.
Stay tuned....for more exciting things going on.
We got done and quite a few of my buddies were still working hard to finish Murph. I was hoping to get to do Murph yesterday, but that's okay, working out with my kiddos made it worth it.
I came home and I'm not sure what has gotten into me, but I signed up to compete in my first ever crossfit competition. It is on January 26, and while I'm scared half out of my mind, the only way to continue to grow and improve is to push beyond your fears and limitations. So--I registered. I really think I'm losing my mind, and am horribly terrified that I will embarrass my box owner, or myself, and fail miserably, but I'm hoping not.
Finally, I've posted a couple of times about supplements that I am taking to help me with the weightloss process. I first want to say, that I do NOT believe in the magic pill theory. Everything in the supplements is natural and it is working for me, when I eat a clean diet and get in my exercise as well. If I don't eat well, and exercise, they have no effect what-so-ever. They are really helpful in curbing my appetite and keeping me on track but if I don't eat the right things, I don't see the scale going down.
I'm really excited, because since January 1st, I have lost 9 pounds. I feel good, and it's helping to fight the cravings. I'm cutting out the sugars and stuff slowly instead of all at once, because all at once makes me very sick, and I feel deprived.
Stay tuned....for more exciting things going on.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Has it really been a week?
Hard to believe that it has been a full week since my last workout! I feel drastically different than I did after last week's WOD. I have spent the last week trying to eat better for the last week, and I have started taking some all natural supplements to help me with metabolism, focus, etc.
Tonight I went back to workout, and I was so excited/scared to be back in the box. The classes are growing, which makes it tough because i was a little lost and stuff. But it all worked out well in the long run.
Warm-UP, 30 seconds each of: Overhead squats w/PVC, Push Press w/Plate, Dead Hang, lunges.
WOD 1: 5 rounds for time
5 Snatches (RX was 75, I did 70 since I couldn't get ahold of a 45# bar)
10 pull-ups
Took me 8:39 to finish (There was a 10 minute cap). I may have done 6 rounds, I'm not sure. I lost count somewhere along the way, so I wanted to be sure to get in at least 5, figured it was better to do more than requested, than to cut out early and do less.
Wod 2: Every minute, on the minute, do 3 push-presses. I used 70# again for the first few rounds, then went up to 80, and the last 4 rounds, I bumped it up to 85. This was a TOUGH workout for sure!
Then for our strength/skill, we did upper and lower abs. I have never done these kind of sit-ups and trust me when I tell you, movement at work tomorrow might be funny to watch. We did 3 sets of 10 sit-ups with the bar. The first 3 sets were done in a bench press type of motion. Then we did 2 sets of 10 sit-ups with the bar. Arms above our heads, locked out at about 45* angle with the floor. Keep arms locked, and don't use them for leverage. This stuff really HURT!
I asked afterward because when I do get-ups and sit-ups, etc, I have pain in my hip flexors. I guess this is somewhat normal from using them more than abs due to size and lack of flexibility. I am still getting and moving much, MUCH better than I have in years.
My exciting moment of the day was when Suzanne said she didn't recognize me at first. I know the biggest part of that is that I got all my hair cut off, but she also told me how amazing I looked, which was really exciting. I am starting to see and feel changes in my body, and I can't WAIT for things to really move.
Krista
Tonight I went back to workout, and I was so excited/scared to be back in the box. The classes are growing, which makes it tough because i was a little lost and stuff. But it all worked out well in the long run.
Warm-UP, 30 seconds each of: Overhead squats w/PVC, Push Press w/Plate, Dead Hang, lunges.
WOD 1: 5 rounds for time
5 Snatches (RX was 75, I did 70 since I couldn't get ahold of a 45# bar)
10 pull-ups
Took me 8:39 to finish (There was a 10 minute cap). I may have done 6 rounds, I'm not sure. I lost count somewhere along the way, so I wanted to be sure to get in at least 5, figured it was better to do more than requested, than to cut out early and do less.
Wod 2: Every minute, on the minute, do 3 push-presses. I used 70# again for the first few rounds, then went up to 80, and the last 4 rounds, I bumped it up to 85. This was a TOUGH workout for sure!
Then for our strength/skill, we did upper and lower abs. I have never done these kind of sit-ups and trust me when I tell you, movement at work tomorrow might be funny to watch. We did 3 sets of 10 sit-ups with the bar. The first 3 sets were done in a bench press type of motion. Then we did 2 sets of 10 sit-ups with the bar. Arms above our heads, locked out at about 45* angle with the floor. Keep arms locked, and don't use them for leverage. This stuff really HURT!
I asked afterward because when I do get-ups and sit-ups, etc, I have pain in my hip flexors. I guess this is somewhat normal from using them more than abs due to size and lack of flexibility. I am still getting and moving much, MUCH better than I have in years.
My exciting moment of the day was when Suzanne said she didn't recognize me at first. I know the biggest part of that is that I got all my hair cut off, but she also told me how amazing I looked, which was really exciting. I am starting to see and feel changes in my body, and I can't WAIT for things to really move.
Krista
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Has anything really changed?
Has anything about me really changed? Has my mind really changed? Is my lifestyle really changing?
Well, tonight I can say that I'm a long way from perfect, but yes, yes it has! I have always watched The Biggest Loser and wished it was me. I've lamented not being on "The Ranch", been jealous of the contestants, been pissed off at the ones that quit....all while eating chips, or ice cream, or drinking sweet tea. Tonight when The Biggest Loser came on, I was baking my egg/bacon and cheese "muffins" for breakfast this week. I had hard-boiled eggs going for snacks for this week. I have chicken cooked and cut up to eat with my salads for lunch this week.
I have also started taking some new supplements that are all-natural (according to my research thus far) and doing so with a bit of fear. I've taken supplements before, which left me shaky, with a racing heart and ended up throwing that money away. Today is only day 2, and I've yet to feel anything different. I'm making a concerted effort to change. It is a process. I will fall. I will fail. I will get back up and continue the fight.
I sat here and cried tonight when one of the girls on Jillian's team got on the scale and weighed 258 pounds. Why did I cry? Because I weigh 258 pounds. I am hoping to make a transformation of my own. Now, I know that the amount of weight that the people on the ranch lose is unhealthy without their help and support, but I'm hoping to make a pretty sizable transformation of my own prior to the finale of BL14. I won't lose 100# in that time frame, but maybe I can lose 50 of them. So I'm going on record and saying that my goal is to make the right decisions consistently enough that when the finale for Biggest Loser 14 rolls around, I am under 208#. I'd really love for it to be under 200#, but I'm not going to push my luck. By the same token, If I get to 208 in 3 months, I'm not going to lay off because I've reached my goal, I'm going to continue to push myself.
Well, another weekend has come and gone, and I need to get in bed if I want to be able to get up at 5:00 for a workout....plus I think the Sleepy Time Tea I drank tonight is officially working. I'm exhausted and can barely keep my eyes open.
Krista
Well, tonight I can say that I'm a long way from perfect, but yes, yes it has! I have always watched The Biggest Loser and wished it was me. I've lamented not being on "The Ranch", been jealous of the contestants, been pissed off at the ones that quit....all while eating chips, or ice cream, or drinking sweet tea. Tonight when The Biggest Loser came on, I was baking my egg/bacon and cheese "muffins" for breakfast this week. I had hard-boiled eggs going for snacks for this week. I have chicken cooked and cut up to eat with my salads for lunch this week.
I have also started taking some new supplements that are all-natural (according to my research thus far) and doing so with a bit of fear. I've taken supplements before, which left me shaky, with a racing heart and ended up throwing that money away. Today is only day 2, and I've yet to feel anything different. I'm making a concerted effort to change. It is a process. I will fall. I will fail. I will get back up and continue the fight.
I sat here and cried tonight when one of the girls on Jillian's team got on the scale and weighed 258 pounds. Why did I cry? Because I weigh 258 pounds. I am hoping to make a transformation of my own. Now, I know that the amount of weight that the people on the ranch lose is unhealthy without their help and support, but I'm hoping to make a pretty sizable transformation of my own prior to the finale of BL14. I won't lose 100# in that time frame, but maybe I can lose 50 of them. So I'm going on record and saying that my goal is to make the right decisions consistently enough that when the finale for Biggest Loser 14 rolls around, I am under 208#. I'd really love for it to be under 200#, but I'm not going to push my luck. By the same token, If I get to 208 in 3 months, I'm not going to lay off because I've reached my goal, I'm going to continue to push myself.
Well, another weekend has come and gone, and I need to get in bed if I want to be able to get up at 5:00 for a workout....plus I think the Sleepy Time Tea I drank tonight is officially working. I'm exhausted and can barely keep my eyes open.
Krista
Heart exercise, doing what's right.
Today I am still recovering from the scary news that we got on Friday about my dad's health and what the future likely holds for us. Sometimes when I get that freaked out, the best thing I can do is do something to take my mind off of my reality.
Some of you may remember that a little over a week ago I asked my Facebook friends to pray for my friends Cassie and Kendra as they had just lost their mom to Cancer on December 12, and on the 26th, her dad suffered a heart attack. He was in a coma, and never regained consciousness. Mr. Ford passed away on December 30th. I can't begin to comprehend what the two of them must be feeling and going through at this difficult time.
Well, Cassie lives about 20-25 minutes from my house. Cassie has made 3 trips to Ohio since thanksgiving to see her parents, and then attend their funerals. She attended BOTH her parents funerals in less than 3 weeks. Can you imagine? I absolutely can't.
Cassie's kids got a trampoline for Christmas, which hadn't been put together. And Cassie had spent so much time traveling, packing, and unpacking, that the little things fall through the cracks. My mom and I talked about how much we HATE coming home from a trip, knowing that we have to clean house, and face a mess. So, after breaking into Cassie's house with her permission (they don't have a spare key hidden) not only did my dad, husband and Brother-in-law put together the trampoline the kids got from their deceased grandparents for Christmas, me, my mom and my sister spent a couple of hours cleaning, doing dishes, vacuuming, doing some laundry and made some lasagna so that when Cassie and Ben got home today, they could take the day and relax with their kids, enjoy the time as a family and playing on the new trampoline. This is what my family does. We see where there is a need, and we try to do as much as possible to help that family in their time of need. It was such a good feeling to spend the day helping someone who needs it, but would never ask for the help. We have adopted Cassie and her family, and we love them so. My heart was so happy when we got home, knowing we had done something that would make someone else's life a bit easier/better. We don't do stuff like this to get thanks, we do it to help when it's needed.
In the past we have bought Christmas presents for families, delivered meals, bought school clothes, helped folks move, assemble furniture, you name it. It is so invigorating to help people. I love it.
Some of you may remember that a little over a week ago I asked my Facebook friends to pray for my friends Cassie and Kendra as they had just lost their mom to Cancer on December 12, and on the 26th, her dad suffered a heart attack. He was in a coma, and never regained consciousness. Mr. Ford passed away on December 30th. I can't begin to comprehend what the two of them must be feeling and going through at this difficult time.
Well, Cassie lives about 20-25 minutes from my house. Cassie has made 3 trips to Ohio since thanksgiving to see her parents, and then attend their funerals. She attended BOTH her parents funerals in less than 3 weeks. Can you imagine? I absolutely can't.
Cassie's kids got a trampoline for Christmas, which hadn't been put together. And Cassie had spent so much time traveling, packing, and unpacking, that the little things fall through the cracks. My mom and I talked about how much we HATE coming home from a trip, knowing that we have to clean house, and face a mess. So, after breaking into Cassie's house with her permission (they don't have a spare key hidden) not only did my dad, husband and Brother-in-law put together the trampoline the kids got from their deceased grandparents for Christmas, me, my mom and my sister spent a couple of hours cleaning, doing dishes, vacuuming, doing some laundry and made some lasagna so that when Cassie and Ben got home today, they could take the day and relax with their kids, enjoy the time as a family and playing on the new trampoline. This is what my family does. We see where there is a need, and we try to do as much as possible to help that family in their time of need. It was such a good feeling to spend the day helping someone who needs it, but would never ask for the help. We have adopted Cassie and her family, and we love them so. My heart was so happy when we got home, knowing we had done something that would make someone else's life a bit easier/better. We don't do stuff like this to get thanks, we do it to help when it's needed.
In the past we have bought Christmas presents for families, delivered meals, bought school clothes, helped folks move, assemble furniture, you name it. It is so invigorating to help people. I love it.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Alright 2013.....BRING IT!!!
This first 4 days of 2013 have been less than stellar in the "life and work" departments, but I'm pretty proud of myself in the eating department. Last night for dinner I did eat Taco Bell, which was BAD, but I had actually missed lunch so calorie wise I didn't blow myself out of the water, but it definitely wasn't as healthy as eating a huge salad with vegetables, chicken or tuna, and a fruit. Again, looking at the positive side of things, I'm not going to focus on the one mistake I made yesterday, I'm going to focus on the fact that other than that, the last 3 days have been very good for me diet-wise. I have stuck to a healthy, "clean" diet and had A LOT of water to drink. Not quite at goal yet (drinking a gallon of water/day is pretty tough) but I'm getting there. Believe it or not, I've already started to see some results. After the holidays, I got on the scale Wednesday morning, and I got on the scale. Reality is reality, and I needed to know where I was starting. Wednesday morning when I got on the scale it said 264. This is a mere .2 pounds less than when I started CrossFitting in July, but I knew I was pretty dehydrated, and a good dose of water would probably alleviate some of that, and this morning I was already back down to 258 on the scale. I DO NOT believe for a single second that I have lost 6 pounds of fat in 3 days. I figure I have lost some water weight, etc. I'm going to be working really hard to continue the victories that I am experiencing right now. Here are a few goals I'm hoping to reach:
1--Barney and I are flying to San Diego 5 weeks from tomorrow. When I got on the plane to go to Boston, I had to ask for a seat belt extender. I was only maybe an inch from being able to fasten that seatbelt. I am desperately hoping that I won't have to ask for one on the flight to San Diego.
2--In 50 days or so I will be running the Princess Half Marathon. I would really like to lose about 2 pounds/week between now and then which would put me at right around 240 when I start the race, smaller than I have been since I quit breast feeding Ada in 2006.
3--We are going on an Anniversary Cruise on April 28th. That is 16 weeks from now, and if I continue a healthy weight loss of 2 pounds per week, I would be down to about 220 when we board that cruise ship. The smallest Barney has ever seen me was about 210 pounds.
As I said earlier when I posted my New Year's Resolutions, I can't focus on the scale, only on the things I can control, like getting in my workouts and what I put in my mouth. That is what I need to focus on so that the scale will fall in line and do what I want it to.
1--Barney and I are flying to San Diego 5 weeks from tomorrow. When I got on the plane to go to Boston, I had to ask for a seat belt extender. I was only maybe an inch from being able to fasten that seatbelt. I am desperately hoping that I won't have to ask for one on the flight to San Diego.
2--In 50 days or so I will be running the Princess Half Marathon. I would really like to lose about 2 pounds/week between now and then which would put me at right around 240 when I start the race, smaller than I have been since I quit breast feeding Ada in 2006.
3--We are going on an Anniversary Cruise on April 28th. That is 16 weeks from now, and if I continue a healthy weight loss of 2 pounds per week, I would be down to about 220 when we board that cruise ship. The smallest Barney has ever seen me was about 210 pounds.
As I said earlier when I posted my New Year's Resolutions, I can't focus on the scale, only on the things I can control, like getting in my workouts and what I put in my mouth. That is what I need to focus on so that the scale will fall in line and do what I want it to.
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