Doing Life!

It’s official, I am going back to college

This whole going back to school thing is TERRIFYING!!! I have less then a month before I can register for the classes I need.

I haven’t been in college since 2004. Things have changed, for the better I am sure, but it’s the fear of the unknown that gets me.

How am I going to manage classes, work full time, be a good wife, manage homework and do my work outs?! I know people do it everyday. I am probably making it into a bigger deal then it is.

Classes start in May. I am sure my anxiety will grow until I get to class and realize it’s going to be OK!

I am nervous. I am scared. I want to succeed. Failure is not an option!!

Felt DEFEATED!

I had a rough morning. I woke up with a massive headache but decided to go to Cross Fit anyhow. I always feel better when I am pushing myself really hard.

Today’s WOD:

20 DB thrusters

5 burpee pull ups

15 DB thrusters

5 burpee pull ups

10 DB thrusters

5 burpee pull ups

5 DB thrusters

5 burpee pull ups

Sounds great, right?! At this point I am not very strong, so I decided to do my thrusters with 30 lbs….

I began the workout, and got PISSED. I felt that I was not in control of my movements. The more I tried, the more pissed I got. Little side note, when I get extremely frustrated, or mad, I cry. 10 thrusters into my 20 I am frustrated beyond belief. It feels like I am trying to push several hundred pounds over my head. My eyes begin to well up and tears start coming down. The next 10 thrusters, were hard. I wiped away the tears and headed to the rings to do my burpee pull ups. I get the workout done, one of the last people to complete it. Felt defeated.

We then do a tabata of front, right and left plank. I can do a front plank, but left and right side planks did not go well. I will have to keep practicing.

After 8 rounds I am ready for a hot shower. I shower at the gym, and realize after the shower that I didn’t pack a regular bra for the day!! F.M.L

I put my sports bra back on, not only does it look horrible with my tank top and sweater, but its nasty sweating from the workout. :(

Ok life, I get it, today is just not my day. I took the day off. This whole day I have felt disappointed in my workout. I should have tried harder, or what could I have done better? I fell asleep for an hour, and when I woke up I knew what needed to be done. I am going back to open gym tomorrow at 6am, I am going to re-do the workout!

I will keep grinding until I get it! I will NOT give up!!

Today’s workout has been brought to you by the letter H- for HARD

This week’s Cross Fit WOD’s have been brought to you by Coach Mandie!

To sum this week up- DIFFICULT. TOUGH. EXHAUSTING.

Each class whopped my ass. Not slightly whopped my ass, but laid out on the floor with a beautiful sweat angel, whopped. 

(Feng, I have been working on the exercises you gave me!!)

For me, it’s a great feeling. I know I gave it everything I had. Today I wasn’t sure I was going to finish…
Partner WOD:

10-1

Ring dips

jump squats

jump lunges

push-ups

kettle bells

jump pull ups.

I was so happy when I finished, I think I did a little dance!

I am scheduled to run 7 miles tomorrow. I have opted to run 4 miles, then hike the trails with a friend for 3 miles.

My body has started to transform, and I LOVE IT!

I got better today.

Today, I got better!

All the so-called “secrets of success” will not work unless you do. ~Author Unknown

4 weeks ago I decided I was going to try Cross Fit and see if it was “right” for me. I was intimidated and scared my first class. 4 weeks later I can tell you that I have met some incredible, inspiring people, who are encouraging and push you to see what you are made of. My coaches, Mandie, Mara and Sharon have kicked my ass. They have let me see a side of myself I have never seen.

In the last 4 weeks my self confidence has risen! I know the workouts will be a struggle, but I know once I am finished I will feel amazing. It’s hard work, and I am willing to put in the time to see results. I have lost some weight. I am feeling stronger, all because I took a chance at something outside of my comfort zone.

My running has gotten better. I am running faster, feeling stronger, and I have more endurance.

This morning’s 6 mile run was good. I was 15 seconds faster per mile this this weekend. Half marathon training this time around is going much smoother then it did last year at this time.

I can’t wait to see my progress! There are no limits, I am able to push past mental and physical barriers.

Some people dream of success… while others wake up and work hard at it. ~Author Unknown

6am Cross Fit

A few weeks ago when I tried Cross Fit for the first time, I decided the 6am class was best for me. I like getting workouts done in the morning, then I feel accomplished for the day. That being said, I run in the afternoons…my basement where the treadmill lives is SUPER creepy at the crack of dawn.

The first few mornings of Cross Fit, getting up at 4:30am was brutal. I was fine during the workout, but around 11am I would start to get incredibly sleepy. I have now successfully completed 3 weeks of Cross and I feel great! I am stronger then when I started. It’s little things that I am noticing. A few weeks ago I had very little upper body strength, and now I can see some subtle changes. I conquered my first “Cindy” WOD the other day.  Getting up at 4:30am is exciting, I can’t wait to get to my class and see what the coaches have in store for us.

I know people have said that it’s a great community, and I agree!! Today, I struggled mentally with box jumps. My fear is falling. A couple of the guys came near me, encouraged me, and had the whole class cheering for me. It was a great feeling. I was able to do 3 box jumps without falling or modifying it to step ups.

The Cross Fit community is amazing. I am so glad to be a part of it!

The Grand Challenge

In January 2011 my dad decided to set a challenge for our family (mom, 2 sisters and I) to get active and lose 10% of our body weight by January 2012.

He put $1,000 on the line.

The first $500 pay out would be the week of my wedding, and the final payout would be in the beginning of January.

Here was the catch, if my dad won the challenge, my mom, sisters and I would collectively have to pay my dad $1,000.

In my mind, I wasn’t going to pay ANYONE. I knew I would have to bust my butt in order to lose the weight. Each week I submitted my weight to my dad. Every few weeks I would ask him where I stood in the competition. Each time I asked, I was told I was in the lead.

The week of my wedding rolled around and I got a call from my dad letting me know that I had WON the first pay out, and that the $500 was on it’s way. YAY!

I took 2 months off from running, and exercising all together (wedding and honeymoon and lack of motivation.) I gained about 5 lbs back. On November 1st, I got back into the swing of things and began working out again.

I didn’t think much of the Grand Challenge since November, as I was working on getting myself in shape, and in the end, that is what mattered most to me.

My dad called on New Years Day to wish me a Happy New Year. He then let me know that I had WON the challenge and the 2nd pay out would be coming my way within the week. He mentioned how proud he was of me, and that everyone else in the family, including him had dropped out of the competition a long time ago.

This past year has been a wonderfully great challenge. I lost 18 lbs, gained some back, started running again, began Cross Fit, and won $1,000!!

Througout this whole challenge I learned what I was made of. I am physically and mentally stronger today then I was last year at this time. I started Cross Fit and found “my people.” I learned that I can push myself hard, and feel great about the exhaustion.

2012 I will break down barriers, and push myself to see how far I can go. I am my only competiton and obstacle! :)

5 miles done! It feels like a great way to start the new year :) Running can ONLY get better from here.

Today’s run was the first time I didn’t think I was going to die at some point during the run. I think in my previous runs I have gone balls to the wall the first mile then crash out. This time I slowed my pace, and my breathing. I felt in control of this run.

5 miles done in 1:07:07- 13.25 pace!

Highlights of 2011

2011 has been an incredible year, with highs and lows.

The Highs:

• I began running, and lost weight
• I ran and completed a half marathon without taking the sag wagon
• I participated for my 5th event with the Breast Cancer 3 Day
• My Breast Cancer Team, “The Kindred Spirits” raised $133,541.29 in the fight against breast cancer
• I got married on 9-10-11 @ 12
• I left my comfort zone and tried something new…Cross Fit!
• I changed how I felt about myself

This year was one of the best years that I can remember, but I had some loss as well. I lost 2 people in September. My breast cancer team mate Joan Caldwell passed away after her long fight with the disease. We miss her everyday, and in 2012 her memory will be alive and well at the Michigan Breast Cancer 3 Day.

My grandpa passed away the day before my wedding. He had been struggling with lung cancer for quite some time. I talked to him 5 days before the wedding and let him know how much I loved him and that if he was ready to go, I would be OK. He left us September 9th at 7:07am. Miss you gramps!!

I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for me. I hope it is filled with journeys and challenges. I am ready for it.

Goodbye 2011, you were wonderful to me!

Quiet Christmas

I just finished a 3 mile run, I was hoping to do 5 but my legs disagreed. I will try for 5 later this week.

My hubs is working today, he went in around 5:30am. We will celebrate Christmas this afternoon with his parents, then come home and have our own little Christmas.

It’s really quiet around our house today, which I am enjoying!

Hosting dinner Christmas Eve was a success, everyone enjoyed the food. I loved watching my niece and nephew open their gifts. I wish I could hold that joy in my pocket and save it for a crappy day.  Break out their smiles, and giggles of happiness whenever I feel like my day has gone to hell.

Wishing you all a happy, and blessed day. Merry Christmas from our house to yours.