Confessions of An Ex-Crossfit Junkie...Who Recently Returned to the Bar

“Life is not about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving.” 
– Rocky Balboa

Part of my "try new things" adventure has been returning to the crazy, cultish, fitness obsession called CrossFit. It is hard to explain to someone unfamiliar or someone that holds the notion "crossfit is bad for you," or "it is not for everyone." The facts are if you properly train and scale as needed, it is a unique process that will sculpt and strengthen any body.

I began training in 2011 completely by accident. I used to run 3-4 miles while my son was practicing with his swim team, and everyday my route took me by this warehouse-looking building where I saw groups of people throwing up barbells, weight balls, and completing the not-so-loved move I came to know as burpees. I have never been a gym person, but I have always gravitated towards group exercise, and this group seemed pretty in sync as I glanced at their daily workouts jogging by the building.

Curiosity got the best of me, so I stopped in one day to see what was going on. That day was the beginning of a love affair. I was immediately welcomed by the owner and the members. After a quick tour, observing what was being referred to as a "WOD", and making an appointment for my ramp-up orientation, I was signed up for the next month. And so it began.

My first WOD (Workout of the Day) was what would become some of my all time favorite Crossfit moves...21-15-9 Thrusters, Deadlifts, Wall Balls. I eagerly jumped in with a 14 lb. wall ball, a 35 lb. bar, and added 20 lbs. for a 55 lb. beginning to my journey. I was invigorated, excited and eager to return the next day. Little did I know, first day sore sucks, BUT second day sore is NO JOKE. By my third day in, the stairs and the toilets were my worst enemy as I attempted to climb/squat. I walked a little funny, and wanted to cry most of those two days, but it got better and I kept going back for more.

One of the coolest aspects (in my opinion) of CF is your battle wounds. After about three months,  my shins looked like a war zone from the scrapes as a result of busting it on box jumps multiple times. My hands literally would rip from pull ups in multiple places, almost be healed in a few days, only to find we were doing them again. Collar bone and thigh bruises are par-for-the-course if you are doing the movement right. And oh! The beautiful whip marks from the jump rope while tackling double-unders are amazing. But, these are scars that us cross-fitters tout, and we showcase them proudly as a mark of our accomplishments for the day.

I have been absent from the CF world for almost two years and recently I returned, with the encouragement of my stepmom realizing I needed a new scene. It was scary. I was intimidated and I do not get intimidated. After nearly 4 years of 4-6 WODS a week, I had accomplished some significant weight PR's, was able to do pull ups (big deal and a personal goal when I first began), had great stamina, was working on hand stand push ups, and more. When you leave the box, and don't keep up with the training, you have to basically begin again. (But that has become one of my favortie mottos lately...in the end, we begin again).

At the beginning of last week, I walked in to greetings from Missy (my former trainer here in AL), the owner/coach at Yellowhammer Fitness, and a new group of CF peeps. It was weird to use lower weight and scale myself (not even banded pull ups, think ring rows), but it was okay. I just set my mind to pace myself and enjoy the experience. Now two weeks in, I feel like I am beginning to get my groove back. I am nowhere near where I was when I left, but I know that in six months and I will be back on track. Hell, I feel back on track now! It feels good.

The OG CrossFit843 peeps post WOD for Hope, 2013.

See, there are some basic beauties with this sport. First and foremost, the Community.
You will never feel excluded, left out, or left behind at a box. Even if you are a drop-in, in a different state, CF folks share an unspoken bond and because of this, we tend to be an overly-friendly and accepting bunch to all.

Second, the results are undeniable and inevitable if you trust the process.  
Even if you are not jumping on the paleo or keto train, you can still work hard, eat healthy but still indulge, and see results. I am currently figuring out my long-term diet strategy, but I have basically steered away from bread, moderated drinking, and I have seen results in the past two weeks. I am looking forward to getting my "I do 500 squats a week" bootie back!


Finally, you continually surprise yourself.

Just when you think "I have maxed out," or "this is all I have left today," you add a few pounds to the bar, you do a few more reps, you just push just a little harder. And all the while your Community is cheering you on to do a little more, and if you cannot, they congratulate you for your achievement. Good stuff!

So thank you Lisa Gore, and Missy Lewis. I am very happy to be back in the CF community and honestly, absent the soreness and scaling, it feels like I never left. I am excited to watch my progress and my team mates progress as we continue on this journey together. Stay strong folks, be good. And go check out your nearest box...you will NOT regret it.