Recent changes in my life have thrown a wrench in my carefully crafted routine. My old routine included office time, friends and working out 2-3 days a week as well as time for my family. It was wonderful.
However, once school started (for both kids at different schools), my husband went back to work and we found out a loved one was very ill, my old routine crumbled. My days are now fuller and long story short; my workouts were the first thing to suffer.
But I wasn’t too worried. I’d been doing Crossfit for two years with a fantastic group of motivated people and I’d learned a lot. I had a good set of dumbbells, a jump rope, a pull up bar and lots of body weight movements at my disposal. I was sure I could keep my workouts going (at home) as well as get to the gym once a week. Constantly varied, right? I had this!
Wishful thinking.
Two month trying to create a new routine and I can feel the fitness I worked so hard to achieve slipping away. I get dressed to work out and get sucked into work. I make time in the evening to run after the kids go to bed, and end up doing chores or flopping into bed myself. On a good week, I get to the gym once and fit in one workout at home. I didn’t think I’d feel so lost and unmotivated without my Crossfit tribe, but I do.
I am certain this is just an adjustment period, but how do you make time for yourself? Time to work out, to plan meals, to make good choices and still care for the people you love?
How do you hold yourself accountable when you don’t have a “tribe” there to push you?
A little lost, but figuring it out.
MM
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Bigger Picture
After a particularly hard work out, a dear friend wondered aloud, “Why do we do this to ourselves?”
Usually I’d have some pithy answer handy, that would make us both laugh, but I had nothing. I felt tired, sore and broken…both mentally and physically. I gave her a half-hearted smile and said, “Because it is better than the alternative?” (The alternative meant feeling old, unhealthy and stagnant.) I’d lived the alternative most of my life and had no plans to go back, but at that moment, I was beginning to question my future with CrossFit.
“Why was I doing this to myself?”
I thought on this question long and hard and it took me several weeks to find the answer. I made a list of pros and cons and in the end; I had to strip my experience of both to see what was left. For me the “bad” was my ego and that inner-voice telling me I suck, it was the whiteboard, the scrapes, rips and bruises, and the “good” was a great group of CrossFit friends and a stronger, healthier body.
But what if I removed the “good”, would I still want to participate?
In the end the simplified answer was, “Yes, because I enjoy it.” Plain and simple, I enjoy the challenge and being fit helps me enjoy the rest of my life more. But I won’t lie, having people around who support me makes the experience a helluva lot better. In fact, some days it is all that gets me through the door.
I’ve also made a point to track my progress better and set attainable goals. And let me tell ya, there is nothing better than reaching a goal you have worked your tail off to achieve. It took me nearly 16 months of ring rows, jumping pull-ups, big bands, small bands and one teeny, tiny band to get my unassisted pull-ups. But when it happened, I was so proud I jumped around the gym like a fool!
However, after my initial joy, I got a little quiet, a little embarrassed even. I mean it took me 16 months to do something others were doing in 4 months.
What did I have to be so proud of?
The next time I was in the gym, I grabbed the pull-up bar with silent excitement and did another pull-up. I was doing the happy dance in my mind and then something nice happened, a small sort of kindness that finally cleared my head. Someone I’d been working out with for months, someone I looked up to, she noticed too...she knew I’d been working on pull-ups forever and she let me know how happy she was for me. That small act of kindness lifted my spirits and nearly broke my heart at the same time. It was just what I needed.
So, to finally answer your question, my dear friend, “Why do we do this to ourselves?”
Because it IS better than the alternative and if you look at your experience honestly, you already know the answer. When the workout kicks your behind and you feel like you want to quit, you won’t and I will be happy for you and in that crazy, scary, wonderful CrossFit sort of way, you enjoy the challenge too.
Going strong and I am not done yet,
MM
PS: Take photos, write journals and chart your progress diligently. These things have helped me stay on track and motivated over the long haul.
July 2009 - Just before I started CrossFit. I'm in the black tee.
November 2009 - First month at the new box.
March 2010 - Trip to the CrossFit Sectionals
May 2010 - Affiliate Team Competition. That log was HEAVY!
September 2010 - Slowest time on the board but Rx!
October 2010 - Back on the water after a 13 year absence! We placed 2nd.
December 2010 - CIM Relay Team. Tired, but finished 7 miles no problem!
February 2011 - Wall Climbs? Who knew!?!
Hiked 10 miles and still smiling!!
Usually I’d have some pithy answer handy, that would make us both laugh, but I had nothing. I felt tired, sore and broken…both mentally and physically. I gave her a half-hearted smile and said, “Because it is better than the alternative?” (The alternative meant feeling old, unhealthy and stagnant.) I’d lived the alternative most of my life and had no plans to go back, but at that moment, I was beginning to question my future with CrossFit.
“Why was I doing this to myself?”
I thought on this question long and hard and it took me several weeks to find the answer. I made a list of pros and cons and in the end; I had to strip my experience of both to see what was left. For me the “bad” was my ego and that inner-voice telling me I suck, it was the whiteboard, the scrapes, rips and bruises, and the “good” was a great group of CrossFit friends and a stronger, healthier body.
But what if I removed the “good”, would I still want to participate?
In the end the simplified answer was, “Yes, because I enjoy it.” Plain and simple, I enjoy the challenge and being fit helps me enjoy the rest of my life more. But I won’t lie, having people around who support me makes the experience a helluva lot better. In fact, some days it is all that gets me through the door.
I’ve also made a point to track my progress better and set attainable goals. And let me tell ya, there is nothing better than reaching a goal you have worked your tail off to achieve. It took me nearly 16 months of ring rows, jumping pull-ups, big bands, small bands and one teeny, tiny band to get my unassisted pull-ups. But when it happened, I was so proud I jumped around the gym like a fool!
However, after my initial joy, I got a little quiet, a little embarrassed even. I mean it took me 16 months to do something others were doing in 4 months.
What did I have to be so proud of?
The next time I was in the gym, I grabbed the pull-up bar with silent excitement and did another pull-up. I was doing the happy dance in my mind and then something nice happened, a small sort of kindness that finally cleared my head. Someone I’d been working out with for months, someone I looked up to, she noticed too...she knew I’d been working on pull-ups forever and she let me know how happy she was for me. That small act of kindness lifted my spirits and nearly broke my heart at the same time. It was just what I needed.
So, to finally answer your question, my dear friend, “Why do we do this to ourselves?”
Because it IS better than the alternative and if you look at your experience honestly, you already know the answer. When the workout kicks your behind and you feel like you want to quit, you won’t and I will be happy for you and in that crazy, scary, wonderful CrossFit sort of way, you enjoy the challenge too.
Going strong and I am not done yet,
MM
PS: Take photos, write journals and chart your progress diligently. These things have helped me stay on track and motivated over the long haul.
July 2009 - Just before I started CrossFit. I'm in the black tee.
November 2009 - First month at the new box.
March 2010 - Trip to the CrossFit Sectionals
May 2010 - Affiliate Team Competition. That log was HEAVY!
September 2010 - Slowest time on the board but Rx!
October 2010 - Back on the water after a 13 year absence! We placed 2nd.
December 2010 - CIM Relay Team. Tired, but finished 7 miles no problem!
February 2011 - Wall Climbs? Who knew!?!
Hiked 10 miles and still smiling!!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Small Goals...Small Victories
I dragged myself out of bed this morning hoping a good workout would help me shake this funk, but unfortunately it did the opposite. Instead of calming my thoughts, a stream of self-deprecation has joined the hum of the hamster wheel already spinning in my head. Now I'm not only unfocused, but slightly injured and feel like I'm losing the battle with the cold I’ve been fighting off for 2 weeks.
But I’m a strong woman, so I’ll concoct a plan to push through this funk. With a little more effort, my mood could be better, right? If I focus on all the really important things I’m supposed to be doing like….making all my meals with organic ingredients, getting all the laundry washed, folded and put away nightly, being attentive to my family’s current and perceived needs and adding another workout (or two) to my roster…..that oughta fix it! Right? To be better, faster and stronger, I need to work harder, do more in less time and never give up! Right?!
WRONG.
I am so flipping tired I’m barely making sense. Try as I might, I can’t keep up. I may honestly scream if I’m asked to do any more than I’m already doing. Which means for today my “best” isn’t going to be that great but it is going to have to suffice.
So…my grand plan consists of focusing on small goals, like hanging out with my kids, sharing a meal, watching a DVD with my husband and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. I am going to take a hot shower, stretch my aching muscles, reassess my life then make a little chicken soup for my soul from the following recipe. Or I might just go out and buy some soup and call it a day.
Mom's Cold-Season Chicken Soup Recipe
INGREDIENTS
•4 cups of homemade chicken stock
•Fat from the homemade chicken stock
•1 yellow onion, peeled and roughly diced
•2 carrots, sliced in half-inch slices (about the same amount as onion)
•2 celery stalks, sliced in 1/4 inch slices (about the same amount as the onion)
•1 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves
•1 Tbsp of chopped greens from a green onion (green part of the green onion)
•1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
•1/8 teaspoon (a pinch) of crushed red pepper flakes (or a small pinch of cayenne)
•Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
In a 4 qt saucepan, heat a tablespoon of chicken fat (that has risen to the surface and solidified from your homemade stock) on medium high heat. If you don't have enough chicken fat, you can add some olive oil. Sauté the vegetables in the fat until the carrots are almost done. While you are sautéing the vegetables, add the seasoning - the poultry seasoning, the crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. Seasoning like this during the cooking of the vegetables brings out their flavor. According to my mother, crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne is very helpful for a cold, which is why it is part of this recipe. Add the 4cups of stock. Bring to a low simmer. Add the fresh parsley and green onion greens. Check seasoning and adjust to taste.
Serves 3.
Full recipe post at: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_cold-season_chicken_soup/
Not usually this grumpy, but tired of the chatter,
MM
But I’m a strong woman, so I’ll concoct a plan to push through this funk. With a little more effort, my mood could be better, right? If I focus on all the really important things I’m supposed to be doing like….making all my meals with organic ingredients, getting all the laundry washed, folded and put away nightly, being attentive to my family’s current and perceived needs and adding another workout (or two) to my roster…..that oughta fix it! Right? To be better, faster and stronger, I need to work harder, do more in less time and never give up! Right?!
WRONG.
I am so flipping tired I’m barely making sense. Try as I might, I can’t keep up. I may honestly scream if I’m asked to do any more than I’m already doing. Which means for today my “best” isn’t going to be that great but it is going to have to suffice.
So…my grand plan consists of focusing on small goals, like hanging out with my kids, sharing a meal, watching a DVD with my husband and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. I am going to take a hot shower, stretch my aching muscles, reassess my life then make a little chicken soup for my soul from the following recipe. Or I might just go out and buy some soup and call it a day.
Mom's Cold-Season Chicken Soup Recipe
INGREDIENTS
•4 cups of homemade chicken stock
•Fat from the homemade chicken stock
•1 yellow onion, peeled and roughly diced
•2 carrots, sliced in half-inch slices (about the same amount as onion)
•2 celery stalks, sliced in 1/4 inch slices (about the same amount as the onion)
•1 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves
•1 Tbsp of chopped greens from a green onion (green part of the green onion)
•1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
•1/8 teaspoon (a pinch) of crushed red pepper flakes (or a small pinch of cayenne)
•Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
In a 4 qt saucepan, heat a tablespoon of chicken fat (that has risen to the surface and solidified from your homemade stock) on medium high heat. If you don't have enough chicken fat, you can add some olive oil. Sauté the vegetables in the fat until the carrots are almost done. While you are sautéing the vegetables, add the seasoning - the poultry seasoning, the crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. Seasoning like this during the cooking of the vegetables brings out their flavor. According to my mother, crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne is very helpful for a cold, which is why it is part of this recipe. Add the 4cups of stock. Bring to a low simmer. Add the fresh parsley and green onion greens. Check seasoning and adjust to taste.
Serves 3.
Full recipe post at: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_cold-season_chicken_soup/
Not usually this grumpy, but tired of the chatter,
MM
Friday, January 7, 2011
Healthy New Year 2011!
If you’ve resolved to clean up your diet this month or perhaps you’ve committed to participate in a nutrition challenge, you are not alone! I consider myself a healthy eater, but this holiday season I indulged way more than I should have. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and lots of it.
So to start the New Year off right, I am participating in a nutrition challenge at my gym. For me, this means committing to remove sugar, bread, pasta and most grains from my diet for the next 28 days (and hopefully beyond).
Whether you've decided to eliminate sugar, dairy, grains, processed foods or all of the above, the following websites should provide lots of inspiration, information and help you eat well along the way.
Good luck and good health!
MM
PS: Please feel free to share your recipes and how your diet/challenge experience is going so far, in the comments section!
Hearty “No Sugar/No Grain” Breakfast Recipes
Almond Banana Pancakes
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/almond-banana-pancakes/
Sausage and Egg Frittata
http://www.balancedbites.com/2010/12/easy-recipe-sausage-onion-frittata.html
Vegetable Latkes
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/vegetable-latkes/
Other ideas: Breakfast smoothies w/coconut milk, fruit, etc.
Yummy “No Sugar/No Grain” Lunch Recipes
Chicken “Noodle” Soup
http://www.elanaspantry.com/chicken-noodle-soup/
Asian Slaw (top with chicken or another protein)
http://www.elanaspantry.com/asian-slaw/
Other ideas: Tuna salad w/diced apple, celery, red onion, dill, mustard and avocado served in lettuce cups or w/no-sugar crackers like Melba toast.
Great “No Sugar/No Grain” Dinner Recipes
Primal Braised Short Ribs (a personal favorite!)
http://www.joyfulabode.com/2010/04/12/primal-braised-beef-short-rib-recipe/
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Bacon
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/butternut-squash-soup-apple-bacon.aspx
Flank Steak Pinwheels
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/flank_steak_pinwheels.html
Other ideas: Roasted chicken w/roasted root vegetables like Brussels sprouts, turnips, carrots, etc.
Tasty “No Sugar/No Grain” Desserts (or a negligible amount)
Coconut Orange Pound Cake
http://thisprimallife.com/2009/06/coconut-orange-pound-cake-recipe/
Primal Carrot Cake
http://thisprimallife.com/2009/09/primal-carrot-cake-with-coconut-and-walnuts-recipe/
Other ideas: Nearly frozen plain yogurt w/fruit and a drizzle of honey. A decent ice cream substitute.
A few of my favorite “go-to” food & recipe blogs!
Balanced Bites—Lots of Paleo recipes and a seminar coming to CrossfitSAC soon!
http://www.balancedbites.com/
Elena’s Pantry—Gluten free and often low sugar/no grain recipes
http://www.elanaspantry.com/recipes/
Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef—Quirky family stories with lot of gluten free recipes
http://glutenfreegirl.com/
Mark’s Daily Apple—tons of information on why to lead a grain free life and loads of Primal/Grain Free recipes
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/
Simply Recipes—just that, tons of simple inspirational and easy to modify recipes
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/gluten-free/
The Joyful Abode—Primal/Grain Free recipes and lots of other ideas for the home
http://www.joyfulabode.com/
This Primal Life— Primal/Grain Free recipes
http://thisprimallife.com/category/recipes/
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