Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Which WOD?

First off, I would like to thank all of you for being patient with me! I know I've seemed to be missing lately so if you've messaged me lately or tried to get ahold of me, I'm sorry I'm so slow but I WILL get you messaged back! Thanks for waiting so patiently!
 

Also, a few people have asked me lately where I get some of my workouts. At the beginning, I just found some on pinterest and other blogs. I would also tweak other workouts I saw and make them my own by adding or taking away certain exercises. (Especially since I don't have a lot of the equipment you find in some exercises!)

Recently a friend introduced me to a new website called the WodShop. It's great!! I can't believe I hadn't heard of it before! If you go to the website HERE and click on WODS you can pick workouts based on specific categories. So say one day you want to focus more on endurance, then you just pick a workout from the Edurance category. Or maybe you don't have weights and just do workouts with your bodyweight, then you can pick a workout from the Bodyweight category! How awesome is that?!! If you haven't been to the site, you should definitely go now and check it out!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Motivate Me Monday-Reaching Goals

It's nearly August can you believe it?!!
CrAzY!!
 I'm not looking forward to August because I know it will go even faster than July.

At the beginning of July, I sat down and wrote a few goals I wanted to work towards for the month. 
This past week I finally found that paper (another reason why I needed a notebook) and looked over what I had written..


By the end of July, I wanted to be able to do a pistol squat on both legs, plank for 2 minutes, and do one regular pullup. At the time I wrote this, I was unable to do any of these! 
So here we are, at the end of July already which means it's time to test myself to see whether or not I made my goals. 

First I tested myself on the plank.


These pictures pretty much sum up how I was feeling. 
At the beginning, I was quite hopeful and thought a 2 minute plank wouldn't be too hard.
Mid-plank, the doubts started to creep in and I was almost certain I wasn't going to make my goal.
Post plank, I collapsed. My muscles were shaking from holding myself for that long!

And now you're probably wondering whether I made my goal?...
Here is my time:
I made it!! 
And even better than that, I passed my goal by 5 seconds!!
You may think 5 seconds is insignificant, but YOU go plank for 2 minutes and you will find those 5 seconds are worth celebrating.

As for my pullup...
Why oh why must pullups be so difficult?!! 

Thankfully my little guy (peeking in the corner) was there to root me on and I was able to get my one pullup.

The other day I nearly got TWO pullups..but today I was struggling to just get one! 
But I'm content with one. 
A month ago I couldn't even pull myself half way up! 

And last but not least, I wanted to be able to do a pistol squat on both legs.
As you know, I can do it on my right leg..

..but unfortunately I am not able to complete one on my left leg.
I can get down but I lose my balance and do not have the strength to lift myself back up!
I'm still working on it and will continue to try until I get it. 

All in all, I'm pleased with the accomplishments I've made!
I reached 3 out of 4 of my goals within just four quick weeks. 
I wanted to share this with you today in hope to motivate you.
Reaching my goals and seeing myself improve is the biggest motivation for myself, but I hope it motivates you as well. 
Because if I can do it, so can you.
All it takes is determination, practice, patience, and more practice.

(Oh, and a little hard work)
But trust me, the hard work pays off.
So whatever your goals are, don't give up.
If you don't have any specific goals, I encourage you to make some.
It will keep you focused and motivated to work toward something. 

I will be writing down new goals each month and encourage you to join me in doing so!
If you already do, how are your goals coming along?!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Bad Good Great

I've told you before, I have good weeks and bad weeks. 
Last week wasn't a great week for me... 
But this week has been a GREAT week!
I've been committed to my workouts and stretching plenty.
I'm feeling good.
I'm eating good better.
Which hopefully means I'm looking better too!
I also told you I wanted to get better about logging my workouts..
I have gotten better about writing them down!
Now I just need to get better about where I write them..
I haven't been to the store to buy a notebook so I've been writing my workouts down on whatever is close by!
For instance, a napkin. 
 Obviously, I desperately need to write them on something other than a napkin..
So I found my husband's lesson notebook (he's a teacher if you didn't know)
He's never used it so I stole it from him.
It's not the most fancy thing but it beats a napkin!!  
And is it just me or has the week flown by?
Summer needs to stop going so fast!!
This week has been busier than most.
I've been helping my church with VBS in the evenings each night.
I also took my little one to the outdoor pool this week for the first time! He loved it!!
We have a cold front moving in so it's actually been enjoyable to take Ashton for a walk!
He get's really excited when I tell him we are going to go outside.
He always rushes over to the door and waits for me to put his shoes on him.
I'm so glad he is an outdoorsy little guy!

It's raining right now so hopefully I can get some actual housework done today!
(while I watch the Crossfit Games of course)

Are you rooting for anyone in particular in the games?


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Out of my League

 For all you women crossfitters out there, does this ring true for you?! 
Pretty lace bras are over-rated.
Shout-out to all you girls who would rather spend $40 on a Nike sports bra versus a Victoria Secret bra!
And although men may think otherwise, a girl can never have too many sports bras..am I right?!


Enough about bras..
(sorry for any men who may be reading this)
 
The Crossfit Games have begun!! 
I was bummed thinking I wouldn't be able to watch it because I only have local tv stations...
then I discovered they have live coverage on the Crossfit Games website!
Wahoo! Except I'm not getting any housework done because I'm too busy watching the games. 
Oh well! 

I am beyond impressed by the athletes I have seen.
They are out of my league!
Today I was watching the 55-59 age division do their workouts..wow. 
My mouth was down to my chin as I watched these powerful women and men complete their workout.
They made it look so easy..& might I add, they look GOOD!! 
I could tell they were older but I didn't know they were quite that old! 
(And I mean that as a compliment!)
They are amazing.
They are fitter than I am and 3 times my age!
I am quite impressed and inspired by such athletes.

Aside from the games, I've been thinking about some things I need to get better at. 
It seems as a beginner in crossfit, I have too many goals to count. 
It can sometimes be overwhelming because sometimes it seem the things I can't do (yet!) out number the things I can do.
Things like pullups, handstand pushups, pistol squats (left leg), muscle ups, etc. 
You know what I mean, right?

I'm trying to take my goals in baby-steps. 
Right now I've been focusing on getting those pistol squats. 
I'm half way! Once I complete one on my left leg, I'll move on to a new goal.
Along with my goals, I have a few things I also want to get better at. 
There are three of them.

#1. Drink More Water

I need to get better at drinking more water. 
Don't get me wrong, I don't drink soda or anything bad. I just need to drink MORE.
It is SO important to drink plenty of water and I'm not always the best at drinking enough.

#2. Stretch

My muscles can get so tight and my flexibility quite poor.
I need to set time aside in the evenings to stretch my achy muscles and work on my flexibility. 

#3. Time & Record

I wish I had been keeping track of my workout times and weight I've been lifting.
I want to get a little notebook specifically for my crossfit workouts so I can record everything.
I'm going to begin timing my workouts as well writing down the amount of weights I lift. 
I should have been doing it all along! It would help me see if or how much I have improved.
I'm excited to begin recording everything so I can see my progress on paper!
It reminds me that I am my own competitor.
 I don't need to beat anyone's time except for my own previous time.


For the next month, I'm going to really focus on these 3 areas.
 Feel free to join me if you need a boost in these areas as well.
If you think you are already great at drinking a lot of water, stretching plenty, and recording...

What other areas do you have to work on?? 



 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Motivate Me Monday-Carrots 'N' Cake

It's Monday again already?!
Last week FLEW by!!
I'm really needing some strong motivation today & I'm going to go look for some over at a blog I love! 

It's called Carrots 'N' Cake
A fitness blog with the word cake in the title is bound to be good right?! 
If you haven't already, you should check it out. 

Reasons I love this blog:

#1. She Crossfits and she loves to run! She actually has a crossfit training certification.
The girl knows her fitness stuff and not only writes for her blog, but has contributed to multiple fitness magazines, fitness websites, and has her very own book.


#2. She has a 15 minute or less at home crossfit workout 


 
#3.She shares recipes. 
Even Paleo recipes for those who diet paleo-style.
Check out her Gluten-free & egg-free cookie dough recipe!


Need I say more?

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Boom! A Pistol Squat

I am excited to share with you today the progress I have made in doing pistol squats!
Remember this past Motivate Me Monday post, I talked about how I am determined to get a one legged pistol squat?!
Well, I've been working on them all week and look what happened today...

 Needless to say, I'm quite proud of myself. 
I worked really hard to get this.

For now, I can only do it on my right leg. 
My right is much stronger than my left so it's going to take a little more work until I can fully complete the squat on my left. 
I can squat down left, but I have trouble lifting my body back up once I'm down.
But I'm working on it so I hope to get it soon!!



Have you been working on your pistol squat?
I'd love to hear how it's coming along or feel free to share a picture of your pistol squat! 
Message me a pic on my MommaCrossfitter facebook page!
 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Zonked!

Wowsa!!
The workouts this week are kicking my butt! 
I am sore from head to toe...and I LIKE it! 
It's reassuring to know I have been giving it my all during my workouts.

Yesterday's workout was brutal. 
It was too HOT in my garage to workout so I took what I needed outside under some shade.
Occasionally there was a breeze..every now and then. 
 My wod consisted 5 rounds of 10 burpees, 10 pushups, 20 kettlebell ab twists, 45 second plank, and 30 goblet squats.
I've done that WOD before, but doing it in over 90 degree weather gave it an extra challenge to say the least.
By the end, I was covered in grass and sweat. 
And I don't mean I was a little sweaty, my shirt was soaked in sweat. (Gross I know!)

Post workout...
I didn't want to move. 
I didn't want anyone to bother me.
 I needed some alone time where I could just sit and do nothing but drink my hard-earned protein shake.
And that's what I did.
Luckily, I was able to relax and cool down for a half hour before my little one woke up from his nap!
I don't normally feel this way after a workout, but I my workout left me zonked.

Do you ever feel this way after a workout? 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Motivate Me Monday

Sunday's are usually my rest days, so when Monday creeps up on me I have a hard time getting the excitement to exercise. To get motivated, I turn to fitness magazines, blogs, or funny crossfit pictures on pinterest. I thought I would share with you what motivates me.
Today I'm motivated by this picture:

 Have you tried to squat like this with just one leg?
If you haven't, stand up right now and try it.
It's much harder than it looks!
I've tried and tried and I am still unable to do it. 
I'm getting closer though!

This picture reminds me that I can't do it and motivates me to keep trying.
I am determined!

For those of you who may not know who is in this picture, this is Christmas Abbot.
She is an amazing crossfitter! 
I like to say she is small but mighty!
She looks so small and lean, but she is ALL muscle. 

Well I'm not going to get that kind of body by just looking at her so I better get my WOD on! 
Today's Wod looks like this:

Run 800m
21 Chest to bar pullups
15 kettlebell swings
9 squat cleans
Run 800m
15 kettlebell swings
21 Cheast to bar pullups
Run 800m

 Now go your sweat on!
 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Twenty-Two

Wow! Time has escaped from me!! 
I better catch up from the past week or so. 

I recently got my hair cut. 

I call it my mommy cut. Its fast and easy to do in the mornings.
I love it! It's mommy friendly but...

..not quite crossfit friendly.
(Pic taken post workout-yikes!)


This past Tuesday, my brother and I celebrated our 22nd birthday! Everyone always asks me if I mind sharing my birthday or how I like being a twin. I guess it's all I've know but I've always LOVED it! We have always been really close. We were one another's shadow growing up. Everyone always teased us that when we grow up we will have to buy a condos next to one another because we would never stand to be seperated. Imagine all the teasing I got when he recently moved into my upstairs! ha!

For our my birthday, my hubby took me to HuHot for lunch! YUM!! We drove an hour and a half for this food and it was worth the drive! Once we got back, my mom always makes a special birthday dinner. She made my favorite meal; homemade enchiladas! So good! And to end the day, my husband bought me Birthday Cake Ice Cream! It was quite the day of feasting! I think I may avoid the weight scale at the end of the week! yikes!

After our birthday, Independence Day showed up! I ate way too much once again. Am I the only one? I was doing pretty good for awhile. We even brought our own meat to grill at our family gathering. Our turkey burgers were delicious and I ate a plate full of fruit. Not bad, right? And then I spotted the chips. My enemy. 
Hello, my name is Whit, and I'm a chip addict. 
Why can I just not say no?!! I am terrible! It is something I really need to work on. I'm kicking myself for eating them! Ugh!

Guess I'll need to work extra hard in my workouts this week..and next week...and pry the week after that for all the junk I've eaten this week. I'm not proud of it. 

One more thing, I'm thinking about a doing a little giveaway. What would you think of that?! 
Yay or nay?
(as if anyone actually turn down free stuff)

Thursday, June 27, 2013

My Before & After..so far.


It's been 2 months since I've started Crossfit and started working towards getting my body fit and healthy! As you know, I've had some ups and downs. Some weeks I had more downs than ups. We all have good days and bad days, right? I've had my share of bad days..but I must admit I feel like I'm finally starting to get it! It's like it's all starting to click. I'm starting to love working out and dare I say..I'm falling in love with Crossfit! It is the most rewarding feeling seeing yourself improve. Two months ago I struggled with 10 pushups and today I did 20! I think every improvement, big or small, deserves a celebration! Woot!

This week has been extra exciting for me because I am finally beginning to see and feel a difference! That's when I knew it was time to pull out the measuring tape again to actually see the difference in numbers. Here is what I discovered:


                                                             Before    Now     Loss
Weight
133.5
128.5
-5 lbs
Stomach/hips
36”
34”
-2”
Waist (smallest)
29.5”
28.75”
-3/4”
Butt
38.25”
38”
-1/4”
Thighs
22.5”
22.25”
-1/4”
Left&Right Arm
11”
11”
--
Right Calf
14.5”
14.25”
-1/4”
Left Calf
14.25”
14.25”
--

My reaction to these measurements was nothing short of excitement. I couldn't wait to tell my husband!

I've been contemplating whether or not to share my before and after pictures. Weightloss can be such a personal thing, especially sharing the "before" pictures. But I decided to share because it will keep me accountable as well as give me even more incentive to work hard so when I share my progress again in the future you will see even MORE of a difference.



Looking at the before picture (ew!) I can still remember exactly how I felt. That was my body 11 months postpartum and I wasn't working out and I was eating junk. I always felt bloated and wore a lot of baggy clothes to try and cover up.


Now here I am, 13 months postpartum, and I'm feeling great! My clothes are fitting better and I feel so much more confident! I still have some work to be done but I'm more than pleased with my progress!

I've been trying to work hard on watching what I eat. I still struggle in the area of discipline when I eat out. I knew I shouldn't have eaten cake at BOTH birthday parties I went to this past weekend. Before the parties I kept reminding myself, "don't eat the cake, don't eat the cake"...and what did I do?! I ate cake! Don't get me wrong, I think a cheat here and there is okay especially if you keep it small portions, I was more mad at myself that I ate the cake when I don't even LOVE cake! It didn't taste all that great yet I ate it anyways. Someone please smack me in the forehead next time! 

I'm learning that diet is just as important as working out. I used to run and be able to eat whatever I wanted and not worry about gaining. But after a baby, things change. I always knew losing weight is hard, but I didn't know it would be THIS hard! It's constant work. It's a constant mind battle for me between I shouldn't eat this or that and convincing myself to get up and exercise. 

 When I started working out again I thought I do what I always did before. Exercise and then eat whatever  want. WRONG! I was slightly naive. I wasn't improving in the least as you probably already guessed. So now I'm realizing how important it is to also watch my diet. It's a waste to work so hard exercising and blow it all away by eating junk. Not only is it a waste, eating junk is less than satisfying to me now. I feel so much lean and light if I eat lean and light.

It's exciting and motivating for me to see these changes! I can't wait to see what changes I can make in the next couple months! I know the things I need to focus and work harder on as well as aknowledge the areas I've done well on and continue to do so.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

The Paleo Diet Pros & Cons-My personal view



Paleo this and Paleo that! When I began my adventure into crossfit I started to hear about the Paleo Diet. I had never heard of it before but it seemed to be everywhere in the crossfit world. At first, I almost felt that if I was going to commit to doing Crossfit I also must commit to the Paleo diet too! Crossfit and Paleo go hand in hand, right? (Just kidding!) It just feels like they go together because the only time I hear about Paleo is from someone who also does xfit. I was about to "jump on the wagon" until my husband asked me why I was going to do this diet. It caught me off guard. I wasn't sure, I just thought that it was the thing to do since it seemed all the crossfitters do it.

As you could guess, and should know, that's not a good enough reason. I decided to do a little more research into the paleolithic diet itself. My husband is slightly a "health nut" so he helped me do some research as well as gave input on prior knowledge he already had on what kinds of foods are good and bad for the human body and how certain foods affect the body.

Together we learned that in short, the paleo diet discourages eating dairy, grains, processed foods, and starches. It encourages you to eat a lot of protein, fruits, and vegetables. It's called the "Caveman Diet" because it values the diet a caveman would've eaten when there was only natural plants and wild animals available. While learning more about "going paleo" I was able to not only figure out what I didn't like about it, but also take great concepts from it to incorporate into my own diet as it does have some pretty terrific principles.

I know this is a hotly debated topic, so let's go ahead and do the worst part now, let's talk about what I feel are negatives of eating paleo. The biggest concern I have with an all paleo diet is restriction of what I feel are nutritious carbohydrates. I'm not talking about enriched flour products, but rather 100% whole grain nutrient dense foods. Whole grains have been shown to improve cholesterol, help with weight loss, and help with digestive health thanks to dietary fiber. I do recognize that you can get carbohydrates from other sources as well, but I personally see more of an upside to whole grains than a downside. The only other concern I have with the paleo diet, is the large amount of meat consumption but that can be easily remedied by eating healthier cuts and types of meat.

I do see positives of the paleo diet that I feel can be beneficial to everyone as well. The most important aspect of the paleo diet to me, is avoiding highly processed foods. I don't think there is a person in this world who can come up with a substantial argument against eating whole unprocessed foods. I enjoy eating foods that I can pronounce every ingredient of, or better yet eating foods that only have one or two ingredients to be pronounced! They make me feel like I can take control of my nutrition in a world in which that is becoming increasingly difficult to do, and these foods are also typically much better for me as well. I think this is a wonderful part of the paleo diet that everyone needs to be more considerate of, whether they consider their diet paleo or not.

Overall, I neither fully agree nor disagree with this diet. While I don't have to agree with everything the Paleo diet entails, I can use the principals to improve my total health while still maintaining my own personal beliefs. You may probably see me make a paleo meal here and there, but I by no means am eating strictly Paleo. I believe in a well balanced meal that includes not only meats and veggies, but breads and dairy as well.

If you would like to learn more about eating Whole Foods and cutting out unprocessed foods you should visit 100 Days of Real Food. This is a wonderful website that has taught me SO MUCH!! She talks about all the junk that has been added to the food we eat here in America and also teaches how to read labels to learn what ingredients are in the food you eat. I wish I could say I eat all natural, but unfortunately I do not. It's not easy! I'm striving to become better and I think it's something everyone should strive for as well! For me, it's a constant battle! I love my baked cheetos and shells&cheese!! Agh! Don't even talk about such cheesy goodness! MMmm...Anyways, the important thing is I am trying and I'm getting better everyday! I haven't bought shells & cheese in over 2 months! That's a big deal for me! Woot! What food is your enemy? One thing you don't want to part from...?