Crossfit, Lesson One Learned

I've been wanting to get into Crossfit for a while, now. What's been stopping me? Not the big heavy weights, the pain of pushing myself to the max, or the fear of meeting pukie. No. I can handle that stuff. What I've been fearing is what the people at the gym are going to think when they see a fat girl on the pullup machine. And...I've never done a deadlift before...Are people going to look at me weird when they see that my form is in serious need of repair? And...I can't do burpees in the middle of the weight room!...I'll look like an idiot.

When I went to the gym last night, I had 3 goals: relieve stress from work, find out how fast I could swim 1000 yds, and try the assisted pullup machine. I did get to relieve some stress by venting to my workout partner (a.k.a. my bff). I did get in the pool to swim the 1000 yds (took me 20 min). And after my swim...just before closing time...I showered, got dressed, grabbed my bag and coat, and walked down to the weight room, hoping that everyone would be gone since it was so close to closing time. I dropped my stuff outside the weight room and peeked in to see if there were still people around. There were.

Now, I know that most of the time, people are more concerned about themselves, at any given moment, than how others look. I know that I shouldn't let fear stop me from doing anything (that isn't going to kill me) because if I do, I won't be able to move forward in life. I know that there are things to fear in life, and what people think of me? Isn't one of them. I know these things and yet? Last night, I let fear win. I let fear paralyze me from achieving a goal. As soon as I saw that there were some serious looking weight-lifters still lurking, I put my coat on, grabbed my bag, and walked out into the cold to my car.

I shouldn't be afraid of what people are going to think of me, but last night I was. Tomorrow, I will face my fear. I will try the assisted pullup machine. It may be at 5 am, as soon as the gym opens. And I may only do 10 reps. But, I will face and overcome my fear.

Lesson 1 learned. Thank you, Crossfit.

Last night's workout:
1 mile walk
1 mile run
1000 yard swim - time trial


"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."---- FDR - First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933

I'm baaa-aaaaaack

I gathered with friends last night as we celebrated our friend's graduation from the Fire Academy. I'm super proud of him for pursuing his dream job. He, and another friend I spoke with last night, inspired me. I'm not happy at my current job. Are you?

I got to spend today with family. I'm fortunate to live close enough to my parents/siblings/niece that I can drive to see them about every other week. My niece, Hadley, is adorable...and is taking after her aunt Sherist in some respects. A few minutes ago, she handed me a fake plastic lipstick out of her little purse and then showed me how to use it...something I taught her a few weeks ago.

Today's workout:
30 pushups
30 assisted dips
30 situps
30 reverse crunches
Repeat 3 times

You can not be you, if you are who everyone else wants you to be.
-Stephen Strange