You work long hours. Maybe you have children to attend to afterwards. You are tired and have the arduous task of preparing meals, checking homework, and all of the other things life has thrown at you that day. The last thing you want to think about is exercise . . .because, well, you're tired!
And if you've ever had this train of thought . . . you don't know what you're missing. Because the correct exercise program will invigorate you after the long day of work. It will awaken your body, your muscles, your heart, and you will become better and more efficient at all of the things remaining to be done after your long day of work.
For some reason, we are automatically programmed to believe that exercising will only make us more tired. I remember going to 24 hour fitness. I spent an hour on the elliptical machine. Maybe did the treadmill. It was boring. My body didn't feel awakened. I probably felt more tired. If you feel like this after exercising, you need to switch up the exercise program. For me, the solution was Crossfit.
Today was my first day back at the gym in at least a month. I couldn't stop smiling. I said it out loud, "I'm SO happy I'm back." I wanted to shout it. And at the end, in the car, I cried. Because I was so happy and felt so alive. A feeling that I haven't had for a month. I went a month without recharging my batteries. How long has it been for you? Are you too tired? No time? While working out feels like the last thing you need, dare I say, it's the only thing you need. Everything else seems to fall into place after that. Working out is like a ripple effect into the other areas of your life, suddenly you realize that you worked too damn hard to mess it up with unhealthy food. You don't mind walking longer distances through the parking lot. After all, your whole body is alive . . .I almost forgot what I was missing after a month. I can't wait to go back tomorrow.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Lesson of a Resting Crossfitter
I recently read an article about what traits successful teachers generally have in common. One of the traits was that the teachers were constantly re-evaluating and reflecting on their practice. Another common trait was a teacher who strives for the best and sets a high bar for his/her students, not being satisfied with mediocrity.
These traits also translate into what makes for a good athlete or Crossfitter.
Often at the gym, Dawn Fletcher will remind us to think about 3 things we did well and 1 thing we'd like to improve on next time. We set goals and our coaches support us in giving us tips to meet these goals. We write down the results of a workout and reflect back on them over time to see the progress being made.
We also test our limits, never satisfied with mediocrity. And sometimes, on those days when all we have to deliver is a mediocre performance, we go home frowning and determined to do better, eat better, sleep better, or fix whatever was hindering us during that particular workout.
To truly test a limit, it seems logical that you go until you reach failure. If I can lift an 80 pound thruster, how will I know if that is my limit if I don't try adding 5 more pounds, and 5 more, until I start dropping the bar? Smart athletes test their limits safely. Because, after all, we want to come back for another day to test them again.
Admittedly, there is something in the air at a Crossfit gym. Some think it's in the water. Maybe it's in the chalk we rub on our hands before a workout. Whatever it is, it brings out the crazy in us. Just the other day, I was visiting and saying "hi" to all my friends. I'm not supposed to be working out. And the next thing I know, in my work clothes, I'm doing push-ups and jumping rope. It was exhilarating!!
You, and only YOU, know yourself and your limitations. Doctors are helpful resources, but my most recent experience leads me to believe they are more like useful consultants. I have seen 5-6 Kaiser doctors and each one has told me something different. I like hearing the range of opinions that come from varying education backgrounds and age-groups.
But I'm not going to let the previous advice that I received get in my way of working out. The doctor I saw yesterday, who knows Crossfit, has given me the most valuable advice I could hope for. He showed me how to breathe (which our coaches have showed us, like exhaling as we lift the weight) to alleviate pressure in my abdominal area, which causes problems for me right now. I can't keep my core super-tight, which is fine when I use a lighter weight. He scoffed at the doctor who told me I shouldn't run a 5k.
Will I take his advice completely? No. He seemed a little too enthusiastic about me being able to do everything I was before. I need to do what is right for my body. Going light-weight and taking it easy is the right way for me to go. I know myself and will listen to my body, which never fails to let me know if I have pushed too hard.
Every now and then I'll test my limits. And every now and then I'll be put back in my place. But isn't that what life is all about? Isn't that how we progress- as teachers, as athletes, as human beings?
So now the real question is, do I make my debut in our gym's little weight-lifting competition?!! It would be so awesome to beat even one person, knowing I beat them doing my "light-weight." And of course, that's just me breathing in the Crossfit crazy air . . .
These traits also translate into what makes for a good athlete or Crossfitter.
Often at the gym, Dawn Fletcher will remind us to think about 3 things we did well and 1 thing we'd like to improve on next time. We set goals and our coaches support us in giving us tips to meet these goals. We write down the results of a workout and reflect back on them over time to see the progress being made.
We also test our limits, never satisfied with mediocrity. And sometimes, on those days when all we have to deliver is a mediocre performance, we go home frowning and determined to do better, eat better, sleep better, or fix whatever was hindering us during that particular workout.
To truly test a limit, it seems logical that you go until you reach failure. If I can lift an 80 pound thruster, how will I know if that is my limit if I don't try adding 5 more pounds, and 5 more, until I start dropping the bar? Smart athletes test their limits safely. Because, after all, we want to come back for another day to test them again.
Admittedly, there is something in the air at a Crossfit gym. Some think it's in the water. Maybe it's in the chalk we rub on our hands before a workout. Whatever it is, it brings out the crazy in us. Just the other day, I was visiting and saying "hi" to all my friends. I'm not supposed to be working out. And the next thing I know, in my work clothes, I'm doing push-ups and jumping rope. It was exhilarating!!
You, and only YOU, know yourself and your limitations. Doctors are helpful resources, but my most recent experience leads me to believe they are more like useful consultants. I have seen 5-6 Kaiser doctors and each one has told me something different. I like hearing the range of opinions that come from varying education backgrounds and age-groups.
But I'm not going to let the previous advice that I received get in my way of working out. The doctor I saw yesterday, who knows Crossfit, has given me the most valuable advice I could hope for. He showed me how to breathe (which our coaches have showed us, like exhaling as we lift the weight) to alleviate pressure in my abdominal area, which causes problems for me right now. I can't keep my core super-tight, which is fine when I use a lighter weight. He scoffed at the doctor who told me I shouldn't run a 5k.
Will I take his advice completely? No. He seemed a little too enthusiastic about me being able to do everything I was before. I need to do what is right for my body. Going light-weight and taking it easy is the right way for me to go. I know myself and will listen to my body, which never fails to let me know if I have pushed too hard.
Every now and then I'll test my limits. And every now and then I'll be put back in my place. But isn't that what life is all about? Isn't that how we progress- as teachers, as athletes, as human beings?
So now the real question is, do I make my debut in our gym's little weight-lifting competition?!! It would be so awesome to beat even one person, knowing I beat them doing my "light-weight." And of course, that's just me breathing in the Crossfit crazy air . . .
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Course Correction
So my journey of healing, while maintaining a decent level of fitness continues. My diet last week was really great: hardboiled eggs for breakfast; some nuts for a snack; salads for lunch; and a lean/healthy meat with veggies for dinner. Hey, I even lost 2 pounds!
Walking, push-ups, and jump-roping? Didn't happen last week.
Then Sunday came. I had a little too much fun. Well, is there such a thing? But one mimosa after another led to me eating my friend's leftover desert. Since when do I eat other people's leftover deserts?!! I got home too late and unmotivated to prepare for my upcoming week. Because, as you probably already know, eating healthy takes a little preparation.
Then I had a great idea on Sunday night. We should just order pizza, and I would be able to eat the leftovers for lunch the next day (and solve my problem of not having a salad to eat). Yes, it was just genius. So we did.
But Monday morning I woke up realizing this was a mistake. Maybe the magic of the mimosas had worn off, but I knew that diet still had to be a priority for me if working out isn't possible. I am known for not being a morning-person. But I made no excuses. I boiled the water, prepared the eggs, grabbed some leftover nuts, and ventured off to work with the pizza still in the refrigerator. It was hard to leave behind food, knowing I was wasting it, but I was determined to get back on track. And I got through my Monday, even ended up eating the school lunch- a chicken salad.
So the lesson that I learned, and continue to learn, is that when I mess up, I can't stay in that unhappy place or drive deeper into the jungle of bad decisions. I have to do what I can to correct myself and maintain a steady course towards the elite fitness I desire.
After all, I AM an athlete!
Walking, push-ups, and jump-roping? Didn't happen last week.
Then Sunday came. I had a little too much fun. Well, is there such a thing? But one mimosa after another led to me eating my friend's leftover desert. Since when do I eat other people's leftover deserts?!! I got home too late and unmotivated to prepare for my upcoming week. Because, as you probably already know, eating healthy takes a little preparation.
Then I had a great idea on Sunday night. We should just order pizza, and I would be able to eat the leftovers for lunch the next day (and solve my problem of not having a salad to eat). Yes, it was just genius. So we did.
But Monday morning I woke up realizing this was a mistake. Maybe the magic of the mimosas had worn off, but I knew that diet still had to be a priority for me if working out isn't possible. I am known for not being a morning-person. But I made no excuses. I boiled the water, prepared the eggs, grabbed some leftover nuts, and ventured off to work with the pizza still in the refrigerator. It was hard to leave behind food, knowing I was wasting it, but I was determined to get back on track. And I got through my Monday, even ended up eating the school lunch- a chicken salad.
So the lesson that I learned, and continue to learn, is that when I mess up, I can't stay in that unhappy place or drive deeper into the jungle of bad decisions. I have to do what I can to correct myself and maintain a steady course towards the elite fitness I desire.
After all, I AM an athlete!
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