6 weeks and counting

So, I started this CrossFit journey a little over 6 weeks ago. I think I will always want the progress to be faster, but I have been making progress. I can tell my lungs are stronger. My breathing has become more controlled as apposed to me sucking air as fast as I possibly can the entire time. I can walk up our stairs and not have to catch my breath at the top. I can tell my legs and arms are stronger. I am able to hold my daughter longer (she weighs about 40 lbs right now). I'm pretty sure my belly is smaller. When I look down all I see are boobs, no belly anymore. (yay!) The best part is I feel better overall. (double yay!)

As I put in this post the scale hasn't really moved much, but my measurements are moving. I will take an "official" set of measurements on Monday, so look for that update next week. The scale seemed to start moving a little this week, so that's nice to see too.

I wasn't able to get a photo of Mondays workout, Trainer Paul was too efficient in his cleaning that day.

Here's the Warm-up for the week:

Here's Wednesdays workout:



Wednesday was hard. It shouldn't have been, but I went to the gym on my own on Tuesday and I think I over did it. Plus I haven't been eating a good breakfast this week and I can really tell. Need to change that...

And here's Fridays workout:

Here is a front squat video so you know what that looks like. I got up to 95 pounds for 3 reps.
Here is a back squat video and now you know what that looks like. I got up to 120 pounds for 3 reps.

I went and got some new workout clothes this week too. I figured that I am spending all this time there I may as well have clothes that don't get in my way. I needed something that wasn't so baggy and hot. I got a bunch of tank tops and capri pants. I'm not quite ready for shorts yet. :) It was nice to not have to tuck my shirt into my pants so I didn't flash everyone, but I missed having something to wipe the sweat off my face. Guess I need to bring a towel with me for now on. I have really liked wearing tank tops and clothes that are a little tighter.

I'm going to try and get to a class workout tomorrow, not sure how my legs will feel. They are pretty tired today with all those weighted squats and then we spent the afternoon at Disneyland.

And so we go,
Me

Seeing Progress!

Ok, so a couple of things. I decided to update this about once a week, instead of 3 times a week. I thought it would make us all a little more sane.

The good news first! I took my measurements on June 2nd. I started Crossift on May 11th, so almost a month later is when I took measurements. oops! I think I didn't want to see the numbers and have to admit to myself (and the world) just how big they were. BUT ANYWAY, I did take my measurements about a month later. I just took them again on June 22nd and EVERYTHING is a half inch smaller! Each thigh, waist, hips, breast area, each bicep and my neck. I know, I know a half inch isn't much, but hell I'll take it. Especially since it was only 3 weeks after my first measurements.

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I did a little happy dance after I got over my shock. I had been complaining to Trainer Paul about how the scale hasn't hardly moved (only 3lbs) and he asked me about my heating habits. I said that I was eating better but not perfect. He gave me "the look" on that answer and asked if I had taken any measurements. I said I was going to when I got home. I'm SO glad I took the original set at the beginning of the month!

I guess if I have some good news I have to share some bad news too... The only bad news I can think of is I forgot to take a picture of my workout on Monday. I can't even remember what it was... oops. But here is the rest of the week:

This is the warm up. We do this set warm up all week and it gets changed every week. It's nice to know at least part of the workout ahead of time. We had to do that 5 times, not 3.

Here is Wednesday's workout:

SMBX = Super Man Back Extensions

So lay on your belly with your arms out like Superman. Now lift everything off the ground but your belly. Kinda like a backward sit up.

I had to do a 20meter bear crawl, then 25 reach through and then 25 crunches is one set. I had to do as many sets as I could in 20 min. Trainer Paul wanted 6 sets, I ALMOST did 8. I think i went over by about 20 seconds. He let me count the last set though. :)

AMRAP = As Many Reps As Possible

So Fridays are called Bench Mark Fridays. You pick a workout and try and beat the best time on the board. Trainer Paul picks mine and this week it was the 5k row. Yes. 5,000 meters. 3.11 miles. 3.11 MILES! I didn't take the time to think about it that way, so I picked out a rower, Paul set the distance, and off I went.

About a 1,000 meters in I wasn't so impressed with his decision. Trainer Paul wanted me to do no slower than a 2 min 30 sec per 500meter pace. For the most part I did better than that, but then the last 1,000 meters came. I was tired. I paused a few times up till then but tried to keep it to a minimum.

Right around the half way mark some nut job walked by smoking a joint. Paul then called the cops, which is what I would have done too. So he's on the phone and I get down to about 1,800 metres left. I yell at him to get it going. Around 1,000 meters I yell at him again to get his butt over and help me. He's still on the phone with 911 and I'm dying. He tells me I need to do the fasted 1,000 meters I have ever done. I snorted and keep on going.

As I get to 500 meters I start getting really tired. My neck is cramping, my back is cramping, my legs are tied, my hands are all sweaty, I'm dripping sweat off my head, I'm grunting with each pull. (I'm sure the 911 operator was wondering what the hell was going on in the background, but I didn't care.) I'm trying to give it my all to beat the goal of less than 24 minutes. I ended up at 24 min 5 sec. SO CLOSE! I think one or two less pauses and I would have had it.

I didn't make Trainer Paul's goal of less than 24 minutes, BUT I did make it on the board!!!

That's right! 3rd best woman in THE WHOLE GYM!

After a rest Trainer Paul wanted me to do some Olympic weight lifting. My arms, hands, and legs were pretty shaky so we didn't do it in the end. I kinda wish I had done something. I guess that means I get to do something this evening. :)

So, that was my week. Lot's of positive things this week! I hope next week brings more good new things!

And so we go.

Me