CrossFit - Completed "Elements / Fundamentals" Class!

I completed my four fundamental classes on Tuesday this week!  It was NOT easy at all...but I have an amazing sense of accomplishment. 

I won't lie, there were times where I questioned whether Crossfit is the right choice for me.  I'm 46 years old..and I'm not very strong.  During some of my sessions, I was thinking to myself that "crossfit is for younger people."  Not only was I so sore for several days...but I'm pretty sure my recovery time is a lot less than those 20-somethings that are taking the same class.  But I decided that I'm going to focus on myself and not worry about how awesome or strong the others in the class are.

So, last night was my first "group" workout.  I'm finally part of the program.  I met a few really nice people, and the coach, Justin, was Super nice.  I realized immediately that I am definitely the weekest one in the group.  There were four women (including me) in the class and about 6-7 men.  It was frustrating for me, because I couldn't get over how weak I was.  I always thought of myself as "semi" strong!  I'm not!  The other women in the class were MUCH stronger than me. 

NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP!!!

 

That is my new motto! LOL  For most things having to do with health/fitness, it can be bad to GOOGLE information.  But for me, it turned out to be a good thing.  I googled information about crossfit for "older women" and for 40s.  I'm so glad I did. I found so much great information about women who did not start until they were older.  It made me feel much more confident.  One thing I noticed that most of the women said is that they received a lot of help and support for their coaches who realized that an older woman is going to have a very different session and recovery time than a 20-something man or woman.  I hope (fingers crossed) that I do get that kind of support from my coaches at this gym.  It will go along way in helping with my confidence!

 

This week was "max out" week.  So, after our initial warm-ups, we worked on dead lifts first.  I practiced first with the large bar (45 lb).  It was good...a little tough..but I could do them.  I was partnered up with Helen, who is in amazing shape. She is a little firecracker with a British accent.  She was tinier than me...and much stronger.  Then we started to add weight to each side.  I was pretty okay for 65 and 85 lbs.(sigh) I won't lie...I was so tired I didn't pay attention to my final weight.  Helen said it was 145 so I went with that.  In hindsight, I think it was only 125 Lbs so I probably won't pass my max any time soon! LOL

 

our finisher was 12 minutes.  We did rounds of (not sure what they were called...push the bar over your head, bring it back to chest, bend knees, then push it up again) - 5 of those. Then 10 dead lifts, then 10 "hop over the bars".  As many sets as we could for 12 minutes.  I did 7 sets.

 

Just let me use the "small bar" for this finisher...which is good because I could not have done it. I think that bar must way 25 lbs.  Then I added 20 lbs to it. So it was 45 lbs.

 

I haven't taken my BEFORE shots yet.  I need to work on my diet. I'm so hungry now that I'm doing crossfit, but I haven't stocked my pantry/fridge with great foods. So NOT GOOD!! I do also think I shoudl incorporate some cardio into my off days. :) It will help with this stubborn 10 lbs I need to lose.

 

I'm anxious to see how next week goes. 

Death By Crossfit! Ready - Set - Go!!

Like everyone else, I have been hearing TONS of information about crossfit.  I've tried it on my own following some awesome websites, but I need a little more accountability than that.  Sooo... I went out and googled crossfit in my area.  There were a couple to choose from, and I chose the one that looked more "serious...yet friendly"! (rolling eyes).

So, I'll try to remember to post information here on my on again, off again blog! 

Let me start my showing this photo...which perfectly demonstrates how I felt at the end of my first workout yesterday:

It was, truthfully, the hardest workout i've EVER done in my life.  The place I'm going (Super Human Crossfit) requires you to take a "fundamentals" class before you begin the regular program.  They say the purpospe is to assess your abilities and also familiarize you with the workouts / exercises etc.  I have a feeling, though....it also is to let you decide after that first workout if you are ever stepping foot in that place again.  Seriously..this is where you separate the wheat from the chaff. (Or the "I'm All In" from the ..."Oh, HELLLL NO"people. 

The warmup using foam rollers was awesome.  After a few minutes, I decided I was really going to like this place.  Then, we ran a short distance just to get the blood flowing....It's all GOOD!  Then Jacob (I say his name through clenched teeth now) had me do push-ups, jumprope, squats, and more stretches!  It was really tough..but hey, i'm tough.  I was getting tired but hanging in there.  Then we did more jumprope.  Okayy.  Then he gets the medicine ball and tells me to slam it to the ground, go into a squat and catch it, then raise it over my head...repeat that 10 times.  Mind you..these balls don't really "bounce"...so you have to go down into a squat reallllly fast, to catch it.  I was exhausted when that was done. Then he handed me a 35 lb Kettle Bell and had me do those "hip thrust" movements where you swing it forward and back using your hips.  Then more squats...ouch..then push ups.  I'm getting very weak and tired at this point.

The worst part of the workout was when Jacob got out the stopwatch.  By this time my arms and legs..and brain...were spaghetti.  I felt light-headed.  He informed me that I was going to do as many jumps with the jumprope as I could for one minute...then do 10 ball-bouce things; 20 squats; 15 kettle bell swings; and repeat it as many times as I could for 4 minutes.  I looked at him like he was crazy. I was already positive I couldn't finish the first set....then he said "GO".  It was ugly, I made noises that i've never made...I cried a little....my form turned into "Walking Dead"..and when I was done he said, "Do 10 Burpees".  I whimpered one last time...threw myself down to start my first burpee...and couldn't get back up.  I don't care that all those "fit bitches" around me were probably snickering. I don't care that I felt like I was a "typical" 45-yr-old at that point.  My pride checked out and I just laid there....praying for some sort of strength.  I wobbled up finally, Jacob said I did a good job....and we were done!

I've never felt so WEAK after a workout.  I fell down walking to my car.  Putting on my seatbelt felt like a task I wasn't fit for.  When I got home...I needed help taking off my sports bra!  THIS WAS HARD...This was what everyone has been talking about..... and...

...If I stick with this....I'm going to be in some serious shape!!  I'm competitive. I don't like that I felt like I sucked. I don't like that I couldn't finish my burpees.  But I want to..>I want it all.  I want to be one of those chicks working out and watching the new girl lay on the floor crying.  I've decided to go back..and to try hard.  If I don't do great it's okay. I'm doing more than I was..I'm trying hard.

My next goal is to take a "before" photo this week.