I joined a CrossFit gym in 2010 and I haven’t looked back since.
While my approach to training and the intensity I bring to my workouts has varied over the years, the one thing that has never changed is my commitment to staying consistent with my workout routine.
After a long athletic career in the sport of rowing, I felt lost when I finally hung up my oars. I’d had an intense training regimen for years: rowing, erging, running, lifting all the time and on a planned schedule. I felt excited to finally have some freedom to do that I wanted with my fitness.
Little did I know how difficult that transition would be for me.
I tried to work out on my own, but as someone who had always participated in team sports, I couldn’t get myself motivated to work out consistently, and when I did, I knew I wasn’t putting in much effort.
I tried running, but after completing my first (and only) half-marathon, I realized that my body didn’t enjoy that kind of training.
I missed lifting weights. I missed competing. I missed the comradery of a team atmosphere.
I’ve been doing CrossFit for 12 years and during that time, my journey, my approach, and my WHY has changed many times.
When I started CrossFit, I loved competing. I loved pushing my body to the limit and conquering new skills.
Every now and again, that urge to compete comes back around, but overall, my mindset and my approach to training have changed.
Stress has been a challenge for me over the past 2+ years and my body is feeling it. Maybe I’m also feeling the many years of pushing my body to its breaking point finally catching up.
I’ve had to set aside my ego and train differently. Some days I feel good, and I can push the weights and push the intensity. Other days, I feel drained, and I modify the movements and weights to what feels good that day.
Has that been an easy shift? HELL NO! I’ve been a competitive athlete most of my life. It was incredibly difficult to set aside my ego and really tune in to what my body needs. My ego tells me that I’m making excuses, that I should suck it up. My ego tells me that I’m a failure because I’m not as good as I once was. My ego tells me that I should be the fittest person in my gym.
It’s been tough to quiet those thoughts, but I know and experience the benefits of regular exercise every day, not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.
I sleep better, I think more clearly, I feel less stressed, I have more energy, I make better choices with nutrition, I have deeper connections with friends.
You don’t have to be perfect every day. You don’t even have to be better than you were yesterday or last month or last year. You just have to be consistent and do the best you can each and every day. Give yourself some grace and be proud of the fact that you’re taking care of yourself and striving to be happy and healthy.
Stay Healthy,
Coach Karen