10 Lessons I Learned from Competing

October 25, 2013 By 12 Comments

CF6Just one year after starting Crossfit, I stepped way outside my comfort zone (something I’ve done more in my forties than in the past three decades combined) and participated in my first CrossFit competition last Sunday.

It wasn’t even about competing, or reaching a certain ranking among the athletes, although I really didn’t want to finish in last place!  The only reason I registered, paid the $35 fee, showed up, and competed, was to say……

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Funny thing is, this experience was so much more than simply performing physical skills for time.  In the process, I learned things about myself, my Crossfit family, and the Crossfit community and culture as a whole.

If you’re thinking “I don’t do Crossfit, and have no intention of ever doing it, so I’ll stop reading now” – please don’t!

It doesn’t matter if it’s Crossfit, public speaking, running a half marathon, starting a new business, learning a different language, sky diving, or taking guitar lessons.  The simple act of stretching yourself, stepping outside your comfort zone and doing something new (and probably scary) is the BEST way to generate exponential personal growth!  Add to that the possible benefits of being involved with people of like mind, like goals and like purposes.

So if you are thinking “I don’t really want any more personal growth”  or “I prefer to live my life in solitude rather than in cooperation and team work with others” – then you can stop reading!  Otherwise, hang in there with me on this one. The lessons I learned are LIFE LESSONS, things that we could and should apply to all areas of our life, not just CrossFit.

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Open Door Policy – I have never experienced an open door policy like that which the CrossFit community offers.  In a society that can sometimes be obsessed with being better than the competition, to the point of considering them the enemy,  it’s pretty profound when local CrossFit gyms take turns opening their doors to the entire CrossFit community to come together and compete, or to workout collectively for a charitable cause.  The Crossfit philosophy is Mi casa es su casa – my house is your house.

 

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No Whining Allowed – Crossfit is a choice.  Don’t choose it, then whine and complain about how hard it is.  Do it, and embrace the ‘suck’ as equally as you embrace the accomplishments!  It’s hard, because the payoff is worth the effort.

Love Thy Neighbor – Having been a spectator of many CrossFit competitions, it’s both easy and natural to encourage and cheer for the athletes performing, regardless if they belong to your gym, or if you even know them.  But being a competitor this weekend, for the first time I was on the receiving end.  The experience of being cheered for, supported and encouraged by complete strangers was profound.  The positive energy emanated from their eyes, their voices, and their hands.  Strangers celebrated my accomplishments as though they were their own.

 

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Bend the Bar Competition – 50 lb kettle bell squat

Be REALLY Present in the Moment – I thought I knew what it meant to be present in the moment.  But in retrospect, I’ve actually been present for an experience over time. Not really, really, present in the moment.  Being present is holding a 50 pound kettle bell to my chest while attempting to complete as many squats as possible in 45 seconds.  I was present for every inch of my drop to the bottom of the squat.  I was present for every muscle twitch in my legs as they shook, while I willed my body to return to a vertical position.  I was present to the voice in my head, telling me “just one more”, squat after squat.  I was present each and every moment of those 45 seconds.

Boy’s Club No More – Crossfit respect is not gender specific!  Men are typically bigger and stronger than women, as such, the expectations in Crossfit are that men can lift and move more weight than women.  Other than that, there is no distinction between the genders.  There are not male specific skills separate from female skills – they are all CrossFit skills.  We give each other equal respect, regardless of gender!  As a woman participating in what was originally a male dominated sport, I have NEVER felt belittled or less valued than the male athletes!  Crossfit is an equal opportunity sport!

 

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The Tank Isn’t Really Empty – Competing this weekend, I discovered that my body is much like a car.  In the past, when my ‘running on empty’ light went off, I would pause for a few seconds to catch my breath, rest my burning muscles, or take a quick sip of water.  In competition, where literally ever second counts and people are cheering for you (and watching your every move), I discovered that I have a few good miles left in me after my ’empty alarm’ goes off!

 

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No Application Required – Anyone, and I mean absolutely anyone, can do Crossfit.  There is no discrimination in the CrossFit community.  Whether you are 18 or 68, stand less than 5 feet tall or more than 6 feet tall, have skinny thighs or chunky thighs, long hair or short hair, covered in tattoos or no tattoos at all….it simply doesn’t matter.  All that matters is the DESIRE to participate!  Choose to Crossfit and you will be embraced and accepted into a community that is inclusive, NOT exclusive.

 

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This is an actual photo from the local Bend the Bar competition in September. This exemplifies the Crossfit culture!

Rooting for the Underdog – Watching the top athletes perform this weekend was awesome.  Their bodies were sculpted to perfection while they moved with both fluidity and power.  I know they weren’t born that way, they too worked for every inch of progress, every little milestone they’ve achieved to get to where they are.  Watching them move with ease and grace was quite beautiful.  But for me, I was moved more by watching the athletes that were forced to exert extreme effort and struggle simply to perform one more pull up, one more box jump, or one more squat.  Witnessing someone overcoming all obstacles, when it would be easier to quit than continue, was both awesome and inspiring!

 

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Competing Against Myself – I’ve spent 47 years comparing and competing…..with other people.  I’ve tried to live up to other people’s standards, expectations and performance.  I’ve based my self worth on how I rank in comparison to those around me, those that I strive to be as good as.  And then came Crossfit!  Over this past year I slowly (very slowly) began to learn that my journey is mine, and all that matters is my progress compared to myself.  Sunday’s competition was my final exam in that life lesson and I passed with flying colors.

I was competing next to 20 year old girls with perfect bodies, perfect straight blond hair, perfect booty shorts, perfect smiles….and I didn’t care how I compared to them.  I own this body that birthed two amazing boys,  yo-yo’d so much the scale got dizzy, has left over cellulite I may never get rid of and new wrinkles that I have earned from a lifetime of experiences.  Truly, all that mattered to me was that I perform to my absolute best ability, regardless of where I ranked in comparison or competition with everyone else!

 

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My Stability CrossFit Family!

Having a 2nd Family – Even in the face of the dysfunction that exists in most (if not all) families, there is always some semblance of support, team work, encouragement, appreciation, purpose, respect, humor and love.   Imagine being able to multiply that by two – and having twice as much of all the great things a family has to offer.  We throw the term around at our gym, frequently referring to ourselves as a family.  I bought into it, never questioning the “family ties” of our box.  But I really experienced it in full force on Sunday, when TEN members of our gym came to support, encourage and cheer us on, not because there was anything in it for themselves, but simply because we are family.

I just can’t stop at 10 lessons and leave this one out!

 

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My partner in crime – Amy!

Everything is Better in Partnership – I would NOT have competed alone.  That would have been way too scary!  Amy and I agreed to take this step outside our comfort zones together.  We were anxious together, planning and preparing together, wondering together, showing up together, being scared together, exerting ourselves together, laughing together, and celebrating together.  Our partnership made this whole experience a million times better than it would have ever been doing it alone.

These are lessons I learned (or was reminded of) thanks to my Crossfit journey and competition experience.  But these are not exclusive to Crossfit.  They are LIFE lessons that I will take into every facet of my life!

Regardless of what hobby, sport, activity or interest you choose to pursue – choose something that will stretch you, cause you to step out of your comfort zone and be a little scared.  Choose something that immerses you in a community and culture that is aligned with your intentions, beliefs and goals.  Choose something….then be open minded and aware of all the life lessons you encounter along the journey!

P.S. – Inquiring minds want to know!  For those of you thinking “how did you do?” and “will you do it again?”, the good news is I didn’t finish last.  I competed in the Women’s Master division, which simply means I’m old (over 40).  There were a total of 9 women in this category and I came in 5th place.  Just 24 hours after finishing this competition I had already registered for my next one in late November – woo hoo!!!!

with Joy & Gratitude,

12 Comments Filed Under: Conscious Living, Design an Awesome Life, Loving Your Body

365 Days….

October 14, 2013 By 5 Comments

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Transformation takes time!

Although each day there can be incremental change, the speed at which transformation takes place is so slow, it usually goes unnoticed until significant time has passed.

It takes time to transform an empty lot into a 4 bed-room house you can live in.

It takes time to transform a music student into a violinist.

It takes time to transform an overweight, unfit body into an athlete.

It takes time to transform a great idea into a profitable business.

It takes time to transform a fetus into an infant able to survive outside its mother.

It takes time to transform a pile of dirt into a vegetable garden.

Transformation takes time!

Transformation is not five minutes from now; it’s a present activity.  In this moment you can make a different choice, and it’s these small choices and successes that build up over time… – Jillian Michaels

Creating transformation requires action, patience and belief!

If you wanted to grow a vegetable garden, you would choose a location, determine the dimensions and select the types of vegetables to grow.  You would prepare the soil, plant the seeds and provide the appropriate amount of nutrients and water to facilitate the transformation from seeds to vegetables.

In the midst of your intentional actions, you’d have inherent patience, understanding that it takes time before you could enjoy the fruits of your labor.  You’d believe, day in a day out, as you water a pile of dirt, that although you can not see any change, your actions are making a difference.

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It may seem like it takes forever, but then one day you’d notice the tiniest of green sprouts poking through the dirt.   It would look more like a blade of grass than an edible vegetable.  And yet, it would make you feel giddy with excitement knowing that with time, you will be consuming fresh, home grown vegetables.

Do you quit in the middle, frustrated that your vegetables aren’t growing quick enough?  NO, you continue to care for your garden with patience and belief.

Why then do we so frequently give up on ourselves,  before the seeds of change begin to sprout?

changeWe expect transformation in our lives to happen immediately, simply because we desire it.  But our lives are no different than a vegetable garden.  Change must be planned, cultivated, and intentional.  But above all, we must be patient and believe.  So often we quit on ourselves when we fail to see or feel the change taking place.

On October 15th, 2012 – exactly one year ago tomorrow, I completed my first CrossFit class.

At 5 feet 3 inches, I weighed 170 pounds, wore a size 12 and hadn’t exercised with any consistency in over 4 years.  I couldn’t do a pull up, a push up, a burpee or a box jump.  I had little strength, no stamina and even less confidence in myself!

This was my rock bottom.

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That was one year ago….52 weeks….365 days…..

When I started – I did push ups from my knees, my box jumps were actually step ups, I could only jump rope for 20 single rotations before being out of breath, and I couldn’t even hang from a bar let alone attempt an assisted pull up.

I went back, class after class, seeing and feeling NO change!  But I figured doing something was better than doing nothing.  Most days I felt defeated, weak and incompetent.  But I went anyway.

Then one day I noticed change.  It was small, incremental change, but it was progress nonetheless.  It wasn’t a change in the number on the scale or the size on the tag of my pants.  This change was measured in reps, distance, minutes and seconds, weight lifted – not weight shed.

My transformation over this past year was slow….so slow it was painful at times.  So slow I often questioned if there was any improvement at all.  So slow I wondered if I’d ever get better at the multitude of skills I was learning and practicing.  But the sprouts of change were enough of a sign to give me continued patience and belief.

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Starting is the hardest part.  When we are contemplating making a change, creating momentum from nothing, it can feel overwhelming.

The middle sucks!  Pardon my language, but it’s true!  When we are in the middle of creating transformation, it feels long, slow and hard.  This is when we have to hold onto patience and belief with all our strength.  The middle is when we are most likely to give up.  Don’t quit in the middle!

Now, standing at the one year mark, it is actually surprising how much transformation actually took place in just 365 days!

I wish I’d had the foresight to document the first year of my CrossFit journey in photographs and videos.  But I didn’t.  I have a before picture from September 2012 followed by a recent video demonstration of some CrossFit skills.

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September 2012 – Living the dream on the outside, rock bottom on the inside

Then & Now:  Demonstrating a scaled version of a Box Jump when I first began Crossfit, followed by the RX (prescribed) Box Jump that I’m able to accomplish a year later.

Then & Now:  Demonstrating a scaled version of a Pull Up when I first began Crossfit, followed by the RX (prescribed) Pull Up that I’m able to accomplish a year later.

What do you want to transform?

Do you want to change your career?  Relocate to a new part of the country?  Enhance the depth and intimacy of your relationships?  Alter the size and shape of your body?  Become proficient at a new skill or hobby?

Whatever transformation you choose to pursue, it will take action, patience and belief.

Transformation takes time….but it is SO possible and SO worth the wait!

with Joy & Gratitude,

5 Comments Filed Under: Conscious Living, Life Reflection, Loving Your Body

Breaking the Cycle

August 21, 2013 By 4 Comments

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I don’t imagine you’ve been hanging in suspense since you finished reading Monday’s blog Living a Yo-Yo Lifestyle?  The outcome is pretty predictable, given that I’ve established a pattern in my life where food is my coping mechanism for every emotion possible.

To recap where I left off…..in 2006, after hitting rock bottom with my weight and body image, I lost 30 pounds (again), worked out consistently, and finally made it back into a size 6 for only the 2nd time in my life.  I truly believed I had figured it all out, and that I was done with the yo-yo lifestyle I had become accustomed to.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

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In the fall of 2007, after having been a stay at home mom for 11 years, my guy informed me that his building business was struggling and I needed to get a job to contribute to the family finances.  It would take a whole different blog post to share the details and life lessons I experienced as a result of that day.  But in a nut shell…..what sometimes appears to be the worst case scenario, turns out to be exactly what we need!  

I didn’t know it at the time, but apparently I needed the opportunity to start my own business, develop skills I already possessed, and discover new gifts I didn’t know I had.  My life was filled with exponential personal growth.

However, the more time and energy I put into my business, the less time and energy I put into myself, my health and my well-being.  Once again, I let ME slip out of the equation, I allowed my business to become more important than me, and I turned to food to cope with the stress and overwhelm that often accompanied being a business owner.

For 6 years it was a slow and steady climb…..up 5 pounds – down 2, up 8 pounds – down 3, up 10 pounds – down 4…..until I saw a number on the scale I promised myself I would never, ever, see again!

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2012: age 47 – Don’t be deceived by the smile, I felt miserable inside! – size 14

I hit rock bottom for the 2nd time in the fall of 2012.  But it was much worse this go around, because I knew better, and yet I had allowed myself to repeat the same mistakes.

The yo-yo syndrome is simply the repetition of habits.  If you want to break the yo-yo syndrome, you have to change your habits.  Each time I attempted to lose weight, I implemented a new diet and a new exercise plan to help instill new habits…..and they worked…..for a while!  What I failed to recognize was that the new habits were only part of the equation.

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What I wasn’t able to see clearly until recently, was that the common denominator in my yo-yo lifestyle was ME.  Who I was – my thought process,  my belief system, my internal dialogue – at the core of it all, was the thing that stayed the same every time I lost and gained weight.  Ultimately it didn’t really matter what diet or exercise program I tried, if I didn’t change ME from the inside out first, nothing was going to work.

I started Crossfit in October 2012, began dabbling with the Paleo Lifestyle in December 2012 and in mid February 2013 I embarked on the 8 week Whole Life Challenge.  I was not methodical or strategic about this – I was influenced, by a very dear friend, that recently traveled down the same path.  Sometimes the best thing for an over-thinker to do is stop thinking!  So I simply followed her lead and did what she did…..and the most amazing thing happened!

The combination of CrossFit and Paleo started changing ME on the inside first, before the outside began to take on a new shape.

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2013: age 47 – Kansas with my BFF Sue – strong, fit, healthy – eating to live, not living to eat!

Today – 10 months later and just shy of 48 years old, I can back squat 158 pounds, box jump 30 inches high, hold a plank position for over 2 1/2 minutes and support my own body weight in a pull up.  I didn’t tell you the number on the scale, how much weight I lost, or what my dress size is…..because they don’t really matter anymore!  For me, STRONG has become my new skinny!  Strong mind and strong body.

The pairing of doing CrossFit with eating Paleo, in combination with the Whole Life Challenge, is better experienced than explained.  But I will attempt to describe them as best I can.

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2013 – Back-squating 158 lbs. – My starting back squat weight in November 2012 was 90 lbs!

CROSSFIT – By definition, CrossFit is constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement that can be scaled to any body, age and fitness level.  The Crossfit culture is supportive and encouraging, and the people you work out with become like a second family, bonded together by both the obstacles faced and the accomplishments achieved during a WOD (workout of the day).

It is inspiring to watch someone do Crossfit, however, the real beauty of CrossFit can’t be seen, because the power of it lies within our minds.  CrossFit will test everything you think about yourself and the world around you.  It will challenge your belief in yourself, in your ability to do things you don’t think you are capable of.  It will challenge you to begin things that scare you, to continue things that are uncomfortable,  and to finish when all you want to do is quit.  It builds mental strength long before it’s had time to build physical strength.  The mental strength is the real gift of CrossFit, because that is what is required to change from the inside out first, and it translates into your everyday life outside the box.

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The physical results of doing Crossfit are being fit, toned and strong.  But I return day in and day out to stay at the top of my mental game.  I show up to test and challenge my mind, and to continually learn to make choices based on my goals, intentions and beliefs, NOT based solely on my feelings.

PALEO – This lifestyle is based upon eating wholesome, contemporary foods from the food groups our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have thrived on during the Paleolithic era…..these foods include fresh meat, fish, seafood, fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts and healthful oils.  Dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, refined sugars and processed foods were not part of our ancestral menu

Decades of research by Dr. Loren Cordain and his scientific colleagues demonstrate that hunter-gatherers typically were free from the chronic illnesses and diseases that are epidemic in Western populations, including: obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disease and more! (the above is an excerpt directly from The Paleo Diet)

I’m no scientist, but what I can tell you comes from my first hand experience.  When I stopped eating bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and refined sugar, my relationship with food completely and drastically changed!

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I NO LONGER:

  • binge eat
  • eat to cope with my feelings
  • eat till I’m stuffed
  • finish eating but still feel unsatisfied
  • feel deprived or forbidden from eating what I want
  • count calories or fat grams
  • experience mood swings after eating
  • think about food all day long

NOW I:

  • eat clean
  • cook more often
  • have more energy
  • shop the perimeter of the grocery store
  • listen to my body and eat what it needs
  • choose (not cheat) when to enjoy a non-paleo food item
  • take time to enjoy my meals instead of eating on the go
  • eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a few snacks in between

I believe much of this was accomplished simply by switching to a Paleo lifestyle and making different food choices.  But I can certainly see the benefits of my increased mental strength from CrossFit impacting my choices and decisions as well.

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WHOLE LIFE CHALLENGE – is an 8 week game that encompasses your WHOLE life, all aspects of your health and well being – not just your nutrition and exercise.  It’s played as part of a team and takes place both in your real life and with an online community.  It provides education, accountability, inspiration, and structure – all while being FUN!  It’s NOT a competition or a contest.  There isn’t a right way or a wrong way to play.  The sole purpose of this game is to stretch yourself, establish new habits and patterns, make conscious choices and be a better YOU at the end of the 8 weeks.

Personally, this game offered me the structure and accountability I needed to really put the Paleo lifestyle and CrossFit into complete practice in my life.  The next Whole Life Challenge begins on September 7th, 2013 – and YES, I am playing again!  I invite you to take a look for yourself and see if you’d like to play too!  Go to  Whole Life Challenge.

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I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was slightly scared.  There are no guarantees that I’ve yo-yo’d for the last time….although my heart and soul tells me that chapter of my life has run its course, but only because I have changed ME – the common denominator in my yo-yo cycle.

What I most want to leave you with is the hope and belief that you can stop the yo-yo cycle you are on, that you can break your habit of addiction, that you can change your drug of choice from something poisonous to something powerful.  You may not get there the same way I did – but I promise you, you CAN get there!

with Joy & Gratitude,

4 Comments Filed Under: Conscious Living, Design an Awesome Life, Loving Your Body

Living a Yo-Yo Lifestyle

August 19, 2013 By 16 Comments

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I have an awesome life! There have been ups and downs, but all in all I have no regrets, because I couldn’t be where I am today without living through the life I’ve lived…..

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….Except for this one part of my existence that has haunted me for over 30 years – my body image, eating habits and overall health and fitness.  I have lived a yo-yo lifestyle since I was a teenager.  I can’t say I’m addicted to food, because by definition an addiction is a “compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance”, and food isn’t habit forming, it is necessary.  Yet food is my drug of choice.  I’m not addicted to the food itself, but the way the food makes me feel when I consume it.

My distorted body image and relationship with food have been the single most detrimental relationship in my entire life, leaving me feeling worthless, humiliated and like a total and complete failure.

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This is uncomfortable!  If I could brush this topic under the rug and avoid writing about it, I would.  But I can’t!  It’s too big, too all-consuming, too powerful….and I know I am not the only one that has or continues to struggle with this internal conflict.  Maybe you self medicate in a different way, maybe you battle a different addiction, maybe you experience the yo-yo syndrome with a different “drug of choice” other than food.  Whether you bury your pain and sorrow in food, alcohol, shopping, social media, drugs, gambling or exercise….you are not alone.

It’s with apprehension that I bare my soul and tell my story.  But I’m doing this with the hope that you can see yourself in my journey, that you can find comfort in knowing you are not alone.  And that together, as we are all Discovering Our Awesomeness, we can overcome our demons and create peace in our lives.

Looking back, I always felt like the BIG girl.  In my black leotard, pink tights and pointe shoes – I felt big.  In a bathing suit – I felt big.  Even in jeans and a sweater – I felt big.  The surprising fact is when I see photographs of my teenage years, I was NOT big.  I wasn’t chubby and I wasn’t overweight.  I was just short and muscular, very “Mary Lou Retton” like.   The complete opposite of what society seemed to value in women – tall and lean.  My negative body image was instilled in me during my teenage years, by comparing myself to other people, both my peers and those that graced the covers of magazines, and allowing my internal dialogue to become my truth.

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1982: age 16 – Junior Prom – size 8

During the fall of my senior year in high school I had a falling out with one of my best friends.  Sadly, it took 6 months before we were able to reunite.  The break in that friendship had a ripple effect that left me feeling empty, sad and alone.  So I found comfort and company in food.  Barbeque potato chips, Hostess Devil Dogs, Butterfingers and Reeses Peanut Butter cups became my new circle of friends – and we met on a very regular basis.

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1983: age 17 – Senior Prom – size 14

When I ate, I felt filled up instead of empty.

When I ate, I found temporary comfort from the pain.

When I ate, I shoved my sadness deep down inside.

In those 6 months of self medicating with food, I gained over 30 pounds.  It was validating, because now I really was the big girl I always felt like!

I arrived at college for my freshman year, all five feet three inches of me, sporting a size 14 in clothes, but a zero on the self confidence scale!  It didn’t help that I was assigned to the only all girls dorm, and it wasn’t even located on the university campus.  Oh yeah, and I really was the biggest girl there!

What sometimes appears to be the worst case scenario, turns out to be exactly what we need!  Had I not been placed in that particular dorm, I would never have met my life long friends – Ronni, Stacey & Sue!  It didn’t matter to them that I was the big girl, they embraced me with all my rolls of fat, and slowly, their friendship began to restore my belief in myself.

I wanted to look on the outside like I was beginning to feel on the inside, so I began my first diet.  I was not informed or educated in proper nutrition or how to effectively lose weight.  I just knew if food was the enemy, the thing that made me look the way I did, then I should avoid food as much as possible.  A friend introduced me to speed, an amphetamine that was commonly available on college campuses to help pull the often needed all-nighter in preparation for an exam, or to complete a research paper.  When I took speed I lost my appetite, and the weight melted off in a few short months.  I was once again happily living in a size 8, and had successfully completed my first round of the yo-yo lifestyle.

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1984: Age 18 – Sophomore at college – Size 8

The next 7  years were filled with a constant fluctuation of gaining 10 pounds – losing 10 pounds.  The weight gain during this time of my life was a result of social eating – eating to celebrate, eating with friends, eating for pleasure.  There was no portion control, no calorie counting – just pure indulgence.  I learned that I could eat what I wanted, and if I just cut way back (stopped eating) for a week or two, I could drop the 10 pounds almost instantly.  Thus reinforcing my yo-yo lifestyle, over and over again.

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1991: age 24 – Work trip to Colorado – size 10

Then one day my guy got on his knee and proposed to me.  After 24 hours of celebration, my mind turned to the details of planning a wedding.  Top of the list was my dress, my dress size, the number on the scale and the fact that this would all be documented by a professional photographer.  I typically fluctuated between a size 8 and size 10, which was respectable.  But I took the yo-yo to a new level and found myself in a brand new number – a size 6 on a my wedding day.

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1992: age 26 – Wedding day – size 6

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1992: age 26 – Honeymoon – the ONLY time in my life that I wore a bikini – size 6

Life was good….and crazy!  We were newlyweds, newly relocated to an area where we didn’t know anyone, and new business owners working 7 days a week in hopes of building a successful restaurant delivery business.  This time I used food to combat all the stressors in my life, but the extra 20 pounds really only added to the stress.  Being close to my thirties now, I was startled to find that the weight didn’t melt off as quickly as it had in my early twenties.

Already 20 pounds overweight, I became pregnant with baby number one, which I believed granted me permission to eat anything and everything I wanted.  Pregnant women are supposed to be fat, right?  I gained 30 pounds during the pregnancy and hit a new personal weight record.  After giving birth, some of that excess weight came off, but 2 1/2 years later I found myself pregnant again, this time with a higher starting weight.

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1995 – age 30 – Only 6 months pregnant, but I look like I’m ready to deliver – size unknown

The first 10 years of motherhood encompassed my thirties.  There were ups and downs in parenting, in my marriage, in my extended family, in my friendships, in life.  With the ups – I would celebrate by eating.  With the downs – I would medicate by eating.  The repetition of the yo-yo cycle became second nature.  There was much in life that brought me happiness, and yet I was never filled with joy.  I would find happiness as the number on the scale decreased, but I had conditioned myself to believe it wouldn’t last, because it never did.  Life was a struggle – I was either struggling to lose weight or struggling to not gain weight.

1996

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1996: age 30 – Brand new mom – size unknown, but 14’s were too small

1999

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1999: age 33 – Maid of Honor in cousin’s wedding – size 10

2001

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2001: age 36 – Summer vacation in the Outer Banks – size 14

2003

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2003: age 38 – Ski trip in Colorado – size 10

I hit ROCK bottom in September, 2005, when I arrived at my surprise 40th birthday celebration, surrounded by 75 people – family and friends from near and far, who loved and accepted me exactly as I was.  But I was drowning in 40 extra pounds that made me feel like a failure, embarrassed, and worthless.  No matter how much unconditional love was being showered on me, I couldn’t accept it or return it, because I certainly didn’t love myself.

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2005: age 40 – Surprise 40th birthday party – yes that’s sweat, it was a hot night in September and we were dancing! – size 14

I could have masked that pain with more eating, but the humiliation, anger and disappointment at myself was so strong, that they became the motivating factor to make drastic changes in my life.  I had previously tried the South Beach diet, Body for Life, Weight Watchers and a multitude of other unsuccessful programs.  In search of something new, I joined Jenny Craig.  And for the first time ever, I committed to an exercise program with a personal trainer.  Exactly one year later, when I turned 41 years old, I was in the best shape of my life!  Not only was I a size 6 again, but I was fit, toned and strong.  I felt great about my accomplishments, I felt great about how I looked and most importantly, I just FELT great!  I knew this would be the very last time I would ever yo-yo again!

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2006: age 41 – Summer barbeque – size 6

BUT IT WASN’T……

I don’t have the answer!  But I’m living this journey as I write, so I invite you to join me again on Wednesday as I share the next chapter and how I am finally discovering what it feels like to be hopeful and to believe in myself.

with Joy & Gratitude,

16 Comments Filed Under: Embracing Obstacles, Life Lessons, Life Reflection, Loving Your Body

Who Are You Comparing Yourself To?

July 15, 2013 By 2 Comments

Comparing

COMPARE – To examine the character or qualities

of 2 or more things, in order to discover the similarities or differences

When I first began crossfit I noticed that I constantly compared myself to the people  I was working out with.  Each time I walked in the box (gym) I would mentally scroll through my comparison checklist.  Were my fellow crossfitters younger or older, smaller or bigger, stronger or weaker, faster or slower?  The comparisons made me aware of the drastic differences between us in skill level, physique, speed and strength, and I was always on the losing side of the comparison.

We all do this – we compare ourselves to other people!  We do this at work, with our neighbors, at the gym, with friends, at the grocery store – everywhere!  We do it consciously, with purpose…..and often times we do it subconsciously, without even realizing we are doing it.

The problem isn’t in the comparing itself,

The problem is what we do with the information we gather

from our comparisons

When we compare ourselves to someone else, we allow the similarities and differences to mean something about ourselves.  Based on the differences we discover, we are either better than or not as good as someone.  The more similar we find ourselves, the more equal we feel, as though we match up.

We use our comparisons to determine our own self worth.

My daily comparison to others during the early part of my crossfit journey was incredibly deflating.  I was, without a doubt, the most out of shape, the slowest, and the weakest one there.  My continual comparison to the other crossfitters made me feel inadequate to a point that I almost quit, rather than continue to feel ‘less than’ everyone else.

Comparing Yourself

Then one day I noticed a man favoring his shoulder during warm ups and it occurred to me that I didn’t know anything about his personal journey.  I didn’t know if he was recovering from an injury, how long his shoulder had bothered him, if he’d had surgery – I didn’t know a single thing about his story.  All I knew when I compared myself to him was that he appeared to be fit, strong, and athletic…he appeared to be everything I was not.

Each of us is on our own individual journey

  We shouldn’t compare our journey with someone else’s journey

Our journey is OUR journey – it’s NOT a competition!

On that very day, instead of wanting to quit crossfit, I chose instead to surrender to my body’s limitations and to stop comparing myself to the other crossfitters.  They didn’t know my story, and chances are I didn’t know theirs.

There are plenty of times that I still fall into the habit of comparing myself to others, both in and out of the gym.  I will probably struggle with this human quality for as long as I live.  But being aware of when I make comparisons now gives me the opportunity to choose to stop.

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We all desire to be better, but typically that is in comparison to someone else.  The person we should be comparing ourselves to is US!  Strive to be a better version of yourself today than you were  yesterday.  Let your self worth be defined by YOUR personal growth and development.

This is NOT a crossfit conversation, this is a  life conversation.  Crossfit just happens to be where I first realized the negative impact of comparisons, but it translates into all areas of our lives.

How often do you compare yourself to other people?

What areas of your life do you most often make comparisons?

What do you make those comparisons mean about you and your self worth?

You can journal the old fashion way with paper and pencil, or if you prefer technology,  simply use the notepad section on your phone, iPad or computer.  Either way, I ‘d encourage you to take note of what role comparisons play in your life.  Before we can change something about ourselves, we must first be aware of it.

with Joy & Gratitude,

2 Comments Filed Under: Design an Awesome Life, Embracing Obstacles, Life Lessons, Loving Your Body

Choosing Self Acceptance

June 19, 2013 By 10 Comments

Crossfit Koolaid

I began my CrossFit journey on Saturday, October 13th, 2012.  YES – I actually know the date, partly because it was one of the scariest days of my life, but mostly because it has changed me (on the inside and the outside) forever.  For me and my family, CrossFit is not a fad or a trend – it is a way of life!

Now don’t worry, I won’t be turning this into a CrossFit blog, but the life lessons I’m learning through CrossFit are too rich and valuable to not share!  They include (but aren’t limited to) concepts such as fear, patience, mental strength and humor.  When I write from a CrossFit perspective my hope is that I can relay the experience or life lesson with clarity while also sharing the benefits of exercise.

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Acceptance – the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable

Self Acceptance – affirmation or acceptance of ones self in spite of weaknesses or deficiencies

On October 13th there was so much I had to accept about myself.  I was 30+ pounds overweight, I hadn’t consistently exercised in over 5 years, my schedule was overbooked as a business owner and mother of 2 teenage boys, and I was closer to 50 than I was to 40  years old!  I could have used any (or all) of those truths about myself as an excuse to prevent me from stepping foot into the ‘box’ (CrossFit lingo for gym).

The struggle to resist the reality of who we are is precisely what keeps us where we are.  Only by accepting myself exactly as I was, with all my flaws and imperfections, was I able to even show up in a room full of strong, healthy, fit athletes.  There were NO surprises that day.  Although I wasn’t the only woman nor was I the oldest, I was absolutely the most overweight and out of shape person attempting to complete the same skills the other CrossFitters were maneuvering through with ease.

At the end of the hour (after countless squats, push ups and abs), I was grateful that I had not only survived, but was actually able to exit the building on my own two feet.  During my drive home I burst into tears at the realization that I wasn’t shunned to the ‘wanna-be’ athlete’s corner of the room, there was no finger pointing, nor was there laughter at my expense.  Quite the contrary, I found the CrossFitting community to be accepting of me, exactly as I was!

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Accepting yourself is about embracing the truth of who you are.  It certainly doesn’t mean you have to be happy with it, but it does mean you are not fighting against reality or worse yet living in denial.  I spent 5 years denying I was gaining weight and resisting the possibility that I could actually choose to make time in my ‘busy’ schedule to take care of myself  – to put ME first on the ‘to do’ list!

Self acceptance has to start with listening to what you say about yourself – to yourself!  From the moment we wake up in the morning until we drift off to sleep each night (and maybe even in our dreams) that little voice in our head is whispering to us.  Sometimes it’s so quiet we don’t even hear it, but that doesn’t mean the words lose their power.  That little voice is YOU, commentating moment by moment, your interpretation of you.  You can choose to change the dialogue you are having with yourself, but first you must quiet down and listen to what you are really saying to yourself!

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One of my favorite authors,  Jon Gordon,  is quoted as saying ‘talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself’.  What this means is you get to choose the words you say to yourself.  Be intentional about it instead of listening to the untruths that little voice says about you.  Now, when I talk to myself (instead of listen to my little voice) I say things like:

  • I am SO worth an hour of my time!
  • My birth certificate says I’m 47 – but I feel 29!
  • The number on the scale doesn’t change the depth of my character or the difference I can make in this world!
  • I deserve to tune the world out for 60 minutes and get lost in the moment of me!
  • I’m a work in progress – where I am right now is perfect!

Whatever you choose to say to yourself, make sure you are whispering sweet nothings instead of insults!

with Joy & Gratitude,

10 Comments Filed Under: Conscious Living, Embracing Obstacles, Loving Your Body