CrossFit Rocks

Welcome to my latest blog- my way of talking up CrossFit, keeping track of my progress, venting when workouts are rough (are they ever not?), & expressing my feelings about my current fitness & diet.

My Background With CrossFit:
While I'd heard of CrossFit & tried some of the workouts about 2 years ago, I wasn't sure it would be for me. My husband & his buddy were into CrossFit & they always looked smoked after every workout. Was this for me???In Nov of 2006 after completed my first (& only to date) marathon I was looking for some kind of fitness routine that would keep me in shape but would involve less running. With the help of my husband, but with no formal training, I decided to give some of the CrossFit exercises a try. So, I ran 2-3 times a week & then did various CrossFit exercises a couple times a week. I enjoyed the intensity & speed of the workouts, but I was only doing the cardio routines. Then I got pregnant.

In April 2007 (after doing CrossFit cardio workouts on-and-off for about 5 months) I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd child. I had wanted to get pregnant again so I was thrilled! Because of some complications early on, though, I was advised not to run or to do any intense workouts. I basically resorted to walking, using some weight machines at the gym, & some jogging for the rest of my pregnancy.

How I Got Hooked
My healthy, Baby Girl #2 was born in late January of 2008 & I was eager to get back into shape again. 4 weeks after delivering I started running again & training for Nashville's Music City Half-Marathon. I completed the race at the end of April & then was somewhat directionless for my workouts. Two months ago in May, my friend Natalie told me there was local CrossFit gym. She convinced me to check it out...and I finally did. I tried it for a week, unsure if I could commit. After just one week of only doing CrossFit I was impressed at my new arm definition & all over toning & I was convinced to join the CrossFit gym. .

CrossFit To-Date
I've been regularly doing the CrossFit WOD (workout of the day) since June 1, 2008 (6 1/2 weeks now) at my local CrossFit gym (www.crossfitclarksville.blogspot.com). While I haven't noticed much change in my cardio endurance, my strength is increasing rapidly. I feel like I have a personal training session every time I go & working out is fun...but difficult! I've realized how important it is to have a staff member there holding me accountable to proper form...getting my butt down for squats, keeping my dead lifts close to my body, knowing when I need to increase in weight, etc.