I feel like one of the most loved people in the world right now :) After a solid month of birthday celebrations, I can honestly say I've never been happier. Here's what happened...
May 21st... most amazing birthday surprise party ever thrown by my loving family and friends.
June 13... TS/TP Performance threw me a surprise party at work!
June 15... CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!!! this was more a celebration of my last day in TS/TP Performance, but it brought a lot of people together at work and with my awesome balloons from Monday meant lots more bday wishes :)
June 16... Last of the 12 week Weight Loss Sessions at Merrimack Valley Chiropractice. they had glutten free brownie muffins for me with the book the Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf!
June 17... Night out in boston with fun sunglasses and great friends!
June 19... Actual birthday, spent the first half cheering on Crossfit Route 1 at the Regionals and afternoon bbq & movie with my family (also celebrated fathers day :))
June 20... New group (Advanced TS/TP Performance) welcomed me in with a birthday cake!
At each one of these events I was told to make a wish. There are lots of things that I could have wished for, but each time all that I could think was to enjoy the moment! Somewhere in the past 6 months, I've stopped wishing for things and started making things happen. I feel that I'm in a very honest place in my life where everything makes sense. I know what to do to get what I want, and I'm doing it! Plus after a month of people showing me soooo much love, I feel on top of the world!
Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this awesome frame of mind and helped me celebrate the start of a new decade in my life!
Ever notice that there are certain things you never regret doing... but usually regret not doing? There are many things that come to mind like...
- Showering... always feel better clean
- Going to bed early... your body thanks you for the extra rest
- Laundry... nothing like not having to dig through the basket to find something decent enough to wear
- Doing the dishes right away, or picking up at the end of a party... The next day is just so much worse
- Cleaning in general
- Stretching before AND after a workout
- EATING PALEO
Riley's first CrossFit Route 1 Class
Riley's first CrossFit Route 1 Class
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Crossfit
Growing up I defined myself as a team athlete. Didn't know what else to do when I got to college, so I started running. Before I knew it I defined myself as a marathoner. Just over 6 months ago I checked out Crossfit Route 1... and now I'm a crossfitter that loves to run. I do make the distinction with the running, because most crossfitters don't like running. In fact, when I first started one of my goals was to improve my running from crossfit. The person I was telling this to started laughing because she only ran to improve her crossfit! It doesn't matter what your goal is... the outcome is the same. Crossfit will improve your strength and health more than you'd ever imagine.
CrossFit as defined by Wikipedia:
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning brand which combines weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics, powerlifting, kettlebell training, plyometrics, rowing, and medicine ball training.[1] CrossFit contends that a healthy, fit person requires proficiency in each of ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy.[2] It defines fitness as increased work capacity across all these domains and says its program achieves this by provoking neurologic and hormonal adaptations across all metabolic pathways.
CrossFit as defined by Jenny:
It is a group workout that can be modified for any fitness level. You warm up together and learn a skill for the day. The skills are based around lifts or bodyweight exercises like pull-ups or L-sits. Once you learn the skill you add weight and enter the strength portion of the work out. Usually you lift heavy for short reps. Then it's time for the "fun" with the daily WOD (Work Out of the Day). This can be a combination of anything usually lasting between 10-20minutes. The WOD I did last night was...
8 Min AMRAP (as many rounds as possible)
16 weighted lunges (15# overhead)
10 Toes to Bar (I modified this to laying on the floor and raising my legs up high to get a good core workout)
At the end of 8 minutes I had completed 4 rounds plus 16 lunges. The next time we do this WOD, I'll look back in my journal to see how I have improved!
There are WODs that are very well known that are labeled with Girls' Names. When there's a girl's name on the board, it's never good. The one that stands out the most in my mind is Angie.
Angie
100 Pull-ups
100 Push-ups
100 Sit ups
100 Squats
We did this WOD at the beginning and end of the Paleo Challenge this winter. I used the same modifications both times and was able to improve my time by almost 4 minutes!!!
I've wanted to mention my "teammates" through this whole blog, but we're technically not a team. We are a community though. I go to crossfit knowing I'll be working out side by side with many different levels of athletes, but that they all are there to improve themselves. If you're pushing through a heavy lift, someone will cheer you on. If you just accomplished a goal, you'll get high fives from everyone in the room. If you're the last to finish a WOD, everyone will be there cheering you on and work with you to the end. This is not your normal gym where everyone has tunnel vision and you have no idea who you're working out to. This is a family that wants you to succeed and be there for you on the journey.
If you google Crossfit, there are tons of videos and descriptions out there. Some of them are very intimidating. What I want to get across through this blog is that EVERYTHING IS MODIFYABLE. The people you see online are at the top level of Crossfitters. They have worked a long time to be able to do what they do. With that said, one day I want to be there and I will. I've posted a video below to show some awesome Crossfit women that are out there today!
Another great blog to read that has a very clear description of crossfit is http://fitnessista.com/2011/05/focus-on-crossfit/. Thank you Caitlin for passing that along to me!
CrossFit as defined by Wikipedia:
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning brand which combines weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics, powerlifting, kettlebell training, plyometrics, rowing, and medicine ball training.[1] CrossFit contends that a healthy, fit person requires proficiency in each of ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy.[2] It defines fitness as increased work capacity across all these domains and says its program achieves this by provoking neurologic and hormonal adaptations across all metabolic pathways.
CrossFit as defined by Jenny:
It is a group workout that can be modified for any fitness level. You warm up together and learn a skill for the day. The skills are based around lifts or bodyweight exercises like pull-ups or L-sits. Once you learn the skill you add weight and enter the strength portion of the work out. Usually you lift heavy for short reps. Then it's time for the "fun" with the daily WOD (Work Out of the Day). This can be a combination of anything usually lasting between 10-20minutes. The WOD I did last night was...
8 Min AMRAP (as many rounds as possible)
16 weighted lunges (15# overhead)
10 Toes to Bar (I modified this to laying on the floor and raising my legs up high to get a good core workout)
At the end of 8 minutes I had completed 4 rounds plus 16 lunges. The next time we do this WOD, I'll look back in my journal to see how I have improved!
There are WODs that are very well known that are labeled with Girls' Names. When there's a girl's name on the board, it's never good. The one that stands out the most in my mind is Angie.
Angie
100 Pull-ups
100 Push-ups
100 Sit ups
100 Squats
We did this WOD at the beginning and end of the Paleo Challenge this winter. I used the same modifications both times and was able to improve my time by almost 4 minutes!!!
I've wanted to mention my "teammates" through this whole blog, but we're technically not a team. We are a community though. I go to crossfit knowing I'll be working out side by side with many different levels of athletes, but that they all are there to improve themselves. If you're pushing through a heavy lift, someone will cheer you on. If you just accomplished a goal, you'll get high fives from everyone in the room. If you're the last to finish a WOD, everyone will be there cheering you on and work with you to the end. This is not your normal gym where everyone has tunnel vision and you have no idea who you're working out to. This is a family that wants you to succeed and be there for you on the journey.
If you google Crossfit, there are tons of videos and descriptions out there. Some of them are very intimidating. What I want to get across through this blog is that EVERYTHING IS MODIFYABLE. The people you see online are at the top level of Crossfitters. They have worked a long time to be able to do what they do. With that said, one day I want to be there and I will. I've posted a video below to show some awesome Crossfit women that are out there today!
Another great blog to read that has a very clear description of crossfit is http://fitnessista.com/2011/05/focus-on-crossfit/. Thank you Caitlin for passing that along to me!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Sun is Shining!!!
I would like to start by thanking everyone who has sent me so many thoughtful messages about my last few posts. The past couple weeks were tough for me, but I'm finally feeling like myself again! I know this is going to be really corny... but I literally feel like my inner sunshine is back on again :)
I'm very proud that I've been able to bounce back in two weeks. I'm really getting excited about starting my new role at work. I'm still sad about leaving my current group, but I'm no longer depressed when I think about it. I'm just going to have to organizing more section level events to buddy up with them for ;). I've had some great contacts with my Pampered Chef business and looking forward to a fun summer ice cream social party Friday night! My Boston Run to Remember Team in Training Team successfully completed their 5 mile race on Sunday! It was awesome coaching them along the course and celebrating at the finish line.
I'm finally back in control of my food and snacking and I'm on day 2 of no processed chocolate/sugar. I'm feeling amazing at Crossfit (mainly because my diet is back on track). I did a workout last week after eating a slice of pizza... The note in my journal was "sucky." I remember really struggling through my back squats and at the time couldn't figure out why they were so tough. Yesterday I did back squats again... similar weight and it was a ton easier and was able to do more. Kendra pointed out the food quality difference before the workout. This is another great reason to keep a food journal :) Tonight I did my FIRST pull-up using the green resistance band!!! I'm getting closer and closer to getting rid of the band, but one step at a time. Next goal is to use the blue band :)
Tonight I wanted to share the most amazing new Paleo recipe discovery.... Carrot Banana Muffins!
They are 100% Paleo and taste amazing. My roomie Maria even enjoyed them and couldn't believe there was no added sugar!
Here is the recipe for your enjoyment :)
I'm very proud that I've been able to bounce back in two weeks. I'm really getting excited about starting my new role at work. I'm still sad about leaving my current group, but I'm no longer depressed when I think about it. I'm just going to have to organizing more section level events to buddy up with them for ;). I've had some great contacts with my Pampered Chef business and looking forward to a fun summer ice cream social party Friday night! My Boston Run to Remember Team in Training Team successfully completed their 5 mile race on Sunday! It was awesome coaching them along the course and celebrating at the finish line.
Tonight I wanted to share the most amazing new Paleo recipe discovery.... Carrot Banana Muffins!
Carrot Banana Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup dates, pitted
- 3 ripe bananas
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 ½ cups carrots, shredded
- ¾ cup walnuts, finely chopped
- Muffin paper liners
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon
2. In a food processor, combine dates, bananas, eggs, vinegar and oil
3. Transfer mixture to a large bowl
4. Blend dry mixture into wet until thoroughly combined
5. Fold in carrots and walnuts
6. Spoon mixture into paper lined muffin tins
7. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes
Makes 18 muffins
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