A Reformation - CrossFit Style

Last week, I finally succumbed to the pressure that life has bestowed upon me (and, in reality, all the pressures I have put upon myself).

Six years ago (maybe five--it's so hard to keep track), I challenged myself to get healthier and in better shape by entering a contest at a local gym. I worked hard. I researched. Fitness forums were my crack.

And guess what? I won. My body was different, my eating habits had changed, and I had accomplished my goal--to lose weight and have a body that was ready for us to have a family.

Well, I got pregnant right away and that was the end of my health kick. Pregnancy was an excuse to eat EVERYTHING. And stop exercising. It was time to kick back a cook a baby in the oven.

After having my daughter, (who is nearly five now and is completely fabulous) I made myself even busier by starting a photography business on top of my full time job as a teacher. More time spent on jobs and family, less time for myself. Of course, it started taking a toll.

Fast forward to last week. After joking with an old friend about a fitness blog he frequently reads (and maybe kind of makes fun of sometimes), I joked about starting my own. And, because I'm not busy enough as it is, I decided to follow through on that and...wallah.

So...my reformation...

Last year for Christmas, I gave my husband a punch card for 10 visits to the local CrossFit Reformation gym. He quickly got hooked. I, on the other hand, haven't been to the gym in something like two years. (And that's being generous.)

Because I'm on winter break, I decided to use some of my time off to see what this whole CrossFit thing is all about. So, last Monday I attended one of the classes with hubby.

And I liked it.

A lot.

Even though it made me want to cry.

Not because it was hard. Well, kind of. It's because I HATE feeling like I can't do something. And I couldn't do any of the exercises without modifications. It made me feel inadequate and have all sorts of horrible, self-deprecating feelings. But the coaches were encouraging and so was hubby, which made all the difference.

I told myself I'd go back. I wasn't quite ready yesterday, but today I went again with hubby... and again felt like crying the whole time.

I got through it though. And I'm going back for more.

I've dedicated myself to a 10-visit pass. I know I don't have time to go more than twice a week (possibly three times depending on our family schedule). I'm not going to push myself so hard that I break down and give up. I'm not planning on going all hardcore and limiting myself to 1000 calories a day, no carbs, etc.

Slow and steady will win this race.