There comes a point in one's life when you take step back and wonder "How the hell did I get here?" When did one day off from the gym turn into two days, two days turn into three days, to the point that you don't even go anymore? When did take one cheat meal turn into a cheat day, a cheat day turn into two cheat days, to the point that one doesn't even care what they eat anymore?
I try to look back and find that breaking point for me. Was it when I had my first child? No, I didn't really workout or care what I ate before then. It had to be after college. I took a HUGE break, one that lasted many years. Having an athletic body and naturally being good at sports made it easy for me to burn off the crap that I ate. I took it for granted. Due to my frame I had always weighed around 150 pounds, regardless of my waist size.
After my first child I went to weight loss pills to get back down to my before weight. I believe that was my second fitness mistake. I was a single mom and I used the excuse that I didn't have time to workout. Time wasn't the excuse for not eating right. I can remember the sound of the microwave ending and Haven knowing it was time to eat.
Four years later I have my second child and decided I wanted to try loosing the weight on my own. I would make plans with friends to go jogging or walking to only have them fall through the cracks. That was when I stumbled upon
Crossfit for the first time. I remember Mike telling me about these crazy people running with weights during the heat of the day around his office. For some reason that intrigued me. I wanted to be an amazing Crossfit athlete and dreamed about competing in the
Crossfit Games at some point. Mike and I took the onramp class and started Crossfit. That lasted about a month. We used the excuse of childcare to stop going when we could have gone at separate times.
Two years later I had my third child and I tried the weight loss pills again. They didn't have the same effect as the first time. I turned to
Isagenix to loose the weight. It worked! Within one month I was 13 pounds away from my 150 pound goal. That was around the time of Elle's first birthday and Mike's birthday. We went out to eat and that was when I fell of the wagon. That was my one cheat meal turning into many. I started
9Round and was going regularly until I got boxers elbow. I had to stop and start therapy. During that time my friend Eryn talked to me about getting a personal trainer and competing in a bikini contest. I agreed.
A bikini contest scared me because I knew I had to be very strict with my food. I remember I told myself I would give myself until after Halloween to eat bad, fall foods are my favorite. Then it became Thanksgiving; how could I eat good while having a county style Thanksgiving? To only be followed by Christmas. It was no longer the sound of the microwave that indicated dinner was ready but the question of where are we going to eat? We never ate at home.
I went to my personal trainer appointments but the eating was overcoming all the hard work I was doing. I had gained all the weight I lost with Isagenix plus some. At that point I decided to go back to Crossfit. I still had the dream of competing as a Crossfit athlete. I saw all my Crossfit friends growing and becoming stronger. I was jealous. If I had stayed with Crossfit I would be four years in. Where would I be now? In the games? Doubtful but I would be a lot closer than where I am now. So in January I took my second onramp class with
Crossfit Bentonville. I also started working for
JUNK Brands. I had surrounded myself as much as I could with good influence to stay strong time and go for my dreams.
The first couple of months within Crossfit was a hit and miss. I would attend a few WOD's here and there but never completed a full cycle. I become more aware of what I was eating but not great. I was able to work one of the Crossfit Regionals with JUNK and met Rich Froning and some other great Crossfit Athletes. I believe that was the point of realizing that I had to get my shit together if I ever want to be anything more than a cherry picker.
I am now attending most WOD's, even off days to work on my weaknesses. Mike and I try really hard to only eat out for special reasons. Are we great at this? No, but it is a start. I have even become good friends with a great Crossfitter within my box. She helps me stay in check with my workouts and offers advice to help me become better at my techniques. Mike has even started back at Crossfit and is loving it as well. Maybe one day we will be able to compete at local Crossfit team WOD's.
Crossfit may not be for everyone, but it is for us. It has helped us become stronger, not just physically but also as a family. We have gained an amazing Crossfit family and friends that have become like family. Friendships we would have never received otherwise. Our children are eating healthier and gaining great eating habits that will last a lifetime. Knowing that I am getting stronger and eating better and so is my family makes my heart happy. I want to be around to watch my children grow and be able to be active with them. Am I am finally on the right path to do so!
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