One Step Closer

~ Linkin Park ~

Do you ever stop & listen to the way you talk to yourself in the mirror?  How would you feel if someone else said that to you? Would you tolerate someone else speaking to you like that [and seriously, if you do allow people to talk to you like that we have a whole new problem to deal with...]. But back to the original topic - do you realize how many times you speak negatively about yourself? [Actually, Tam wrote a beautiful article about it]

Some days I can't look in the mirror without thinking I'm to heavy, I'm to big, it's soft & jiggly where I don't want it to be, too short, too tall, too hairy, too white, [enter your own gripe].  I know it's easier said then done, but shouldn't we stop seeing the "imperfections" and start appreciating our bodies for all the things that it can do? And not just that - stop comparing ourselves to everyone else?

I never looked like the girls in the magazines. I was a chubby kid who turned into a chubby teenager, and then discovered sport. I was termed "athletic" - isn't that just a nice way of saying fat?  It wasn’t until earlier this year when I found the right people (nutritionists, Crossfit, weightlifting & a support group) that my body started changing. And not only has my body started changing, it also changed how I felt about my body.  I'm more chuffed that I increased my front squat by 10kg's then reducing my weight by 1kg. I started to eat to give my body what it needs, not starving cause I wanted to be thin.

Weightlifting & Crossfit made me change my focus from losing weight to gaining strength.  Getting the right support group (online & at the Box) meant surrounding myself with strong women (and men) with similar goals. My body constantly surprises me by doing things that I've never thought possible. I would now love to be called "athletic", because I've seen athletic women & damn, if that's what it's called then give me some.

Andrea Ager, Christmas Abbott, Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

I love my body because:

• no matter how badly I’ve treated it in the past, it still keeps going.
• it's mine & I'm unique.
• I can go & try a sport & be somewhat decent at it, without dying of stiffness the next day.
• it's smart & it tells me when to rest, when to work, when to eat.
• it has amazing taste buds that makes me open to try new food.
• it can laugh till I cry & squeal from being out of breath.
• it can front squat 87kg's, back squat 95kg's and dead lift a 110kg's.
• it can be taught to do technical movements & practice truly does make perfect.

And most importantly, earlier this week was the first time in a very (if ever) long time that I was comfortable enough to walk around on the beach in just a bikini. I normally reserve this for home.  If anything has changed this year it has been how I see my body - healthy skinny is not going to happen overnight, the least I can do is love my body while it's working hard to get me to stronger & leaner.

Last night was probably my hardest workout to date. We did Grace, then another 30 Push Jerks, and then a chipper from hell:  200 double unders (or 400 single skips), 400m run, 150 double unders (or 300 single skips), 30 burpee pull-ups (did then without any assistance from a band - yay me!), 100 double unders (or 200 single skips), 20 overhead squats, 50 double unders (or 100 single skips). And even though I had the lowest score & only got to 19 burpee pull-ups before reaching the 20 minutes, I still worked just as hard as the guy next to me.

Zoom in - still drenched in sweat...

A lot of negative things have been said about the Crossfit community, and I thing we are truly blessed to have some amazing people at our box. Just to put it into context - Rich Froning (Crossfit Games Champion) can do Grace in less then 4:49 with 102kg. I did it in 7:30 with 40kg.  And by the time I hit the second set of 30 Push Jerks I had to do them 1 at a time. It was such an amazing feeling getting supported by all the guys that already finished, counting down with me, telling me to push & just to keep going.

Found some nice/tasty/pretty things over the weekend & even went down to the beach after work two days in a row. I don't normally slow down this time of year so that is something that I am trying to work on - taking a breath; otherwise you will be working your whole life away without enjoying the little moments.

Vovo Telo Rocket, Mushroom & Pecorino Pizza and Mint & Apple Slushie ~ Mexican Bola Charms make the most amazing fairy jingle ~ Christmas day dress ~ Cow fresh full cream strawberry yoghurt made right here in PE.

Food wise it's going well. I'm trying to keep it clean because I want the pretty dress to sit extra comfortable on Christmas day (it's been a Christmas tradition - a dress will be worn!)

 

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Take a breath people!

Crash n Burn

~ Outlandish ~

The events that transcribed over the last 2 days can not even be described as "falling off the wagon". It was spectacular the amount of food & drinks I had weekend. And I wasn't even sad or upset about something. There might have been a bit of boredom eating yesterday, but I was taking a humongous rest day anyway, so it fitted with the theme.

On Friday night we had our Crossfit end year function which was healthy for the most part. Until the champagne, strawberries/marshmallows & melted chocolate came out - then all 30 athletes collectively decided that it will now be declared a "cheat day".  

Saturday was the fabulous baby shower for Mrs T, classy & fun & so many nice eats. Hmm, perhaps I should look into event planning as a career... I loved being there because it was for a friend & I had so much fun arranging & helping out, but I really don't get showers. Why do women's uteruses go all rubbery when they see baby clothes? Another thing you need to know about me: I'm about 94% sure I don't want kids.

Sunday I vegged in front of the computer arranging series & re watching all my old favorites (Sherlock, anyone?). I don't think I even got out of my pajamas. Not even when we went to the Spur at 21:00 for milkshakes.

Aaand today was our work end year function. I think I drank enough to make Ms Nicola proud (it started very early). Even ended up having some on the rocks with the older gentleman at our office (as in my grandfather's age - there's absolutely no eye candy where I work) while they regaled me of their tales of knighthood & chivalry. Luckily there were no photocopy machines in the area and no one got lost with a colleague in a dark corner.

So tomorrow we start again. Hopefully that was the last of the functions till the craziness of Christmas day. Seriously, I don't get why people go out of their way to cook 5 course meals - surely that is not what the day is about?

At Crossfit we have started our re-testing for our in-box challenge. About a month or so ago we completed 7 events and now we have to redo them to see if we have improved. I am happy to say that I've increased my front squat by 10kg - I'm now on 87kg's (tried 90 - just couldn't get it up). And in the front squat (on a lower weight) / barbell facing burpee challenge I bettered my score by 8 reps. I'm really happy to see growth in such a short time.

The beautiful Christmas Abbot doing front squats.

Yeah, I didn't even bother with photos today. It was bad. Bad. I'm just happy that I managed to go to class (only slightly buzzed) even after the horrendous day of food & drinking - hopefully the exercise will make me feel marginally better when tomorrow comes... I always seem to forget how I feel the morning after.

Night all!

Work (Part 1)

~ Jimmy Eat World ~ 

(This post became a bit to long, so it'll be split over two days)

Confucius said, "Find a job you enjoy, and you'll never work a day in your life." He might have said this - I didn't fact check. Anyway, I don't think that's entirely true - even dream jobs can have bad days, but it probably sucks a lot less then a bad day at a crap job.

As children we are told life is an immense journey and that anything you put your mind to is possible. Our minds were filled with dreams & how we were going to take over the world - I was going to be the best vet/hairdresser (human or pet) ever. We wanted to be ninjas or rock stars, write novels or make films. We wanted to go to Mars & find the face...well, I did at least. 

Then life hits you in the face (like a wall ball).  What happened to that dream of becoming a world renowned poodle hairdresser I was so passionate about?  The obvious answer is that we grew up & the dreams were slowly overshadowed with life, bills and reality. So we sacrifice our dreams for some vague idea of “success” or “security.” Get a decent job, with a decent salary, some benefits, and a cool title. Being a ninja became impractical.

Some of us know immediately what we want to do when we grow up. Some (like me) are still trying to figure it out.  Others (also like me) have tried a career or two, and then went on to do something completely different. I don’t believe I’m the only one confused about their place in this world. 

I always told myself that I would hate sitting in an office. And that is exactly what I've been doing for the last 10 years. I want to travel & dig shit up. No, not actual shit, stuff...things (more on this later) and that is just not possible if I want a decent roof over my head, a medical aid, a box membership, and perhaps some money when I retire one day. Oh, and food. Am I doing the responsible thing, heck yeah...but some day's it sucks balls being responsible.
 

Now my dream job would be - and don't you dare scoff - an archeologist, specifically, an Egyptologist. This won out over an ufologist & a cryptozoologist - yeah, for a while there I couldn't decide between finding the next big Pharaoh, deciphering Rosswell's secrets or proving that Nessie really exists. More on this tomorrow.

Tonight we worked on front squats, push jerks, chest to bar pull-up's & burpees. With front squats the quads are working a whole lot more, since you are sitting down, not sitting back.  It's also helps you develop a strong core as it requires your back to be as vertical as possible so that you don't land on your face.

The push press is quite a bad ass move.  You can handle 10-20% more weight with the push press than with the regular overhead press because you’re basically using your whole body to get it up there. The main muscles worked are your shoulders & triceps, but you also work your quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings. Your abs & lower back muscles also have to work to keep you stable.

Pull-ups are one of the most basic exercises, but definitely not one of the easiest. Hanging on a bar and lifting your entire body weight is a challange to many & a pipe-dream for some. They are a fantastic way to build upper body strength fast:  it increases arm, back, & abdominal strength as well as hand and finger strength.

All you need to know about burpees is that they suck. 

And there's nothing like a "almost puked" workout to kick your appitite into overdrive - I was so hungry when I got home.  I had a double dose of whey & berries & supper. Happy now :)

Remnants of the flu still pop up every now & again - Vit C all the way...

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Say Goodbye

~ Norah Jones ~

Just a quick one today - still so much to do for tonight's end year party with the PeeWee's.  And besides, after last night's cleans @ Crossfit everything hurts. Everything. Hurts. And if you are keeping track - I'm now up to 4 callouses & 3 blisters :)

BF & I have been teaching the PeeWee's for close to 3 years now and it has come with it's own rewards & frustrations. Martial arts have long been know to help teach self-discipline and socialization skills. In fact, many parents whose children have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report great success with these programs because self-control and concentration are exactly the skills underdeveloped in ADHD kids.

And if you have a group of 10 kids (including ADHD kids & just plain naughty buggers) you can almost multiply that number by 5.  There have been days that I have been thiiis close to murdering a child with my bare hands...and there are days when that same kid will bring me a flower & a drawing. I can see how teachers find this very fulfilling, but an hour, twice a week was our limit!  

I've come to know this face. I've come to fear it....

So we made a decision to finish up & hand over our classes to a new instructor - to you I say "Good luck!" and "16:00 is not to early to start drinking".  We're opening ourselfs up the possibilities of a bigger world next year, and so we bid a mostly fond farewell to Taekwon Do.

I will be having a cupcake tonight. Perhaps 2. I don't often bake (OK, ok...I did not bake them, but I at least did the frosting), so I'll be damned if I don't have one.

 

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Let's Have Another Party

~ Winifred Atwell ~

 

So, 23 days till Christmas and still so much to do.  Just in the next week I have to organize (and go to) an end year function for a group of hyper kids & a baby shower for a group of ooohing & aahing ladies, and then attend two further Christmas functions. This week is going to be so hectic that I resorted to cutting my own hair over the basin last night.. Crossfit peeps everywhere be proud - I chose going to Crossfit over (my dignity) going to the hairdresser.

I hate the madness that goes with December. It's "sales", mad traffic, no school (so the kids & their 'rents are in the shops) and I'm just trying to buy a cucumber for my salad, standing in a queue that has 3 Sinotech flat screen TV's and a couple of bikes in it's collective trolleys.

And while you are attending all these extra festivities, you still have to find time to exercise, willpower to stay away from all the desserts & alcohol and the patients of a saint not to kick that girl that is walking in front of you at a snail's pace in the crowded mall corridor. Seriously, I have an hour lunch - can we make a deal?  You go to the stores between 8:00 and 12:00, go home, come back after 14:00. Then it doesn't take me 40 minutes to buy said f*cking cucumber.

And it's not like you can bunker down till after New Year's, so you have to find your coping mechanisms, even with Boney M blaring about Babylon in the background. This time of year people seem to forget how to drive, and everyone is in such a rush! Courtesy becomes non-existent and idiots come out in their droves. 

When things get a little overwhelming I just have to remind myself that this season will also come to pass. Eventually everything will be calm and quiet once more. People will be overfed and flat broke & then I will have the shops all to myself again.  

We did a Clean Ladder at Crossfit and I have the shoulder & collarbone bruises to prove it.  Was such a nice feeling to get a new personal best on the weight - I can now do a 55kg power clean.  The power clean is derived from Olympic lifts and is explosive by nature - in other words, it can’t be done slowly (and when your new - gracefully). The “pull” part of the power clean utilizes all the major muscles of the core, hips, quads and hamstrings.  

Power cleans are technically considered a shoulder exercise, but they do so much more. They give you well-developed muscles in the legs including the calves, glutes, and hamstrings & also targets the muscles in the lower and upper back and traps. It requires the coordination of every muscle group in the body & in time, the exercise adds muscle density and functional strength over your entire body.

I cut waaay down on the coffee today, only 2 cups. Ok, I might be having a 3rd one while I'm typing now...

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