Over the past summer I found myself wanting to get into shape, but I also wanted to enjoy the process. As many of you who have tried this you understand the struggle and dilemma with which I was faced. I mean, it shouldn't be to hard to find a program, gym, and group of people that have the same goals as me and are encouraging instead of judgmental, right?
WRONG!
I tried what felt like everything. I dieted hard, but always found myself leaping at the chance to shove the nearest sweet into my mouth at the slightest hint of stress. I tried going to gyms, but grew tired of the looks I was given as a beginner who couldn't benchpress a cow, or leg press a small car. It started to seem hopeless, but then my friend asked me if I have ever considered Crossfit?
CrossFit?!
"CrossFit?" I thought to myself? How could someone on my level even begin to tackle that behemoth of a workout. Much like many of you, I have heard the horror stories about athletes in their prime attempting to do a Workout Of The Day (WOD) and wave the white flag at the halfway point. There was no way that I would be able to do this! I vehemently told her no and said that I would die before embarrassing myself like that.
Which is why I was shocked to find myself researching CrossFit like it was the topic of my senior dissertation. I was watching videos, listening to lectures on YouTube. and following almost every major CrossFit athlete on Instagram. It had begun to consume me and I hadn't even decided to do a workout yet.
Fast forward to a week later and I was walking into the gym at my college and stretching out for my first ever WOD. Now, I don't want you to think that I was flying into this blindly. I have a friend who has been doing CrossFit for close to a year, and he was helping me modify the workouts since I did not have access to ropes, sleds, or other CrossFit centered equipment.
I was determined, however, to not let this stop my from reaching my goal.
Thus began my love affair with voluntarily working myself into the ground on a weekly basis and loving the changes I was seeing in my body. Friends, let me tell you, if you want results and to enjoy yourself, give this program a try!
As I stated before, I had heard the horror stories about how hard and taxing the workouts could be, but there is one part about CrossFit that people don't tell you and it's this unspoken part that has made it become one of the best choices I made for myself.
This unmentioned fact is that CrossFit Teaches You Life Lessons.
Crazy and unexpected for you, too? I was shocked myself, but allow me to elaborate. Here are the life lessons that I have learned so far.
1. The hardest and most rewarding step is convincing yourself to begin.
I know this sounds cliche, but it's accurate. For me the hardest workout was the very first one and convincing myself to start. It would have been super easy to procrastinate, or just take the easy road and not do it. This has become a skill that I have applied to my college career and plan to transition into my quickly approaching professional career. Instead of waiting till the day before, I will give myself ample time, take that first step, and start the journey ahead of me.
2. Limitations are only as permanent as you make them.
What do I mean by this? I mean that what you think you can accomplish, and what you actually can accomplish are two vastly different things. Story time! There is one workout that pops up in various degrees that involves Thrusters and Burpees combined. In this particular WOD you do what is called a "21-18-15-12-9-6-3" set. Essentially, one does 21 thrusters followed by 21 burpees. Then the suicidal workout enthusiast continues to do this sequence in decreasing order, meaning 18, then 15, and so on. For those of you doing math, this means that you will be doing 84 thrusters and burpees. Take it from me, this workout is DEADLY! At about the halfway point I wanted to give up and lay face down on the floor. Instead, I muscled through and completed the workout from Satan. In doing this I felt more accomplished than I had in a very long time. I saw what my perceived limit was and forced myself to move past it. How is this a life lesson, you ask? Well, person who conveniently prompted me with the exact question I wished to answer, the answer is that we meet obstacles everyday. These obstacles range in size and importance. Maybe you have a presentation, but suffer from crowd induced anxiety. Perhaps the person you were crushing on shot you down and you feel broken for the first time in a long time. Maybe, you just can't today. These limitations are only going to have the power you allow them to. So, much like this workout, when you hit that "brick wall", keep pushing. The rewards on the other side could change you life immensely.
3. There are certain things that you cannot do alone. Rely on your support system.
Let's take a second to talk about the legendary "Rogue Worm". According to RogueFitness.com, this piece of equipment is a, " 17-foot long, 435-pound behemoth that’s actually closer in size to a giant South American anaconda". Essentially, it is a huge sandbag that requires 5-7 people to carry. This beast of a workout tool requires immense communication, teamwork, and an ability to set aside pride and accept help. Without your team members, I promise you the worm will not be going very far. This is relatable to any work place situation, group project, or assignment. In today's business world, a person is forced to constantly ask for help. As scary as this may be you have to set aside your fear of looking stupid and ask questions, utilize the people around you, and become a strong asset to the team. Treat your project like the "worm" and move along at a steady pace using teamwork and open communication.
These are only three lessons, but there are so many more that can be learned from this amazing sport. I could tell you all the one's I've learned, but I think the best way for you to understand this is to try it yourself. Who knows, you may find something that you can apply to your everyday life.
Wouldn't that be one for the books?
As always, dear reader, it has been a privilege to share my thoughts with you. Have a blessed day and remember to love all, judge none, and cherish everything.
