Metamorphosis

One year ago at this time, I was preparing to start my final year of graduate school. I had a full caseload of courses and an ideal internship that I couldn’t wait to start. I still tried to make time to exercise, and typically found myself squeezing in half an hour in on the elliptical (while reading the latest issue of People Magazine).

Fast Forward to Today. I have a new job as a School Social Worker at a Charter School in Detroit. And, instead of a caseload of courses, I have a caseload of students. My days of combining reading and working out are long over, and I haven’t been on an elliptical (or even in that same gym) in months. In fact, I seldom use the term “work out.” Now, I WOD. With each WOD, I can feel every ounce of my body being pushed to the limit, and just when I thought I couldn’t go any further, I do. Strange, but I never had that feeling during my thirty minutes on the elliptical.

When I finished graduate school my sister gave me an awesome Life as RX shirt. On the back it said "Metamorphosis in 3 . . 2. . 1  . . Go!" She then made me a one of a kind Fashletics necklace to match. Today, I began to think about my own Metamorphosis. All year I have been waiting for some big change, something to show that I am a different person than the one I was a year ago. For a brief period I considered dying my usually bright blonde hair to dark brown, as a way of saying: “See?! I’ve changed!” And then I realized, maybe I had the wrong idea about change. I don’t have to be someone different. In fact, I am still the same person, with the same goals and values. But instead of sitting behind a desk studying textbooks, I will be sitting behind a desk using “textbook skills” as I work with students. I am still that same person focused on exercising and staying healthy. I just figured out that the elliptical is not the best answer . . . it’s Crossfit.  

So for me, my metamorphosis isn’t that I have changed into something different, just something better. I am still the same person I was a year ago. Except today, I am the better and stronger version. And, I don’t need a new hair color to tell me that. 

Monday Motivation

I have been telling everyone I know about the website pintrest.com. Essentially, it is a virtual bulletin board where you add pictures and descriptions of everything you find (and love) while surfing around the internet. As I have said before, I love inspirational quotes.  Through pintrest, I have found new quotes and remembered some old favorites. I have decided to start a reoccurring blog post called "Monday Motivation." On Monday Mornings (not every week, I am sure I will I miss some) I am going to pass along a little motivation and inspiration by sharing a favorite quote. Here is the first "Monday Motivation" . . . Enjoy!

P.S. Check out www.pintrest.com

Story behind the words: I sent my sister a card with this quote after I first started crossfit. It was a little note to say thanks. Her encouragement was one of the main reasons for why I joined a box. To me, this quote is a great description of what happens once you enter the crazy world of Crossfit.

Happy Monday!

Today is the Day.

Have you ever had one of those days where you say: "Today is the day I start my Diet!" or "Today is the day I start running." And then the day passes. And you wake up the next morning proclaiming that THIS is the day. I have been having that day for the last month. Every morning I tell myself "This is the day I call the gym." And so begins my story . .

Way Backstory: I was born with what doctors termed "unknown neromuscular disorder." I say "medical mystery." To summarize in 3 sentences: I walk with a gait that isn't considered "normal." Doctors explained this by saying that nerves were improperly firing, causing under developed muscles. Recent tests showed that my nerves were firing at exactly the right speed and my muscles WOULD develop through exercise.

More Recent Backstory: After the prescription of exercise was given, my super fit sister connected me with a Crossfit Coach and encouraged me to begin training. After 3 months of Crossfit, I was beyond proud of my progress. My legs were feeling stronger.  I was walking better, climbing stairs easier, and overall feeling good. I had an amazing coach who I felt really knew how to help me. After years of confusing doctors, that was the greatest feeling of all, I no longer felt like a "mystery."

And then I moved.

Current Story: I moved closer to my sister (not the one mentioned earlier, but still just as fit). She worked out at an awesome Crossfit gym and I had big plans to join. But, each day I put off calling the coach. I started hitting mental roadblocks and making excuses of why I shouldn't join. I was the same age as a lot of the people, and started to feel insecure about being so far behind them physically. I didn't want to be seen as the "unique case" at the gym. So instead of facing these feelings, I just avoided them all together and stopped doing Crossfit.  I went back to my normal workout routine of swimming and biking.

A few days ago, I worked up the courage and finally contacted my new coach. All my fears and anxieties quickly disappeared. She was beyond excited to work with me, and even over e-mail made me feel included in the gym. Why was I so worried? Of all the insecurities I had, none of them turned out to be true. Nobody cared that I wasn't as strong as them physically. In fact, I am not sure that anyone even noticed. My sister was right all along, her gym has some of the "best people on Earth." (small plug for her blog, click the link!)

One of my "fit sisters" using me as a back squat.

So what's my point? I know what is like to wake up and say "Today is the day I will . . " I also know that filling your head with excuses and self-doubt won't get you anywhere. It may not be easy (Crossfit is definitely not), and starting can be the hardest part. But, in the end the work is always worth it. And it feels so good to be back in a Crossfit box. I still get anxious before every work out, but this time it's not because I am scared. It's because I am excited to push myself through a harder work out then the day before and because I love the feeling of getting stronger. So who know's what will happen next. But one thing is for sure, it will only get better. In  3 . . 2 . . 1.  . .

All ready for the 2012 Olympics.

July of next year is the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics, and I could not be more excited. I do love the olympics, but more so, I love the sport of Swimming. And thanks to amazing swims and the success of Michael Phelps, swimming becomes front page headlines during the Olympics.

In honor of the olympics, here is my favorite moment from the 2008 Games. It is the 4 x 100 freestyle relay when Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal. But the real hero of that day is Jason Lezak. As the last swimmer, he came back from behind and won at the very last second. The video gives me chills every time.

Video Notes: The video shows the last leg of the relay and Jason Lezak is in lane 4. The quality may not be the best, but just wait for his finish. I promise it will be worth it. 

What's your goal?

In one of my recent sport psychology classes, there was a large portion devoted to the concept of goal setting. I thought it would be information I already knew. I  have planned out rather lofty goals. If you ask me where I want to be in 5-10 years, I would have a rather clear answer. I like to think with big ideas.

But my reading suggested some interesting concepts, that I realized I tend to overlook. Here are three of my favorite points:

1. Make Performance Goals - Don't just focus on the outcome but pay attention to what you need to do to get there.

My personal performance goal:  Practice "the false grip" everyday. By doing this, I will one day reach my bigger outcome goal of doing a Muscle Up!

2. Tell People! - One of the best ways to achieve a goal is to have the support and encouragement from people around you. Also, they help keep you on track and motivated on those days when you don't feel like working.

My people: I tell my siblings. The thought of telling my sisters I haven't been working on my goals (or even working out) is enough to keep me going. And I love them for that.

3. Don't just plan for the future - Make short term goals. - I need to remind myself of this everyday. Sometimes I get so busy planning where I will be in the next few years, I forget about what is happening in the present. By making and achieving the smaller goals, it helps make all those lofty ideas seems more realistic.

My short term goal:  Ride my bike everyday for a month. So far, I'm at day 3.

Take away lesson: Make a list of your goals. Include the little pieces, the small parts that you need to achieve first. What are you hoping for in a week? Two weeks? Or even a month? Once you have your plan . . call your sister. (Or whoever can keep you motivated!)

Inspired By Others

Sometimes the best way to get inspired is to listen to the story of others. A reminder that you are not alone in your fight to accomplish a goal. For me, to hear of someone else giving it there all, and working towards something big, reminds me that I can do it too. It is the perfect push to get moving.

Every month, the amazing company Fashletics hi-lights an individual with an incredible story.(See www.fashletics.com for a jewelry and apparel company devoted to showing your strength). This month is no different, and left me feeling inspired long after reading. I would explain more, but I think that the proof is in the writing. Click the link to check out the "Fashlete of the Month." July - Fashlete of the Month

Then head over to Fashletics and see how showing your strength doesn't have to be something that only happens in a workout.  But can be an accessory to your daily wardrobe. Looking good and feeling good? Sounds perfect to me!

So You Had a Bad Game . . .

Rory McIlroy won the US Open this past June.  Recently, this ad was featured in the USA Today. How great is that quote? "Own your defeats and you will be defined by your victories." A few weeks before the open, McIlroy competed in the Masters tournament. After day one, he was in first place. He was the youngest player to ever be in the lead after the first day. Yet, that was not the only time he would make history in that tournament. On the fourth and final day, things started to go wrong. After the third round, Rory McIlroy had shot the worst round of golf. In History. The struggle continued, and he went on to play poorly in events following the Masters Tournament.

But he didn't give up. And he didn't let a string of defeats be the reason he stopped. So he came to the US Open ready to compete. Rory McIlroy won the US Open. The second place person was 8 shots behind. McIlroy's overall score was 16 under par, beating a previous record held by Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Lee Janzen.  In my opinion, that's pretty impressive.

Take away lesson: You are going to have a bad game. Maybe even a string of bad games, low scores, and poor performances. But don't let those losses be the story that defines you. Rory McIlory didn't. And he continued to play until he could once again make a history. And this time he will be remembered as a winner.