THE STRIVING

For many, the workout today at ALL IN CrossFit will be a challenge- lots of running, lots of double-unders (or the dreaded 3-to-1 singles), and even a chance to get upside down. I was commenting to my morning class that CrossFit takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to try new things. Just when you think life is boring and humdrum, you can learn something new!

Jana owning that rope!

Just yesterday, Jana and I decided to meet up at the gym and finally learn how to properly climb a rope. We pulled up a fabulous video by Laura Galassi from the CrossFit Journal (http://journal.crossfit.com/2013/02/ropeclimb-laurie.tpl), and literally within five minutes, we were shimmying up the rope like a couple of monkeys. The sense of pride I had in finally getting that confusing “rope around the foot” technique stayed with me the rest of the day.

This got me to thinking about how CrossFit is way more than just a fitness program. Now that we have been open for four months, things are starting to click with our members. Changes are being seen and felt. This week alone, I have received several texts and Facebook messages that show the difference CrossFit is making in someone’s life.

Obviously, CrossFit will change you physically. Somebody texted me the following:

Love putting on my shorts from last summer and realizing they’re too big!!! (Or actually just not too tight anymore) woo hoo!!

As someone who used to use the “shorts’ test” to determine how much I needed to starve myself for the upcoming warmer months, I can relate to what an awesome feeling it is to try on last year’s clothes and find them to be too big. All you have to do is come to the gym and keep showing up- the physical changes are a given!

But CrossFit can bring about more than just physical changes. It can also bring an enormous amount of pride as someone finds herself doing really incredible things. Here’s a text I received last night:

Bringing [my husband] with me in the morning for one more workout before heading [out-of-town]. He’ll be surprised to see I work harder now! Gotta show him my pull-ups!

You can literally feel the excitement this person has to show her spouse what she’s been doing at ALL IN. When is the last time you have been so proud of something you did that you couldn’t wait to show your significant other?

CrossFit can also give you back a sense of self that maybe you have been missing as you have gotten lost in your roles at work or with family. Somebody sent this to me via Facebook:

CF is the hardest thing I have ever done physically – but I love it. The CF community has been really good for me. I have lost myself to work and kids and needed a better balance. Thanks for all you do.

Getting better every day, Molly!

It may sound hokey, but I promise you, a whole new person can emerge from a CrossFit gym. It is never too late to find yourself again.

So if you are not a CrossFitter, you are probably thinking, “Blah, blah, blah… Shelby makes it sound like CrossFit will bring about world peace.” No, I don’t think that. But I do think unbelievable things can happen to a person inside a CrossFit gym.

My friend, Lisbeth Darsh, who writes the most awesome CrossFit-based inspirational blog, recently posted something that just hit home with me. You can find it here: http://crossfitlisbeth.com/2011/09/02/there-will-come-a-day/. My favorite line was the following:

Remember, the key to all of life is the striving, the chase, the pursuit of better, faster, stronger — in body or mind matters. Or even matters of the heart. Striving is key. Pursuit is key.

And isn’t that what living life- truly living life- is about? The striving? Here’s my comment to her post:

People wonder why CrossFitters become so obsessed. I think it is because as we grow older, we forget how to strive for excellence. We become complacent and accept our station in life. When you enter a CrossFit gym, the desire to improve and to get better is reawakened. If you can get better in the gym, then perhaps you can get better at your job, in your relationships. 

It may sound silly to those who don’t CrossFit, but I bet those who do, know exactly what I am talking about.