What Motivates You?

When I first started this journey, it was because I was tired of looking in the mirror and not happy with what I was seeing. I was over being the biggest person out of my friends. Not being comfortable in a bathing suit. Not able to shop at Express or other places because they stopped at size 12. I can go on and on...

 

(Over 200 lbs)

But what about now? I'm finally at a point in my life (and worked damn hard to get here) where I am comfortable in my body. I say comfortable because I know I can always achieve more! 


For the longest time my weight stayed between 160-170. Granted, this was 30 lbs LESS than my heaviest, it was my plateau point and for a moment I was content that this is where I thought my body would stay. I had almost convinced myself that I couldn't lose anymore weight. Glad I got that thought out of my head! So what motivated me to push to that next level? Seeing other people who had the results I wanted! I read up on what they did: their workouts, their diet, their lifestyle. Ok, so I may never be a world class athlete but doesn't mean we can't take on some of the same habits as them. Social networks and blogs allow us to be closer to those who inspire us than ever before. Biggest part of this though is putting the plan into action. Many people read books and have all of the knowledge in the world on how to get to their goals, but never take the actions to get there. 

(170 lbs)

            
I can remember the first day I saw a "hint" of abs...it was like Christmas morning! I probably sat there in the mirror for a good 10 minutes trying different angles to see the muscles forming (don't act like you've never done it). It's definitely a great feeling to daily look at yourself and see new muscles forming, or shave your legs and get annoyed at the AWESOMELY sculpted calves that you now have to conquer. But this isn't my biggest motivation these days...

(150 lbs)

Something that is very new to me is how people have been inspired by my progress. As mentioned, I've struggled my whole life with weight so compliments on my physique are foreign to me. I'm still getting used to being the size I am. I'll go into a store and pick up a shirt thinking it will be too small, only to try it on and be too big! So for people to give me compliments on my body, I probably still look at them like I'm crazy (sorry). But that's what this is all about, helping each other, motivating one another to reach our common goal - a healthy lifestyle! I'm still motivated by those elite athletes like Camille Leblanc-Bazinet (who wouldn't be motivated by her?!) but I'm more so motivated by those who just a month ago couldn't even run a mile or do a squat and are now finishing 5K's! These are the people who truly inspire me and my true motivation!

(Mom & I after her 1st 5K...so proud of her!)

What is CrossFit?

I get this question almost daily "What is CrossFit?" And yes, I can sit there and give you the technical definition as described by CrossFit.com: "CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide." 


But honestly, what does that mean? Simply put, CrossFit is a varied combination of functional movements of strength and conditioning at high intensities. A wod (workout of the day) could range anywhere from lasting a few minutes to over an hour (Filthy 50 partner style-cough-cough). So what makes CrossFit so successful?

I'm not going to sugar coat things -YES, CrossFit is hard and beats the crap out of ya! (literally, I have the bruises to prove it) I would say the number 1 reason why people don't start something is a fear inside that's holding them back. Well, hate to break it to you, I get scared before every wod, that doesn't go away. But you learn to "embrace the suck"! Especially when this "suck" provides a self of accomplishment and visible results! 


One thing you have to remember is that you are not in this alone. I CrossFit at CrossFit Rock Hill and they are like my family! I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to just fall over during a wod but one of my coaches is there encouraging me on or my favorite "1, 2, 3-GO" which is their nice way of saying to get going! Then there are the encouraging chants ringing through the box from each and every person, we are never too "tired" to motivate one another. You wouldn't believe the power of words! Then last but not least, is the fight within yourself. That voice that says to keep going, this pain you're feeling is just temporary! That inner voice keeps tabs on the clock as well, pushing you until the final second. 

So I hope this gave those newbies of the world of CrossFit a little insight. It's one of those things where you just have to go do it. Take it from me, took me a year to take that first step and now it's my passion.

If you are a CrossFit athlete, why did you start? 

What made you take that first step? 

What keeps you going?

So this is where my story starts...

I've struggled my entire life with my weight. I've always been active, running and playing every sport. In high school I was the co-captain of the field hockey team, state champs, then played in college, all that good stuff. So you would think all is great...


Then came a point in my life when I decided to be rebellious and move all over the country, partying in every city along the way! I thought life was grand: living in the big cities, had all these "friends", and partied almost nightly. I will never regret anything I've done because it's made me the person I am; however, I'm not proud of the person I was. I will say, I made a few good friends along the way-they know who they are! :)


So how did I let myself get like this? We all have those days when we look in the mirror and are like "UGH"..well this was everyday for me. At my largest, I weighed over 200lbs and was a size 16! Over the last year, I slowly lost 30 lbs. I know that's awesome but I would lose 20, gain 5, lose 10, gain a few. Nothing consistent, nothing that in a year would still be the same. My weight was fluctuating as much as I changed the city I lived in!


This may sound silly, but this past January I started on this whole Pinterest thing. I was addicted like every other woman in America-planning my future wedding (yes, I was single), future baby pics (should maybe get married first), and pinning pictures of these women with AMAZING bodies that I wanted. Then it hit me -- "Why can't I be one of these women? Why can't I have an AMAZING body?" That is when my mindset changed...


The best decision I have ever made came this past February. I decided to move from sunny Florida to good ole Rock Hill, South Carolina to be closer to my family. My mother has also struggled with weight herself, so together we made a vow to work together to hit our goals. We were eating healthy, protein, veggies, and small amounts of grains. Our workout routine was going to Zumba classes at the local Y and I would also go for a run a few times a week (maybe for 2-3 miles). Ok..so a few inches were coming off...woo hoo! But this wasn't enough, what else could I do?


One great friend I've made through my travels is Kristen, she's been telling me for the past year to start this thing they call CrossFit and eat Paleo. I can say I probably gave her every excuse in the book as to why I couldn't do this. Yes, I saw her results, she looks amazing, but I'm sure I can do that on my own. You want me to eat like a cave person, NO grains, and pay over $100 for some gym membership? No thanks! Honestly, I was just scared of it! You google CrossFit and you see people in agony or lying on the floor in pain! 


Then it hit me, if I wanted that sculpted body, I should take Kristen's advice. I signed up for a free intro class at CrossFit Rock Hill and bought a book on Paleo.


March 12, 2012 - 1st day of my new life....

Welcome to my Blog!

Well...I've finally given in and created my own personal blog! I've been creating blogs for my job and telling my life story everywhere else, guess I'll make it official and put it in a blog. I never really had any intentions of putting my life on the internet until I started a new life for myself. I'd say the past few years of my life have been some of the worst and now some of the best. I'd love for people to come here and learn from my mistakes and grow together as I strive in my new goals. 


Let the journey of blogging begin!

Krysta Marie