Crossfit, Warrior Dash & First 10k Race

*Warning: Kind of a long post...but keep reading!!* :)

CROSSFIT

KB. 21-15-9. KTE's.AMRAP.WOD.Tabata

If you've heard these terms/acronyms...maybe wondered what the heck they are...this is Crossfit. Most people have heard about it, and lots have already joined in on the "fun". I'm kind of a latecomer to it, seeing as it's been around since 2000. Nowadays, there are Crossfit gyms everywhere, there's even a National Crossfit Competition...and it's gaining more and more popularity all the time!

A typical whiteboard WOD

Basically, it's a short workout (as short as 20 min.) that can be described as "constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement" and involves anything from jump ropes and kettlebells, to gymnastics rings and tires. Tires, yes HUGE tires! :/

Tire sledges

But let me tell you...it is FUN & ADDICTING & MOTIVATING! Here's my story (the short version, I promise)...

I started running consistently a little over a year ago when I lived in Omaha for a short period of time. Didn't really enjoy it, but liked the results I was seeing. Over the years, I have gained some weight and my husband has heard me complain about it, way too many times. Since moving to Charlotte, I ran a few times, here and there, went to the gym a few times, here and there...nothing really worthwhile. I noticed though, that my pet sitter was looking awfully fit, each time I'd see her...so I asked her "Um, what are you doing?!" She told me her husband managed a local gym and that he had been training her & a friend with Crossfit-style workouts. I said, "Can I get in on that?" I honestly didn't know much about Crossfit, other than I knew some people who did it, it looked tough, and it was usually conducted in groups doing circuit-type rotations. Right at that time, her husband had decided to start a weekly group workout and I went Day 1. It left me limping for a few days (not joking), sore as heck, BUT I told myself that I was going to go back. Well, I did...and I've been going ever since!!

 In action with training ropes & squats

I can tell you that I personally saw results pretty quickly. I don't really base a lot on weight, but I've lost a few lbs., my clothes are fitting better, I have more energy, and I'm feeling some muscles starting to develop! :) I LOVE it! Now, that said, I still have a long way to go, I realize that, but I'm making progress!! Now, I also need to say that along with Crossfit, I'm still keeping up with my running & yoga, and have adopted a somewhat Paleo-style eating plan (which deserves its own post...so more on that another time). But it's great, I'm always looking forward to my next WOD: Workout of the Day!

WARRIOR DASH

Two weekends ago, I participated in the Warrior Dash that came to Charlotte. It is THE world's largest running series, consisting of a 5-6k course with 11-12 obstacles (e.g. jumping over fire, crawling through mud pits, and sliding down fire poles). It was just for fun, and all I wanted to do was finish...I knew some of what to expect, but also knew it was going to be tough. But I DID IT! Finished in about 55 minutes...seriously, I definitely struggled a little, but it was super fun once it was over! :P

Jumping over the fire & finishing the race out of the last mud pit

Celebrating - somewhat cleaned up...couldn't pass up the beer stein! :)

1ST 10K RACE

I took a mini-vacation last week to drive back to southern IL, (1) to visit family/friends, (2) to head up to our hometown Italian Festival that happens every year, and (3) to run the festival's 10k on Memorial Day. I've ran a few 5k's before, and have been running consistently (up to 8 miles on some weekends) for about 2-3 months now. I wanted to sign-up for a race and push myself a little, so a 10k it was. 

Me before the race...I even wore green, white & red, since it WAS an Italian Festival :P

And here are some actions shots:

At around mile 2 - this is where I had to mentally tell myself, okay, it's really hot, but you're almost halfway there, you can do this! I've ran a few long runs, but in a race, it surprised me how much you mentally have to keep yourself going. I took it mile by mile.

Getting ready to cross the finish line at 1:08:17 (placed 4th in my age group!!)

Worn out & rehydrating...even at 8am, it was SO hot out!

And here I am with my younger brother, an AMAZING runner/track star...he ran the 1-mile dash in around 5 min flat! :0

My goal was really to finish, this time around...and to avoid walking as much as possible. I ended up walking for about 10-20 seconds, just at the 4-5 water stations...so not bad. I kind of wanted to finish in an hour or less, but that's okay...close enough! ;) All in all, a great 1st 10k...now the question is, what race to do next?!?! Luckily, in Charlotte, I have many to choose from, seeing as there are races scheduled practically every weekend all year long.

Thanks for reading about my fitness fun going on right now, what are you doing to stay fit and get healthy? Have you tried Crossfit? Have you ever ran a Warrior Dash? I would love to hear about some of your experiences!! 

Comment below or email me at changeisnecessaryforgrowth@gmail.com

***Also, have you entered my Beauty Box Giveaway?? 
If not, check it out!!*** 

Another Easy Peasy Dinner

Well, I'm back with another SUPER easy dinner that I threw together the other night. Again, it's nothing fancy and I'm sure nothing new & inventive in the cooking world. But it was quick, pretty healthy and tasted SO good!!!

Shrimp & Broccoli with Rice:

Sauteed about 20 small shrimp (I love shrimp) in EVOO, minced garlic and some crushed red pepper
Boiled broccoli (like the bag said), but then baked it in the oven (10 min) with some s/p/Parmesan cheese
Microwaved some white rice
Tossed all together with s/p

You could make this dinner with steak, chicken, tofu or just some other vegetables. I've been buying those little cups of rice (white & brown) that you can just pop in the microwave for about a minute. They are the perfect serving size and super easy. Plus, there's a coupon in each package! :) Also, I tossed the leftover EVOO mixture together with the shrimp/broccoli/rice...and it gave it so much flavor! You could also substitute the white rice for brown rice - I was out of brown rice, unfortunately, but I try to mix it up from meal-to-meal. All in all, quick & delicious!!

So I don't know if can you tell, but I'm on a health(ier) kick lately:

 

Mango-flavored coconut water; taco salad; my "easy peasy pasta"; salad with chicken, cheese & Italian dressing

Apple; edamame; baked potato with cheese

 Panera's Thai chopped chicken salad, apple & iced green tea; Panera's grilled chicken Caesar salad, chicken noodle soup, apple & iced green tea

You know I'm serious when I'm even eating healthier at Panera...it's one of my go-to places on a weekly or biweekly basis, but I'm usually ordering their broccoli-cheese soup, a panini, bread bowl, bagel...not as healthy, but SO yummy! I will say, if you haven't tried their iced green tea, go for it! It's AWESOME!

Hopefully I can stay on this kick, because I'm finding that it's easier to make healthier choices when I plan out meals, use things I already have in my pantry, and look at restaurant menus ahead of time.

I found this on Pinterest, and I'm trying really hard to listen to it, because I think it says a lot:

Pinned here (Fitness Board)

I don't know about you, but that just makes me really STOP and THINK about what I'm putting in my body!! I'm not perfect though...and I'm still learning - I have cheat days, I may not be eating something that is as healthy as I think it is...but I'm trying. It's a work-in-progress!

I'd love to hear about any quick & easy dinners you've been throwing together...or things you're eating that are on the healthier side - leave them in the comments!! :)

Making Some Big Changes

Prior to 2011, I had begun to make some big changes in my life. So, I don't technically group these goals/changes as resolutions. In reality, these are changes that I had started to make in the past...but unfortunately, never followed through with. I would go with them for awhile, making some progress...then gradually let them fall to the waste side. But, I'm proud to say that I am doing well in keeping up with these changes, especially with the help of my wonderful and supportive hubby! He is one great motivator, let me tell you! So, I'll let you in on some of these changes...

• An easy one...take vitamins every day! Okay, some of you may be like, uh...okay?! But seriously, for some reason, I will take them for a few days straight and then just magically forget, which then turns into...I don't take vitamins. I know that I need to take them and am really trying to make sure it is part of my daily routine. Around November, I purchased these from GNC:

I bought these, in hopes that they would provide me with a bit more energy (something I seem to always be lacking). I'm not sure that the extra energy supplements really work, but at least I know that I'm getting all of the vitamins that I need on a daily basis. So far, I'm doing good on this goal.

• Do away with soda and drink A LOT more H2O! This one is going great! I stopped drinking soda mid-December and am proud to say that I have not had one soda since. And I haven't definitely up'd my intake of water! I've done this before...I've gone on a 'no-soda' kick for a few months and then I'll give in, have one when I'm out at a restaurant somewhere...and once again, I'm drinking soda regularly. But the fact that I'm looking to water, sports drinks, green tea as alternatives has definitely kept me on my 'no-soda' kick thus far. I can definitely tell a big difference too!

• Running regularly! So, again...in all truth, I've never been a big runner. I was never on the track/cross-country team...I would occasionally run on the treadmill while exercising throughout high school/college. But, definitely nothing over 1 mile or so. I started up running a bit when I was living in Monterey...got up to about 3 miles, but stopped because, yeah...it's tough! :P But see, the husband over the past couple of years has really gotten into running, has ran a few races and is still getting more and more into it. Once I moved to Omaha, I was running outside on various trails and increased my mileage to about 6 miles...the most I had ever run...and then winter hit! I stopped! Excuses, excuses. Since the beginning of December, I have been running very consistently on the treadmill...about 3-4 miles and have come down from a 14 min/mile pace to a 11 min/mile pace! However, the treadmill is definitely much harder than running outside, in my opinion. I get so bored on the treadmill and I really have to work extra hard to keep from looking at my mileage/time every 5 minutes! But, I'm doing it and I always try to remember how good I feel after a run. I think that's big for me...but I am definitely looking at becoming a regular runner and completing some races in the next year or two. I even got myself some new running shoes recently, which I was in desperate need of! They are working wonders!!

• Counting calories/eating healthier! I know, this is on everyone's resolutions list/goals for the next year...but I am actually doing this! It started in early December...I began drinking a whey protein shake for lunch. This cut my calories big-time and I have not been eating out during the week (which is a big change). The husband and I are counting calories together, which is very helpful in keeping each other in-check. And, I mean, we are in no way starving ourselves. But, keeping a list of what we are eating each day allows us to keep track of what we're eating and how much we're eating. The hubby and I still treat ourselves, using the weekends to go out to eat...but I am so much more conscious of what I am ordering at a restaurant and what kind of foods I am putting in to my body.

*I don't want to get too hung up on weight or size, but in general, I just want to get back to being "fit" and working out regularly...in general, just taking care of myself. I have noticed a big difference in my energy level and my attitude towards making time each day to work out. And clothes are definitely starting to fit a little bit better (which is always a plus). :) 

• Find a job related to my degree/skills! So, a little background...I have an advanced degree in Applied Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial Organizational Psychology (a mouth-full, I know!). Basically, I have a background in areas such as: statistics, survey development, program evaluation and applied research practices. I was lucky to find a position in Monterey that allowed me to at least practice my skills analyzing data sets and working with a professor on his research projects...but a lot of my other skills that I enjoy were placed to the side. Moving around ( being in the military) doesn't really make things easy...and I have had to take temporary positions, which I am not too proud to take. I realize that with the economy as it is, I should be thankful to be given work and I will do anything I have to do to help support my family. But, I also really want to be doing what I paid to go to school for and enjoy practicing. I've been working my butt off, applying for jobs...working on my resume. Man, it is not easy and it's exhausting! Hopefully things will work out and I'll let you know if I hear anything :)

Well, those are some of the changes I have been making and are continuing to make in my life...and I just thought that I would share them all of you. My main goal each day is just to try and stay motivated!! It is an easy concept, but a challenge for a lot of people, including me...and I am really just taking it one day at a time :) Alright, well I am off to fix myself some dinner...hope everyone has a great week!

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.

~Martin Luther King, Jr., speech, Detroit, Michigan, June 23, 1963.