CrossFit..that's what I am!

Amish Really?

2011-10-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sound asleep it's 4:54 am and my fan stops working...the noise that drowns out the rest of the world has me sitting upright in bed. I glance around and the whole room is dark. Not just normal dark - dark dark. We have NO power.

What do I do? Reach for my I-phone. I text Jim who I know just left and tell him we have no power...reset my alarm for 6 am and try to doze off....my alarm sounds at 6:am and I go wake Brooke up. The world is dark, the house is silent. It's actually kind of creepy. Brooke says she like to snooze so I hand her, her I-phone and head back to the quiet of my own bed.

I can't muster the power to pull my big butt out of bed and start my day. How do you do all that in the dark....finally I get up and find a flashlight because I hear Brooke moving around and bumping into things in the bathroom. I light 3 candles and set them around the kitchen, carry the flashlight to Brooke in the bathroom and once again crawl back into bed.

I am trying desperately to sleep and get up at the same time...I check Facebook on my I-phone and realize Holly is having the same dilemma - poor Holly and Carole...no way to make coffee. I sigh and think how am I ever going to get out of bed in the dark and without coffee. I heard Brooke getting her breakfast around, heard her go into her room to eat, and on her way out I convinced her to crawl in bed with me. If you can't beat em' join em' right?

As Brooke crawled into my bed with her flashlight shining in one hand and her I-phone securely held in her other hand...we laid there and she said to me "Man, I feel like we're Amish!" I said "Oh my gosh, me too...how do they drink coffee?" Then I said something like this "So, have you been on Facebook this morning?" and she giggled and said "Yeah, it's the only thing I have!" "Me too!" I said.

Right about then Jim walked in with my Starbucks.

Silly Amish Girls!!!

12 weeks and counting.....

2011-10-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

We are now UNDER the 12 week mark for the Indy North Competition -

I am excited yet nervous. I spent this past weekend retaking my level 1 CrossFit Certification in Grand Blanc Michigan - CrossFit continues to amaze me.

What did I learn this weekend - maybe I should say relearn. There were many things I knew but you tend to let them slip and slide to the wayside as time passes on....my favorite line was:

Magic is in the Movement (Anyone can do them!)
Science is in the Explanations (Trainers - that's for you!)
Art is in the Programming (It's not easy!)
Heart is in the Community (For all the people we love!)

CrossFit as a WHOLE is a unique community. You see when you meet another CrossFitter it's kind of like a respect thing. You just know their capabilities - whether they just started or are well into their exploration as a CrossFitter. I love attending ANYTHING CrossFit because we are a group of people beyond comparison to any other groups of people.

CrossFit makes me happy - and sometimes I let myself be defined by what I am capable of doing as a CrossFitter! Is this Good? Is this Bad? I guess that is a matter of personal opinion - I'll let you decide....

So day 1 of my training for the Indy North competition just happens to be a rest day - this body is TIRED!! 2 days of certification training - makes me ready for a nap!

Another quote worth sharing - "Do not FEAR your workout - RESPECT it!" I did just that this time when they ran us through Fran at the end of a very long day. I respected her - she still kicked my ass and left me rolling on the floor like an infant - but I respected her. I suppose that means that this time, I'm not allowed to call her a bitch!

Fear to Pride

2011-10-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

As soon as I hit the enter button I felt it - the bile started rising from my stomach and stopped in my throat like a knot. I thought for sure I was going to toss my cookies right then and there. But it was too late - I had already made the commitment.

It's the same feeling I get when I start my CrossFit workout. I think for sure that whatever is sitting in my throat is going to exit my body - but I swallow hard and I push it down. I won't let it come up - I refuse to let fear engulf me.

It's fear - fear of the unknown and the unknowing. Fear of what could should or might happen. Fear of making a fool of yourself or messing up. Fear I will not let it engulf me. Fear that I might step out of my comfort zone.....

.....and then it settles as I start my workout the knot disappears and everything is familiar. My body knows what to do whether it's a kettlebell swing, a clean and jerk, a pull-up, run, burpee, whatever my body pushes through and performs.

And then it's over. What are you left with when it's over? It's an entirely new feeling...the bile is gone, the fear is gone, and you are PROUD!! Pride is a feeling of exhilaration and excitement and knowing that you accomplished something of that magnitude - where just minutes before you feared now you are proud!!!

I like Pride - I like that feeling!

Committing to the 2012 Great Lakes Invitational at CrossFit Indy North left me with that exact feeling of fear - I can't wait to turn that into pride.

Train each day to make yourself better than the last.......

Today is day 1....

2011-10-19T08:22:00.001-07:00

I did it. Finally. I disposed of all my negativity and today is day 1.

I have spent the morning forgiving those who have wronged me. I have cleared the word I can't from my vocabulary. I have taken the nonsense out of my head and placed it in the nearest trash can.

I will no longer succumb to my insecurities. I will no longer let my insecurities control me.

I feel like the looking in the mirror and saying, "I am good enough, I am strong enough, and damn people like me!!!" But I won't....

My point is this, I can't move forward with luggage on my back - it's too heavy of a load and I won't carry it with me any longer. I REFUSE!!

So, moving forward with a vengeance.....because I am good enough, I am strong enough, and damn people like me!

Oh Yeah - and I have some pretty lofty goals. So that means if you hear me in the gym using the word I can't I give you permission to punish me severely. Today was day 1....my goal was 3 rounds of double under's with no cussing. I did it.....cause I CAN!!!

Parents: Role Reversal

2011-10-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

So this past Sunday I got the pleasure of driving to Fort Wayne to spend the afternoon with my parents. This task was originally assigned to me by my oldest sister Kathy who normally takes care of my parents the majority of the time. She needed some help and called on the clan to take turns feeding my parents Sunday dinner and spending quality time with them.

I originally treated this task as another get it done and check it off my list kind of an item. You see I was moving at such a fast pace through life that I didn't really take the time to stop and think about what is really happening.

My parents are older - I am the youngest of 9 children and my mom was 38 years old when she had me...with me living up north I have lost touch with what is really happening back home. It's one of those things I always warn Brandon about....just because you're not here in the everyday life doesn't mean that time is sitting still. I walked into my parents house with some thoughts that time was sitting still. Let me tell you, it's not!

My dad has Alzheimer's and my mom is showing signs of memory loss but more importantly she hurts physically. She has some back and hip issues and she loses her balance very easily. She gets along OK in a walker but really they are dependent on others now. Something I never thought I would see from the two people that spent their entire lives caring for others.

We had the kind of home where no one was a stranger - we could bring home strays - and I'm not talking animals here - and they were always accepted in our home. They were fed a nice dinner, talked to like part of the family, and if necessary had a bed made for them somewhere. With warm blankets and a good night kiss....it's just the way they rolled.

So I walked into Mom and Dad's home with bags of groceries ready to make it a good day. Now, Kathy had warned me that mom was a little "grouchy" that morning. So, I started unpacking the groceries and "testing the water!'' Telling mom and dad every little surprise that came out of my bag. I said "we have salmon", mom said "we had fish last night!" I said "and I bought some yummy sweet potatoes", mom said "I don't like sweet potatoes!" I said as I was pulling the yummy goodies out of the bag "but I bet you like cookies, we are gonna bake as well!" Hmmm, no comment here? I believe I am making headway.

So we started right off baking cookies. Now, let's go back a few plus years. My dad was an awesome baker. I have so many wonderful memories of being at the bakery and watching his mastery at hand. I could never get enough of going in to work with him and being a part of his day. My dad's Alzheimer's has left him at a stage where he no longer knows what things are called - but he was SO interested in what I was doing and he wanted to be by me and do everything I was doing. He wanted SO much to be a part of the cookie baking process and to experience the role reversal was almost too much for me to handle. It's very scary watching your parents age.

As soon as the cookies started coming out of the oven, we started munching on them. I will ignore the fact that my mother told me I burned them only because the best thing I ever saw was my father eating the cookies like they were going out of style. Our role reversal was now complete - I couldn't even muster the words "don't spoil your dinner!" because I didn't even care if he ate dinner at this point. He was like a sneaky little boy - every time he walked by the cookies 2-3 went in his hand.

As dinner was cooking dad took it upon himself to get our plates and utensils ready for dinner. When he was taking out the plates I told him there were 6 of us....he can't count so he just kept handing me the plates until I told him we had enough. Then he said to me "What are those things called that we eat with?" and I said "forks?" and he said "Yeah, I think so - how many of those do we need?" FLASHBACK to my childhood - setting the table and my dad counting the plates for me and getting all of the silverware out - we always had to wrap the silverware in a napkin like you were at a restaurant when we set the table. My dad sat at the kitchen table for nearly 10 minutes trying to make sure we had enough forks and wrapping them like a pro once he figured out we did. My favorite part of this moment was Brooke looking over at me and whispering "Mommy, look he's wrapping the silverware!" I said "I know, it's how we always do it!"

Well, to wrap up this event my mom LOVED my sweet potatoes and even called Kathy and proudly announced that she ate sweet potatoes for dinner. Kathy praised her like a child and mom beamed. Dad ate all of his dinner despite the grand amount of cookies he ate.

You see - what I didn't notice when I was running around in Mishawaka, Elkhart, and South Bend like a chicken with my head cut off - is that I was missing out on something so much more important. My parents when they needed me the most. The smiles, the hugs, the praise, the love, the grouchies, the memories that were made on Sunday along with the ones that were buried so deep in my heart.......

Thank you Kathy - this was not a task at all. Thank you for helping me realize that I was needed back at home. I love you and I love the great care that you are taking for our parents. I know it's not an easy job by far and I will be there to help anytime you need me.

Things I Never Knew.....

2011-10-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today as I was working I received an e-mail from Brooke at school - she had been assigned a project that involved writing 3 stories that could stand alone as there own story but if put together could make 1 story. She needed my help in finding a title. What I found was so much more than a title of a story for a high school language arts project.

The days, months, and years that I was going through my divorce are probably some of the most "selfish" days of my existence as a mother. Selfish in my mind because I spent a great deal of time reflecting on my OWN happiness. Don't get me wrong - I had spent endless hours sitting on a chair in a psychologist office telling him that I was willing to endure a life of misery to keep my children happy. But the reality of it all was my children weren't going to be happy unless I was. So came to life, the misery that I put my family through with the choices I made as a wife and mother.

I knew in "The End" that it would be OK - because I knew there wouldn't be an "END" until it was!!

Here is what my daughter wrote about - her pain is still very raw in my heart. I will do anything to protect my children from pain. But, in the end.....I have never been a prouder parent. My children are my world. They are the reason I exist. And if I sent this beautiful child out into the world today - I know that my job as a mother is pretty damn good. I am SO proud to share her story with my friends and family.

Divorce Through My Eyes

And Then There

Were Two

We were always one. One unit, one clan, one team, one cult. One family. We went together as well as a new born and its mother. We were the fabulous, fantastic five. My mom, dad, brother, Brandon, sister, Brianna, and me.

But one day, a hurricane came and swept us off our feet, we did not know what to do. The black hole of despair swallowed us whole into the darkness and emptiness of divorce. BOOM! Our entire world was changed.

Alone, that is how we felt. Alone, with no one to turn to. Alone, with nothing to grab onto. Alone, like a cub without his mother. Alone.

When the news came that we had to separate, it was a horror movie in our house. There were fits, as if we were five years old. There were screams, as if the world was about to end. But most of all, there were cries, cries of help, cries of hope, and cries of loneliness.

We needed help. We needed love. We needed God. We needed friends. But most of all, we needed each other, through the paths and struggles of divorce.

A Listening Ear

“AHHHHHHHH!” That is what was boiling inside me for the seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, months, and at point years that followed the horrendous news. I wanted to scream like a baby that can not be helped. I wanted to scream so everyone could hear me. But I didn’t.

I did not let out any clues about the volcano inside of me waiting to erupt. I was silent. No, not mute, but silent, about my true feelings. None of my friends knew what was happening, I was good at hiding my feelings. I acted happy, acted. Yes, at points I was, but at some, I felt on the verge of my eruption. But, I was silent.

My family was falling apart…. my mom moved out…. my sister was never home…. my brother and dad hid in their rooms…. my house was not my home. I felt alone. I did not have anyone to tell my feelings too because I was embarrassed of what my friends would think.

Then, I found him. I told him my feelings, and he handled my big eruptions. He listened, and did not interrupt. He was always there, wherever I was. He kept my hopes up through out the day. He did not give up on me. He lent a helping hand when I needed it. He was a miracle worker. He helped my family strengthen through this weakening travel. God was my listening ear.

Final Happiness

Some may say that divorce never ends in a happy ending. That it is always a shadow lingering behind you. That no matter if you feel an endless supply of happiness, that shadow comes back to haunt you. Those people are wrong.

No, I do not think of divorce as delightful, but as a new beginning. We were all happy, there was no more screaming between our parents, we did not have to hide in our rooms, and we felt as if we could finally be comfortable in our house, even if we did not all live together. We all have had and still have our moments we wish we were still together, but we are also very grateful that we do not have to go through the pain of fighting in the house. Our clan seemed to become closer in a process that usually separates families.

In addition to our family becoming closer, I gained a new loving, caring, and reliable step-dad, step-brother, and step-sister. My mom got remarried to Jim, who had two kids already, and they feel like my blood-related siblings. From gaining these three new additions to my family, I also gained new life lessons. My step-dad taught me how to get closer to God, more then just going to church. I learned, from a bright, bubbly seven year old, to use my imagination, no matter what age. He also taught me to be patient, and to never give up when helping someone try to accomplish a goal. From the bubbly four year old, I saw what I was like when I was little. I also learned how to be a good role model and older sister for the two younger ones, since I was always the youngest of the bunch.

Divorce, a thing most people think of as separation, actually brought me closer with my family and complete strangers, who soon became my family. For me, my parents divorce brought a final, happy ending.

Looking Forward to Double Unders?

2011-09-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

It happened - today was the day that I NEVER thought would exist in my CrossFit World!! I was in the middle of my WOD and it dawned on me that I was actually looking forward to the Double Under portion of my workout. NOW - before anyone get's their panties in an uproar - because you actually know my TRUE feelings about double unders - let me explain myself!

I am sore. I am BEYOND sore. I am SO SORE that I had to roll over onto my stomach to get off of the recliner last night. So picture this - me sitting in the recliner in the relaxed position and NOT being able to lift my upper body forward to get out of the chair, so I proceed to roll over onto my stomach and "SCOOCH" off of the recliner end until my feet hit the floor. At that point I am able to bend my knees and stand tall. Don't laugh, I know you've been there.

So, what made me think I should come to a WOD that had 150 box jumps, 150 DU's and 150 sit-ups? Well, because it was on the board right?

I have been doing some strength training on the side to work on my clean and snatch maxes. I have goals as you all know to get a 155# clean and jerk. After working my strength and running the endurance last night I feel like I have been run over by one of those rollers they use to smooth asphalt!!

Jumping on the box felt like I was lifting 2 100# tree trunks 20" off the ground. Then I got to my DOUBLE UNDERS and it was like a miracle of miracles I was able to get 10-12 starting out...then the numbers dropped by I was pretty happy. And heaven forbid I got to the sit-ups - I couldn't lift my body without grabbing my arse and my thighs to start myself into my sit-up. The first 50 reps I felt the tears streaming from my eyes. Jim told me to use my arms so I would start with the arm swing and my abs said "NOPE" so I had to grab and pull!!!! Vision's of the recliner flashed in my eyes.....and then I thought (here it comes) -

"I can't wait to get back to my double under's!!" WHAT THE HECK!!!!

Someone pinch me, this must be a dream!
I may have to stand to watch the Games tonight!!

Wanted: 1 Dream Interpreter

2011-09-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

Ok - since I have done the triathlon I am having a re-occurring dream! I have had it at least 3 times now and possibly 4 but didn't realize it! If that makes any sense. The last time I had it was on Saturday night - and I believe it was brought on by Karl insisting he was going to teach me how to swim and I WOULD do another Tri. When he talked about it you could literally feel my heart beating outside of my chest!

Here is my dream: Any help you could give would be awesome!

The first time I dreamed this dream I was all alone on a bike ride but I was apparently in a race - as I am riding down the street people are pointing and clapping and cheering me on but they are also counting the "1" me. I ALWAYS come to the same corner and turn right - I do not know where I am but it ALWAYS looks the same. Approximately 50 meters after I turn right I come to this staircase - I know that I have to get off my bike at the staircase and carry my bike down the stairs. Each time I get off my bike and carry it down the stairs to what looks like a path that will take me across this bridge but inevitably every time I get to the last stair the staircase fills up with water and in order to get across to the other side I have to swim under water with my bike. Of course I never make it, I ALWAYS wake up remembering sitting at the bottom of the stairs with my bike but frozen and unable to move forward.

That was my first dream - each time after this there were more people in the race. The second time I dreamed it their were 3 people and I am ALWAYS last. The third time I dreamed it there were 5 people. This past Saturday night I remember being the 23rd person.....(which also happens to be one of my favorite numbers - 3 and 23 are my numbers!) Weird I know! No matter what I am the last person down the staircase and every time I get to the bottom there is water that I can't get across.

Now, let's recall a few things from the triathlon. I was one of the first people in the water because they release us by age and I happen to be an old fart in the gym! I was THE last person out of the water. I swam not to win but to save my life. After the swim - I was mentally OUT of the race. I pretty much biked the 20k with no competition (that's what happens when you're the last one out of the water) and my 5k caught up with some people and was able to pass.

So, the question is - I am still scared? Or is this a sign of some sort? Am I really subconsciously thinking I should do this again?

CrossFit Games on ESPN2

2011-09-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

I can't stop thinking about these ATHLETES!!!!!

I don't know about you - but I can't get enough of this! I am not an avid TV watcher - let alone sports - I have never sat through an entire sporting event - when I watch football - I watch the cheerleaders do their stunts - basketball - can't wait for half time to see the halftime show - hockey - I'm usually the fan that can't wait for a good fight!

The "Sport of Fitness!" I can't stop - this fuels me like nothing ever has. I am so inspired by these athletes that I want to head to the gym after I watch it just to see if I can do half of what they can do.

I have goals that I WILL accomplish - a 155# clean and jerk, a muscle up, their snatches are beautiful, they make everything look so easy. Their athleticism is amazing and I have caught the FEVER!!!

Everyone can do CrossFit - it's a modifiable sport for a reason - we all start at the bottom and now by showing the Games on TV we can see what it's like to be at the top.

What have the games done for your CrossFit? Am I the only one that feels this way? Where do you want to be 6 months from now? What are your CrossFit goals?

Emotion does not equal eat sugar!!!

2011-09-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

How many times have I let this happen? I have a bad day and I head straight for the sugar!?!?!

I knew I had a cheat day left and I was so super proud that I did NOT use it on Saturday for a silly reason like being at Purdue with Bri. I was very good about packing and having "good" food with me while I traveled and when we went out to eat I was diligent about eating smart......

So, 12+ hours later - no sleep - and leaving her at Purdue "again!" Look at what state I am in.....

I must constantly remind myself that EMOTION DOES NOT EQUAL SUGAR!!!!!!!

So, let's talk about Bri....she is doing awesome and it was so nice to see her. She is playing Rugby for Purdue and rushed and made it into Tri Delta Sorority. We ate good food went on a shopping spree laid in bed and watched movies and talked until our faces turned blue.

I can't believe what an awesome woman my daughter is becoming. She is kind, considerate, constantly thinking of others and I am SUCH a proud MAMA!!! She is flourishing and what else could a mom ask for when she sends her daughter off to college? I pray and pray every night that I have given her the values and morals to hold her head high, always stand up for what she believes in, while still taking others feelings into view, but never letting herself be less of herself!!! That's a high standard to live by.....but I think she is well on her way.

I have to take those little moments when we are together and use those to get by until I see her again. There is such a special bond that a mama has with her baby girl......it's so hard yet so rewarding to see them grow up!!

Bri is a 2nd generation Purdue Rugger following in her Daddy's footsteps....Here is a picture of her following her 1st Purdue Rugby Tournament.

Day 15 - Whole 30 Challenge - Veggies Rule

2011-09-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning to an awesome feeling.....today I feel like I have leaned out. Which is my purpose for going strict on the Whole30. I am officially starting day 15 and feel like I am finally over the sugar cravings and onto a newer, better, leaner me!!

I know that I joke around about Starbucks having their International Chocolate Day and how can I survive it but in reality, I am not even craving it. I have found a way to satisfy my "sweet tooth" and I know you're all gonna laugh at me but it's my juice. I crave vegetable juice now!

I have never in my life time eaten so many vegetables in one day. I have vegetable juice for breakfast (homemade of course), a large salad for lunch, and with my dinner I have been eating 2-4 servings of vegetables a night!! I personally was falling into a routine of making sure I got my protein and then if maybe possibly still hungry I would have a "bit o veggies!" Now, I plan my meal around my veggies.

It's been an entire week and I have no urges to lick the donut! How's that for progress?

I have some pretty lofty goals in the gym for December of 2011. I want to RX on Linda - which anything called "3 Bars of Death" should be banned and I want a sub 5 minute Fran. So, with goals I will move forward - eating my veggies and loving life.

I don't even like donuts......

2011-09-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

I can't remember the last time I ate a donut - it has to have been YEARS. I do remember as a child my dad was a baker and we would get up early and he would take us to the bakery to help him fill those early morning donut orders. We would make cake donuts, and ice them, and fill them, and pack them up in boxes. It is a great memory I will forever keep of my father. But - you know what I rarely ever ate them!

So why this morning when I was standing in line waiting for my Starbucks Grande Bold Black Coffee did I want to lick the donut the guy in front of me was eating? I seriously thought to myself I just want to lick the cream right out of that donut!! I swore I was losing my mind!!

I will tell you why - because I am a crazy carb craver!! So what if I just worked out and drank my nice big cup of fruits and vegetables mixed with coconut water - that apparently wasn't enough to curb my carb cravings!! Instead I envision myself licking the cream off the donut of the guy in front of me in line!! SICKO!!!!

Will the carb cravings ever end? Honestly this was one of the first ones I have had in the past 8 days of cutting them out of my life completely!

The moment passed as I walked out with my coffee, I just had to laugh at myself! What's next I say?

A Tri - Really?

2011-08-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

When the call came on that cold December day I joke that I must have been eating a cookie because why else would I agree to swim 500 M, ride 12.4 miles, and run 3.1 miles?

Let's start off with saying this - I don't know how to swim, in fact I hate being in water. There is nothing worse in the world to me than being cold and wet. I haven't ridden my bike in so long the tires were rotted out and it was still holding the baby carrier. Mind you my "baby" is 15. And well this is no ancient chinese secret I hate to run. So, a tri was well, right up my alley!!!

So for almost 7 months I procrastinated. I was asked on occasion if I had worked on my training and pretty much the answer was no. I am constantly asked "aren't you worried at ALL about the swim?"

And here is my answer, I'm not. I don't know why I'm not afraid. But I'm not -at all! I am almost worried myself now that I'm not worried! I have been asked so many times if I'm worried that I'm starting to worry that I'm not worried! How crazy is that?

My thinking (whether rational or not) goes something like this:

There is nothing I cannot do - as long as I am willing to try - then it can and will be done.

I have absolutely NO fear of seeing what is on the other side of the "Tri" door....well I did feel a little tingle of nervousness last night when I was stuck in that Tri suit but that ended promptly when I managed to get it off of me.

So, as with most of my other issues in life I will forge forward and see what is in store for me. I can't wait to share my feelings, thoughts, and experiences with all of you after the actual event.

I will NEVER let FEAR = "False Evidence Appearing Real" take the forefront in my life. I will gladly step in front of it and shut the door in its face.

Emotions....How do you control yours?

2011-08-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

We all have emotional baggage...and ex that did us wrong. A parent that disciplined too much or too little. Something that we are hiding from in our past. It could also be something recent. Sending your child off to college. A break up. Losing your best friend.

What do you do to deal with your emotional baggage? Some of us lean towards food, alcohol, shopping, sugar - what is your vice when your emotions get the best of you?

I personally lean towards sugar. Inevitably when I am having a bad day I will start to actually crave it.....it's all I can think about....and I can't stop the craving until I have it.

But, what if I pushed that craving aside? What if I didn't give into that want, need, or desire to cave? What if I tried a little harder instead of folding when I feel it coming on?

I would feel like I have accomplished something. I would gain confidence. I would feel a satisfaction or a high from NOT giving in.

You see, it's all about choices - when it comes to controlling your emotions you are the only one that can make that choice. Are you going to cave and give into the vice or are you going to take a stand and not let it take you down?

Start with baby steps - today I will NOT give into the pressure of my emotions. Then add in tomorrow, and the next day, and the next! Before you know it, you will be feeling that high of keeping your emotions in check and your confidence will soar making you ready to take on the world.

One day at a time!!!

Oh what fun.......

2010-07-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

"You can't start reaching for the future, if your arms are still wrapped around the past!"

When I saw this I had to read it three times just to let it sink in. If you are ready to make that move, take that next step, walk through that door, then you have to just let go of everything you are holding onto - turn around - and GO!!! If you have been thinking it's time for you to make some changes and can't seem to make it happen - take a deeper look and see what you are holding onto. For most of us it's fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. Don't let this fear take you down. Turn your back to it and make the future the best it can be!

Warm - up
2 x 30 sec dot drill
10 squats
5 sit-ups

Skills
Skin the cat
Jump to support - rings
Ring Row

WOD
15-10-5

Tire Flips
Knees to Elbows
Push-Ups

CrossFit Kidz 7-8-10

2010-07-08T04:17:00.001-07:00

Hailie, Jaden, and Emily learning proper squat form!

WOD

CrossFit Kidz will be working on their gymnastic skills today and a little more of that jumping that we worked on Monday of course in a totally different context as we will be adding the wonderful jump rope.

Why not follow up with the same WOD as the grown-ups are doing today! Who say's kids can't do Annie?

Classes run every Monday and Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm. Keep your eye on the site for news of upcoming "spirit days." We will be concentrating on nutrition on Monday's and fun spirit days on Thursday's.

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CrossFit Kidz 7-5-10

2010-07-05T12:01:00.001-07:00

WOD

AMRAP 3 minutes -2 rounds

6 - 2 feet tire jumps
4- frog jump burpees
5- 1 foot hurdle jump

Today marked the first day of CrossFit Kidz Korner here at CFM. I am so proud of my 3 girls that got up early on the Monday after the 4th of July Fireworks to start today. Today, we concentrated on "jumping". We learned that we get a better jump if we start with our feet under our hips as opposed to on the outside. We learned how to jump with 2 feet straight up in the air, we learned to frog jump with an added burpee, and we learned how to jump with one foot as in jumping over a hurdle.

It was hot and sweaty and I learned that even your eyes can sweat if it gets hot enough. I can't wait till Thursday to see my kidz again!

It's here, it's here, CFM Kidz Korner!

2010-06-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

CFM KIDZ KORNER

Well, it’s finally here!

CrossFit Youth (ages 6-11)

Mon and Thurs 8:30 am (effective July 5, 2010)

Mon and Thurs 6:00 pm (effective July 12, 2010)

I really wanted to start this on July 5^th, but I have already made a commitment to coach the sports camps at church. So, the afternoon sessions will be available July 12 and on.

CrossFit Teen (ages 12-17)

Will fall into our regular scheduled CFM Classes

I have been asked over and over and over when do we get to have CrossFit for our children. When are you going to start a children’s program? Can my child try this also? So you ask and you shall receive.

Effective Monday July 5, 2010, I will start coaching a CrossFit youth program here at CrossFit Michiana. To make this as cost effective as possible we have come up with a punch card system for our children. The punch cards will have 12 punches and be sold for $60.00. The way it works is you will pre-buy the punch card. Your child will bring their card to class and I will punch a hole showing they have used one of their days. I know that kids schedules are constantly changing so it is not required that your child attend all classes in a given month.

I will not only be working with your child in reference to healthy exercise but I will be incorporating healthy eating habits into our classes. What we teach our children today, makes them who they are in the future.

The pricing for CrossFit Teens will be the same as CrossFit Youth; these kids will feed into our regular CrossFit classes. We will limit each CF class to 4 teens, so get your spots NOW!

So, if you have ANY questions, please DO NOT just respond to this e-mail. You need to e-mail me at carole-stevens@sbcglobal.net , and I will take good care of you!

Thanks,

Carole Stevens

www.CrossFitMichiana.com

I'm Addicted to Sugar

2010-06-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Sunday evening I am sitting in my living room stuffed full of every sugary carbohydrate that my house has to offer. I decided instead of throwing it all away, I would "eat" it all away! I was SO very sick. So, I decided right then and there it HAS TO STOP! I spend my day's coaching all of you on nutrition and help guide you along the path of eating correctly and found myself hoarding sugar like a drug addict looking for his next fix.

SO, I decided to put myself out there in front of my Spartans and let them know what I was going to do to "break my sugar habit!" I woke up Monday morning hungover as hell, sugar was seeping out of my pores and sent an e-mail to my Spartans to let them know that for the next two weeks, NO chai latte's for Carole Stevens!

I had asked that my Spartans join me in this challenge and at any given moment to test me and remind me that I cannot have a chai. I need the accountability of my fellow Spartans. So, I heard from a few of them. Crystal, who I am putting out there today has decided to give up sugar for the next two weeks. I will have her back.......and what I love about CrossFit is that I know she will have mine!

Here's to all my Spartan's and the next two weeks, work hard and we will play hard.

Here are Crystal's own words on how the Spartan Challenge has changed her:

"The Spartan Challenge has been a blessing in disguise for me. Physically, I have already dropped one dress size and my family and friends have noticed changes in my appearance as well. My friend, Holli, actually told me that since I have been doing the challenge that she has seen a change in my appearance. She commented how much younger I looked. That was such a nice compliment. However, in actuality I do feel younger because I am stronger and I have more energy. I have also noticed muscles in places I have never seen before. I am lifting more weight now then I have ever done my entire life. During my workouts, I am able to push myself and use heavier weights. I also shaved 5 minutes off my time from last year on the Memorial Day Murphy workout.

Mentally, I feel secure, energetic, alert, and determined. As a Spartan Challenge member, it has given me the determination to push myself and strive for goals. I use to look at the workouts of the day and wonder if I would make it through, now I look at the workouts with the mindset of "I am ready, let's go!" I also look at my fellow Spartans and I see them pushing themselves, reaching their goals, and/or exploring unfamiliar territories they have never seen before and that motivates me mentally to keep fighting. They are my mentors and I appreciate all of them!

Spartan Challenge has also helped me emotionally. It has taught me to fight fear straight on. I have decided that I will not succumb to fear and/or give up. I will not let life pass me by or watch myself wilt away. I want to be able to enjoy my time here with my family and friends.

I am grateful that I signed up for the Spartan Challenge.

Crystal Lam"

You know your CrossFit when.....

2010-06-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

You do a push press with your 13 yr old daughter to retrieve a football from the roof............

So, this weekend I had some eye opening experiences! Some, that were blatantly brought to my attention and some that just after the fact made me realize I might be obsessed with CrossFit. I use obsessed lightly here as we all know that you just can't help it.

So, coming home from the Spartan workout on Saturday I received a call from Brooke...she was taking a bike ride and wanted to show me how quickly you could get to the river from our apartment. So, I ran in the house, grabbed Alvin, and met Brooke outside for our adventure. We were walking home from our little adventure and lo and behold there were two children outside playing and their football had landed on the roof and it was stuck. I took the smallest child and tried to hold him up to reach the football and he was too short. So, the next child I put on my shoulders and told him to stand up...he was petrified - still no football. So, I looked at Brooke and said "We have to do this!"...she passed Alvin to the boys and I told her this: "ok, I am going to do a squat, climb on my back" so she did, straddling my shoulders I easily stood up with my 110 lb "back squat". She couldn't reach the football, so I told her "I am going to do a push press, when I press you over my head I need you to grab the gutter, hold onto the gutter and pull yourself up to the football!" So, I then push pressed my beautiful daughter and saved the day!

Bragging to your boyfriend, he tries to one up you with a story about muscle ups and diapers.....

So, on our way to South Haven later Saturday afternoon I decided to relive my push press experience and started bragging to Jim about pressing Brooke over my head. This is what he said to me, "That's nothing, when I went to buy Gabby diapers this morning there were no size 6's on the shelf in the front so I had to do a muscle up on the shelf in WalMart in order to reach the diapers in the back!" Oh, ok so my 110 push press was nothing compared to a muscle up....I should have known.

Your at the park with your child and you tell her to go get on the pull up bar....she quickly turns her head and says, "Mom, those are MONKEY BARS!"........

Yeah, true story....Saturday evening we were enjoying the fun and sun at South Haven and because you just can't help it when you see them, practicing our pull-ups on the monkey bars. There is nothing better in the world than showing up all those rugrat kids doing kipping pull-ups on monkey bars at the park. You don't think I'm crazy now, do you?

So, yeah...Is CrossFit an addiction? Have you ever tried doing your CrossFit moves somewhere other than the gym? How does CrossFit apply to your every day life?

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Proud Mama

2010-04-07T09:54:00.001-07:00

Ok, so we have all been there before. When your child does something that you just have to tell the world about. Anyone that will listen gets the story over and over and over. You can't help yourself, you are proud and that is the way you get your recognition for a job well done. It's almost like a pat on the back.

So today, I am a proud Mama. The only problem is the two people I am about to brag about are not my children. In fact, they are two grown men whom I have come to enjoy immensely when they walk into my class. I look forward to their humor and of course the way they "rag" on each other is always great! It's great too see lives change before your eyes. That is why I do what I do. I can see people changing right in front of me - are they performing better? YES! looking better? YES! feeling better? YES!

So, here goes. On January 4th of this year Robert and Shane started their very first (and my very first at this time) CrossFit class at 6:15 am on a Tuesday morning. They had spent the last weeks of December going through their essentials and anxiously waiting to step into a class and see what we had to offer. Well, we had Angie to offer. They luckily (this is my version of the story), on their very first day of CrossFit were faced with 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats....in that order, start to finish!!!

I remember the day very clearly because it took them both almost 35 minutes and in a moment of weakness I felt sorry for them and stopped them at 50 squats each. Yes, I like the Grinch, do have a heart and let them off on "easy street!" They joked in their usual fashion about the next time they got to face Angie, how it would be easier. They struggled but never quit to get to the end of the workout.

Fast forward three months to the beginning of our April 4 week session. It has been three months of hard work three times a week - always upbeat my two boys came into class and worked their butts off!!! They did whatever I told them to, with minor jabs here and there at their trainer and at each other....they pushed through each and every workout. Sometimes finishing last, sometimes modifying (because that's what we do), but always a positive attitude!

Robert came to Carl's 7:30 class on Monday March 29, his previous Angie time with jumping pull-ups, modified push-ups, sit-ups, and 1/2 his squats was 34:40. New time with jumping pull-ups, modified push-ups, sit-ups and squats 26:02. He took 9:22 off his time!! Shane came to my 6:15 class on Tuesday March 30, his previous Angie time with jumping pull-ups, modified push-ups, sit-ups, and 1 /2 his squats was 34:33. New time with jumping pull-ups, 30 military and 70 modified push-ups, sit - ups, and squats 23:02. He took 11:31 off his time!

Both of these boys have gone down in weight and body fat. Robert has lost 5.2 pounds and 4.2% body fat. Shane has gone down 7.6% in body fat. They have both worked hard, they have come a long way. I put some pictures of "my boys" up from their very first workout! I will be posting some of their new pics as I get them. Keep up the great work Robert and Shane!!

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Pizza that's good for you?

2010-03-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

Ok, So a few weeks back Jim and I ran into Myra at the grocery store and she was looking for "Almond Meal" and told us she was going to make a paleo pizza! I was like "What the heck is that, I want some...!" So, last Friday night I set out to make my own pizza.

Ingredients:
Crust:
2 Cups Almond Meal/Flour
2 Eggs
2 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tsp salt

Instructions:
Crust:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. This should give you a ball of “dough”. If your dough is too “mushy” continue to add almond flour until you get a good consistency.
3. Make a pizza sheet or baking tray non-stick. This is VERY important if you want your pizza slices to come off in one piece. (I even put oil on my stoneware!)
4. Press your dough on the sheet nice and even about 1/4 inch in the middle and 1/2 inch at the edges.
5. Put crust in the oven for 15 minutes. It should look slightly golden brown when you take it out.

Toppings:
You will want to pre-cook any meat going on your pizza. Veggies can go on fresh and raw, or cooked depending on your preference. Your favorite cheese will do, we used Feta but would have been nice to have a little bit of melted cheese on top.

Sauce:
1 Small Can Tomato Paste
1/2 - 3/4 Cups Water (To desired thickness)
1 Tsp Dried Oregano
1 Tsp Garlic

Sauce:
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients. Use water to desired thickness. We like ours pretty thick. Feel free to add more spice if you want it, too.
2. Simmer on stove for approximately 15 minutes.

Toppings:
Whatever you want!
We used fresh organic baby spinach, turkey pepperoni, grilled chicken, and feta cheese!

Put it all together:
1. After crust comes out of the oven, spread sauce evenly over crust.
2. Add your cheese and toppings evenly on top of sauce.
3. Put back in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 more minutes. Cheese should be evenly melted.
4. Slice and enjoy!

To say I was excited is an understatement. I was on cloud 9, I could hold the pizza in my hand to eat it, the crust was nice and crunchy which I like. This was delicious.

Try it and let me know what you think:

Last but certainly not least ...... Myra DeCraene

2010-03-12T13:24:00.000-08:00

I have but one athlete left to spotlight and the shining light goes to Myra DeCraene today. Myra has been a CrossFitter for some time now and was an athlete that make big changes in our nutrition challenge back in June of 2009. Back in June, Myra realized that there is more than one component to fitness - she changed her nutrition drastically (via the paleo diet) and noticed that the inches and pounds were falling off of her.

In joining the I AM CrossFit Challenge her goal was to take it to the next level on the workout side of the "Fitness Spectrum" since her nutrition was well on it's way...... Well, SHE HAS!! She is doing wonderful and making great strides towards her goals for the challenge, here are her words:

since joining the i am crossfit challenge a month ago i have felt great and have been performing better. the compliments i have received are seriously overwhelming. it has bordered on embarassing, but still, i am receptive. teehee. i have set a p.r. or two. one was that i wanted to do a whole workout doing box jumps rather than box steps, check!! another one was that i do a WOD as Rx'd, that too i have accomplished. check! woohoo! i have a few things to still work on in both the gym and at home with nutrition. i also began to use a lot more organic foods and have stepped out of my box to try new meats, buffalo to be specific. i feel like i have made great strides and continue to press on to the next goal. i am putting my best foot forward to round up this last 4 weeks of the challenge. after all, vacation starts the day the challenge ends. but my lifestyle of crossfit and paleo will remain, in this i have found the right amount of everything. thanks to my coaches and friends at cfm this is all possible.

Congratulations Myra and GO TEAM CAROLE!

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I AM CrossFit - Lena You Rock

2010-03-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Today I am featuring a "new CrossFitter" but not new to what we do! Lena started in our bend and stretch program at Elkhart General Hospital. She was a quick learner and was constantly told she needed to move "up" to bootcamp. Eventually she took that step forward and ended up in our bootcamp program. Lena joined the gym specifically to compete in the "I Am CrossFit" challenge. In the four short weeks we have been running I Am CrossFit I have seen several things from this athlete....persistence, perseverance, dedication, willingness to make changes necessary for growth.

I will let Lena tell you in her own words what CrossFit has done for her:

I have to begin by saying the #1 thing I have noticed is my increase in energy and a change in my attitude! I used to look at the workout and think "There is no way and I am going to die!" Now I working out 5 days a week and every time I see the workout the first phrase that comes to mind is "Lets do this!!"

My arms and legs are beginning to tone and I have been told by EGH boot campers that they can notice a significant change, which feels amazing! Burpees and pull-ups continue to be my biggest struggle, but instead of fearing them, I have learned to appreciate them and use them as a performance tool.

My diet (other than a few sweets) has proven a success, in my mind. Learning how to increase my protein and get rid of my daily carb overdose feels good. It isn't that I didn't want to before I started Cross Fit, I just didn't know how or alternatives to what I was eating.

On a personal note, when I got divorced 3 years ago, I was 152 lbs, a size 10 and miserable. My mornings consisted of getting up early just to watch the Today Show and finish 1/2 of an Entenmanns's cheese coffee cake. My cholesterol was 240 and I was slowly depleting every bit of life I had left in me. Then I got off the couch, stopped my pity party and stepped up the person I knew I could be. That is where boot camp happened. To be where I am now and see the changes in my life and what I am accomplishing is incredible. When you learn to love yourself again, everything can change and I cannot thank you enough for believing in me. I know I have a long way to go, but I would rather be on this path with Cross Fit than alone :)

I am 110% committed to being a success story and beating these teams in 6 weeks! I am ALWAYS open to criticism and advice when it comes to my nutrition or the gym. So please, continue to let me know ways I can continue to improve. I want to be the best I can be!!

Thank you again!! It means the world to me :)

Lena

I was going to edit this but I couldn't leave a single thing out- what happened when I read this for the first time can be described with one word "GOOSEBUMPS"....she has not only changed physically but emotionally and mentally as well.

Let's kick butt Team Carole!

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I AM CrossFit - Team Mate Robert Battalio

2010-02-28T12:22:00.000-08:00

My next feature athlete is Robert Battalio. I have A LOT to say about Robert. When Robert came to CrossFit for the first time it was Thanksgiving Day 2010. Well, we all know that the WORST time to start CrossFit is during our annual Blow Your Turkey WOD but we did have a few new brave souls that not only survived the workout but came back and joined CFM knowing that Jim Turnbo sometimes thinks he is Richard Simmons. Robert started his essentials classes with me in December (when it took him 3 days to recover from one workout being an active runner he knew he had been missing as essential part of his training).

Robert, like so many of us who first start out in CrossFit lacked one if not many of the ten components of CrossFit. In his case, I noticed that he was lacking balance, coordination, and flexibility to perform a simple air squat. I witnessed Robert doing the Team Jackie WOD on Friday February 26th and he was doing 45# thrusters like a pro. His squat was below parallel, his elbows were raised so that his back held the lumbar curve, when he drove through his heels from deep in the squat and pressed the bar over his head to a locked out position, popping his head through "the window!", I nearly cried! I saw his successes with my own two eyes.

Robert is a man with very few words, when I asked him for a testimonial of how he was feeling I got something like this: "I am running better....am feeling stronger...am eating better..." but he said it best when he was walking out of the gym on Friday. He said, "isn't the fact that I show up here every day for my assigned classes and you to torture me proof enough that I am getting results!" Well put!

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Spotlight Athlete Brenda Hunsberger

2010-02-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile you have one of those days where you wonder if what you are doing is all worth it? Did you make the right choices? Are you happy with the path you have chosen? I'm not gonna lie, I DID NOT WANT TO GET OUT OF BED THIS MORNING! I was tired and sore and then the phone rings and reminds you why you do what you do.

My phone rang this morning at 9:13, I was at the Chiropractor so Brenda left a message. It went something like this, "Carole, I have good news, call me back so I can tell someone who cares!" So, I called back and got her voice mail. Minutes later we connected. Carole, I went to the doctor today and was told that lung function has improved and he is taking me off one of my asthma medications!" I literally had goosebumps running down my arms and legs. This is why I get up every morning in the dark of night and do what I do. This is why Brenda Hunsberger is my spotlight today for the I AM CrossFit Challenge.

Thank you Brenda, for bringing me "back to life!'' I know, that is what you are thanking me for....but Brenda, I think it works both ways. Here is Brenda's testimonial....I was going to cut pieces of it but I think you all deserve to see the entire thing:

"As my 40^th birthday approached a few years ago, I wanted to improve my fitness and decrease my weight. I have had asthma following lung trauma in 1996 – this sometimes makes it difficult for aerobic type activities. I have been one of those on and off exercisers. I do not like the monotony of it…so I usually don’t stick with it. CrossFit is different – every day! I do like to run (sick I know) so I been doing a few 5K’s each summer and one ½ marathon annually since 2007.

I have been doing CrossFit for about three weeks. I have more energy than I thought possible (for a young lady of my years). I am on four medications for my asthma. After a visit to my pulmonologist today, I was told my lung function has improved about 10% since my appointment in August. He is taking me off of one of my medications! I have been told it isn’t all about the scale, but I also lost 9 pounds since that appointment. I am beginning to notice small physical changes! My biceps and waist are beginning to look sculpted and it appears that someone has taken a bite out of my "bagel". Performance in the gym has improved, and I have also noticed improvement on my long run times and endurance. I have a 10k scheduled for March 6^th and I am going to try to RUN the whole way…stay tuned.

Has it really only been three weeks? GO TEAM CAROLE!"

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I AM CrossFit - Team Carole

2010-02-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

Pictured above is Kent Dead Lifting during CrossFit Total week at the gym, Kent is one of my athletes in TEAM CAROLE!

Well the I AM CrossFit challenge is off to a good start. Team Carole consists of Robert Battalio, Lena Tisten, Myra DeCraene, Kent Riffell, and Brenda Hunsberger. We are just starting our third week of the eight week challenge. April 2nd will be here before we know it!

I just wanted to give a little update on one of my athletes: Kent Riffell is kicking butt and taking names....he has lost 2 inches in his waist so far and almost 7 pounds in 2 weeks. Kent, it's time to kick it into HIGH GEAR! No more snickers and reese's for your late night cravings.

Everyone on my team is heading down the right path. We are all working on remembering to eat our daily dosage of protein. Keep it up and "Go Team Carole!"

I'm not MIA

2010-02-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

For those of you wondering what has happened to my blog and where I have been, I am here to tell you that I am not MIA. I am just "frazzled!" Is that a word? I am so busy right now I can't see straight.....but fear not I have words of wisdom coming your way!

For now I wanted to share a picture of my new puppy hanging out at the gym. He is so cute...and I love him very much!

Family

2010-01-21T17:29:00.000-08:00

THE TUTTLE CLAN

" The Girls" - Tina, Carole, Kathy, Mom, Dad, Cindy, and Pammy.

"The Boys"- Timmy, Tommy, Mom, Dad, Mike and Bobby

This was the last time we were all together, Christmas 2009. I want everyone reading this to remember to cherish the moments you have with your family as you never know when they will be your last.

Timmy, I will miss your smile, your laughter, and the funny things you always had to say. God promises to take good care of you until the day we meet again.

I love you brother,

Carole

What's Your Excuse......

2010-01-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

"I vowed not to eat fast food, but Aunt Flo was coming to visit and I decided Taco Bell wouldn't hurt!"

"I wish I had your resolve!"

"I had to, I was starving!"

"I know, I know, I know, I couldn't resist that damn Coke!"

"I gave blood today, I deserved it!"

"popcorn, forgot to measure was glued to the screen...Also, I'm sure measuring cups are illegal in movie theatres!"

Cinnamon Roll "It was bad, but tasted so good!"

Do any of these look familiar? They should I have taken some of them directly from the food logs on the CrossFit Michiana Website! Every one of us is great at making excuses for why we are eating and drinking what we are. Myself included! I can come up with just about any reason to eat a sugary carby snack that I like to call my feel good food! I feel really good while I am eating it, and for about 10 minutes afterwards. Then, I get mad. I get mad because I let down my resolve. I didn't stick with my plan of choosing a healthy lifestyle.

Yeah you heard it, it's a choice. You can CHOOSE to eat healthy or you can CHOOSE not to! Either way there is one person and one person only who makes that choice for you....YOU!!! Don't blame it on your kids, your husband, your significant other....YOU are responsible for what YOU put in YOUR mouth! I have never seen anyone's kids stuffing cookies down their parents throats! I have never seen anyone's husband refusing to eat a nicely cooked steak dinner with roasted vegetables and a colorful salad.

What's your excuse? I mean choice? Is it time to make that change in your life?

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I don't want to go through the motions......

2010-01-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

"........I don't want to spend my whole life asking, what if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions........."

So today I had my last fit club at Schmucker Middle School...I had to cancel on the kids for the next couple of months until we can get another trainer to cover ALL of the stuff we have going on at the gym! I will tell you that was one of the hardest things I had to do was tell my kids that I wouldn't be able to be there for a couple of months. You should have seen the looks on their faces. I didn't realize the impact I had made on these children until I was steps out of the front door and one of the little girls wrapped her arms around my body and said "Thank you so much Ms. Carole, I am going to miss you!"

You know some days I just feel like parts of me are going through the motions to get to the next day. And then something like this stops me dead in my tracks! It makes me think deeply about the impact I have on people's lives. Big people's, little people's, and all the people's in between! I didn't even know it (or take the time to notice) that this little girl had grown attached to me. She looked up to me. She respected me. That made me feel like a "SUPER STAR!" So, what am I going to do about this you ask?

I am going to live each and every day as if it were my last. I am going to make every minute of my life count. I am going to work with my eyes wide open....ready and willing to change lives at every turn in the road! I really thought I was doing this already, but somewhere along the line a day here and there I let myself hit the "going through the motions mode" and that's not where I want to be!

A really good friend of mine told me one time to listen to the song "Motions" by Matthew West - I highly recommend it to anyone who is ready to make life count. Each and every moment of every day!

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Trashed - I Chose Monday

2010-01-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Hookers and Crack.

Tomorrow or Monday.

Cheat Day.

Treat Day.

It's New Year's Eve.

It's New Year's Day.

It's the weekend.

I can't stop myself.

What is this? All of the excuses that I have fed myself for the destruction and trash that I have fed my body since noon on Wednesday December 30, 2009. I kid you not I can not stop myself. As I was fixing this huge banana split last night I said out loud "Well, I guess I chose Monday!" I read Jim's whole dialog on whether you would choose the first day of the year or Monday to kick it in to gear and realized then and there as I sat drooling for that first bite of banana split that I CHOSE MONDAY! And I was pissed! But did that stop me?

I have eaten, peanut butter cookies, chocolate walnut cookies, Reese's peanut butter cups, beer, pretzels, crackers, ice cream, Chai after Chai, DOTS, Hershey's chocolate bars (dark chocolate is good for you right), almonds and other nuts by the handfuls....each time with some apparent reason in my mind that this was OK!

I sit here on Sunday evening at 7:22 pm knowing that in approximately 12 hours I have to do Angie at the gym and my belly is literally hanging over my pants and growling for some decent protein! So, I guess what I am trying to say is "If this is you, you aren't alone!" Monday morning will be here and we can start right then and there! I chose Monday and I am pissed that I did, but that was a choice I made and only I can fix it now!

Please post comments or questions:

Build It and They Will Come...Do It and They Will Follow!

2009-12-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I was coaching in the gym and I had one of those Ah-ha moments! You know the ones, when you realize you have a point to make and you want to let everyone know what's going on in your mind. Let me paint the scenario for you...I am coaching the 8:30 class which consists of seven people two of which I want to bring to your attention today. Greg and Angie are normally in our corporate boot camp program but were given the opportunity to use the gym on their off week of boot camp. They showed up every morning this week with two little ones in tow Lily and Carrie.

Now, sometimes it's enough work for us to get ourselves out of bed and drag our butts to the gym but this is an entire family getting up in the morning on their week off of work and school and hitting the gym. What are we teaching our children here? What are they telling their kids? There are so many things that come to mind:

Mommy and Daddy want to be healthy so we can take better care of you.
Our health and fitness are important to us.
Make healthy living a priority.
We love you enough to take care of ourselves.

My point is this:

If you show your kids that living a healthy lifestyle is what you want to do then do it and they will follow.

I coached and out of the corner of my eye watched as these two little girls mimicked everything their parents did. The workout was:

21-18-15-12-9-6-3

SDLHP

Wall Ball

Box Jumps

They stood in the doorway of the gym (I assume they were told that was as far as they could go) and found the equipment they needed in order to do these exercises. As Greg was doing his SDLHP with a 65# barbell...Lily was in the doorway doing them with a 10# kettlebell. When they would see him switch to the wall ball I saw Carrie take the 5 lb orange balls and toss them in the air and catch them. When it was time for box jumps those girls jumped up and down until their father moved onto the next exercise.

Those little eyes we don't always know are watching us do because WE, as parents are their true role models. Kids are sponges and the younger they are the more "sponge" like they are. I frequently get asked "Do your kids CrossFit?" All of my kids have experienced CrossFit in some form or another but I will save that for another post. My kids are active, they swim, cheer, dance, play rugby. They have after school sports and activities. Teach your kids now, that being healthy is the way to be!

My best wishes to all of you for a Healthy and Happy New Year 2010!

Build it and they will come.......do it and they will follow!

Please post comments, questions, and thoughts:

Traditions

2009-12-27T05:52:00.001-08:00

I am a very traditional person. When it comes to the holidays I love doing the same things at the same time with the same people to create new memories year after year! It's crazy, my kids laugh because they know my traditions...they know what is going to happen year after year! Oh, and if I try to change something up....I hear about it. They love it as much as I do. They have grown to "expect" these things to happen. One thing that I always make sure to buy at Christmas time is the token gingerbread house. My girls will sit for hours year after year to make their gingerbread house. There is always a picture taken at the end to record the many beautiful houses we have made over the years.

Brianna and Brooke- Gingerbread Experts!

This year we decided to spread the "Gingerbread Cheer" a little bit further. Can you believe we found some people that have NEVER made a gingerbread house?

Bob and Marge Tuttle (those are my parents), when my mom saw me walk in with the gingerbread house she was actually mad and said "oh no that's not for me is it?" And I said, "yes it is, and you are going to like it!" And they did....this was the first time my parents have ever made a gingerbread house.

Gage and Gabby...helped us make a gingerbread tree. You can see the beginning stages of our tree in the picture.

Traditions....this is just one of many things you can do. Take time this season and spend it with your family. Create memories that will last a lifetime. You can bet next year, I will be dropping in on my parents with another gingerbread house. This might have been their first but it won't be their last.

He's A Mean One....Mr. Grinch!

2009-12-17T19:14:00.000-08:00

So, today I had my FitClub class at Schmucker Middle School. I have been having a hard time keeping all of these kids busy for an entire hour. The attention span is much different in an 11- 13 year old than in an adult that is trying to "get in shape!" So, I have had to be very creative and I think today was a HUGE success.

Today I read, The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss - with a twist! Every time I read the word Grinch, the kids had to do 3 burpees. Each time I read the word Who, the kids had to do 15 jumps with the jump rope. I had three other words that I had picked out - Christmas, tree, and roast beast! So, I started reading with the title of course and they quickly got the hang of it. I know by the end they were dead tired, time passed quickly, and I had to read the last 8 pages with the kids lying on their tummies looking up at me with sweaty faces and smiles from ear to ear. I love to see these kids working hard, the same kids show up week after week to see what I have in store for them.

The foundation of exercise starts from the get go. Get your kids active...dance, sports, exercise, there is something out there for every child. This time of years it's easy for kids to sit around and play their video games or hang on the computers! Childhood obesity is at its worst in this country.

I can promise you one thing, each and every one of these kids will watch Grinch over the holiday season and there is not one of them that will not think about what they accomplished in that workout! Brooke and I just watched it together (yes, she is in my FitClub) and she gently placed her hands over her ears when the word "Grinch" came across the TV and stated "No more burpees!"

Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body......

2009-12-15T18:54:00.000-08:00

As quoted by one of my Rugby players tonight while encouraging her partner that she could do the workout. Abby a newly turned 17 year old caused me to do an about face when I heard this statement....How Profound! Ok, Yeah so she probably read it somewhere but the fact of the matter is she remembered it because it meant something to her.

We are all weak in some way or another. Some of us more physically weak, some of us emotionally weak, some of us socially weak, some of us mentally weak....and we all feel pain. Some of the most pain comes from confronting these weaknesses head on. With a vengeance. What do you do when you are faced with a weakness? Do you back down? Do you turn around and go the other way? Or do you stand tall and firm and look weakness in the eye and say "Your not going to get me this time, get out of my way!" and forge through it.....

It's that time of year - find your weakness - face it head on- go at it with a vengeance. The only pain you will feel is when you leave it in your dust!

Speaking of my lovely Rugby players they worked their butts off tonight:

WOD

50, 40, 30, 20, 10

Burpees

Lunges

SDLHP

Sit -Ups

With a partner, complete for time.

Aubrey, Chelsie, and Cori 24:16

Linnea and Sarah 25:20

Ellen and Ambrie 24:04

Carly and Courtney 25:02

Draya and Riley 27:44

Ashleigh and Nicole 27:43

Amber and Courtney 28:54

Abby and Ali 29:37

Great Job Ladies!

Time Changes Everything

2009-12-11T03:59:00.000-08:00

So your probably thinking "How many times can they show these pictures to show the drastic changes in Carole's physical appearance?" There is something in these pictures that you can't see by just looking at them, there is something so much deeper than what shows on the outside. In the first pose you see me in a bikini - but do you know what I think about myself. At first glance you see a happy smiling person. Which, I always was but what people didn't know is what I thought of myself. I had absolutely no self confidence. As a matter of fact I was looking through my file at the gym...we will call it the "archives" and in July of 2007 when I started with Jim I was asked this question. "What do you give yourself on a scale of 1-10 for your physical body appearance?" I gave myself a 3. Can you believe that? Some people look at that picture now and say "I would be happy with Carole's before!" But, apparently something was missing for me.

In the second picture I am once again wearing a bikini and a smile. I am starting to get more confident. Just the other day I was looking through my old workout journal to find a workout for the gym. I was flipping pages and reading some of the logs that I had written "back in the day!" Well, this really got me thinking about how CrossFit has changed my life. My journal starts in May of 2008 almost 10 months into my CrossFit journey.

Journal Entry: Date 5-2-08

"Jim told me @ 9:30 Thursday night that we were going to start working out today. That threw me into a nervous jitter and I was up most of the night. The last time I woke up @ 4:15 am I decided that was it and I got out of bed. I was scared to death."

5-7-08

"Had my first recognition from the magazine today. I was a little embarassed but it really made me feel good. Of course as soon as I pulled away I commented about giving my autograph. No balls when she was right there."

5-13-08

"Found a little courage today to talk about what I love - talked to "Vance" at the fire station about running boot camp in his back yard...."

5-14-08

"Met w/ Lou Ann today about PT, I know how to talk to people now - feeling more comfortable...."

5-27-08

"Went to the "campsite" with Jim today. Laid out the 1/4 mile. Went over 1st day stuff. It's funny cause as he was telling me I had this flood of emotion I so vividly remember that first day (of my bootcamp) and so many to follow - sometimes I want him to pinch me and wake me up from this dream. I sometimes can't believe what we accomplished in these 10 months. There are parts of me that want to creep back in every once in awhile but I'm learning how to put them off. I look where I am today. So much stronger mentally - yet so far to go. Time!"

5-28-08

"Met new friends @ the mall today from "Fitness USA - offered me a job- somehow I grew balls and pretty much blew them off - while making sure they knew who I worked for. Success speaks for itself- that was a lesson learned today. Jim- you have created a MONSTER!"

The entry's go on and on I could type for days...it's crazy now to look back at the growth of my confidence. I didn't even really know it was happening......

Now, in the third picture, I am once again in a bikini and wearing a smile. What, you can't see in the picture is that I am unstoppable. Not in the sense of some bad ass chick that thinks she's all that because I don't. But in the sense that my mind has caught up with the rest of me. I know that nothing absolutely nothing can stand in my way. Will there be bridges to cross and long roads to walk down, hell yes but I now KNOW that no matter what comes my way I can accomplish it with a smile on my face. So, as you can see I have not only changed physically I have changed mentally and emotionally as well. I have confidence in myself that let's me believe that NOTHING is impossible. Did all of that come from CrossFit? It came from inner belief. Maybe I needed CrossFit to show me how to believe in myself but nonetheless it's here!

Highlight of the week.....

2009-12-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

Inova BootCamp

I have a really fun group of bootcampers at Inova FCU. I love how they are always ready and willing to just get down and go for whatever I throw at them. The setting is in the basement of the building where they work their butts off everyday most of them sitting behind a desk. So come 6:00 every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday they get to spend an hour building their team in a different way. Through health and exercise. Now, we all know that CrossFit is an addiction at it's best. We like to call it drinking the Kool-Aid....well they drink the Kool- Aid and talk about it at the water cooler. I brought my camera in the other day and captured some of their finest moments.....I hope you enjoy them as I did!

Happy Birthday Brandon

2009-12-01T03:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday

to my favorite boy in the world!

Nineteen years ago today I gave birth to a bouncing beautiful baby boy!

Now, I get to look up at a grown man! I guess you could say he is still growing- not only in size but in life. When your kids get to this age you sit back and pray you taught them everything they need to know to go out into this big old world!

The foundation starts at home....it starts small - manners, boundaries, values, morals, health....your kids are going to do and say whatever it is you do or say. If they see you working out, they in turn will work out. If they see you eating healthy, they in turn will eat healthy. On the flip side, if they see you vegging out on the couch with a bag of chips in one hand and a ho ho in the other....well you know the rest....

The big question I get asked ALL the time is what do you feed your kids? I feed them what I feed myself. It wasn't always this way - I had a time where I had to go through the dreaded "change"! I remember a day very clearly about two years ago when I decided that it was time to change my life and my family's life for the better. I had gone to the grocery store and packed my cart FULL of fresh fruit and vegetables - this took place of the little debbie boxes and oreos. We literally had chicken, turkey and lean beef coming out of our ears. This took place of the pasta, chinese takeout, and pizza. Almonds replaced M & M's! I get home from the store so proud of my new take on life and the change that is going to happen and my family FREAKS OUT!! I mean literally there were tears, there were questions, there were angry people that I had to deal with.

Now, (fast forward two years) my kids open the refrigerator and pull out a clementine, a cheese stick, and a couple of almonds. My youngest daughter eats a frozen waffle for breakfast w/ peanut butter and a couple slices of deli meat. Is that perfect - no I would take away the "waffle"...is that good - absolutely, she has managed to get carbs, protein, and fat and she is full until lunch hits at school. Afternoon snacks are no longer "carb binges"...my kids look for and crave all the "good stuff"...is it easier to slap a package of crackers filled with some imitation cheese in front of your kids than taking a rice cake and spreading almond butter on it....NOT ON THEIR LIFE it isn't!

The Morning After.....

2009-11-30T05:15:00.000-08:00

So how many of us just came off of a 4 day eating binge? Thinking each time that you put something in your mouth went something like this "Well, I can have this because it's Thanksgiving!" In reality, Thanksgiving is only one day, not four but we can always find a reason to make bad choices......Ok people we have approximately 4 weeks until Christmas....what happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas is what can determine your pant size for the New Year! Do you know that in 4 weeks you can go up in pant size if you "choose" to eat whatever you want at all your holiday parties? But what I really want you to know is if you just make the right choices at these parties you can easily maintain if not lose inches and pants size. We all know it's about choice! It's that state of mind that you have to set BEFORE you leave for the party! So, I say party on....but choose wisely!

What an awesome day...

2009-11-26T19:51:00.000-08:00

Apparently I have no idea how to turn this picture over.......Oh well you get the idea!

Wow, what a great day! It started out with a gym full of people! Jim, Tara, and I sat in the back room in wonder - wondering what the heck are we going to do with this gym FULL of people! That's not the total truth...we knew what we were going to do, we had it down to a science but the way we felt when they just kept piling in was something that can never be described! The workout in itself was great but will never measure to the feelings inside. The endless thank yous, the hugs from someone I had just met an hour before, the compliments, it was just one of those WOW we did it moments... My athletes thank me every day...no matter what I put them through they always leave thanking me.

Then, the best part of my day happened...I cooked Thanksgiving dinner while my kids did some interesting things in the "background". I have a lot of it video taped but I can't get the file to download...maybe after further investigation I can get those on here. But what I liked the most is that we all had to face what we feared the most. Change! No one really knew how to face it....we laughed together, we prayed together, we cried together, and we found that no matter what even if things are different we were with each other and that is what really matters in the end. Family is being with the ones you love when they need it the most. I needed my kids to be silly today, to create new memories, we didn't make it through without each of us having thoughts of the past. But, we made it with plenty of silly memories that will be talked about for years to come! (Especially when I bring out the videos)

Now, I must sleep as BLACK FRIDAY starts in about 5 hours and I will knock people out for a good deal....actually this is one of my favorite days...I shop all by myself for hours and hours......PURE BLISS!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe it. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving already. Where has my year gone? What am I thankful for?

I am thankful for my family. That is what I am thankful for. I miss my son who has been away at college, my girls and I are always so busy it seems we live in the same house but don't see each other as much as we should. I am thankful that I get to spend an entire day devoted to the three people I brought into this world. I had them all list what they wanted today. Today for us is about starting new traditions in our house. It has been a rough year and it's time to make some new happy memories. Starting today........

I am also thankful for my friends. Without them I wouldn't be where I am or who I am. They know who I am talking about....thank you for being there when I needed you the most.

I am going to mark tomorrow as the start of my new year. A year dedicated to doing all of the right things at all of the right times with all of the right people. What's that called? The right amount of everything! TRAOE

Rugby Practice Went Well....the name game!

2009-11-17T18:27:00.001-08:00

So, I had Rugby practice tonight. I really enjoy coaching the Rugby Girls Fitness. I have the ultimate respect from these girls. They know when it's time to get serious and down to business and they also know when it's time to have a good laugh. Tonight after the workout which was pretty hard 10 rounds of 15 push ups, 30 sec plank hold, 15 burpees......we played a game to get to know each other's names. It was nice to start to get those names down. I look forward to a good year with these girls.

In the beginning.....

2009-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well, blogging this is all new to me! Had you asked me two years ago if I had my own Blog Site I would have looked at you dumb founded - what is a Blog Site? Actually two days ago I might have said the same thing. I am hoping to let you into my mind and let you know how I feel about my passion. My passion is CrossFit, nutrition, making your life better through fitness and proper nutrition.

I know things are different for women and men when it comes to fitness so maybe I can give a little insight and if this touches one more life than I am successful.....

So, welcome to my page.....please feel free to offer up your suggestions, questions, and comments!