I workout.

CrossFit, it’s not what you think.

Before I tried CrossFit I had SO many misconceptions and opinions.

…those people are annoying. They think they are the greatest.

…they are just asking for injuries. What even is a kipping pull-up? Not a real one.

…I will be huge if I lift. I’m not trying to look like a man.

…I don’t want to workout in front of all of those people. I prefer to workout on my own.

…Running is enough for me.

Oh, how wrong I was!

I have a love of fitness. I love(d) to run. I have ran countless half-marathons. It has always been something that I enjoyed and was pretty easy for me to stay in shape.

Until it wasn’t.

I was about five months postpartum from my second babe, when I realized running wasn’t going to do it for me anymore.

I was getting up every morning and running with a friend.
Six miles. Everyday.
I was eating super healthy and I didn’t lose a pound.

I know…you’re going to say I gained muscle…but I didn’t

My clothes didn’t fit like they used to.
I was the exact same weight I was before I had my daughter.
But, I looked absolutely NOTHING like what I did before her.

I was desperate at that point.

I signed Trey up for CrossFit on a whim.
He was obsessed with watching things about it on Netflix.

He went to the first class and came back completely in LOVE with it.

Because I was desperate, I tried it.
And I hated it.
I hated that I didn’t know how to do any of it.
I was completely out of my comfort zone.
There was very little running.
I hated it for a solid 3-4 months.
But I kept going.
Then I started to notice subtle changes.

To revisit my assumptions…

• -Most, if not all, of the people I met at the gym (or box…I still can’t bring myself to say it) didn’t think they were the greatest people.
  They were so kind and encouraging. Some of the most fit people there were the absolute friendliest.
  I really mean this.
  I am pretty down to earth.
  I wouldn’t have kept going if they weren’t SO NICE.
• I can’t speak for all CrossFit gyms. But, ours does a really really good job making sure you don’t hurt yourself.
  Our coaches teach a lot of technique work.
  Before you are even allowed to begin CrossFit, you have to take a beginner course. There’s usually some practicing the techniques built into each class.
  What is a kipping pull-up? I don’t know. I still can’t do it.  My brain can’t figure out how to make my body do it. Ha!
  The workout you get from kipping and butterfly pull-ups is legit.
• What’s that meme with Dwight Schrute?
  Lifting makes women huge. FALSE. Cupcakes make women huge. HA!
  It’s true though. I’m two years in, and I am still looking like a girl.
•  I cannot motivate myself to workout alone. I used to be able to. This is no longer a feasible thing for me for a number of different reasons.
  The main reason I can’t workout at home is because these kids drive me BANANAS. I desperately need alone time and they need me to have alone time.
  Going to the gym gives me some accountability because the people in my class know when I haven’t been there.
  If I miss, I dread going back and getting asked where I was.
  Accountability is key for me.
• Running used to be enough. It’s not anymore.
  First, I get bored so easily.
  Second, I am a fair weather runner.
  Third, my body was so used to it, it did nothing for me.
  I still love to go for runs and would like to build that back into my week.
  It really is something I enjoy. I just don’t have time to do both. Right now, I need something I can get done in one hour and that produces results.

So, if you’re thinking about trying it. Go for it! You may actually love it.

It a great atmosphere, amazing people, and a lot of fun!
If you live near Kansas City, give CrossFit On Track a try!

Below is a before and after picture of my hubs and I.

**I am not even kind of good at it. So if you stop by the class I’m in, don’t be surprised. I’m not trying to be Katrin Davidsdottir, I just want to be fit and healthy!