A change is needed...

 

I have been a Crossfit coach now for over 4 years.  In these last 4 years I have tried many different “diets” with little success.  Is it the diets fault?  No! All of the different eating methods that I have tried work, they just didnt work for me.  I mean I would eat “good” most of the time but then I would allow a little cheat here and there.  There is a local coffee shop that sells gourmet chocolates and they have chocolate covered graham crack....ers.  They are so addicting.  I would stop by and buy one or two or 4, whatever the craving called for.  I had no control....ADDICT!!!  How is that any different then the guy down the street going and buying a pack of cigarettes every day?  Easy answer is, my addiction kills more people.  Was I really following a proper eating plan when I was committing this kind of offense?  Looking back on my behaviour during this time and even more recently it has become more clear to me what the problem is, and it is not just a simple one thing.  I am addicted to food.  Better yet, I am addicted to carbs. I catch myself wanting sugary cakes and cookies or one of the hardest things for me to pass up is doughnuts.  Comfort food.  I know that I am weakest at stressful times and that is when I eat.  Comfort eater.   I tell myself that I can beat this addiction, and I still believe that I can but it is hard and there is more that I had to realize.  I have found my identity in being big,  235lbs at 6’1” is not a little guy.  I enjoy, to some extent the recognition of being a big guy that can move well.  People dont expect it from someone my size.  Most people out there my size cannot do things that I can but If I was to truly tighten up my food and eat exactly like I should, I know that I would drop down to around 215-220, maybe even a little less, and then I would look like I could do all that cool stuff.  No more surprise.  I am scared to change who I am, scared to change my identity so I sabotage myself to keep me comfortably uncomfortable, to  Keep myself right where I am and not have to eat 100% all the time. Change is scary and  A change is exactly what I need.  It will not be easy, it will not be smooth.  It will be a bumpy road, and my life and my families life will be better because of it.  As May 1st quickly approaches I set out a challenge not just to those of you reading this but to myself as well.  It is time for a change.  I will be 31 in May. The challenge does not stop after my b-day, it will continue on until I reach my goal of 12% BF.   I will, from here till then, refrain from making poor food choices.  I will find my Identity in my God and my family, and by the end of the summer I will do a WOD with my shirt off.   These are some of my goals... What are yours?

I will share updates on a regular basis and try to update it on Facebook as well.  Will post before pics in the next couple of days.

New Year 2012!!!

2012 brings us a lot of opportunities.  Weight loss is usually at the top of most peoples list of resolutions.  And like most people out there it will fall by the wayside and be forgotten once February comes around.  Awesome you made it a month.  Where fitness is always something that is on my list this year it is just going to be.  It is not really going to be a goal, it is just going to happen.  My challenge to you is the same thing. Very few resolutions ever really come full circle and get completed by the time the ball drops the following year.  So instead of just making a resolution, make it happen.  I posted on another blog a few days ago about being held to the worlds standards.  Here is a news flash for you, the world has very low standards.  Figure out what you want to do/be/or where you want to go by this time next year and just make it happen.  That is not to say the this year will be easy, on the contrary, if you are trying to better yourself be prepared for opposition.  Opposition from family, friends, and even that stranger who overheard you talking and thinks that eating meats and nuts is stupid.  These are merely a few of the issues that you are bound to run into this year.  I am excited to hear what 2012 brings to your doorstep and how you overcome what ever challenges may rear their ugly heads.  Keep in mind that there is a community out there of people trying and succeeding at the same thing you are trying to do.

This was a little promo vid for an amazing event that Practice Crossfit put on back in Oct... Loads of fun and will be doing it again this year.

Strength, Beauty, and Healthy....

Recently I came across picture that a friend of mine posted on facebook.  It was about strength coming in all sizes.... Its a fairly cool poster with multiple women of different stature's. (I am not posting it on here). A body builder, a couple of weightlifters, and a couple of gymnasts.  The tag line is "dont spend your time trying to look like someone else. Embrace who you are and build your own strength."  At first sight I thought it was a great picture and something that could come across as very inspiring for women out there.  Then a matter of seconds past and I came to my senses.  One of the weightlifters in this picture is extremely over weight.  She is standing right in the middle of some very impressive women, and I have no doubt that that young ladies strength is through the roof, but I bet her body comp, triglyceride levels, and who knows what else is too.  I'm not saying that they have to try to look like a supermodel, or even a Crossfitter, but she looks very unhealthy, and the picture is making that out to be ok.  Its NOT!!!  I love the idea of helping people get to a point to where they are comfortable with themselves, thats why I'm a trainer, but making excuses to allow yourself to be morbidly obese is not ok.  Maybe I have a skewed vision of the human condition, but I would think that we should strive to be healthy at the same time as striving to be strong.  We dont have to be little tiny models walking on a runway, I would put them in the same boat just at the opposite end.  I find it hard to believe that a woman who is 28yrs old 5'9" and weighs just shy of 300lbs is living up to her potential.  Like I said earlier I am sure she is freakishly strong, but I have to wonder if she is really happy with herself.  Hopefully to make myself completely and utterly clear, I dont want to downgrade anyones hard work.  She is a Oly lifter and obviously very good at what she does. Here is a view that I find more 


Written by one of our trainers this is just a small excerpt:  (For entire article click Here)

What a far cry from what used to be….

I used to want to be thin; now I proudly show off those lines in my shoulders and abs.

I used to want the pounds to decrease on the scale; now I watch them increase on the bar.

I used to exercise out of desperation; now I crave the feeling of a sub-5 Fran.

I used to eat for comfort, now I eat for fuel.

I used to do zumba, aerobics, random machines, i.e. waste my time; now I’m a Crossfitter.

I used to think being sweaty was gross; now I bask in hard-earned sweat angels.

I used to feel insecure about my physical capabilities; now I feel empowered.

I used to seek the attention of douche bags that also sought out the frail, skinny girl; now I’ve found the man that values and appreciates a strong woman.

I used to follow; now I lead.

I used to make excuses; now I show others how to get rid of theirs.

I used to cave under pressure; now I know discipline. 

I used to claim ignorance on nutrition; now knowledge is power.

I used to compare myself to all the other women around me; now I stand confidently, looking forward. 

I used to dream of doing things; now I just do them.

I used to be limited; now I’m unstoppable.

This is my new definition and my perspective of what a beautiful, healthy, capable woman should be. 

     I truly hope that this young lady takes into consideration what our trainer has said.  Girls, you can be strong.  You can be, do, and look however you want. Dont let others decide for you.  Strive for Healthy and strong and everything else will fall into place.