I declared Saturdays as Crossfit Day a couple months ago. I love traditional weightlifting, and I love running, and I love trying new workouts. I had been wanting to check out Crossfit for a while, and the local Crossfit scheduler didn't coordinate with my work/school scheduler, so Saturday was the winner. If you want to look at it like that!
Before going into Crossfit, this is what I knew (or thought I knew): Burpees, box jumps, kettlebells, clean & jerks, weird "pullups," knee high socks, douchebags that think their workout is harder than anyone else's. I thought, "I can run a marathon, I can do insanity-type workouts, I can lift weights, I can do real pullups. Forging elite fitness, yeah right!"
After going to Crossfit for a couple months (and only once per week), this is what I have learned: I am the douchebag.
I fell in love with running and weightlifting because you set goals for yourself, you conquer them, then you feel amazing! You see yourself getting faster, stronger, and fitter each week. Crossfit crushes those feelings lol. Crossfit makes you feel defeated in the beginning. It hurts the pride. But now I'm in love with Crossfit because it is truly the hardest workout I have ever done, it forces you to humble yourself and see that you can go so much further than you have even when you have already come a long way.
I'm starting to feel more accomplished after Crossfit workouts now, but I won't be letting it get to my head again lol. I should also add that I love the Crossfit community - there are a lot of extremely fit, humble people that really enjoy encouraging each other and working together. Most of the people that I have met there seem like wonderful characters that I would be honored to have as friends.
The fitness lessons I learned that can be applied to all aspects of life.. Work hard, then work harder. Stay humble. Never become complacent. Stop judging books by their cover!
On another note, I'm not going to Crossfit today. The -45 windchill has defeated my desire to forge elite fitness.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Five Years
I often evaluate our marriage and look at the duration of our time together. We are celebrating five years of marriage in a couple days, and I enjoy seeing how far we have come!
We knew each other for a whole 6 months and 8 days when we said our vows in the courthouse. We didn't have rings to exchange, our witnesses were employees at the courthouse, and our families first heard of our plans as we were driving home after the ceremony to get ready for work that day.
["I don't even know her last name!" his mom exclaimed. "Yeah, you do.. it's the same as mine!"]
We were in love.. crazy, irrational, head-over-heels, floating on cloud 9 type of love.
But five years ago, we were strangers. Strangers that loved what we knew of each other. We had just moved to a new state, far away from familiar faces or any support of loved ones. And as if we didn't already have the tools for success, we also shared a common love of alcohol.
Our lives revolved around drinking and cigarettes. We spent our nights in a haze. During the day, we were just getting by, trying to pass as responsible young adults, be "functioning alcoholics," and just make it until the evening came so we could drink again. We'd have our drunken talks, talking about our lives before we knew each other and the future life we wanted to create. We also had our alcohol-fueled arguments about whether the color of the pillow on TV was actually green or purple, or argue about a completely hypothetical situation, and whatever else we could create an argument about (while brushing off any suggestions that alcohol might be a problem).
The turning point was when we turned to running. His mom led the way when she completed her first marathon, about 50 pounds overweight at the time. We began replacing alcohol with running, and little by little we started turning our talks about the future into action. As we focused more on our physical health, we also improved our marital health.
As I sobered, I learned more about the person I was married to.. a strong but sensitive, stubborn but easygoing, sarcastic but good-humored man who made it his primary goal in life to make me happy.. a sometimes difficult undertaking. We also learned we are complete opposites. He recently told someone I was "his yin to his yang," and I think that perfectly demonstrates his unconditional love and acceptance of our differences. Most of all, I learned he is resilient. That WE are resilient. In our marriage, while trying to learn more about him, I have learned so much about myself.
Five years ago, we walked into the courthouse as strangers. In that time, we have grown as individuals, and we've grown together, and this is just the beginning of our love story!
To my heart,
I promise to continue to be your yin. I promise to be beside you through any and all obstacles. I promise to always love you, never settling for average. And I promise to always strive to be the best version of myself as we continue to learn more about each other and life.
Happy anniversary!
We knew each other for a whole 6 months and 8 days when we said our vows in the courthouse. We didn't have rings to exchange, our witnesses were employees at the courthouse, and our families first heard of our plans as we were driving home after the ceremony to get ready for work that day.
["I don't even know her last name!" his mom exclaimed. "Yeah, you do.. it's the same as mine!"]
We were in love.. crazy, irrational, head-over-heels, floating on cloud 9 type of love.
But five years ago, we were strangers. Strangers that loved what we knew of each other. We had just moved to a new state, far away from familiar faces or any support of loved ones. And as if we didn't already have the tools for success, we also shared a common love of alcohol.
Our lives revolved around drinking and cigarettes. We spent our nights in a haze. During the day, we were just getting by, trying to pass as responsible young adults, be "functioning alcoholics," and just make it until the evening came so we could drink again. We'd have our drunken talks, talking about our lives before we knew each other and the future life we wanted to create. We also had our alcohol-fueled arguments about whether the color of the pillow on TV was actually green or purple, or argue about a completely hypothetical situation, and whatever else we could create an argument about (while brushing off any suggestions that alcohol might be a problem).
The turning point was when we turned to running. His mom led the way when she completed her first marathon, about 50 pounds overweight at the time. We began replacing alcohol with running, and little by little we started turning our talks about the future into action. As we focused more on our physical health, we also improved our marital health.
As I sobered, I learned more about the person I was married to.. a strong but sensitive, stubborn but easygoing, sarcastic but good-humored man who made it his primary goal in life to make me happy.. a sometimes difficult undertaking. We also learned we are complete opposites. He recently told someone I was "his yin to his yang," and I think that perfectly demonstrates his unconditional love and acceptance of our differences. Most of all, I learned he is resilient. That WE are resilient. In our marriage, while trying to learn more about him, I have learned so much about myself.
Five years ago, we walked into the courthouse as strangers. In that time, we have grown as individuals, and we've grown together, and this is just the beginning of our love story!
To my heart,
I promise to continue to be your yin. I promise to be beside you through any and all obstacles. I promise to always love you, never settling for average. And I promise to always strive to be the best version of myself as we continue to learn more about each other and life.
Happy anniversary!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The Comeback
It's been nearly two years since I've posted anything. When I returned to school, there was a lot of writing involved, which deterred me from blogging. Not just because school takes up a lot of time, but sometimes when you have a responsibility to do something.. it takes all the fun away! I loathe writing for school. I immediately revert to a young child when I find out I have to write a paper for school. I don't want to write! I don't want to learn! I'm an adult, and you can't make me!
I am not back to post anything new or profound. I am not trying to move or enlighten anyone. I am back because I realize blogging is a fun and therapeutic activity to reflect and express my capricious thoughts, and if anyone is interested in seeing what is going on in my head and life, they are welcome to read it here.
REWIND! Here is a highlight reel of the last couple years:
Jan 2012 - Quit Smoking Habitually (continued smoking throughout the year about once a month)
Feb 2012 - Began a Marathon Training Program (Hal Higdon Novice 1)
Mar 2012 - Completed AABA
May 2012 - Completed 1st Half Marathon (Get in Gear; Minneapolis)
Jul 2012 - Began BBA in Accounting
Aug 2012 - Completed 2nd Half Marathon (Burli-Mot; Minot)
Sept 2012 - Completed 1st Full Marathon while celebrating 27th birthday (Kroll's Diner Bismarck Marathon; Bismarck) Followed by Trip to Vegas! Best. Birthday. Ever.
Jan 2013 - Quit Smoking for Good!
Feb 2013 - Purchased our First House & Found out Pregnant after 3 Yrs TTC*
Mar 2013 - Miscarriage
May 2013 - Completed 3rd Half Marathon (Scheels Fargo Half Marathon; Fargo)
Aug 2013 - Completed 4th Half Marathon (Burli-Mot; Minot)
Sept 2013 - Completed 5th Half Marathon and Placed 2nd in Women Under 30 (Striker Life Half Marathon; Minot AFB)
Oct 2013 - Began Fertility Treatment (1st Round)
Nov 2013 - My primary focus is reconnecting with God, being a good wife, and my health. I believe all of those things are essential to "living life to the fullest."
So, that is a recap of the last couple years, some good, some bad, but mostly great! That brings us to the present. We just started the 2nd round of fertility treatment. That is what dominates my mind these days. I have so many thoughts and emotions about this that change from day to day, sometimes minute to minute, but I'm trying to keep it together and under control. I have so many things to be thankful for, and I have to remind myself of that.
I love going to sleep and waking up everyday next to my best friend and kicking life's ass together, but I can't wait until we create a life together that we can hold in our arms, tuck into bed, teach and learn from and watch grow up... But as I've been learning, life doesn't always happen as you plan or hope, so for now I have to be flexible and patient (two foreign concepts to me) and see what life has in store for us. So, that is where I am and those are my uncensored thoughts.
*TTC is an acronym I picked up from the baby boards, which stands for Trying To Conceive
I am not back to post anything new or profound. I am not trying to move or enlighten anyone. I am back because I realize blogging is a fun and therapeutic activity to reflect and express my capricious thoughts, and if anyone is interested in seeing what is going on in my head and life, they are welcome to read it here.
REWIND! Here is a highlight reel of the last couple years:
Jan 2012 - Quit Smoking Habitually (continued smoking throughout the year about once a month)
Feb 2012 - Began a Marathon Training Program (Hal Higdon Novice 1)
Mar 2012 - Completed AABA
May 2012 - Completed 1st Half Marathon (Get in Gear; Minneapolis)
Jul 2012 - Began BBA in Accounting
Aug 2012 - Completed 2nd Half Marathon (Burli-Mot; Minot)
Sept 2012 - Completed 1st Full Marathon while celebrating 27th birthday (Kroll's Diner Bismarck Marathon; Bismarck) Followed by Trip to Vegas! Best. Birthday. Ever.
Jan 2013 - Quit Smoking for Good!
Feb 2013 - Purchased our First House & Found out Pregnant after 3 Yrs TTC*
Mar 2013 - Miscarriage
May 2013 - Completed 3rd Half Marathon (Scheels Fargo Half Marathon; Fargo)
Aug 2013 - Completed 4th Half Marathon (Burli-Mot; Minot)
Sept 2013 - Completed 5th Half Marathon and Placed 2nd in Women Under 30 (Striker Life Half Marathon; Minot AFB)
Oct 2013 - Began Fertility Treatment (1st Round)
Nov 2013 - My primary focus is reconnecting with God, being a good wife, and my health. I believe all of those things are essential to "living life to the fullest."
So, that is a recap of the last couple years, some good, some bad, but mostly great! That brings us to the present. We just started the 2nd round of fertility treatment. That is what dominates my mind these days. I have so many thoughts and emotions about this that change from day to day, sometimes minute to minute, but I'm trying to keep it together and under control. I have so many things to be thankful for, and I have to remind myself of that.
I love going to sleep and waking up everyday next to my best friend and kicking life's ass together, but I can't wait until we create a life together that we can hold in our arms, tuck into bed, teach and learn from and watch grow up... But as I've been learning, life doesn't always happen as you plan or hope, so for now I have to be flexible and patient (two foreign concepts to me) and see what life has in store for us. So, that is where I am and those are my uncensored thoughts.
*TTC is an acronym I picked up from the baby boards, which stands for Trying To Conceive
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