So if you are in the CrossFit community, you’ve have probably at least heard about the CrossFit open or you may even be competing in it! I have competed in the CrossFit open 5 years (I think) in a row, 2 of those years were spent competing and making it to the Southwest Regional. After competing 2 years in a row, I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore. I was getting closer to injuring myself, I was 30+ pounds heavier than I am now, and I spent almost every waking moment in the gym. So I stopped competing but still signed up for the CrossFit open just because that’s what our gym does every year!
Last week, I did the first workout of the Open and it crushed me. Not only did I do much worse than I had hoped, but I also felt like crap the next day, getting a sore lower back which never happens, and really feeling disappointed in myself. So not only did it crush me physically, but it crushed me mentally. I was really bummed out afterwards.
But why? Why should I be bummed out? I went to the gym, I got a really hard workout in, and life moved on. Nothing changed other than my disappointment with myself. I finished what I had set out to do that day which was workout and better my life longterm. Something that I have to remember and remind myself of frequently is I’m much happier now that I don’t compete. I’m much happier now that I’m not constantly taking a risk at injuring myself and I’m much happier being smaller than I was before. I enjoy having my life back, not having hormonal acne, and not feeling like I’m literally going to die every single workout. Sure, I get bummed when I’m not as strong as I was before or when I’m the slowest of all the coaches, but I’m happier and that’s what matter in the end.
I think this type of situation occurs regularly throughout our lives. We get good at something, life changes and we are no longer where we were before. Whether that’s financially, physically, emotionally. Life changes and it’s sometimes challenging to accept those changes. I will never be where I use to be when it comes to CrossFit, but I’m much happier in all other areas surrounding my life. I have the balance and I sometimes have to remind myself that I enjoy that balance more than what I had in the past. Don’t forgot that in life, we may have to give up something to gain something else. Not always, but sometimes. And that’s not always a bad thing.
WAIT! Before you go – this week I’ll be recording my podcast with random reader/listener questions! Anything you’d like me to talk about or question you’d like me to answer! It can be about food, or workouts, or blogging, or beauty, or really whatever you want! Just leave a question in the comment section below and I’ll answer it in the podcast this week!! Happy Monday!
Sunday – Rest Day
Monday – CrossFit Broadway Class
Every Minute On The Minute x 20 min:
min 1: 14 Double KB Front Rack Lunges, as heavy as possible to go unbroken.
min 2: 9 Strict C2B Pull Ups
min 3: 18/14 Cal Row
min 4: 40 sec Nose & Toes to Wall Hold
I used 2×35# KBs, did 7 strict pull-ups every time, did 14 cal row every time and held the hold every time
Then 6 min AMRAP Of:
80 Double Unders
20 Burpees
I got 3+40 rx
Tuesday – Orange Theory Class
Wednesday – CrossFit Broadway Class
Sumo Deadlift: 4 x 7. All sets at 75% of regular 1 rep max Deadlift. (17 mins) – I used 165#
After each set perform Max Effort set of Strict Handstand Push-Up – I got a total of 64 hspu using 1 ab mat
Then 10 min As Many Rounds As Possible Of:
15 OH Squats (115/75)
15 Box Overs (24/20)
15 KB Swings (70/55)
I got 4+39 using 65# and 45#
Thursday – Rest Day
Friday – CrossFit Broadway Class – CrossFit Open Workout 17.1
For time:
10 dumbbell snatches – 15 burpee box jump-overs
20 dumbbell snatches – 15 burpee box jump-overs
30 dumbbell snatches – 15 burpee box jump-overs
40 dumbbell snatches – 15 burpee box jump-overs
50 dumbbell snatches – 15 burpee box jump-overs
Men use 50-lb. dumbbell, ladies 35# and 24″/20″ box
Saturday – Orange Theory Class
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Free Travel Workout:
5 rounds for time:
400m run
15 DB thrusters
20 push ups
25 tuck jumps
On Sale Activewear:
Nike Free RN Shoes (30% off)
Nike Dry Training Tank (20% off)
lululemon Wunder Under Pants (30% off)
Athleta 7/8 Tights (45% off)
lululemon Cardio Tank (30% off)
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What I Ate in a Day:
Started off my day with a cup of coffee with 1 tbsp of collagen, some heavy cream and a little liquid stevia extract. Since I was working out in the morning, I had a strawberry Maple Hill Greek Yogurt with Wholeme Lemon Berry Chia Granola Pack.
After the workout, I made a breakfast of Mulay’s breakfast sausage, arugula and spinach, mushrooms, and pearl onions.
Later on the day, I went to Whole Foods to pick up some groceries so I grabbed lunch at the hot bar: taco meat, curried vegetables, and plantains. And then I added cilantro when I got home.
In the middle of the day, I snacked on a Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter packet.
While I made dinner, I snacked on plantain chips.
Dinner was marinated Tuscan chicken (no recipe yet), marinated tomato salad, and crispy roasted fingerling potatoes!
First of all, I love your podcast and your blog! I really appreciate the advice that you give and your sharing tips about how you got to be where you are – healthy, successful, fit, and happy. Your podcast about rest days really hit home. I was working out 6-7 days a week, with no consistent day off, and feeling exhausted all of the time. Listening to what you said about rest days made me rethink my routine. Now I’m working 5 days a week with 2 consistent rest days that I can plan on and it has helped my energy level tremendously!
My question for you is what type of workouts do you recommend for getting lean and staying toned? I do Orange Theory, CycleBar, and yoga. I also lift, but I need consistent help with my form due to previous injuries so I lift less than I probably should. Any suggestions about how to lift more, and lift well with good form?
My other question is how do you balance working all the time running your own business, spending time with the people you love, getting in workouts, taking self-care time, and still staying caught up with work. I plan out my days pretty well, similar to what you have mentioned in the podcast, but I always feel like one of those areas is lacking because I don’t have enough time to do all of it well.
Hi, Juli! I fucking love you and your podcast, you are hilarious, down to earth, inspiring and motivating as hell! I don’t really like podcasts that much because I get bored easily, but I love yours because you are very entertaining and motivate me to live my best life, so I have honestly just been re-listening to yours!
Two questions: 1) What are some other fitness-related podcasts that really motivate and inspire you? I know of balanced bites, but any others? 2) PLEASE consider doing multiple podcasts per week! I needed to ask because I wanted to know if I am just dreaming or if this is a possibility. Okay thank you love you baiiii!
Juli,
I know it takes a while to see changes in your body after you start clean eating and workouts. How did you stay motivated while working on changing your body after you stopped competitive cross fit? Thanks for the post about being happy with yourself . I did 17.1 and had 15 more burpees to complete , but was proud that I did it and got way more rounds completed then I thought I would . However I did feel 17.1 hungover the next day. What’s the best way your recover after a hard workout like that? Do you have any clothing lines you have for a must to for swimwear?
Thanks
Lindsey
When you play with Jackson, does he have any favorite toys? My dog Charley loves toys, but I’m running out of ideas on what to get her that she can play with! She has basic taste, aka a million tennis balls, that she bats all over the house and under furniture and then cries until you dig it out from under said piece of furniture! I was just curious what toys Jackson likes to play with. Thank you!
What time did you finish 17.1 in?
First of all, I made your Samoa cupcakes for my daughter’s first birthday and they were BOMB! So thank you for that recipe!
Second, this question is kind of weird but I thought you might have some perspective on it. I have been eating primal/paleo for about 4 months and sticking to a weight lifting routine. My body has responded accordingly and I am the leanest I have ever been. While this is the esthetic I have always wanted to achieve, I am finding myself having a hard time adjusting to it. I don’the recognize my body and keep wondering if I am getting too lean. You have talked openly about the changes your body has gone through during your fitness journey so I was wondering if this is something you have experienced?
Hi Juli!
Just wanted to let you know that your posts aren’t showing up on Bloglovin’ (not sure what suddenly changed, but the last one that shows up was your Looking Forward to Spring post). Love your posts and recipes!
not sure!!
Hi Juli! I know you have already touched on this a few times before but can you talk a little about managing your food/drink in social situations. I feel like I am completely in control at all times except for when I’m obviously not controlling the food that’s being served. I will always try and bring a healthy option along but sometimes that’s the ONLY option. What tips do you have for sticking to your healthy guns when no one around you is doing the same?
Also, I know you talked about some new skin care and makeup removers you loved. I found this cloth through another blog and wanted to recommend it to you. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012TVK2RI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I literally have no clue how it works but it takes off every last bit of your makeup with just the cloth and warm water. Crazy!
As another reader asked …how do you keep a schedule since you work from home? And not go stir-crazy and stay on top of your to-do list? Any tips / advice?!
I looked into the Vivant Skin care line that you recommended and boy was it overwhelming with the amount of choices! What products did you start with specifically and how did you choose them? I know you just recently mentioned the buffing grains cleanser in your most recent podcast. thanks!
my esthetician showed me what products would probably work best. but i talk about all the products i use in this post, in case you haven’t seen it: https://paleomg.com/my-skincare-routine-acne-lasers-dermaplane-and-more/