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!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I need to go back and listen to your podcasts start to finish so I apologize if you’ve already touched on this! Intermittent fasting. My husband has done IF + paleo for about a year now with amazing fat loss results! He is super shready and lean without seeming to try super hard (cue the sweets). I’ve been doing IF as well being a bit more strict with my diet and I’m just not seeing the same results… I do find that it works better with my schedule, not meal prepping as much variety and being on a schedule is really nice. Through some research it seems to work better with males because of the differences in our hormones. Any female you know have results with IF? Thank you!
I love your blog and your podcasts! You make my commute to work so much better, so thank you! My question is about shoes. I recently added cross-training to my weekly workout routine, mostly in the form of cardio classes at my gym. Do you think it is worth it to have designated cross-training shoes, separate from running shoes? Also are there any arch support inserts that you’d recommend?
Love your reflection on 17.1!
Some random Q’s: Do you have any nicknames for Jackson? What kind of books do you like to read? You mentioned the other day you can’t wait to see Beauty & the Beast, I can’t either! So, with that, what is your favorite Disney movie?
Hi Juli! For the podcast, can you talk a little about your sleep routine? I struggle with finding a balance with getting enough sleep, making it to my office on time and fitting in a workout somewhere during the day. What time do you usually go to sleep / wake up? Any tips for a good night sleep? Does Jackson sleep with you?
Thanks! Loving your podcast ????????????
Hi Juli! I have a bunch of random questions so if you get to these just pick which ones you feel like answering haha.
1) You mentioned in one of your podcasts that you like RXbars and Larabars and such but try not to get in the habit of eating them every day. Is that bad and what other snacks would you suggest instead? I’ve gotten into the habit of eating either one of those before my workout and was just wondering why you thought getting into that habit wasn’t good.
2) I also saw that you’ve been trying to drink a gallon of water each day… how do you deal with having to pee so many times?! As soon as I try to drink a decent amount of water I end up having to go to the bathroom way too frequently and then it becomes an inconvenience…
3) How did you decide that gluten was something completely off limits for you versus other food groups such as dairy, alcohol, and sugar where you have them in moderation? What was it about gluten but not about these other foods that made you completely eliminate it from your diet?
Hi Juli! Thanks so much for your blog and podcasts, I’ve been really enjoying both lately. My question is, I have a difficult time getting in an intense/high quality work out in first thing in the morning. When I can, I try to work out at lunch or after work (I have a typical 9-5 desk job… and a husband and 1.5 year old so schedules are key). But there are times when the only time I have to work out is first thing in the am…so like 6 or 6:30. Do you have any tips on how to summon the energy to push yourself to go harder that early in the morning? I run and do strength (either pilates or I’ve started trying OTF based on your feedback). Having an instructor to push me does help…but I still feel like I have more energy in my body later in the day. Any tips that you have would be great! Thanks!!
Morning Juli- you have me laughing with your blog so often, I love you! I get your 17.1 experience totally. When our box switched to the Wodify tracking program I totally compared myself to others that some of which were half my age. Ended up injuring my back and having to take four months off and a year later still aren’t where I was before my injury. I finally said screw it…I am there and so many ladies my age have come through our box door and never returned. I know I am stronger than I was prior to cf 4 years ago and I am happy with the way I look. BTW- you look so amazing, I will never have your great abs but then I had three kids, not in the cards for me. 🙂 Now when the Open comes around I do the workout but don’t sign up. I know I will never go on to Madison this summer, so I focus on being better than yesterday.
Pod cast question-you have an spectacular wardrobe (workout clothes and fun clothes) how do you keep them all organized? Do you have a gigantic walk in closet? I know in you hair bun video you had clothes behind you on racks.
PS-I love that you put Jackson in your Fashion Friday pictures. He cracks me up!
Question: Can you talk about what you order when you go out to eat? How do you order your Starbucks drinks? They look super yummy! What are your go-to dishes when you are at a non-paleo restaurant? By the way, I LOVED your podcast with Vanessa. I learned that I am totally an abstainer and it makes so much sense. After visiting her website though I don’t know how she does it. As a fellow abstainer, I would be face-planting into all those gorgeous desserts!
Hi Juli!!
You’re the actual best. So I travel a lot and am away from home and my routine more than I’d like. Which is why its so great to be prepared! Can you talk about or do a video of what’s in your bag? I’m curious about what you carry with you on a daily basis and while traveling.
Also, you’re so in tune with your body and how things affect it- how long do you give something before you decide it’s good or bad? Do you only change one thing at a time? I have a hard time figuring what it is that is making me break out, feel sluggish, bloated (I hate that word), etc.
P.S.- just moved to Denver and went to see Shawn- she’s amazing.
Thank you!
Brittany