There's a magical way to fuel your body that is so simple...stop eating grains! Or, as my daughter and son-in-law (who own CrossFit Craic) say, "No Bread...Watch What Happens". You've likely heard it before, but grains spike your insulin levels which in turn kind of "injects" your cells with fat, and causes inflammation in your body. Feel stiff upon rising in the morning? Ever feel bloated after a meal? Eliminate grains and fuel your body with good proteins, vegetables, nuts, some fruit...you know, good whole foods! It's really pretty easy if you start the process of omission slowly! Start by eliminating grains at dinner for a week or so, then eliminate them from your snacking, etc etc.
I'm not going into this any deeper here as I've chatted about it before. You can also check out Mark Sisson or Robb Wolf, both of whom have lots of easy to follow info and ideas on fueling your body successfully without grains.
What I AM muttering about here are *treats*.
One thing that we, who choose to fuel our bodies in this manner, find ourselves sharing are our favorite "cheats". I have always cringed at that word. I find is carries such negative connotation. Reality is, we have to live our lives. Mark Sisson's philosphy is since no one is perfect, it's perfectly acceptable, and even very sensible to shoot for an 80/20 balance of nutrition. Within that 20% lie the *treats*, as I would rather call them.
I got to thinking about this today as I was schmearing some cashew butter on a piece of a chocolate bar, but not the whole bar! :) Since I have been eating this simple, no grain way for almost 2 years now, I rarely crave breads, rice, etc. What I DO find is that my *treats* are things like choosing veggie chips instead carrots or celery sticks to eat with my guac, or the cashew schmear like I had today. Once every 2-3 months I'll go for some ice cream (when I do, it's ColdStone or a fav local summer place, Toots, that makes their own right on the farm). All of this is to say that while I KNOW when I'm choosing to eat something that is not my usual nutrition intake, I like to think of it a *treat*, not a 'cheat'. I am merely living my life, enjoying my life, and especially since my *treats* are not even that far off balance for me nutritionally, why would I consider them a 'cheat' and feel I have to be secretive about it? No, that's not for me. It's important to be careful about minimizing *treats*, but generally an occasional one is good for the soul! After all, they are just *treats*, not cheats.
3.31.2012
3.28.2012
playgrounds
Just thinking about one of the reasons I love CrossFit...
Can you tell from the picture of me on my blog that I kind of like playgrounds?
Swinging, running to the slide, dangling off of any type of bar....just plain fun!
That's what is so attractive about a CrossFit box! Each one is a little different in their structure and equipment, so each box I've gone into is like a new playground. Even going to my own box day to day, I feel the same way as I enter; eyes wide open scanning the box, wondering what the day's WOD will have us playing on or playing with, feeling excited and nervous, wondering who will be my 'playmates' on that day. It's exhilarating. I learn to "play" in structured ways, of course, but at the end of class time when I'm sweaty and exhausted I feel so free and happy, just like you always feel after playing around at a playground.
Like at a playground, all the equipment is *human driven*. There are no machines that enable one's movement. Even the rower only responds as effectively as the person sitting on it can perform. (Yes, there is a specific and efficient way to row.) Plus, each piece of equipment can be used in a variety of ways so there is room for exploration individual to each person. Nothing can ever be considered boring. Ooooo, as I said, just exhilarating! :)
Yup, being able to feel that freedom of full out play for even an hour a day is so much fun. It's an hour a day when every stress and responsibility outside the box is forgotten. Hard work? Yes. But the 'hard' turns to the 'fun' so fast after the workout that it keeps a person coming back for more. I love CrossFit *playgrounds*!! :)
Can you tell from the picture of me on my blog that I kind of like playgrounds?
Swinging, running to the slide, dangling off of any type of bar....just plain fun!
That's what is so attractive about a CrossFit box! Each one is a little different in their structure and equipment, so each box I've gone into is like a new playground. Even going to my own box day to day, I feel the same way as I enter; eyes wide open scanning the box, wondering what the day's WOD will have us playing on or playing with, feeling excited and nervous, wondering who will be my 'playmates' on that day. It's exhilarating. I learn to "play" in structured ways, of course, but at the end of class time when I'm sweaty and exhausted I feel so free and happy, just like you always feel after playing around at a playground.
Like at a playground, all the equipment is *human driven*. There are no machines that enable one's movement. Even the rower only responds as effectively as the person sitting on it can perform. (Yes, there is a specific and efficient way to row.) Plus, each piece of equipment can be used in a variety of ways so there is room for exploration individual to each person. Nothing can ever be considered boring. Ooooo, as I said, just exhilarating! :)
Yup, being able to feel that freedom of full out play for even an hour a day is so much fun. It's an hour a day when every stress and responsibility outside the box is forgotten. Hard work? Yes. But the 'hard' turns to the 'fun' so fast after the workout that it keeps a person coming back for more. I love CrossFit *playgrounds*!! :)
3.26.2012
Open update
It was indeed a long weekend of waiting for the official rank, but I came in at #8 and my goal was top ten, so I am really happy all the way around!
~~At the last few hours of countdown, I was out enjoying coffee and then a belly dancing show that a friend of mine performed in. She did a beautiful job and was a part of an incredible show. My mind was right there at the theater watching, which was a gift to me on many levels!~~
I had so many people rooting for me. I was also around so many incredible athletes and coaches that I know that helped my energy and mindset too. A huge thank you to CrossFit 321 for all your support! I will be at the next step cheering on the 321 Team for which they qualified, the CrossFit Regionals, in May.
Now back to *normal* WODding and more consistently good eating (meaning fewer veggie chips and perhaps less chocolate :P ) that will all keep me healthy and heading toward a great experience at CrossFit Games in July.
3.23.2012
a long weekend
The CrossFit Open that I've been talking about is over this week. Week five, fifth WOD, 12.5 as it's affectionately known in *our language*. As the Open was last year, it's been a good look into what skills are solid, what need work, and as always, what skills I only do because they are a part of CrossFit.......ie: burpees! (If you recall, those are the 'toss yourself to the ground in a prone position, forget why you did it, hurl yourself back up to your feet, then be so happy you are upright again that you jump for joy' CF skills.) Part of CF is getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, but I also know that all the movements/skills we learn serve the purpose of helping our bodies to function at their optimal level...even that frickin' burpee! :)
I undertook 12.5 yesterday morning and did well enough to assume I won't need to redo it. It was an ascending ladder of thrusters and regular pullups (for all age groups of men, and women under 55, they had to do chest-to-bar pullups). The rep scheme was 3/3, 6/6,9/9, etc until 7 minutes had lapsed. I happen to like this couplet, AND it was the same final WOD for last year's Open, so I had an idea how to attack it and felt positive going into it.
Despite my good score, I'm fully aware that most women in my age group have yet to submit scores, so I won't know where I stand at final count until Sunday night about an hour after the submissions time close. I went through this last year, being part of the top 20 until about 45 mins. after 'closing' only to end up in 21st after all the last-minute submitted scores were validated and posted. That's why I know to hold off on feeling certain about making the top 20 this year until Sunday night.
In the meantime, I'll get in a run or a CF Driveway WOD Sat and Sun, go watch other competitors undertake their 7 mins of 12.5, putter around the house, take the dog for a walk, go see a friend of mine in her belly-dancing show, and maybe fill the rest of the time sitting on my computer hitting *refresh* on the CrossFit Games Leaderboard about a zillion times. It's going to be a long weekend!
I undertook 12.5 yesterday morning and did well enough to assume I won't need to redo it. It was an ascending ladder of thrusters and regular pullups (for all age groups of men, and women under 55, they had to do chest-to-bar pullups). The rep scheme was 3/3, 6/6,9/9, etc until 7 minutes had lapsed. I happen to like this couplet, AND it was the same final WOD for last year's Open, so I had an idea how to attack it and felt positive going into it.
Despite my good score, I'm fully aware that most women in my age group have yet to submit scores, so I won't know where I stand at final count until Sunday night about an hour after the submissions time close. I went through this last year, being part of the top 20 until about 45 mins. after 'closing' only to end up in 21st after all the last-minute submitted scores were validated and posted. That's why I know to hold off on feeling certain about making the top 20 this year until Sunday night.
In the meantime, I'll get in a run or a CF Driveway WOD Sat and Sun, go watch other competitors undertake their 7 mins of 12.5, putter around the house, take the dog for a walk, go see a friend of mine in her belly-dancing show, and maybe fill the rest of the time sitting on my computer hitting *refresh* on the CrossFit Games Leaderboard about a zillion times. It's going to be a long weekend!
3.21.2012
don't think, just do
There's much to be said about thinking and planning and perfecting, but I'm putting too much thought into all that. There's even more to be said about just doing!
With Spring's arrival and the warmer temps with it, there's a sense of joyous abandon that is hovering in the air. Doors and windows are being thrown open. Flip flops are being tossed on. Shorts are baring legs that are happy to be free from their coverings. Sleeveless shirts are setting arms into unrestrained movement. With all these things come a can-do feeling...that feeling that day-to-day life, no matter how challenging, will be a little easier and motivations will run high. It appears to be a time when people are willing to take a few more chances without thinking so hard about everything.
Maybe it just seems like people are getting to the doing quicker because the sun and the air is such an energy boost, and increased energy seems to translate to increased confidence. Sometimes the best way to figure things out is just to do them, and confidence helps this outlook. Even if something doesn't play out the way it's been planned, the 'failure' of that doesn't seem so insurmountable when you are in a doing frame of mind! Why? You can adjust and redo!
There's much to be said about thinking and planning and perfecting, but there can be bigger gains in outcomes by just doing.
~~ Why the following clip? Because it's a visual experience of the joy of just doing...and Phoebe IS joyous abandon! :) ~~
With Spring's arrival and the warmer temps with it, there's a sense of joyous abandon that is hovering in the air. Doors and windows are being thrown open. Flip flops are being tossed on. Shorts are baring legs that are happy to be free from their coverings. Sleeveless shirts are setting arms into unrestrained movement. With all these things come a can-do feeling...that feeling that day-to-day life, no matter how challenging, will be a little easier and motivations will run high. It appears to be a time when people are willing to take a few more chances without thinking so hard about everything.
Maybe it just seems like people are getting to the doing quicker because the sun and the air is such an energy boost, and increased energy seems to translate to increased confidence. Sometimes the best way to figure things out is just to do them, and confidence helps this outlook. Even if something doesn't play out the way it's been planned, the 'failure' of that doesn't seem so insurmountable when you are in a doing frame of mind! Why? You can adjust and redo!
There's much to be said about thinking and planning and perfecting, but there can be bigger gains in outcomes by just doing.
~~ Why the following clip? Because it's a visual experience of the joy of just doing...and Phoebe IS joyous abandon! :) ~~
3.19.2012
a 'scrip for change
On the ocassions when I see a doctor, they are always surprised that, as a middle-aged person, I am not on any prescription medications.
"It says here you take fish oil. Do you take anything else?"
"D3, when I remember."
"Oh, well...okay..."
Yep, stumped every time.
And every time their reactions make me a little sad and a little angry. Sad, because I don't feel my situation should be the exception and angry, because many (but not all) doctors are too quick to prescribe pills for people before they prescribe lifestyle changes and actually see how those might work. Laurence and I have had experience with a doc we realized was in the pocket of the drug companies and now have the glorious experience of being associated with a doc who clearly is not, although Laurence and I are still obviously the exception for the 'no-meds' middle-agers.
Let me be clear here. I don't see anything wrong with medications when they're truly needed. Quite often, they can be invaluable as a bridge between illness and wellness, assisting one's body toward rebalancing itself. For the typical 'age-related' meds (blood pressure, cholesterol, type2 diabetes as examples), all too often they become the quick fix and end up being life long crutches because people can stop being responsible for their own bodies.
Those who know me know I fully believe in the Paleo/Primal/no-grain practices of nutrition. Those who know me also know I understand that while I'd love to see everyone adopt this type of nutrition because of my husband's and my personal successes with it, it's not for everyone. The most important nutrition program for everyone is to have one! Eat consciously so your choices are as smart as they can be.
Those who know me know I fully believe in the CrossFit methodology for physical fitness. Those who know me also know I understand that while everyone can participate in CrossFit as its beautifully modifiable, it's not for everyone. The most important fitness program for everyone is to have one! The choice for fitness makes such a huge difference in over all health that is seems silly not to do something.
I have friends who have turned around their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc, through changes in their daily activity. I even know of one who reversed his sleep apnea through increased physical activity and a modest weight loss. And even though he always ate well (because he has a wife who is a damn good cook and has always cooked with whole foods!), he chose to tweak his nutrition a bit, too, which added to his healthful turnaround.
One of the most appropriate statistics I like to share related to this topic of the importance of taking care of oneself comes from a very interesting documentary called
Food Matters (not to be confused with Food Inc.). The trailer for it is below and even just watching that will hopefully get you interested. While I may not agree with all the specifics, the overall concept is important. Among the other quotable snippets from this documentary, the statistic mentioned is (not verbatim) "back in the 50's, 7% of our income was spent on health care and 17% was spent on food. Now, only 7% of our income is spent on food and 17% is spent on health care." A good point for consideration.
Turning around the assumptions of the medical world that because one reaches a certain age "of COURSE that person will be needing age-appropriate medications" would be quite a story! Instead of full page ads for a new med that can help, "but can cause death" (seemingly always a 'direct effect' of most medication~~there are no 'side effects' because an adverse effect from a med is directly related to the medication~~), there would be full page ads for a yummy recipe or success stories of people who made responsible lifestyle changes and were able to stay off/get off/greatly reduce the medications they were taking. The only fine-print that would accompany those stories would be limited to a paragraph or two containing the recipe or the types of lifestyle changes the person made. That would surely help begin the shift in the assumptions in the medical world about age and medications.
"It says here you take fish oil. Do you take anything else?"
"D3, when I remember."
"Oh, well...okay..."
Yep, stumped every time.
And every time their reactions make me a little sad and a little angry. Sad, because I don't feel my situation should be the exception and angry, because many (but not all) doctors are too quick to prescribe pills for people before they prescribe lifestyle changes and actually see how those might work. Laurence and I have had experience with a doc we realized was in the pocket of the drug companies and now have the glorious experience of being associated with a doc who clearly is not, although Laurence and I are still obviously the exception for the 'no-meds' middle-agers.
Let me be clear here. I don't see anything wrong with medications when they're truly needed. Quite often, they can be invaluable as a bridge between illness and wellness, assisting one's body toward rebalancing itself. For the typical 'age-related' meds (blood pressure, cholesterol, type2 diabetes as examples), all too often they become the quick fix and end up being life long crutches because people can stop being responsible for their own bodies.
Those who know me know I fully believe in the Paleo/Primal/no-grain practices of nutrition. Those who know me also know I understand that while I'd love to see everyone adopt this type of nutrition because of my husband's and my personal successes with it, it's not for everyone. The most important nutrition program for everyone is to have one! Eat consciously so your choices are as smart as they can be.
Those who know me know I fully believe in the CrossFit methodology for physical fitness. Those who know me also know I understand that while everyone can participate in CrossFit as its beautifully modifiable, it's not for everyone. The most important fitness program for everyone is to have one! The choice for fitness makes such a huge difference in over all health that is seems silly not to do something.
I have friends who have turned around their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc, through changes in their daily activity. I even know of one who reversed his sleep apnea through increased physical activity and a modest weight loss. And even though he always ate well (because he has a wife who is a damn good cook and has always cooked with whole foods!), he chose to tweak his nutrition a bit, too, which added to his healthful turnaround.
One of the most appropriate statistics I like to share related to this topic of the importance of taking care of oneself comes from a very interesting documentary called
Food Matters (not to be confused with Food Inc.). The trailer for it is below and even just watching that will hopefully get you interested. While I may not agree with all the specifics, the overall concept is important. Among the other quotable snippets from this documentary, the statistic mentioned is (not verbatim) "back in the 50's, 7% of our income was spent on health care and 17% was spent on food. Now, only 7% of our income is spent on food and 17% is spent on health care." A good point for consideration.
Turning around the assumptions of the medical world that because one reaches a certain age "of COURSE that person will be needing age-appropriate medications" would be quite a story! Instead of full page ads for a new med that can help, "but can cause death" (seemingly always a 'direct effect' of most medication~~there are no 'side effects' because an adverse effect from a med is directly related to the medication~~), there would be full page ads for a yummy recipe or success stories of people who made responsible lifestyle changes and were able to stay off/get off/greatly reduce the medications they were taking. The only fine-print that would accompany those stories would be limited to a paragraph or two containing the recipe or the types of lifestyle changes the person made. That would surely help begin the shift in the assumptions in the medical world about age and medications.
3.12.2012
wagonroad
With the CrossFit Open heading into week 4, I think all of us competitors (perhaps my Masters group in particular) are kind of tiptoeing around so as not to get hurt before the end. It's not as if we think much about our general physical health any other time of the year when we focus on many WODs a week. The Open will do this to a CrossFitter's psyche!
While they aren't things I can't handle, a bunch of glaring imperfections in my human machine have come up when I least needed their arrival. Dare I admit it's due to normal aging stuff? Well, yeah, I suppose I could, but frig that! :) I probably wouldn't be so aware of these little things were it not Open season! I should even be careful about 'tiptoeing around' too much...gotta save my calves and achilles for double unders and box jumps!
Why mention this? Eons ago I worked at a camp for special needs children called WagonRoad Camp. These were kids from New York's inner-city who were often experiencing feeling 'normal' for the first time as well as being in the country for the first time. They had all sorts of malfunctions of their human machines, but enjoyed every day.
Some fellow counselors and I came up with a little song to sing on our way to various places at the camp, sung to the cadence of an Army march:
My back ache
My belt to tight
My bootie shake
From left to right
Go left, go left
Go left, right, left.....(repeat until sick of it!)
Sometimes it was to get them from a to b, sometimes it was to pick up their spirits because they thought it was funny that we said 'bootie', sometime we counselors sang it to make ourselves smile.
My daughters grew up hearing that song and I loved that it usually made them smile too.
For some unknown reason it's been playing over and over again in my head the last few weeks. No analyzing "why" allowed here. It gets me smiling. It helps take me out of my own head about the Open and my need to adjust to my ever changing human machine. And by default, it takes me back to the kids I worked with who were so joyful through all their problems, which just plain puts me in a good place. That's the reason I wanted to share it. Being in a good place is worth the work...even if you don't know if you're going left or right! :)
While they aren't things I can't handle, a bunch of glaring imperfections in my human machine have come up when I least needed their arrival. Dare I admit it's due to normal aging stuff? Well, yeah, I suppose I could, but frig that! :) I probably wouldn't be so aware of these little things were it not Open season! I should even be careful about 'tiptoeing around' too much...gotta save my calves and achilles for double unders and box jumps!
Why mention this? Eons ago I worked at a camp for special needs children called WagonRoad Camp. These were kids from New York's inner-city who were often experiencing feeling 'normal' for the first time as well as being in the country for the first time. They had all sorts of malfunctions of their human machines, but enjoyed every day.
Some fellow counselors and I came up with a little song to sing on our way to various places at the camp, sung to the cadence of an Army march:
My back ache
My belt to tight
My bootie shake
From left to right
Go left, go left
Go left, right, left.....(repeat until sick of it!)
Sometimes it was to get them from a to b, sometimes it was to pick up their spirits because they thought it was funny that we said 'bootie', sometime we counselors sang it to make ourselves smile.
My daughters grew up hearing that song and I loved that it usually made them smile too.
For some unknown reason it's been playing over and over again in my head the last few weeks. No analyzing "why" allowed here. It gets me smiling. It helps take me out of my own head about the Open and my need to adjust to my ever changing human machine. And by default, it takes me back to the kids I worked with who were so joyful through all their problems, which just plain puts me in a good place. That's the reason I wanted to share it. Being in a good place is worth the work...even if you don't know if you're going left or right! :)
A usual day at any camp!
Playing softball, crazy
dressup day for the couselors,
and Nettie trying to tell
me which direction to go! :)
3.06.2012
the feed bag
I ate a most scrumptious lunch today. Of course, that has to mean there was bacon in the vicinity of my plate!
Like any day I workout, I have a protein/coconut water shake on the way home from the box. It tastes great and then I'm not rushing home to cram something in my mouth just to quell my hunger. (I usually workout in the morning so I only have a little bit of protein~~a slice of meat when I am making Laurence's lunch or maybe a hard boiled egg white...no yolks for me BEFORE I workout... :)...just so I'm not running on empty.) *Lunch* is usually the first meal of my day and it's also usually big. Anyway, just wanted to share today's:
You can never go wrong with a good piece of romaine lettuce to use as your 'wrap'. I was lusting after a BLT, so I decided to go a step further and ended up with this. The lettuce wraps are filled with egg salad as well as tomatoes and bacon. Yum. Of course, everything is always better with bacon!
Not really much else to say. Don't ever forget that eliminating grains from your feed bag does not have to spell b o r e d o m.
Like any day I workout, I have a protein/coconut water shake on the way home from the box. It tastes great and then I'm not rushing home to cram something in my mouth just to quell my hunger. (I usually workout in the morning so I only have a little bit of protein~~a slice of meat when I am making Laurence's lunch or maybe a hard boiled egg white...no yolks for me BEFORE I workout... :)...just so I'm not running on empty.) *Lunch* is usually the first meal of my day and it's also usually big. Anyway, just wanted to share today's:
You can never go wrong with a good piece of romaine lettuce to use as your 'wrap'. I was lusting after a BLT, so I decided to go a step further and ended up with this. The lettuce wraps are filled with egg salad as well as tomatoes and bacon. Yum. Of course, everything is always better with bacon! Another variation on the lettuce wraps for Laurence when I know he could use a 'comfort meal' is with the Applewood bologna and cheese, some veggie chips, and a paleo brownie. That is a comfort lunch!
**It would be mean to mention brownies without leaving you with the recipe. :)
I got this recipe from "The Civilized Caveman" and altered it a little.
Chocolate Bites
2 C almond butter (smooth or crunchy)
2 eggs
3/4 C honey
1 Tbsp vanilla
1/4 C cocoa powder
1/2 heaping tsp salt (kosher salt adds the best taste)
1/8 C coconut milk (cream can be substitued here)
options: add mini choc-chips/chopped nuts/coconut flakes/etc
Mix in order given.
Put in greased muffin tins. (12+ reg or 24+ mini)
Bake at 325 for 12-15 mins.
3.04.2012
free parking all day
Sundays are mostly free days for me. It's refreshing and incredibly important to have a free day at least one day a week on a regular basis. I know lots of people can't or don't have one but, for all of them, I always hope that is a temporary predicament. There's an internal reset that occurs when the world is not calling. Every day does not have to be maximized. Ugh, exhausting!I am without the hubster for a few days as he is visiting our Chattanooga kids (our daughter and 'shack-in-law' as we lovingly call him). That makes today an even quieter free day. Oh, wait, no, Laurence is not loud or even 'demanding' of my time, it's just that, except for the dog, the energy in the house is very still. Oh, wait, no, Laurence is not a frenzied energy....oh crap, the hole I'm digging is getting way too deep.....suffice to say, it's quieter because I don't talk outloud to myself and if I do have on any background music, it's quiet classical. All that said, I am free to park my butt on the couch all day if I choose to, without feeling as though I should be doing something noticeably constructive! I'm even slower to get started on the crossword puzzle because no one is waiting for that section!
So, will I actually sit on the couch all day? No, of course not. My butt would hurt, and not from anything 'noticeably constructive'. But today is a day for my mind to be free. I'll putter around the house, not worry about gaming a WOD for the Open, clean (the house, not a barbell...I know, shocker), get the dog out for a long walk, pick away at a couple ongoing projects (my kids know I am slower than molasses on some projects ;)), and otherwise just not have a time-limit on the day's meter.
The only thing that would make this day freer is if I didn't have the one compulsion on Sundays during the Games Open: to check the Leaderboard a zillion times! :)
3.01.2012
one by one
The Open WOD2 showed up last night:
10 min Snatch AMRAP
3 x 30 of increased wts after each 30
amrap of fourth wt in remaining time
I find it interesting that here is another WOD of just one movement...different weights within the WOD, but one movement nonetheless.
WOD1 was also just the one movement: burpees.
It's very rare that we CrossFitters will see just one movement in a usual daily WOD. There may be a strength component that's the primary movement of the day, but usually, whether programmed in as an 'after party' or the members come up with one on their own (because as much as we put on a good groan-fest, we are always secretly looking for more), there is usually another movement to end the workout. I'm wondering if that is what's contributing to the feeling of intrigue/a slight imbalance surrounding WODs 1&2.
We have developed a brain (muscle) memory to expect transitions in a WOD based upon what we are usually asked to do. That said, what a brilliant strategy by CF HQ to come up with WODs that truely test our mental fortitude, not just our physical ability. If a CrossFit WOD could EVER be even remotely boring (annie peeks over her shoulder for CF enforcers ready to pounce on her for being blasphemous), it would be during a one movement WOD. Enter "constantly varied..", the first part of the description of CrossFit.
This programming definitely falls under the category of varied!
It never occured to me that:
a) a one-movement WOD could elicit such confusion
b) my brain was also part of the "muscle-memory" equation
c) a burpee could reduce a badass CFer to a puddle
d) 'snatch' would be a week-long dinner conversation
e) all of the above
Wrap your brains around yet another one movement WOD, my fellow CFers, and get after week 2!
10 min Snatch AMRAP
3 x 30 of increased wts after each 30
amrap of fourth wt in remaining time
I find it interesting that here is another WOD of just one movement...different weights within the WOD, but one movement nonetheless.
WOD1 was also just the one movement: burpees.
It's very rare that we CrossFitters will see just one movement in a usual daily WOD. There may be a strength component that's the primary movement of the day, but usually, whether programmed in as an 'after party' or the members come up with one on their own (because as much as we put on a good groan-fest, we are always secretly looking for more), there is usually another movement to end the workout. I'm wondering if that is what's contributing to the feeling of intrigue/a slight imbalance surrounding WODs 1&2.
We have developed a brain (muscle) memory to expect transitions in a WOD based upon what we are usually asked to do. That said, what a brilliant strategy by CF HQ to come up with WODs that truely test our mental fortitude, not just our physical ability. If a CrossFit WOD could EVER be even remotely boring (annie peeks over her shoulder for CF enforcers ready to pounce on her for being blasphemous), it would be during a one movement WOD. Enter "constantly varied..", the first part of the description of CrossFit.
This programming definitely falls under the category of varied!
It never occured to me that:
a) a one-movement WOD could elicit such confusion
b) my brain was also part of the "muscle-memory" equation
c) a burpee could reduce a badass CFer to a puddle
d) 'snatch' would be a week-long dinner conversation
e) all of the above
Wrap your brains around yet another one movement WOD, my fellow CFers, and get after week 2!
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