The Thankful Project: November 16th
The Thankful Project: November 16th: Crossfit
Yes I’m crazy. Yes I’m in pain. Yes I’m paying for this. Over two years ago I drank that Crossift Kool-Aid and here I am still pounding away and pushing my body. I was terrified to try Crossfit at first; I was intimidated by the weights, the women were beastly and so strong, I didn’t understand any of the lingo and I was still struggling being sick. Yet I tried it. I remember the first workout having hill sprints and I thought I would die (because on top of being a non-Crossfitter I also despise running), however I survived and didn’t vomit so I returned for another WOD-..and another..and another.
Crossfit changed my life. I was always sick when I was younger but in my late teens I was diagnosed with several conditions that brought answers I’ve been looking for but a reality that there wasn’t really much that could be done. I worked hard throughout college but still was dealing with on and off episodes of sickness that brought me home a lot. Post-college is when I first stepped into a box and since then I’ve slowly improved my mental and physical health. I don’t talk about it much because I never want to use a disease as a crutch, but there are some days that I just can’t. Crossfit has offered that push and that commitment to help get through it.
I’m thankful for a place that I can work my butt off, become stronger and empowered. There are days I get so incredibly discouraged (I’m a perfectionist) and I get so angry with myself that I nearly want to quit. Yet like some sort of drug, I always come back. My youngest brother Jack started doing Crossfit with me and often has to talk me off the ledge. It has brought us closer as siblings and crated a bond that is unique and different than we’ve ever had. As Jack likes to constantly remind me, it’s all in my head. I admit it, I get in my head and can’t get out. Fear is my #1 enemy in the box. Ultimate fear: death. Jack reminds me that when I walked into Crossfit two and a half years ago, I had never touched a barbell, I couldn’t do one pull up, I never been upside down in a handstand, or ever swung a 50+lb kettlebell. Now I can do pull ups (as my biceps are still screaming from the 75 we did this morning), I love a barbell in my hand, I’m mastering the handstand, and kettlebells are my friends.
I believe that Crossfit is for anyone but not everyone is for Crossfit. You have to know how you are motivated, how you respond to the group atmosphere, and what you enjoy. I think that Crossfit can be adapted to any disability, restriction or injury but you have to be willing to put in the work regardless. Just because you can’t squat because you have a knee injury, doesn’t mean you’re going to take it easy in Crossfit. You’ll hit it hard in some other way. It’s adaptable, functional and relatable but it starts with you. You have to want it. You have to try. You have to be willing to be the last one on the floor and still keep chipping away at the workout.
Crossfit has changed my life and I have a sneaky suspicion I’ll be an avid Crossfitter for the rest of my life. #DoYouEvenLift
