Most every single person that walks into a CrossFit Box wants to look better naked. That is their main driving force in the beginning.
I will be honest with you...it is a superficial goal...SHOCKER HUH!?
Not that it is a bad goal...hell I still want to look better naked!
But let's dive a little deeper. Because the general FITness population's end all be all goal is just that, look better and that’s IT! When you think like that you put a cap on your results.
With CrossFit, looking better is the easiest goal you will ever make. Anybody can get leaner, stronger, and increase their work capacity...ANYBODY! That is the easy part, its hard work, but very simple.
I love to see the way people change physically, but more so, I love to see when people starting thinking, talking and acting differently.
As they learn more about CrossFit you see the transformation with their perception of FITness in general.
And they start treating FITness as a sport vs. just physical benefits only.
-When you stop stressing about gaining/losing weight on the scale and you start focusing on; How many Pullups can you do?
-When you stop counting calories and start looking at how many colors are on your plate?
-When you (women) stop worrying about 'getting bulky' and start throwing more weight on the bar and realize the more weight you LIFT the better and better your pants will fit!
-When you stop doing 'extra cardio' before or after a WOD and start REALLY PUSHING yourself to the point you are in the fetal position weekly.
You see when you treat FITness as a sport and everything you do in your workouts as a skill, your 'result potential' is now UNLIMITED!!! You can and will continue to get better and better and better.
You can always improve your clean, you can always run a little bit faster, push yourself self harder, and know that you will continue to build more character and mental toughness every time you THROTLE a WOD...and that my friends is never ending.
Sure we will age, and age does catch up to you, but I believe overall in the next 10 yrs you will kick yourself in the *ss physically, mentally, and emotionally...alas TRUE RESULTS!
Tell us your initial goals/perception of FITness in general and CrossFit.
And how has it changed?
My ONLY goal when I joined CF was to lose weight/"look better". At the time, I was training for my first marathon (to lose weight, too) but I HATED wearing shorts in public. Running in capris for 26 miles is not logical, so I signed up for CF. Three months later, I crossed the finish line in 85 degree weather and wearing shorts for all of Chi-town to see! I guess I have those dreaded wall balls and lateral jumps to thank! Seems silly that I was more proud of wearing shorts than actually running the marathon. But, for people who know me well, they get it. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe coaches, the music, and the variety of the WODs has created such an encouraging environment for me to make much needed physical and mental gains in. I’ve learned that being your worst critic WILL destroy your potential at CF (among other places) so I’ve been forcing myself to push harder, add more weight, and most importantly, trust myself. After all, my best days are the ones where I am focused and not self-defeating.
The next goal achieved through CF: Showing up at my 10 year High School reunion this July, feeling like a strong and proud woman. "Looking better" will be the kicker!
When I started, I just wanted to keep up with the class and get FIT. I would have that anxious sick to my stomach feeling when I would drive to the box, hoping that I would know someone or have a clue on what the movements in the WOD were.
ReplyDeleteNow... I get excited every time I start driving to the box. I get excited to see all the new friends I've made and I'm excited to smash the WOD as best as I can.
Also, when I started at the box... I HATED the WODs where we had any sort of lifting in it. I mean... HATED it, I just wanted to do bodyweight exercises. Now, the Olympic Lifting WOD is the class I look forward to most. I have no idea how or when that changed, but it was the best change I've made. And as for lifting heavy weights and being a girl.... I think EVERYONE should do it. Don't be afraid of the barbell, it's your friend.