Cross training
Much like I once said I would never watch an episode of The Bachelor or let my kid play with my phone, I vowed I’d never fall for the seemingly magic phenomenon known as CrossFit.
And just like I could tell you everything that happened on the last season of The Bachelor and could show you the crack on my phone that proves I have let my phone be taken captive by grimy toddler hands, I just had to know what it was that made CrossFit so great.
I’ve always known I could be stronger. I could work harder. But I didn’t {and don’t} have what it takes to push myself to get there. The What’s Beautiful challenge that I’m doing with Under Armour & Fitfluential is what’s nudging me to get there. To me, strong is what’s beautiful, inside and out, so that’s what I’m going to be. Not want to be. WILL be.
When I saw a group deal pop up for a local CrossFit box, I knew I had to do it. CrossFit is fairly new to this area and there aren’t a ton of options {although it’s growing}. I’d regretted not jumping on the only other deal I’ve seen pop up, so this time I didn’t let it slip past me.
I scheduled my mandatory fitness assessment for the next day. After driving around in circles around a sketchy looking warehouse, I finally saw a garage door propped open. I caught a glimpse of giant truck tires and pull up bars and knew I was in the right place.
Within minutes I was doing hundreds of jumping jacks, pushups, lunges, squats, and pull ups. I was exhausted and hadn’t even gotten to the notorious WOD- workout of the day.
And then it came.
For time, 7 rounds of:
- 7 kettlebell swings
- 7 sumo deadlift high pulls
- 7 burpees
I made it through 5 rounds before my legs literally wouldn’t propel me up in a jump anymore.
I knew this kind of push was what I needed. I was 1 hour into it and I already knew why people get so into this. It’s intense, it’s hard, it’s exhilarating. It holds you accountable and it lets you compete against yourself. It proves you can do more than you thought.
Unfortunately this box {like most} doesn’t have childcare, doesn’t open until late in the day, and closes too early for me to make it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take the momentum from my first WOD and use it to drive my other workouts.
What’s Beautiful goal, here I come. #SHEisSTRONG
What are you doing to be strong?
Exercise
I am just one of hundreds participating in the What’s Beautiful challenge with Under Armour. {I’m participating through Fitfluential.} Not only have I had the honor to join these women, I recently had the privilege to share the goals of over 20 inspiring women over at Babble.
If you need a little motivation to get your butt in gear, to cast your fear aside and finally tackle that goal, or just want a little inspiration from some women doing amazing things and supporting each other along the way, check out some of these What’s Beautiful participants.
Have you joined the challenge yet?!
Motivation
This is a campaign with Under Armour and Fitfluential. I hope you will enjoy the What’s Beautiful challenge as much as I do.
Four years ago I was in a dark, rough place. With the support of family, friends, and surprisingly {but importantly} this blog, I was able to dig myself out. I was somehow able to find the inner mental strength to power through a physically painful feat and I came out on the other side in a much better place. Since that time, there have been a lot of ups and downs, hills and valleys, light and darkness. But it’s the ups, the hills, and the light that stand out.
Here I am four years later, standing at the top of a slippery slope, wondering if I’m going to go tumbling down headfirst in catastrophe or slide down with grace and ease.
The pain that made me fight that first battle with myself has long since lifted enough for me to not make it a part of my daily life. Although there is enough of a reminder there each and every day, I’ve been able to put it aside and forget about it. Until recently.
I always knew that there was the potential for pregnancy and breastfeeding to be either the miraculous answer or the deal breaker, I just didn’t know which way it would go. Two-ish weeks ago I cut down to nursing twice a day. Almost since that day, the pain has slowly and steadily come back.
I don’t know if it’s here to stay or if this is just a transient adjustment, but I do know this: I have to be ready to fight it this time. I also know that I won’t have to fight it alone; can’t fight it alone.
Getting bogged down in the what-ifs and woe-is-me’s isn’t an option. There’s nothing productive about that. Instead, I’m making sure I start this next journey, whatever it may be, from a positive starting place.
It’s that second part that makes me proud to be a part of the What’s Beautiful campaign. Knowing I don’t have to do it alone. Every single person has a journey to take. A path to travel. A battle to fight. But we do not have to do it alone. Your journey is not the same as mine, but the support we need is the same. The benefit we get from that support is the same. And that’s what this campaign is about.
Under Armour first unveiled the What’s Beautiful campaign 3 years ago. This third round is going to be bigger and better than ever. The idea is to redefine the female athlete. It’s not about being the skinniest, the prettiest, or the most gorgeous. It’s not about perfect skin, pretty hair, or the best beach body. It’s not about what you can’t do or haven’t done. It’s about what you are going to do and what you’re capable of if you push yourself beyond your own limits. And most of all, it’s about joining each other to make it happen.
So join me for this journey. Your journey. Our journey. We have different roads to follow but the same end destination: personal improvement. Conquering our fears. Refusing to let obstacles stand in the way of our goals.
So set a goal.
Get support.
Make it happen.
Oh and maybe win prizes. Like UA swag or a trip to Costa Rica for yoga & surfing lessons. You know, nothing cool. 
Join individually, join a team, or start a team. Or join lots of teams!
Join my team, SHEisSTRONG: focusing on strength. Pushing ourselves. Achieving things. Encouraging new moms to see the beauty in strength, not in getting rid of the baby belly.
My view on life is different this time around. I want to be a role model for my son. I want to be able to run along side him or carry him for hours without getting tired. I want him to see women as strong, motivational people.
So take a stand. Say #IWILL. And then do it. With ME.
To borrow words from my friend Tina, This is a movement. To believe and achieve. To strengthen and encourage. To redefine #whatsbeautiful.
Join or follow the conversation and the motivation with the hashtags #whatsbeautiful and #IWILL.
Follow my What’s Beautiful journey or join my team here.
If you need help joining my team or getting started, email, Tweet, or Facebook me.
Disclosure: I am participating in this campaign on behalf of Fitfluential.
