As the Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good Challenge comes to a close I found myself contemplating the true meaning of a statement I made to one of the fabulous ladies in the 9:30 group. She asked how the contest was going and I replied, “Good, I just can‘t wait until it is over.”
It was the “I can’t wait until it’s over” part that had me thinking (talking to myself actually, but for those of you who know me this shouldn’t come as a surprise). What did I mean when I said that? Am I going to start buying bread and eating large quantities of pasta with Alfredo sauce? Am I going to stop working hard at Invictus, or stop doing workouts altogether and spend more time droning endlessly on a treadmill at the traditional gym? Am I going to stop reading the Crossfit Journal and the Paleolithic Solution and read Twilight again (yes, I said again)?
HELL NO! This contest is only the beginning. This was the start of a change of lifestyle, not a temporary challenge or a diet, but a true change. I have battled with my weight all my life and have lived with mountains of self-imposed guilt when I ate anything that I perceived would put more weight on my already overweight five foot one inch body. I went through cycles of fitness, working out for a few days and then stopping for a few days, weeks, even months. Counting calories, under eating, over eating and fad diets, you name it I tried it. You get the idea, lots of unproductive, unhealthy cycles of chaos in this part of my life. This Challenge and my almost year-long education at Invictus have truly changed my world view when it comes to nutrition, exercise and overall health. I feel better and stronger, both physically and mentally. Cheat days are just that, a day or a meal and no-longer come with guilt. I find myself sharing what I have learned with anyone who will listen, and have recently used this information to help my mom start down the Paleo path.
So, does it end on March 23, 2010? Nope, it continues – more workouts, lean meats, fresh veggies, nuts and seeds. Most significantly, more continuing education from the coaches at Invictus, who have helped bring peace and understanding to this portion of my life. So, I am up to continue the challenge, because I want to Look Good, Feel Good and Play Good for the rest of my life.
Anybody care to join me?
so proud of everyone
It was great to witness the focus from all the gamers at the 6am class. It was inspiring to see the PR’s and hard work payoff. Cp, way to rock it! Your focus over the past 6 weeks have you moving and thinking like an athlete again…not a former athlete 🙂 That 155# clean will be 175# in a couple more months! Good job everyone.
Being injured SUCKS!!! But it sure was fun cheering for the 6am crew… Nice job to all this AM….. Now lets rally behind our “fire breathers” on their quest for sectional greatness…..
Well done AT!
20 minutes on the stationary bike this morning.
Yep – awesome post! This was a well thought out challenge that influenced multiple healthy habits that have made me feel really good…. Eating cleaner, working out more consistently, stretching, prioritizing sleep… all good stuff!
We’re lucky to have so many great resources, awesome coaches and a cool community of people to learn from! I pick up something new in every class and really appreciated the extra time I got with George, Calvin, Sage and Michele to help me with technique, stretching and nutritional inspiration! This has been great (and IS just the beginning! :-))
PS: much luv to the 6am crew!
Great post! These 8 weeks have seriously changed my life around. I’m soo much more health conscious when eating food and most importantly “shopping” for food. The intrinsic value that this competition has given me is immeasurable in the long run. MARCH ON!!!!!
AWESOME post Angela!! 🙂 Thanks to EVERYONE for all your support!! This challenge for me wasn’t about beating anyone else…..it was about facing myself head on both physically and emotionally……I succeeded and will continue to triumph as I know all my fellow Invictus family will!! 🙂
Well despite missing all of the fun, I’m getting back into things after Niland and last week in Vegas. Sunday-main page wod, Monday-heavy squats, Today- Main page wod from Mon.
3 Rounds Of:
10 Deadlifts 275#
50 double-unders
7:27
Felt pretty good, all deads broken, only last set of DU’s broken. Still in Vegas till Friday though and the gym on base sucks. My friend Zach owns CFLV but I don’t really have a vehicle to get down there so doing what I can here.
Angela is The Awesome. What sucks worse than Twilight? I think the kb swings and rowing this morning came close. Thanks to Sage and Mike Hom (and MmmmmV) for helping me add 20# to my clean. Nathan is the best counter/coach to have at your side. Many thanks, brother. Others I will thank when I am beer-hydrated.
Now if there is a competition Sunday night, please don’t forget that I have been training for that concomitantly (someone help Sin with that SAT word) with my CFI workouts, so bring it!
Seriously, this has been a lot of fun and very instructive on how to change a lot in a short time. Karen Carpenter said it best in “We’ve Only Just Begun” … maybe not a good CFI wod tune, but don’t forget that The Carpenters were the #1 selling musical act of the 1970’s … as in 70’s BIG.
Amen! I’m with you girl!! I’ve been dreaming about all the things I can eat after today, but after I stepped on the scale and saw my progress, then did the work out, I began feeling different…almost defiant. If I can make it this far, how much farther can I go? So damn the girl scout cookies I have hoarded away, who needs cream in their coffee, those stuffed portabello caps were actually tasty. Celebratory drinks, then it’s back to the grind. After all, swim suit season is just around the corner!
Thank you Sage for your coaching and motivation and Mgood for kicking my butt today!
I love it!! I told my mom how today went and I was so excited to tell her about the PR’s all around. And then she asked what happens now, do I stop working out? Hell no!! I am so encouraged by the change in my strength that has occured over the past 8 weeks. I may not be in the running for the grand prize, but I feel I have accomplished so much. Thanks to George for helping me set a 15 lb PR in my cleans! And for counting and encouraging me today. Also a BIG THANKS to all of those who came to the 6am class just to cheer us all on. Who does that?? See you all at Confidential on Sunday where we can celebrate the beginning of our lifelong journey towards a healthy lifestyle.
Sing it!
You read my mind, Angela. It took about 6-7 weeks to really start seeing a change physically and now I want to see what more I can do! Brad and I have agreed to keep our healthy cooking Sunday routine alive, but we definitely won’t turn down a trip to the Waterfront for a frosty brew now and then. Like you said, it’s about creating SUSTAINABLE habits, and the competition is just the beginning!
Nice work to all the competitors!
Yay for my 6 a.m. peeps who kicked some major booty this morning!!! I know the rest of the classes will keep it up and show that Invictus has the most heart and spirit of any other gym in the world.
I am so proud to part of this with all of you!
Amen sista…I’m with you!
Great post Angela!
Inspirational! Thanks Angela.
I am right there with you Angela. Couldn’t have said it better. I have never felt so good in my life and I don’t plan to go back to all the physical and emotional issues that came with the old eating style. I finally found the courage (thank you CJ, Michelle and all the other coaches at Invictus) to make the commitment to me and my health!!