Crossfit Westside

Inspired

Last weekend I went camping with my dad. We met at Manning Park as my dad wanted to do some hikes. When he said we were going hiking I was not expecting our first hike to be 20 kilometers straight up! I mean it was worth it when we got to the top of the mountain peak and had a beautiful 360 degree view of all the mountains around us.But I think what blew me away was that I could barely keep up to my dad!

A couple of years ago I challenged my dad to do 10 minutes of working out 3 times a week. He hates working out but he knew he had to start.  I told him about this crossfit thing I had just started. I gave him a basic beginner workout of 3 push ups, 8 sit ups, and 12 squats. Repeat for 10 minutes. We started to do the routine and I was horrified when my dad couldn't even do 1 sit up!...Needless to say he has come a loooooonnng way. I am so proud of him! Not only can he

hike huge moutains at an awesome pace, but he is eating well too. He eats all organic and has been attempting to do the zone. For 60 years old he is doing fantastic. And he has totally inspired me as well! Love ya dad. Thanks for kicking my butt this weekend!

I love LA

I know I have said it before, but I love LA. I was lucky enough to go down and enjoy the outdoor fun and sun in Santa Monica, California. Instead of going down for training, a couple of friends and I went down for a vacation.

However, we still had to get some workouts in on the beach. Why?...Because its FUN! And that seems to be the lifestyle down in Cali! I love that you can run down the beach for miles, climb or bike the Santa Monica Mountains, surf or swim, or hang out at the outdoor gym areas on the beach.

And of course we had to rent a convertible! Hope you are all enjoying the outdoors this summer!

Fran still has a hold on me

Well I have attempted FRAN two more times since my last post. My first attempt came in at 4:39. A little better than my last PR. This morning I attempted it again. I felt strong! The thrusters felt light in my hands and the pull ups were feeling pretty good too. I thought I had for sure beaten my time only to realize the stop watch was not on. F*ck!

On a lighter note, my good friend Christine and I lucked into 10th row seats for the Kayne West concert. It was a ton of fun! I think I was the oldest person there!! ha ha.

Fun in the Sun

May long weekend rocked!! It was 30 degrees out! I went home to Kelowna to do some wakeboarding and visit the family. It was stinkin hot! The bbq was on, the drinks were cold, and the outdoor fun on the lake was better than ever.

Well I was suppossed to try FRAN last week after 8 weeks of the zone and following the WOD workouts... however I have decided to do 2 more weeks of the zone and the WOD's. I don't know if I am just putting it off because I am freakin scared or if I just afraid of failing...my fear of not being able to get the time I want has brought about many emotions in me. It sounds ridiculous, but when you have a goal you want to reach so bad, the fear of not achieving it can make you...well...doubt yourself...put things off... scare you into not taking a chance and going after it.

One of my most amazing clients has been struggling with our workouts. I have been challenging her to do exercises that she is not good at. And it has made her feel that she is out of shape and not doing well. It upset her so much that she started to cry after one of her workouts. I was blown away by her feeling of failure, but I could also completely understand where she was coming from. She has been trying for a long time to get her pull ups and it has not happened. (like me trying to get a 4 minute FRAN). Its hard doing things that were not good at. And it is easier to do things that we are great at! But I think one of the most rewarding things, is doing well at something that we once sucked at!

And is it worth it......Yes. Most definately.

I will keep trying these workouts that I think are impossible and I will keep trying to reach my outrageous goals. Even if it takes me longer than others. Even if my fear holds me back for a moment. And why!! Because it is possible. If Crossfit did not create these crazy workouts, I would have never attempted or even believed I could do pullups, deadlift double my bodyweight, or any of the other things they believe we can do.

And after today I know I will keep trying FRAN until I get under 4 minutes. Especially since I saw my down and out client get her first PULL UP! Definately one of the most rewarding things I have had the pleasure of experiencing.

See you in two weeks with my new FRAN time!

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Final Week

7 weeks ago, my friend Christine and I decided we were going to challenge ourselves to 8 weeks of following the 'zone' and the 'WOD's on Crossfit. The goal was to see how far we could take our athleticism. This Thursday I will be taking my final challenge. I will be battling against my most feared workout...FRAN. My goal is to get under 4 minutes. I am scared as hell....but I can't wait! Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine and outdoor fun. (FRAN is going down!!!!) ha.

Why I train

We have been training for the last 6 weeks following the WODs on Crossfit.com and the Zone. Our goal is increased athleticism. It has been good...really tough...but good. One thing I have really noticed is that if your nutrtition is not in check, you will not reach elite athleticism. It is impossible. This is a tough one for me as I would rather eat what I want when I want it. However, my drive for a 4 minute FRAN has outweighed the need to eat crap. Don't get me wrong, it still happens, but not as often or as frequent. Eating better has definately allowed me to do things I never thought possible... like lifting a 112lbs thruster.

All this being said, I love to train, but I also love to play. I mean that is the point of training hard right?! Last week my friends and I went for a rip on our bikes at Seymour Demostration Forest. It is an easy fun ride. An even more fun ride when it is raining hard! We made sure to hit every mud puddle we saw! We had the muddiest bodies ever. All I could see was my friends teeth when they looked at me, as the rest of there faces were covered in dirt. It was awesome! Hope your all playing hard and having fun!!

Weighted Pull Ups

Week 5 of zoning and WOD's.It has been amazing to see the changes in my body and in my clients who are following the zone. I am so proud of all of  my clients who have chosen to follow the zone. They have seen huge results in their fitness and of course their physical shape.

I personally have seen the biggest results from my fitness. I wish we could have gotten a picture of my chin over the bar here, but my camera sucks! Yesterday I did 45lbs weighted strict pull ups. I am totally stoked. I remember when it was soooo hard to do 15lbs. I have to say I am loving Crossfit more than ever!

Check out Rob Miller's Pull up video. This will blow your mind!

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Hang Power Cleans

Week 4 of my 8 week trip to Crossfit elite athleticism. I am still stuggling with the ZONE! Surprise, Surprise! And I am sure this is no shock to those who know me as my claim to fame is "I live to eat."  To be honest with you, I cannot relate to or even understand people who "eat to live." They seem boring. ha ha. Well, the zone is still a struggle some days, but for the most part it has been good. And the Crossfit Workouts have been even better.

Saturday the WOD was a 10k run. The run took under 50 minutes, which was pretty good considering I have not run 10k in years. And today's workout I really saw how the ZONE was contributing to my athleticisim as I was doing 115lbs for hang power cleans. I was stoked about this as they are a much faster move than the clean. Previously I could only do 85lbs. I am really looking forward to seeing more changes in the next 4 weeks!

I thought I would post this fun video from You tube. It is called the "Evolution of Dance." If you haven't seen it before it is worth checking out. If you love music it brings back tons of good memories. 

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Inspired

I am really enjoying my new longboard skateboard I purchased in California. It is made of bamboo and hand painted.  I am still trying to feel confident on this board, but it has inspired me to get outside and play more often! I love the way it feels!

Last week was such an inspiring week. My clients inspire me more than anything. Last Friday I started a powerlifting class. I have 7 of my regualr clients attending and everyone blew my mind. Not only with their energy, but with their lifts. It is amazing to see how far some of my clients have come and where they are heading. I have to say they make everyday worth going into the gym. I thank the universe everyday for giving me such dedicated, committed people to work with. My life is much more fulfilling because I get to do what I love, teach it, and be around an amazing community of people. I can't thank everyone enough for allowing me to do what I love. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I hate running!

Week 3 offically complete. The zone is getting easier, but the WODS are not. Today's workout was:

4 Rounds of 800 meters. For time. 3:28, 3:25, 3:24, 3:20. I can't believe I once loved running. I can't believe I ran marathons! Since I started Crossfit I have been too busy to run anything. I've been trying to build strength, get a muscle up, do a back flip, overhead squat my bodyweight, etc. etc.

So far week 3 has been a mediocre week for fitness. I attempted FRAN again yesterday only to get the same time.(crap!) Plus a bruised chin and an almost half eaten tongue! I hit my chin when pushing the bar overhead and banged myself pretty good. My tongue is swollen on both sides and it hurts to eat.

On a positive note, I went and checked out Crossfit Langley yesterday. The crew there is awesome! We did a pretty sick workout. I ended up doing a dip with a 60lbs dumbell between my legs. I never imagined being able to do this. It was cool! Probably not so good before attempting FRAN.

I am going to go outside and play in the sunshine!