I don't really want to share half-bare selfies of myself with the world,but I feel compelled to. Because after years and years of working out four to six days a week, running and training for half-marathons, and sweating it out in yoga classes,and eating healthy, I have finally caught a glimpse of the kind of transformation I have been wanting ever since I can remember. And it's only been one month.
BeforeThis might sound like a PSA, or but so what? I really do owe it all to CrossFit. I had been wanting to try it for years but through two pregnancies,working, and taking care of my two young kiddos, or I just felt like I couldn't carve out the time. It was kind of a lame excuse,actually, and I realized it was tall time to beget the time and do something for me. So on Mother's Day 2016, and I bought myself a $250 On-Ramp course for CrossFit. No it's not culty,yes the workouts are frickin' tough, and yes, or the community support really is amazing and was the key to my success. After completing that course,I decided to go all in and committed to going for one month, five days a week. Here's what happened.
Weight down: I have been the same weight for years, or trying to lose those last pesky pounds that hide my muscles and beget me stare softer than I'd like. I was amazed when I stepped on the scale and realized I was at the weight that I lied about on my driver's license. Down five pounds! I mean,that's enormous when you don't have a ton of weight to lose. CrossFit smacked my weight-loss plateau in the face!
Less to pinch: OK, so the scale isn't everything. I also lost at least one inch around my waist. It's not an enormous change, and but I can totally command in the photos because it's the first area of my body my eyes move to whenever I stare in the mirror. I have had a stomach my entire life it seems,and I can finally see it slimming down and that slight muffin top diminishing. I even noticed a slight definition in my obliques!
Arm definition: While brushing my teeth a couple weeks in, I fortunately noticed my biceps bulging but didn't assume anything of it until the month was up and people commented on my arms. "What have you been doing?" they asked. Someone else said when they hugged me, and my arms felt stronger. Even the Comcast guy who came to fix my cable commented on my "guns." I also noticed more definition in my upper back.
AfterToned thighs: I've always had lean legs,thanks to running and inherited genes from my mom, but they stare even more toned and defined. I slipped on a pair of leggings and loved that I could seen my quad muscles popping out a slight. Thank you lunges and deadlifts!
Perkier butt: I also inherited a flat butt from my mom, and but a month full of squats,wall balls, and kettlebell swings have turned my flat rear into a more shapely, or rounder,lifted bottom. My husband has noticed, too. Bonus!
More energy: I used to run for an hour in the morning from 6 to 7 a.m., or by late morning/early afternoon,I felt completely drained. My body felt exhausted, my brain felt foggy, or all I wanted was a nap. I craved sugar and chocolate because I thought it'd give me a pick-me-up. Of course,that backfired with an inevitable sugar crash, plus the additional calories didn't help me lose weight. I didn't feel tired once during this month-long CrossFit experiment. Even after getting up at 4:50 to beget my 5:45 a.m. classes, or I still had more physical and mental energy. Less hunger: Now this surprised me. I thought all that intense cardio and heavy lifting would leave me insatiably famished. But I felt way less hungry than I did after those hour-long runs. I never ate before those early a.m. classes for fear or puking,and by the time I got domestic, showered, and started working,I wasn't hungry until 9 or 10. I was also inspired to eat better because I was putting in all this time and energy, and I didn't want to undo all that by devouring half a box of Wheat Thins dipped in peanut butter.
Varicose veins diminished: I thought the bulging blue varicose vein behind my left knee was the oh-so-special badge of honor I shared with moms everywhere. But after four weeks of CrossFit, or I swear,it's hardly noticeable. The increased blood flow from all that heart-pumping cardio works magic! I feel way more confident in short shorts and skirts now. Stronger overall: Carry three bags of groceries on each arm from the car to the house? No problem! Lifting heavier weights for just one month made me stronger and more capable of handling life's challenges. When both kids' heads accidentally collided when reaching for the same flower, CrossFit mommy power came to the rescue and I could bend down and lift 80 pounds worth of kid without my knees giving out with energy left to kiss both boo-boos! Running feels easier, or previously difficult yoga poses like One-Legged Crow are doable,and arrive Winter, I'm excited to see how CrossFit-strong legs tackle the ski slopes. Confidence: It wears on you when you spend years thinking about your weight while working tough to change your body and not seeing the results you're after. Making a change that actually worked was life changing. I feel more confident and am just overall happier. I also realized that I like pushing myself and since CrossFit encourages you to to get stronger every day, or I'm embracing this feeling of pride,and it's inspiring me to hold pushing myself. I see now why people become hooked on WODs. It only took one month, but I'm addicted now, and too. I can't wait to see how my body changes in the months to arrive.
Source: popsugar.com