An eternal optimist, always wearing a smile. Must haves: sunshine, fitness (jogging, weight training, & CrossFit), reading, good food, writing, music, and fun with family and friends.
Working out at 9:30 a.m. on a weekday morning was invigorating! Oh how I miss it! When the instructor asked for feedback about the WOD, I said that, “it was better than a cup of coffee.”
True, I’m getting stronger, but 115 pound thrusters for the women? Nope. I don’t think so! LOL!! I worked hard lifting at 75 pounds because I’m still perfecting my form. I like to remind myself that form is more important than trying to impress others with heavier weights. In due time, the heavier weights will come. With a competition six months away, this is not the time for an injury. My score: 20 (in 10 minutes).
The Turkish Get ups are difficult and require good focus. I left a puddle of sweat on the floor, but I did them well; consistently and methodically. Yay!! It’s hard to imagine that back in July, I could barely do one Turkish Get up. That is one of the amazing benefits of CrossFit. If you stick with it, you will see results.
No matter how hard, you push and push until you think you have nothing left. Then… push some more!
Rarely does a day go by and I am not asked about my diet. While I have my “cheats,” the one thing you won’t see me drinking is soda. Read this great post about soda consumption and you will understand why I don’t indulge in it.
To my surprise, a few years ago at a Halloween party, I was encouraged by two incredibly fabulous and inspiring women to compete in a figure competition. Although fit, I was flattered, but never did I image myself competing on that level, let alone strolling across a stage in a itsy bitty bikini. I also knew that my time was limited and I couldn’t make the commitment, so I graciously declined.
What is figure competition? It is a body building competition where women are judged on their physique. Judges look for muscle symmetry and definition, so intense training and a strict diet are key.
Because I didn’t really know anything about figure competition and the idea piqued my interest, I decided to attend the event as a spectator.
Since then, I’ve been to a couple of competitions. I was amazed by how these woman, especially the ones over 40 sculpt their bodies to perfection. I also noticed the absence of black woman on the stage. Hello! Where are the sistas at? Sparse, to say the least! I was disappointed.
Curiosity led me to YouTube, fitness magazines, and other internet resources. The pictures and videos posted on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social networks, are jaw dropping. The more I looked, the more engrossed I became.
My emotions have cultivated from having “a general interest” to an “intense yearning” to discover how I can transform my body into a lean and muscular skeletal work of art. Yeah! I said “work of art.” After all, creating art in any medium requires time, patience, consistency, creativity, attention to detail, and commitment. The result, as in any piece of work, is amazing!
So officially I am in pursuit to uncover amazing! Project FitCom14 is underway. LOL! For the record, I am TERRIFIED!!! When I imagine myself strolling across the stage in 4-inch heels and a two-piece swim suit, goose bumps cover my body and my stomach knots up.
Like a jury deliberating for a verdict, I have given careful consideration to this challenge. What are the pros and cons? How much time is required? What are the costs? How will the training affect my family? Who will I train with? The list goes on and on.
While I am on a quest to uncover amazing, other factors played a key role in my decision.
Life is precious and short. I have this need to constantly challenge myself, but ten years ago, I certainly didn’t vision myself partaking in a competition of this nature. With each accomplishment, a new challenge must lie ahead. Down the road, I would hate to have to ponder, “What if I had tried?’
Fitness is my lifestyle and my passion; so I always make that part of my “me” time. Too many women, especially black women, slight themselves of their own interests and of taking good care of the body, mind, and spirit. Women make sacrifices for their family, but not for their own happiness. Over time, resentment and regret can seep into our soul and our spirit. I can support my family best by maintaining overall health and wellness. At my best, I am a better listener, more patient and understanding, and can better deal with the daily challenges in life.
Lead by example. Recently an unsuspecting phone call from my 24 year-old daughter plastered a huge smile on my face.
Shaina: “Mom, what do you eat?
Me: “Healthy Food.”
Shaina: “I know that, but what kind of food?
Me: Laughter! (This child has lived with me all her life. She just moved in June. What the heck was she doing when I was slaving in the kitchen?) I shook my head and laughed some more
Our exchange went on for a few minutes because I was trying to figure out why my daughter had a sudden shift and interest in “eating healthy.” That is definitely not her thing. Finally she laughed and confessed,
“You’re an inspiration! OMG! I saw that picture you posted on Facebook”
I almost fell over! LOL! “Oh that!” She’s NEVER said those words to me before. I posted a picture of my hair growth progress, but my shoulder drew more attention than my hair growth. Here’s the picture.
This pic is supposed to highlight my natural hair growth. Instead my shoulder attracted the attention! LOL!
Seriously, I’m so happy that my daughter is taking an active interest in her health. If I can inspire, encourage, and help others see value in caring better for themselves and possibly save a life along the way, then my efforts are worthwhile.
So, on September 27, 2013, I made the commitment to compete in my first figure competition. Future posts will include my progress. Ooooooh! More goose bumps!!
My body knows when Friday arrives. Immediately after work and about an hour before CrossFit class, my body needs a 16 oz. dose of caffeine (hazelnut cream and sugar). I need time for the caffeine to take effect. I know. I know. Eating clean means that I should avoid the cream and the sugar. I’m working on that.
For now, my compromise is driving around with sandwich bags stuffed with Sugar In The Raw packets in my glove compartment. Whenever I buy java on the road, I add my sugar. The Sugar In The Raw is natural unrefined sugar. Yeah, it’s still sugar, but more natural than the other options.
Although challenging, today’s WOD was refreshing compared to yesterday’s “Halloween Gone Bad,” it still was no picnic. Completing 5 rounds of strict pull ups with a thinner blue band was super sweet! Gotta love progress!
B’Dazzle (my son) completed the 400M runs with me, so that was fun. By the way, “B’Dazzle” is what he insists we call him; before B’Dazzle, he insisted we call him “medium.” He was tired of being called “little man.” I think, B’Dazzle, has a lot to do with his football game and how quickly he gets into the backfield! He’s cute! B’Dazzle did burpees for most of the hour long class. Kids have so much energy!
He’s excited about fitness and that’s the way it should be with kids. I set a good example for him and he’s certainly picking up on my lifestyle. Last week hubby called me to tell me that B’Dazzle ordered a veggie sub over something with meat! Oh man! Those kind of choices get my hyped, especially because I wasn’t present. He is enrolled in the kids CrossFit and loves the class.
Today when I got home, there was a medium size white envelope on the kitchen counter. The envelope was addressed to my mom, but had a written note, “For Tanya, love mother.”
Today is not my birthday, so it was a “just because” gift. Ironically, I just picked up a cool “just because” gift for her. Mother saw this night-shirt in a catalog and felt it suited me perfectly! Lol! We rarely see eye-to-eye on anything, so this gesture is huge! Thanks mom!
Well it is another late night and it’s definitely time to crash. Sweet dreams!!
This is a t-shirt dress (night gown) that mom brought me today.
This workout felt like it would never end. Every time I glanced at the board, there were more to do. Pushing the sled across the parking lot was brutal. I put my mean face on, got pissed, and pushed that ish across the lot–did I mention my quads (thighs) were on fire!
After CrossFit, I dished out candy to the neighborhood kids. Now I’m exhausted and can barely see my laptop screen. I’d love to say more, but I need sleep, so I’m saying Good night to you.
21-15 – 9 (15 Min Cap) Thrusters (135/95)
Pull-ups
Rest 3 Minutes
5 Rounds of
OTM1: 3 Reps Back Squat (light/medium)
OTM2: 20 DU’S or 10 Box Jumps (24/20)
Two and a half hours before class, I enjoyed a relaxing full body massage. Lying on the massage table as the therapist stoked my fatigued muscles, I wondered if I would make it back to LivingWell for the 5:30 CrossFit class. I adore the place! Small and intimate, friendly, professional, and staffed with all the right services to meet an athlete’s needs.
I left LivingWell at 4 p.m. Although my day started with less than five hours of sleep, I returned for the 5:30 p.m. class feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. The massage did wonders for my body.
Thrusters are not at the top of my favorite list, but today, I kicked them out with 55 pounds. I did thrusters last week with the same amount of weight, but my form today was better.
Form first… weight second…that’s my rule!
I completed my five rounds of back squats with 95 pounds. My friend T. said that the weight was light and I could do more. LOL! Next time my friend, I’ll push harder.
The class was packed but, true to form, the group was fun and encouraging. Am so glad I made it tonight. Awesome!
Health & Wellness by Lexa's Journal 