Health & Wellness by Lexa's Journal

My mission in life is to not merely survive, but to thrive: and do so with passion, compassion, humor, and style. – Maya Angelou

  • Not one day passes in my life that I do not feel blessed. So why should today be any different?  No life is perfect and mine is no different, but I focus on the positives in my life because I know that my life could have more struggles.

    Before CrossFit this morning, I stopped by Produce Junction, a local produce market. I parked next to an old worn down red pick up truck packed with fresh produce. Getting out the car my eyes zoned in on the zucchini. Mmmm…. Yummy!  My favorite summer vegetable.

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    My visit to the market was quick. broccolini was the only item on my list. In and out I went.  As I walked to my car, I spotted the owner of the pick up truck. Tall long-bearded older gentleman.

    “Hi, Do you own a farm in the area?”

    He owned a farm, but not in this area.  I explained that I would have gladly patronized his farm because his veggies looked great.

    Here, I will give you some!”

    “Oh no, I’ll buy it from you!”

    “Absolutely Not!”  He replied and started handing me this beautiful zucchini.

     

    I graciously thanked him for his generosity and will do so when I’m enjoying them over dinner.

    I’m telling you, positive energy attracts even more positive energy from the universe. Other than this morning’s CrossFit class, what a fabulous way to start the week.

    Later, I will post today’s WOD, but for now, I’ve gotta prime Tailor’s bedroom walls so that I can get to painting.

    I hope you have a fabulous day!

    XOXO!

     

  • Flying red beetles with bright yellow polka dots and bug-eyed orange and black spiders probably does not come to mind when you think of a soon-to-be 11 year-old bedroom.   Eight years ago the theme was suited for our son’s bedroom.  The theme has run its course and I am amazed at how quickly that years have passed.  It is time to give Tailor’s room an overhaul.

    My procrastination delayed this project by two months, but since school starts for both of us in a few weeks, it’s time to tackle his room.  Last week, every day after CrossFit, I began to remove the wall paper.  Notice I said, “after CrossFit.”    Although hubby would have been cool with skipping CF, that was NOT an option for me.  He’s hurting, but will thank me later.

    Operation destruction has begun.

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    Here’s what the little bug eyed critters looked like.
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    The tool table now serves as a junk magnet.
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    The wall paper came off with little resistance.
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    Hubby showed me how to remove the chair railing and I am thrilled that I got it off. All they do is attract dust.
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    Dust magnets… be gone!!
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    Some of my tools. The DIF worked well on the wallpaper, but did nothing for the borders.
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    the boards DID NOT want come off the wall! OMG!

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    Am not sure what I was thinking when I put all this up! LOL!
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    This steamer did the job. Was a little messy, but the boarders were finally removed with the help of the steamer.
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    Yay! Blank walls!
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    Warm Up:  Agility Ladder Drills For 4 Minutes

    Mobility:  5 Minutes

    SWOD:  8 Min To Warm Up To First Set For Front Squats
    Front Squat: EOM (Every Other Minute) Do 3 Reps

    Then Do:

    Power Snatch 1.1.1. X 3 2-3 Mins
    ( . ) Denotes a 10 Sec Pause Between Reps

    WOD: For Time:

    20 Overhead Squats (95/65)
    15 Shoulder to Overhead (95/65)
    20 Front Squats (95/65)
    15 Shoulder to Overhead (95/65)
    20 Back Squats (95/65)
    15 Shoulder to Overhead (95/65)

    Who knew that ladder drills would make my gluts and a few other muscles burn so badly? I certainly did not. Wow!! The next time I watch my son and his team mates complete rounds of ladder drills, I’m going to cheer something fierce.

    I completed the WOD reps with 45 pounds, which was a struggle and down right uncomfortable. To develop strength, the struggle and the discomfort is necessary.  Sometimes when my muscles are shaking and puddles of sweat are beneath me on the floor I have to remind myself of my personal goals.

    The most difficult and uncomfortable exercise for me today was by far the overhead squat.  Don’t get me wrong, the power snatches weren’t cake either, but the overhead squats require good core strength and solid form. About half-way into my squat, I struggled to keep the chest up, and the back straight, all while trying to push my butt out. Maybe I should have used less weight; I’m not sure, but to perfect my form, I will practice with my 25 pound bar at home.

    I smile a lot when I work out. Actually, I smile a lot period. Today was not the first time that the instructor either told me or asked why I was smiling. LOL! I might be smiling outside, but that obnoxious filthy mouth inner voice is saying stuff like, “Come on! Get your ass movin!” “Don’t F’N punk out!” That sweet voice says other crazy ish, but you get the point. The inner voice, who bitches like a military drill instructor is encouraging and motivates me to push myself harder.

    Yáll keep it movin!

  • “Progress is progress..
    no matter how small.”

    Warm Up: 200 Meter Run + Warrior Lunge + 200 Meter Run + 10 T2B or K2C
    Mobility: 8 Minutes
    SWOD: 
    
    6 Minutes Toes to Bar Kipping
    3 Minutes AMRAP Strict Toes to Bar
    WOD: 8 Minutes AMRAP:
    12 Jumping Lunges
    30M Bear Crawl
    6 Strict Pull ups
    20 Sec L-Sit

    You think this was easy?  Try it!  I dare you!

    A “Strict pull up seems almost impossible for me right now.   Note–  right now.   Eventually I will meet my goal of knocking these out.  I know that consistency, patience, and drive will ultimately get me there.

    Today, for the first time, I used the blue band.  I managed to complete two rounds (12) with the blue band and did my last round with a green band. So I’m pleased… I progressed.

    TTYL!

     

  • “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” -Thomas Edison

    Warm up: Run 200 Mters + 10 Clean w/bar Run 200 Meters + 10 Ft. Squats + 10 Push Jerks W/Bar (8 Min CAP)
    
    Mobility: 3 Rounds 
    30 Secs of Self Massage of the PSOAS
    30 Secs of Band Self Massage
    30 Secs of Squat Therapy (W/toes facing forward
    30 Secs of Shoulder Ext. W/PVC
    
    2 MIN for Transition 
    
    SWOD: Back Squat: 
     Min 1 60% X 8
     Min 3 70% X 5
     Min 5 80% X 3
     Min 7 80% X 3
     Min 9 80% X 3
    
    Then Do: 1 Min to find (70-80%) of 2 Cleans + 1 Front Squat + 1 Jerk
    
    Then Do: 8 Min EMOM
    *Newbies - 2 Power Clean (HIP)* + 1 Ft. Squat + 1 Push Press 
    WOD: 6 MIN AMRAP
    
    15 Wall Ball (20/14)
    20 DU's or 10 Box Jumps (24/ 20)
    Run 100 Meters or 10 Burpees (to avoid running in the rain)
    
    
    

    Today’s workout was long, but the grunt and grind was worth every minute of the WOD, especial the end. I don’t know why, but just before I arrive at CrossFit, I swear I experience anxiety. LOL! Is this normal? I haven’t the slightest idea as to why, but I feel the need to share, especially for those starting out with any fitness routine.

    I don’t experience self doubt, I just get really anxious–

    My heart races, sometimes I feel like I have to go to the bathroom, and then the sweating begins. Once the workout start, I completely relax and the fun begins. Does anyone else experience this?

    I am convinced that fitness mirrors life.

    The above quote from Thomas Edison is indicative of life as well as fitness. We set goals. We stumble. We fall. We either stay down or get up. Those who stay down will never experience the joy and fulfillment of achieving personal or professional goals. Those who get up and keep trying, experience the euphoria of accomplishing a goal. You laugh, you cry, you celebrate and recall the moments when you almost gave up. The feeling is a long lasting amazing high.

    Box Jumps are my favorite exercise in CrossFit. When I box jump, I feel like every single jump up on that big behind is an
    an accomplishment. I got a surprise today! I completed three rounds of 10…. only to find out (at the end of the workout) that I was jumping up on a 24 inch box!! LOL! After the first few jumps, I thought the box was a little high, but since I was making it up there, I kept going. I did faltered once:

     

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    Yeah it hurt, but I kept going anyways. Don’t we experience the same hiccups in life? At around 19 years old, I was overlooked for a promotion at work. I was MORE than qualified and held an impeccable work record. A co-worker was chosen over me. I was shocked and carried a bruised pride. I had to know why I didn’t get the promotion and politely asked my supervisor. He told me that it was a tie between me and Kathy. The tie breaker was that she had a college degree and I did not. What? Was he kidding! The degree had nothing to do with the job, but I understood.

    At that moment, I decided that that would NEVER happen to me again. I immediately enrolled in courses at the community college. Over ten years later, after marriage, a child, and life, I earned a Bachelors of Arts from Rowan University. Thank God I never gave up. Faith in God and amazing support from my village moved me forward. I am “successful” in that I continue to set and achieve new goals. I am “successful” in that I am blessed with health, family, friends, a career, and the ability to do anything I want to do.

    I have to go now and tend to my bruised shin and finishing removing wall paper from my son’s room.

    Have an incredibly fabulous day!

     

  • Fitness is not about being better than someone else…. It’s about being better than you use to be.”   – Unknown
    August 12, 2012 WOD

    
    
    Warm Up: 200 Meter Run, 20 Air Squats, 40 Jumping Jacks, 20 Push Ups
    Mobility: 10 Minute Stretch
    SWOD: 5 Rounds
    OTM1 - 20 Strict G-Rings Dips
     or Dips off Box
    OTM2 - 12 Strict Pull Ups
     or Body Rows
    WOD: 4 Rounds of 1 Min. AMRAP of Each
    Row for Calories
     RKBS (55/35)
     Burpees

    I completed the pull ups assisted by a green band, and I must say, progress is a beautiful thing!   A year ago I could not complete one pull up… even with the assistance of the band.  Keeping in mind that during the 10 month school year (9/2012 – 6/2013),  my workouts (except for running)  were randomly performed at home.

    Now, after only two months of 4-5 days a week of CrossFit, I can do 16 assisted pull ups with a green band. Yay!!!!!  Progress is a beautiful thing. I know, I said that already, but this is a major accomplishment for me.  I want to become stronger so, I think I am (cautiously) ready to move up to a blue band.

    Moving up a band will mean that I will work harder, but I’m cool with that.  In fitness, you only get stronger by setting new goals and consistently pushing yourself.

    My goal is to gain the same level of strength that I have in my legs as in my upper body.  I don’t know if this is realistic, but that’s the plan.  Martial Arts and, mainly running has strengthened my legs very well.  Now it’s time to balance things out with increased upper body strength.

    After three days off from CrossFit and no other workouts over the weekend, my start today was sluggish.  As we moved along in the WOD, I warmed up nicely and began to enjoy the workout, especially the row for calories, but definitely not those darn burpees.   Tomorrow is a new day!  I hope you got your workout in today.

    Enjoy the day!