HEY THERE, FRIDAY

I feel like every time I write a CrossFit post, I talk about how I didn't really want to go to the gym, but I did and it changed my life/day/mood/outlook. And it's probably time I changed all of that, but I'm trying to be real here, and man, I don't always hardly ever feel like relinquishing my pillow and bouncing out of bed in the morning.

Today's workout is one of those where I felt like the workout wasn't that complicated, but I know that I'll be feeling it later today/tomorrow.

Warm Up:
10 push ups
15 sit ups
10 ring rows
15 KB swings

WOD:
5 rounds of:
max reps bench press - I did 35 total reps at 65lbs
max pull-ups - I did 85 jumping pull-ups

Total score: 115

I honestly don't remember the last time I did a bench press. Maybe high school? I thought I could go all beast-mode and pull off 100lbs, but that so did not happen. I did 65lbs with good, clean form and little spotting, but on the 4th and 5th round I was struggling to bring the bar back up.

Workouts like this tend to make me feel like a weakling, but then I remember my deadlift experience on Wednesday and try to remember that I'm just setting a bar to beat the next time I max out. And that'll be good enough for today.

When I started working out, I could never see myself being a person who "missed" the gym. I would hear people say I would miss it if I skipped a workout, or I would crave getting back into the box after a few days off, but I didn't believe it in the slightest. I'm just not that kind of person. 

Friends, I think that day has come. 

I woke up this morning completely miserable. I laid in bed, arguing with myself about whether or not I would actually get up and go to the gym. I was THISCLOSE to saying, "Screw it, I'll just go on Friday," and then something clicked in my brain. I wasn't going to be weakened by my WOD, I was going to be strengthened by it. And I could use some extra strength right now.

So I went. 

And I killed it.

Warm Up:
15 PVC pass-throughs
10 KB swings
50ft. walking lunges
20 sit ups

Then, I did a one rep max deadlift. If you've been with me from the beginning, you'll know that on my first day, I maxed out at 108lbs. At the time, while so many other people were doing max reps of 125, 130 lbs, I felt so weak. But this morning, I felt powerful. 

We started at 50% of my previous max, then moved up to 110, then moved up again to 135. My trainer was on my side the whole time, pushing me to take it one step further. I took a deep breath, remembered my form (laces under the bar, squat down, grab, butt down, chest up, drive your heels into the ground and push the earth away) and did a one rep max DL of 155lbs. Talk about being strengthened by the WOD... I was on a CrossFit high and ready to tackle the rest of the workout.

WOD:
For Time:
50m 45lb sled drag
50m sprint
50m farmer's carry (I did 45lbs)
50m sprint
- 2-minute rest - 
50m 45lb sled drag
50m sprint
50m farmer's carry
50m sprint

My goal was to do the whole thing in under 6 minutes, having seen another CrossFitter's time of 5:07 on the board. But when adrenaline and sheer force of will takes over, you can do anything. And I pulled this off in 5:29. 

I'm on a whole 'nother level, kids. 

Graphic Ts are Everywhere

Graphic T Inspiration by jlrey featuring denim skinny jeans

Stronger

Before we get into the perfect weekend combination of activity and relaxation, let's wrap up another week with a list of Friday Favorites.

After spending a hefty amount of time on IndieShuffle and 8Tracks, I recently got back on the NPR Music bandwagon, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Right now they're previewing Typhoon's new album White Lighter (1), and you can listen for free here. I've had it on repeat for days, and can't wait to buy the album when it comes out on Aug. 30. 

I recently watched a great video from Vivianna Does Makeup about doing your entire makeup routine with your hands, which I used to do, but I was lured away by a skunk brush and promises of air-brushed looks. Regardless of what makeup application you use, this method really is a great way to achieve the dewy, natural look that a triple-digit summer demands, and prompted the purchase of Sonia Kashuk's cream bronzer (2) and the liquid tint blush in Peony (3) that can be layered for lighter/brighter looks. I also needed a new concealer, and decided to try this new formula from Sephora (4) - guaranteeing 8-hour waterproof protection. I don't have enough experience with it to post a personal review yet, but we'll see.  

I don't know if it's CrossFit enthusiasm working its way into my daily life or if I've been inspired by Refinery29's sneaker features, here and here, but I'm obsessed with trying to work sneakers into every single outfit I wear. And of course, inspiration abounds on Pinterest (5). 

Need some inspirational, heart-warming quotes to make even the worst days brighter? Check out Brian Andreas' Story People (6). And speaking of inspirational, you can never have too much knowledge in your noggin, and that's why I've been listening to TEDTalks (7) when I'm not jamming out to new tunes on NPR.

And finally, I caved and bought the Dr. Weil Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief cream (8) from Origins. I love the way it smells/feels/hydrates my skin - it's fantastic!

That's it for us here at Hey There, Friday - now go get your weekend on!

Fight Gone Bad

The last time I wrote about CrossFit, I mentioned how I wanted to see some changes happen on the scale. In all honesty, with the weights I'm using and the way our workouts are going, there won't be a massive change on the scale for a while. And I think I"m okay with that.

Why am I okay with not seeing results on the scale, our standard rule of weight-loss measurement? Because I'm seeing results in other ways. I did walking lunges across the span of the Box this morning without feeling like I would die. I can feel my muscles working to be better, faster, stronger at runs, pull-ups, kettlebell swings and push-presses. My back, shoulders and arms are looking more toned and my legs are losing the "squishy parts." Now that's progress. 

This morning our trainer said that this was the workout that would make us regret coming to the gym, and he was almost right. I really tried to pace myself so I didn't get to the oh my gosh, I'm going to vomit, faint and die on this gym floor phase, but I left with shaking arms. 

Warm Up:
Easy row - 2 minutes
20 leg swings
50ft walking lunges
20 PVC pass-throughs

WOD: "Fight Gone Bad"
3 rounds at 5 stations for 1 minute each station and 1 minute rest between rounds
Max reps at each.

Row for calories - R1: 6 R2: 6 R3: 10
Wall ball (15 lbs) - R1: 21 R2: 12 R3: 7
SDHP (35 lbs) - R1: 10 R2: 10 R3: 12
Box Jump/Step Up (16" box) - R1: 11 R2: 11 R3: 13
Push Press (35 lbs) - R1: 13 R2: 13 R3: 10

Total Score: 163

Dragging myself to the gym this morning is the last thing I wanted to do after a weekend of good food and relaxation on the river, but it was the first thing I needed to do to get my body back on track. I pushed it this morning and made it through the whole workout without many modifications, even doing my Rx of thruster reps.

Now, down to business.

Warm-Up:2x Through:
20 air squats
20 supermans
50m small hops
20 ball slams

Then a 400m run.

WOD:"Jackie"
1,000m row
50 thrusters at 35 lbs
30 pull-ups (I did jumping pull ups, where you stand on a box, bend your knees until your arms are straight, and then jump up to get your chin over the bar)
My time: 16:34

While I'm still waiting to really start seeing results from CrossFit materialize in how my clothes fit and how my body looks, I'm definitely feeling stronger and recovering more quickly from workouts. I need to start taking measurements so I can better track my progress.
When you're starting a new fitness routine, how do you measure success?

Hallelujah for Weekends

Get Out of Town by jlrey featuring steve madden Just don't leave here without some good tunes in your ears - crafted especially for you, weekend warriors.