From Couch to CrossFit

Fitness Highs, Fitness Lows

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:54:00 -0400

Last year I did a lot of amazing things that I never thought I was capable of.

1) I decided I wanted to step up my CrossFit training and find out what my body actually looked like under there, so I entered Randal Setzler’s 30 Days to Shredded program (with Brian, who I had never been brave enough to work out beside). I dedicated myself to true Paleo zoning and working out 5x/week. I felt amazing.

2) Because I was feeling invincible, I decided I would continue the 30 Days to Shredded programming and do the the most terrifying thing I could think of next: a fitness competition. I chose Iron Belle, a women’s only weightlifting and Crossfit challenge. Many things happened that made me want to quit — my partner had to pull out, my back was killing me, I was afraid — but somehow I made it through. I finished in 18th place (LOL!) and hit a personal record (PR) of a 95 lb. clean & jerk!

3) I made a goal to go to Greece, a place I have always dreamed of, even though I couldn’t afford it and I had never planned an international trip. Turns out, I’m basically a badass at international trip planning, you can live on half of your salary for a couple months to save for vacation, and Greece was everything I imagined and more. I turned 29 in Athens with the love of my life after the best week of my life! I was on top of the world.

…and then we came home.

After months of really hard training and being more disciplined than I have ever been, I was so happy to reward myself with bread! Sugar! Waffles! Margaritas! To say thanks to myself for all that hard work, I also decided to take some time off from the gym! Everything was awesome! I looked great! I was still on vacation high!

Then I settled back into the stress of work, the stress of bills, the ease of eating whatever I wanted instead of weighing and recording food, sleeping in, skipping workouts — and I created about 1,000 different excuses about why I deserved that. I’d go through spurts where I really missed my workouts and the girls in my class and I’d go back to CrossFit for a month or two — I always felt better then. Just when I’d get back in my groove, I’d find a new excuse: my work was too demanding, I started school, CrossFit was too expensive, I felt like my life was too scheduled, etc. Finally, I stopped going altogether.

Today, I feel more fat than fit. My body fat percentage has gone up significantly and I’ve gained enough weight to need new clothes. I’m not sleeping as well, I’m irritable more often, and my nightmares are out of control. These are small things in the grand scheme— #1stworldproblems, I know— but they are startling reminders to me of how different I felt at almost 200 pounds. I never want to get there again.

So, great wide internet, friends who think I am more disciplined than I am, I needed to say: I fell off the wagon after vacation. In fact, I fell so far off the wagon I have literally been living under the wagon hoarding french toast and curly fries since September 2012. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Earlier this month, I eased back into CrossFit with the amazing Karen Pierce, who coaches me Monday & Wednesday mornings in CrossFit’s Relentless Bootcamps. She’s been a patient and amazing leader and I look forward to adding more days, lifting heavy again, and finding a rhythm I can stick to with my food. I’ve been taking little steps to get back to where I want to be, but I know I have a lot of work to do.

I want to be able to be an example of discipline and consistency — not of emotional eating and hiding from things that are scary. Here’s to transparency, positive thinking, and making progress instead of excuses.

Ashley

After I completed Randall’s 30 Days to Shredded last...

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:15:34 -0400

After I completed Randall’s 30 Days to Shredded last August (aka the best shape I’ve ever been in).

This Saturday, I had the great pleasure of participating in Girlstart’s Girls in STEM conference!...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:19:00 -0400

This Saturday, I had the great pleasure of participating in Girlstart’s Girls in STEM conference! Our team from EA consisted of:

Sandra Suarez, Senior Program Manager, EADP
Myself (Ashley Pierce, Recruiter, BioWare)
Gloria Belanger, Procurement Manager, EADP
Holly Berry, Senior Technical Recruiter, EADP
Susan Calland, Senior Network Engineer
Janet Cinfio, VP, Online & Infrastructure Services
Angela Gallant, QA Lead, BioWare

We led 3 one-hour workshops titled “Gaming Adventures” for 4^th-6^th grade girls. We started with introductions and talking with girls about what we do at EA! (I’ve attached the deck we used.) Then we explained the goal of the workshop and the rules – essentially, each team of students was tasked with creating their own game prototypes. They had to create a game title, main character, rules of the game, and a game environment and present their finished product to the group. The most creative game team from each session won EA messenger bags (and we hope to have their games on display at the studio)! I was so impressed by the initiative, creative ideas, and teamwork I saw from these girls! They were truly inspiring!

Winners from our 1^st workshop! This team’s game was called “Starships” and had the tagline, “Try don’t die!”

Winners from our 2^nd workshop! This team’s game was called “Polar Bears vs. Penguins,” and you had to make it through the world of polar bears to enter the more “girly” world of penguins and glitter!

Winners from our 3^rd workshop! This team created “Trapped!”, a game where you must make it through various levels of a tower in 60 seconds (without falling off into the lava on either side)! 1st rule: don’t get caught by the fire-blowing snake!

“Help Sue & Mike get to the moon. (Watch out for asteroids.)” Great game advice from one of our teams!

There were lots of space-themed games in the workshop!

Another awesome game, “Girls’ Career: A Girl’s Life”. To win, you have to progress through several levels – math, engineering, science, and reading – to get a career! Note: this game is only $5.99! LOL

A survey one of the girls filled out after our workshop:

Pretty powerful stuff!

Kat Grosshaupt: Sugar. My Legal Drug of Choice.

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:03:19 -0400

Kat Grosshaupt: Sugar. My Legal Drug of Choice.:

THIS! THIS!

My vice is food. I hide food, I hoard food, I eat food in secret, and I get more excited about the food at events than the actual events sometimes. I throw evidence of the food I’ve eaten away at random trashcans instead of at my actual house so I don’t have to be reminded of what I have done. These are all pretty giant flashing lights around a billboard that screams FOOD ADDICTION! UNNATURAL EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO TREATS!

I can relate to Kat’s anxiety over 30 day challenges and food logging accountability — for the longest time, I would refuse to participate in these and felt certain I’d be more successful winging it alone instead of triggering so much anxiety from the pressure of accountability to my coaches or teammates. That said, I just finished Randal’s 30 Days to Shredded program and really committed to confessing where I cheated and trying my best to stay on track. I’ve decided to continue the program Monday-Friday, with room for treats on the weekends as long as I make it through the week without cracking. My goal is to eventually cut sugar out all together — baby steps for now!

katgrosshaupt:

The Wilke Warriors….. My awesome support Team!

This blog post was supposed to be about my 30 day Reset Challenge and about my Goals and how I am proud of myself for sticking to it for the past 3 weeks. But as luck would have it, Tumblr erased my post that I worked so diligently on and now…

coachjessicaclark: Got 5 mins? Try this core training...

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:34:35 -0400

coachjessicaclark:

Got 5 mins? Try this core training workout:

5 Minute running clock. Every minute on the minute, perform the specified number of reps for each movement. Rest with any remaining time. Full range of motion on the situps is shoulders in front of hip crease at the top of the movement, shoulder blades touching the mat at the bottom. Keeps abs contracted on the crunches and pulse the chest up, brining the shoulder blades off the ground. Use your breath to exhale on the contraction (up phase).

Minute 1 = 20 situps

Minute 2 = 40 crunches

Minute 3 = 20 situps

Minute 4 = 40 crunches

Minute 5 = 20 situps

It looks easy, but I assure you, it’s a burner! 3..2..1..GO!

tinyFIT: Everything in Moderation, or Maybe Not...

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:34:10 -0400

tinyFIT: Everything in Moderation, or Maybe Not...:

I love this idea of eating clean Monday-Friday and allowing weekends to be the only time for treats (within reason). My nutritionist suggested clean eating with the exception of 1-2 treat MEALS per week. For me, tiny cheats lead to full on binges, so I have more success with a strict schedule most of the time.

Great read!

tinyfitlauren:

I found a great article by Neghar Fonooni of Eat, Lift, And Be Happy about her personal experience with diet and nutrition. There are a lot of points I can relate to, but the most important thing to take away is that everyone is different when it comes to nutrition. As much as I would love to…

the Triune: It's Time To Become Better

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:47:17 -0400

the Triune: It's Time To Become Better:

thetriune:

By: CrossFit Central Women

Ladies - If you aren’t doing workouts as prescribed and find yourself reaching for the same bumper plates in each class, it’s time to challenge yourself and go heavy. In short - add some more weight on that bar! Will you go a little bit slower than usual?…

Annie Thorisdottir is my ultimate idol. So proud of her 2012...

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 20:25:27 -0400

Annie Thorisdottir is my ultimate idol. So proud of her 2012 CrossFit Games win!

Carey Kepler really changed my life by teaching me about goal...

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:05:54 -0400

Carey Kepler really changed my life by teaching me about goal setting as a way of achieving what sometimes seem like impossible dreams. Around this time last year, I took her Signature Series course and set a goal of going to Greece in 2012. I put pictures of Greece on my vision board, made a plan, and started saving. This week, Brian & I bought our tickets for September — I’ll be splashing around on Santorini & Crete and will turn 29 living a dream.

Last night, something clicked with me and I realized that I CAN DO ANYTHING NEXT. Anything! I can literally set any goal I want and start working toward that goal right now! I love this part of being a grownup. You can literally choose to do or be or create anything that your heart desires!

Today, I am rededicating myself to eating clean, lifting often, and taking the best care of my body that I possibly can. This includes managing my stress and once and for all breaking my dependance on food as a primary source of comfort. There are so many other things on this earth that can bring me comfort. Puppies! Kittens! Sloths! Baby pigs! And none of those things will make me sick, make me sad, or hold me back from the goals I’ve set for myself.

I’m really excited to find out where the rest of 2012 takes me. Greece first; next, TBD!

June 2010 vs. June 2011. I still can’t believe I have had...

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:54:00 -0400

June 2010 vs. June 2011.

I still can’t believe I have had such crazy highs and lows, but am determined not to backslide and be even healthier for June 2013!

Nicole Hughes: Your BEST Day.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:35:35 -0400

Nicole Hughes: Your BEST Day.:

nicolehughes:

Many of us are working towards our BEST day. A day that we hold in our minds and are actively seeking. Maybe it’s sitting on the porch of your cabin with your husband, well assured that you are living completely debt free, give a substantial portion of your income to those who need it and…

The girls I coach with Chris at The Ann Richards School were...

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:47:00 -0500

Paul Wall!

Healthy choices food exercise

Yanis, Leyla, and Esperanza

Zumba!

The girls I coach with Chris at The Ann Richards School were asked to be a part of an awesome health fair sponsored by Feel Rich today. Paul Wall was there — he’s lost 100 pounds recently! — as well as his vivacious, beautiful wife, Crystal. The girls took her Zumba class, tried some new healthy snacks, and shared ideas about healthy living with their peers.

I was incredibly proud of Espie, Leyla, and Yanis today (and I learned that they have some seriously baller dance moves for 6th graders)!

fitvillains: March Superfoods Eating foods that are in season...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:39:58 -0500

Honey Dew

Rutabaga

Artichokes

Peas

Cherimoya

Fave Beans

White Asparagus

fitvillains:

March Superfoods

Eating foods that are in season can mean fresher produce, save you money and shake up your routine. Depending on where you live, here’s a list of a few foods you might want to try out this month!

Honeydew Melon

A great source of vitamin C - a wedge provides more than half the recommended daily amount.

Recipe Ideas

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon balls

Honeydew Blueberry Soup

Lime Ginger Honeydew

Rutabaga

Just at the end of their season, they’re very low in sodium and an excellent source of vitamin C.

Recipe Ideas

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables

Mashed Potato, Rutabaga, And Parsnip Casserole With Caramelized Onions

Rutabaga Apple Casserole

Artichokes

A good source of fiber, as well as potassium and folate, which helps with the production of DNA and RNA.

Recipe Ideas

Artichoke Bruschetta

Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Chicken

Peas

A good source of protein and vitamins A and C. Easy to freeze.

Recipe Ideas

Lemon Pepper Peas

Curried Peas

Retro Chicken And Pea Supreme Pancakes

Cherimoya

Cherimoya is a weird fruit with a soft, white flesh but it has lots of nutritional benefits. It’s rich in potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

Recipe Ideas

Cherimoya Tart with Raspberries and Lime

Cherimoya, Kiwi, and Strawberry Salad

Cherimoyas Honey Yoghurt

Fava Beans

An excellent source of folate and a good source of thiamine and zinc.

Recipe Ideas

Fava Bean Hummus

Fava Bean & Artichoke Salad

Fava Bean Turkey Chili

Fave Bean Recipes From Fit Sugar

White Asparagus

A good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.

Recipe Ideas

Roasted Green & White Asparagus

White Asparagus Recipes

White Asparagus Soup

cheerfitrx: 2/21 Rest Day My girls with guest coach Chelsea...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:58 -0500

cheerfitrx:

2/21
Rest Day

My girls with guest coach Chelsea Ross last week! My 6th grade regulars killed it — gave the high school girls a run for their money! So proud!

Today I signed up for the CrossFit Games. Eek!

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:59:41 -0500

Today I signed up for the CrossFit Games. Eek!

Connie’s kettlebell art is amazing. kettlebellart: One...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:09:07 -0500

2012 UltiFit Challenge Series Trophy

2012 UltiFit Challenge Series Trophy

Connie’s kettlebell art is amazing.

kettlebellart:

One of three trophy kettlebells for UltiFit Challenge Series at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas. http://www.ultifitchallengeseries.com/

Food Logging = Trigger

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:07:00 -0500

Every time I am asked to food log for one of my coaches, I find myself spiraling into a binge within the first few days. I always know it’s coming, always try to keep it under control, and yet somehow always end up on the other side of fast food, cupcakes, bread, and Coke wondering WTF just happened.

Is food logging ever a trigger for you?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:08:00 -0500

"Picking up heavy weights in the gym builds confidence to pick up heavy stuff outside of the gym...."

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:56:08 -0500

“Picking up heavy weights in the gym builds confidence to pick up heavy stuff outside of the gym. Everyday chores become easier, kids get lighter, boxes aren’t that bad, you find yourself doing more things on your own instead of asking for help.”

- http://www.leanlifting.com/2012/02/summer-shape-up-how-to-crap-step-up-on.html

You vs. You: My Helen Challenge

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:33:00 -0500

When my coach told us about the Helen Challenge competition, I knew I had to sign up. Was I ready to compete in front of other people for the first time? No way! I am really uncomfortable with the idea of other people watching me work out and I tend to crack under that particular type of pressure, so voluntarily signing up for my first CrossFit competition was definitely one of the scariest things I’ve done to date. The Helen Challenge focuses on mental toughness, though, and pushing through that fear and nervousness to see what you are actually capable of. So, even though I was terrified, I signed up.

For this competition, you complete Helen twice — once at the beginning of the course and then again after four weeks. This Saturday, I did the first Helen workout in the Intermediate Plus division as follows:

HELEN — 3 rounds for time, 12 minute cap

400m run
21 kettlebell swings @ 16kg (about 35 lbs)
12 pull ups (w/green band)

I made it through 2 rounds + 250m of the run when the clock stopped. The run and kettlebell swings were fine, but what killed me were the pullups. To be frank, I sucked! Even with the bands, I really struggled. I think the issue is that I still don’t have a solid grasp on the kip. As a result, I’m exhausting way too much energy trying to do strict pullups with the bands.

So, the bad news: My performance was disappointing. After that first set of pullups, my nerves and embarrassment put me in a really bad place mentally — I didn’t even finish the WOD! The good news: I’m pretty sure if I work really hard at improving my kipping pullups, I’ll be able to improve my time in March.

To meet my goal of improving my Helen time, I will do the following:

Not skip a single CrossFit workout during the week.
Book a PT hour with my coach to work on kipping and film my attempts so I can focus on improving my form.
Make a plan for practicing my pullups every week until I re-do Helen, whether that means buying a bar I can kip on, finding one to use for awhile, or spending more time at the gym before or after workouts. No excuses!

I am so inspired by the women who work out beside me — even on days when I feel like a total failure, they support me and cheer me on and lift me up. Here’s to four weeks of focus, training, and POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE!

I got this! (I think!)