As some of you know, I did CrossFit for a little over a year-from the Fall of 2010 to Spring 2012. I absolutely loved it and caught the "CrossFit bug" right off the bat-I was obsessed! It was so new and exciting and made me feel like an athlete again.
Eventually, however, I found myself focusing way too much on my "WOD" time and my performance, rather than on the positive things like building my body, improving my skills, learning new things, and getting stronger.
I would find myself saying things like, "I'll never be good at this, I'm so slow, I'll never be that strong, I suck!" I was getting caught up in comparisons, I was focusing on the negative, and I felt like I would never be good enough.
It came to the point where I actually began to dread my workouts, which was something that had never happened to me before...and that's when I knew it was time for a change. While it was what I loved about it at first, the competitive aspect of CrossFit was taking the fun out of it for me.
And I felt that it only got worse the longer I did it. So.... I decided to change things up. I started getting more into powerlifting and focused on just getting strong. From there, my training slowing evolved into a sort of powerlifting/bodybuilding fusion....and I felt my passion come alive again!
Now, I leave the gym feeling confident, strong, and refreshed. I'm not dripping in sweat, sick to my stomach, or on the verge of collapse. I may not be able to a run a mile, then do 100 burpees and 20 muscle ups, but that is fine with me! I am still strong and fit, building muscle, and most importantly, having fun!
I guess the moral of this story is this: you have to find what works for you and what excites you every day. What I do now does that for me! Yeah, we'll always have those days when we don't feel like training, when we're tired, maybe not that motivated, but if you get to the point where you dread your workouts consistently, it may be time for a change! Maybe not even something permanent, but just a temporary change of pace.
But I do want to say that I am SO thankful for what I learned through CrossFit and how it opened my eyes to a whole new world of fitness! I'm also grateful that it took my focus off of just training for looks and being obsessed with my body to instead being proud of what my body can do.
I hope I don't sound like I'm bashing CrossFit- I just wanted to share my thoughts about my experience and why I stopped doing it. I will always be "pro" CrossFit! I think the stuff those athletes do is amazing and inspiring! And I won't say I'd never go back to it...ya never know! ;)
Eventually, however, I found myself focusing way too much on my "WOD" time and my performance, rather than on the positive things like building my body, improving my skills, learning new things, and getting stronger.
I would find myself saying things like, "I'll never be good at this, I'm so slow, I'll never be that strong, I suck!" I was getting caught up in comparisons, I was focusing on the negative, and I felt like I would never be good enough.
It came to the point where I actually began to dread my workouts, which was something that had never happened to me before...and that's when I knew it was time for a change. While it was what I loved about it at first, the competitive aspect of CrossFit was taking the fun out of it for me.
And I felt that it only got worse the longer I did it. So.... I decided to change things up. I started getting more into powerlifting and focused on just getting strong. From there, my training slowing evolved into a sort of powerlifting/bodybuilding fusion....and I felt my passion come alive again!
Now, I leave the gym feeling confident, strong, and refreshed. I'm not dripping in sweat, sick to my stomach, or on the verge of collapse. I may not be able to a run a mile, then do 100 burpees and 20 muscle ups, but that is fine with me! I am still strong and fit, building muscle, and most importantly, having fun!
I guess the moral of this story is this: you have to find what works for you and what excites you every day. What I do now does that for me! Yeah, we'll always have those days when we don't feel like training, when we're tired, maybe not that motivated, but if you get to the point where you dread your workouts consistently, it may be time for a change! Maybe not even something permanent, but just a temporary change of pace.
But I do want to say that I am SO thankful for what I learned through CrossFit and how it opened my eyes to a whole new world of fitness! I'm also grateful that it took my focus off of just training for looks and being obsessed with my body to instead being proud of what my body can do.
I hope I don't sound like I'm bashing CrossFit- I just wanted to share my thoughts about my experience and why I stopped doing it. I will always be "pro" CrossFit! I think the stuff those athletes do is amazing and inspiring! And I won't say I'd never go back to it...ya never know! ;)
I'm glad you are finding your passion again for something you love doing. Changing this up is good for the body and the soul.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I still love doing CrossFit every now and then, but...just not the only thing I do!
DeleteSuch a great post, Lindsay! I bet there are many in the same boat as you were when it comes to CrossFit - seems easy to get caught up in the competitive nature of it - and I know this will be thought-provoking to many who read it. Good thoughts and thanks for sharing; keep that passion alive wherever it resides in the fitness realm! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Bonnie! I always feel like I should share my experiences about things, especially if it might help someone else in some way!
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