A Brand-New Start!: January 2014

One. Year.

I can't believe it's been a whole, entire year since I first stepped through the doors of Reebok Crossfit Bare Cove & changed my entire life. I remember that day so vividly. We were in the old space- the tiny area had to accommodate 26 of us! I made my best friend, Kiely come with me- because naturally I couldn't do it alone! My first impression was basically- holy shit. Am I going to be able to do this? All of the people in this class are already so skinny and fit. But I made a promise to myself that I would try the class and do the two week OnRamp. Even if I didn't sign up after that, at least I gave it a try.

Sharon & Chris were the first people I met. Mike wasn't at the first day of OnRamp, because Alabama had just won the championship & he was out celebrating. First impressions of Sharon were pretty mean at the time- I just thought- look at this skinny blonde- I bet she doesn't even eat anything, and is a bitch. I was 5000% wrong. Sharon is the NICEST person. And a great cook. Hahaha. First impressions of Chris were weird- I thought to myself- look at this tan, hot dad, with those sort of angry eyebrows. I wonder if he's married to someone here. Then I found out that him and Sharon were married and they had two kids. Literally a crossfit power couple. They have both helped me through so much, and I'll never forget the first time I met them- even though my assumptions about them were completely wrong (well, maybe not about Chris, but definitely Sharon)!

The next day of OnRamp, I met Mike. My first impressions of him were pretty funny. He's not from here, because he's too nice; he has way too much energy; I wonder if he's going to be able to help a person like me. I was right- he's from Louisiana, so he doesn't have that Massachusetts bitterness that I thought I was going to get. His energy is still to this day- beyond belief crazy. I wish I could siphon it from him some days! He helped me from the very first day to today. He's been with me through injuries, PRs, failures, and everything in between. I have more respect and love for him than he'll ever know. He has completely changed my life and made me a better person. He has such a passion for crossfit and general wellness- and I know he has a soft spot for pretty much everyone at our box. He remembers everything- he knows how to scale everyone & he is never out of that energy. Even if he's having a bad day, or is tired- you would never know.

Soon after meeting Mike, Lauren came around. I had pretty much the same impression of her, as I did of Sharon. But once again, I was completely wrong! She is so spunky and incredibly nice and thoughtful. When a WOD is tough, she knows just the right amount of energy to yell at you, so you keep going. Also, she has incredibly style and taste- and she loves kitchen gadgets almost as much as me! haha

Once OnRamp was in full swing, I started thinking- ok these people are sort of in the same boat as me. They don't really know what's going on. It made me feel good to know that I wasn't the only person who was clueless. Even now, I still sometimes feel completely lost in class. I think back to when I first started, and I remember every modification that I had to make just to do a push up & I'm thankful that I stuck with it.

There are a lot of things that I can't do yet. Even after being a "crossfitter" for an entire year. Basic things, like a pull up, real push up, box jump, and the list goes on and on. But for everything that I can't do, there are so many things that I CAN do, that I never thought I would do. The list of PRs is constant, and the feeling I get after each accomplishment is indescribable. I've had setbacks. I've had a lot of setbacks- some physical (that pesky broken wrist), and some mental (stupid box jumps); but those setbacks make the accomplishments feel so much better. Breaking my wrist made me realize how much

I actually took my mobility for granted. Thanks to my incredibly awesome, hilarious and handsome physical therapist, Travis- my wrist is pretty much back to where it was, prior to the fall!

You would never think doing 25 consecutive single unders would be an accomplishment, but coming from not even being able to bring my feet off the ground- it's incredible.

I wouldn't have any accomplishments if it weren't for the love and acceptance of my crossfit family. These people who were complete strangers; accepted me, helped me, cheered for me, laughed with me, and gave me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. The community aspect is one of the main reasons I stuck with crossfit. The diversity is amazing & everyone is accepting and friendly. I've never had anything like that in my life. Complete strangers becoming good friends, and people you can't imagine your life without. There are so many people that I want to name and say thank you to, but there are too many. So consider this a blanket thank you and expression of love to everyone at RCFBC. Seriously. You guys are the best. I most definitely would have quit, if it weren't for the amazing community that we have built.

There has been drama, there have been tears, there has been blood & broken bones, but most importantly, I have been happy. Truly happy. The happiest I've ever been in my entire life. The confidence I've gained due to crossfit and my new found lifestyle is nothing short of amazing. I may not have a boyfriend, my own house, or be debt free, but I'm happy. I'm happy that I decided to take charge of my life, that I made a whole new set of friends, that I found something that I actually love to do, and don't find it to be a chore. I'm happy that I have people in my life that like me just for me- and aren't using me for anything. I'm happy that I'm finding out what truly matters to me, and how I can make myself feel better.

It's been a year, and while I may look the same physically, mentally I'm totally different. I am not the same person I was a year ago. I never want to see that person again. I love my new life. I love being able to do things that people don't even dream of doing. I love being part of the crowd for once. I love having friends that love me for me. I love standing up for myself. I love everything about my new life.

So in closing, here's a list of things that I can do now, that I wasn't able to do one year ago:

1000m Row: 4:28m

5K: 58:42m

1RM Back squat: 145lbs

1RM Clean: 90lbs

1RM Clean & Jerk: 90lbs

1RM Deadlift: 165lbs

1RM Front Squat: 110lbs

1RM Split jerk: 100lbs

1RM Squat Clean: 75lbs

1RM Strict Press: 75lbs

Double touch and go clean: 90lbs

Scaled push ups

More than 20 unbroken single unders

Ab Mat situps

"Grace" "Murph"

"JT" "2007"

"Adam Brown" "Linda"

"Annie" "Fight Gone Bad"

"Filthy Fifty" "Crossfit Total"

"Fran" "Linda"

"Diane" "Roy"

"Karen" Competed in my first ever Crossfit Open!

And so many more! I can't wait to see what this year has for me. Big things I'm sure. The open is coming up, and I can't wait to see what this year brings. We are doing this thing "JumpStart January" a way to get back on track for the new year. So I decided to share mine with you- just so it becomes real & I'm held accountable for my actions. So here it goes:

Amanda's Jump Start January Plan
Goal	Lose 15lbs & get consecutive 20in box step ups before the start of the Crossfit Open
How will you measure your goal?	* Track all of my meals on Loseit.com Meal prep every Sunday and Wednesday- clean eating; only one cheat meal per week-minimal alcohol consumption Practice stepping up on smaller boxes until I can get on to the big box- use rig as support until I get enough confidence to do it without "railings" *Mentally prepare myself for stepping on a high box
Why is the goal important?	I'm getting back to basics. Remembering why I started and making the weight loss permanent. I need to get over my box jump fear. It's crippling me and holding me back.
Change 1	Cut out all junk and trigger foods-get back to clean foods	1/6-1/31
Change 2	Practice step ups after every class and track progression	1/13-1/31
Change 3	Cut out take out food- make sure everything is planned ahead of time	1/20-1/31
Change 4	Practice single unders everyday before or after (or both) class	1/27-1/31

So to everyone who has followed me on this journey, given words of encouragement, or even just smiled- Thank you. Thank you for everything. This has been an amazing year and I wouldn't change a minute of it. I've realized that I'm stronger than I think and I can do whatever I put my mind to, as cliché as it sounds. I may not be the picture of the ideal crossfitter, but I am one, and I'm damn proud of it. Here's to another year of PRs, fun, failures, friends, scrapes, bruises, blood, and happiness. Love you all more than words can express! XOXOXO