Shameless Selfies & other things...

Hello!

Hope everyone has been enjoying the summer so far! It's hard to believe that we are almost through the month of August! I do have to say, this has been the BEST summer of my life so far- without a doubt. I can honestly say that it would've have been your run of the mill summer, if it weren't for my new found crossfit friends, and my new affinity for tequila, Dr. Mcgillicuddy, and selfies on Instagram (feel free to follow if you'd like- @ama2414). Six months ago, I wouldn't let other people take pictures of me- now I'm taking pictures of myself. and posting them to facebook- where other people can see them- and I'm not embarrassed of them. These pictures remind me that it's okay to be happy- even though I'm no where near my end goal- my face shows where I am right at this moment. I've also noticed that I have very high cheek bones, and I can almost see my collar bones (I know that's a weird thing to want to see, but it's all I've wanted my entire life). 

 This is the most comfortable I've felt with myself- ever. If you would have asked me in December if I would be out partying and having a good time this summer- I would've answered you No, because more than likely, I'd be at home- napping. 

Crossfit and my new found confidence has made me feel more alive. I don't know how to explain it. All I can say is that I feel like a different version of myself. I still have my same characteristics (to an extent) but my attitude toward things has completely changed. I used to cry all the time- for absolutely no reason. I would throw some John Mayer on in my car and just cry all the way home from work- for no reason at all. I haven't done that since starting this journey. Sure, there's been times when I've cried because I was hurt, or couldn't do a box jump, but I haven't cried just for the heck of it. I haven't heard from a certain gentleman (or not such a gentleman) call in over a month- normally I would just get super sad and depressed, and now I'm just fine with it- his loss. I'm pretty fabulous, and if you can't see that, then that sucks- someone else will (hopefully).  You have no idea what that feels like (or maybe you do-lol); To wake up happy and even if you have the worst day, and go to bed happy. I can't believe it's taken me 27 years to discover this form of happiness. I do owe a majority of my new found attitude to my crossfit box- RCFBC. We all know- they changed my life. The coaches, the staff, the community, and everything in that box has changed me. 

Besides being incredibly happy the past few months, I've been making great progress since breaking my wrist. The past few weeks have showed me that I'm getting stronger- I'm breaking my PRs that I had even prior to the whole wrist incident! Last week-ish, I was able to get 75lbs up for my one rep max clean! That's 10lbs more than I did before the break! That is so crazy to me. I was also able to strict press 65lbs! It may not seem like a lot to most seasoned crossfitters, but being able to get my wrist in a position to clean and press that much weight feels incredibly amazing. Along with the accomplishments, there are defeats. One of the things I've been struggling with as of late, is my Hatch program back-squats. If you don't know about Hatch- just google it- It is basically a squat program that helps you get stronger, and able to squat more weight. So every hatch day, we have to do a certain percentage of our one rep max weight, a certain number of times (it makes sense in real life, I promise). Ever since starting CF, I've had terrible squat form. I'd like to think it's gotten better over the past few months, but I don't know. My body tends to lean forward while squatting, so when you have a bar full of heavy-ass weight on your back, you tend to lean forward more. Last week, I failed on the first of four sets of back squats. I was so mad, and upset, and frustrated with myself. I had squatted the same weight a few times the previous week, no problem, and to fail on the first set was so discouraging. I tried to take a breather, and come back to it, but I couldn't get back up once I did the squat down. Mike told me to go with a lighter weight- and just call that day's back squats a wash. Hilary, one of our fabulous members, and a shadowing coach said something to me that stuck- she said "crossfit humbles you." She is absolutely correct- once you think you can do something- BAM- your body says no, and you have to figure out why. I took that squat day as a loss. Two days later, I did the second day of weights- which were a little lighter, but still close to what I was doing before, and I did it fine. No issues. I don't know- sometimes you have good days- sometimes you have bad days. Thankfully, my good days supersede the bad days! 

I started my iron infusions a couple of weeks ago- everything is going well so far. Being in a room full of sick, I mean really sick people, really puts things into perspective for you. My iron deficiency isn't going to kill me- their cancer might. I have never felt more grateful for my problems that I do when I'm in there. Working with cancer patients is a lot different than actually "hanging out" with them while they have their treatment. As much of an inconvenience as it is, I'll take these infusions any day. I have completed 2, and have 6 more to go! 

I get to see my favorite physical therapist this week to do a strength test before I go back to my orthopedist. I'm pretty sure everything is status-quo- I still can't do some stuff, but I'm getting stronger, which is awesome. I can't wait to see what he has to say about the ole' wrist! :)

So it's good night for now- I can't wait to see what the next few weeks brings! 

-A

My extended crossfit family post beer/tequila mile. Love it. 

One of the selfies taken post WOD- dripping mascara and all. 

John Mayer concert with my bests- Bree and Laura <3

Justin Timberlake concert outfit- I would've NEVER taken this kind of picture before!! I love it! 

Crossfit Cult? So what!

Hey everyone!
It's been a few weeks- a few crazy weeks! I feel like my head is spinning! Well, that could be the remnants of the tequila consumption this weekend, but I digress.

So I had my last physical therapy appointment this week. If you have been following me at all, you know that I'm the only person who would get sad about this. Most people would be pumped to not have to go to PT twice a week, but then there's people like me who were legit sad when it was the last day. I have gotten to know many of the people in the office, but especially my therapist, Travis. He's hilarious. And handsome. And really knows his stuff. Although I'll miss him, I'm excited to be able to really focus on progressing in crossfit!

Last weekend was the Olympics of crossfit- the crossfit games! It was the culmination of all of the amazing athletes' hard work and dedication- a competition spread out over 5 days. They were put through some pretty vigorous and crazy workouts. I don't think I would've survived any of them! haha. But that is why they are the top people in the sport. Our box had a viewing party on Sunday for the final events of the games. We all know there was no question that my favorite- Rich Froning was going to take the crown for the third year in a row. But we watched- just in case things got crazy. The woman who now carries the title of "fittest woman on earth" is Sam Briggs. She's an absolute beast. She dominated the open, the regionals, and obviously the games. It was great to see the best of the best compete. In addition to just watching the games, it was a great time to get to know everyone in our awesome community. I love these events. These people have become like a second family to me, and I love being able to hang out, throw a few back, and share some laughs with the people that I've grown to love. I've heard from more than one person that they think crossfit is a cult. We may be a cult- but we are a pretty awesome, bad-ass cult. We work hard and we play hard. Once you start this crossfit stuff- it become and integral part of your life! Some people don't understand it, and it's okay. It's our job to explain why it's awesome! "Is Crossfit a cult? I'd say we are more like a tribe - a group of people with a common character and goal."

This past weekend, we had a surprise party for our amazing head coach, Mike. His girlfriend, Lauren,(who's also a coach) and I were able to pull it off! We thought it would be nice to have a little surprise party for him to know how much he means to all of us. He has been working so hard to get the box up and running and turn it into a community that people want to be a part of. I say it every time, but he has completely changed my life- and I am forever indebted to him for his dedication to his job. I don't even think he looks at it as a job- it's something that he is so passionate about. The party was awesome. The amount of members who showed up to support Mike was a true testament to the number of lives he's changed. The best part of the night was when his parents surprised him at the box all the way from Louisiana!! Lauren made that happen, and it was so amazing. I've never seen Mike speechless before. His parents are the sweetest- they are so proud of him- you can just tell. And they should be. He's changing people everyday! We love you Mike!!

In addition to the copious amounts of tequila I've consumed over the past two weeks, I have been keeping up with my training. We started a new strength program last week called - Hatch. Basically, you back and front squat different percentages of your one rep max weight, twice per week, for 12 weeks. The program is supposed to help you get stronger, and be able to squat more weight. I don't know how else to explain it, other than the fact that you do a lot of heavy ass squats, and there's a lot of math involved. We are going into week three tomorrow, and I can already feel that I'm getting stronger- especially in my front squats. However, during week one- on day two- I failed at my last set of back squats. I don't know what happened. I just couldn't stand up with the weight. I kind of got discouraged since it was only the second day, but then week 2 came, and I crushed it. I accidentally did the front squat weight for Week 3!! Oh well!

We had another workout this week that included one straight minute of kettlebell swings. Since I have the ability to use both hands now, I thought- great if I can do the prescribed weight with one hand, I can most certainly do it with two hands! Fail. I actually felt more comfortable holding the KB with one hand- and I was able to go faster and get more reps in with one hand! I don't know- It's crazy how much my body adapted to having to only use one arm! haha.

The day after I finished PT, I got a call from my hematologist. Some of you know I have a blood disorder called thalassemia. According to Medline, "Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia." Before I started crossfit, I had to have weekly iron infusions for a total of 12 weeks. I was hooked up to an IV for about an hour or so. Well I went to have my bloods checked last week, and my hematologist told me that I would have to receive at least 4 more infusions, since my iron was so low. I was just kind of sad. I had just finished PT and now I would have to start these infusions all over again. I just want there to be some point where I don't have to be at a doctor's office every week. It's getting old. I'm starting those infusions again this week. Hopefully all goes according to plan, and they don't make me feel too crummy.

But for now, I'm going to get a good night's sleep- this weekend has been crazy and I need some good ole' R &R. I'm just going to focus on the positive things in my life- since there seem to be more of them than negative these days! I'm genuinely happy & I love it. I've never felt this way before. Until next time...

<3 A

Can never get enough of him! 

So. Many. Muscles. 

He's just amazing....

Love my box!!!! <3