Staying Fit in the OC

By Jenny K.

Jenny K.




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Thursday, 11 October 2012

CrossFit, one year later

It’s been one year since I’ve started CrossFit, and looking back at the progress I’ve made in and out of the gym is astonishing. It’s almost unbelievable to me to see where I was, and where I am now! I thought I would do a rundown of my accomplishments to really get it all out there.

1. A year ago I was on two anti-depressants for Postpartum Depression. Three weeks after starting CrossFit I was off of the anti-depressants, and I’ve managed to be able to stay off of them.

2. My mile time last year was about 9:30 if I really booked it. Today, it’s 6:37. I shaved nearly three minutes off my mile time. Is there any other fitness program you know of that could give you the same results? Probably not!

3. When I started CrossFit I struggled with Deadlifting 90 lbs. A few days ago I hit a new PR of 215 lbs, and I’m confident that I can get to 225 lbs by the end of the year. This is proof that smaller women can still move large loads – I’m only 5’4″ and I weigh 127 lbs. And by the way, I back squat 190 lbs.

4. At the beginning of this journey I wasn’t even able to do one strict pull-up. All of my pull-ups were with a resistance band to provide assistance until June, when I was finally able to do some on my own. Now I can do a workout with full Rx’d pull-ups, and even though I might jump off the bar after doing 7-10 because my grip starts to go I have no problem hopping back on to continue. The video below is of me beating some Marine at strict pull-ups. I lost my grip and had to come off of the bar, but oh well!

5. Last October I could barely do a handstand hold for 5 seconds. Now I can do kipping hand stand push ups, and today even did my first negative hand stand push up. Go me!

6. I had never climbed a rope before in my life, but can easily climb a 15 ft rope and ascend back down for multiple reps. Oh, and by the way I’m afraid of heights and can still manage to do this skill!

7. For the majority of the workouts I am completing them at “Prescribed Weight” (better known as “Rx” in the CrossFit world). Some workouts I still have to scale, which usually has to do with overhead weight and my current issues with my lat and trap muscles on my left side, but I am almost there! I’ve overcome a lot with wrist surgery, and some other injuries… but I’m succeeding and that’s all that matters.

8. In 2011 I competed in the Solana Beach Duathlon and placed 14th. I did all of the endurance training that duathlete/triathlete experts recommend, and trained for months in preparation. My finish was disappointing considering all of the hard work that I put in. In 2012 I competed yet again and got 3rd! This time with no endurance training aside from an occasional run over about 4 miles, and mainly just utilized my CrossFit workouts to guide me through the process. 3rd place, baby! I’ve got the medal to prove it!

9. I now am the bearer of a CrossFit Level 1 [CF-L1] trainer certificate, as well as a CrossFit Kids trainer certificate. I’ve learned a lot, and have much more to learn but I’m thirsty for all the knowledge that I can get. I’m excited for the future.

10. The final piece is my weight. Before CrossFit I always struggled with my weight, yo-yo’d with my diet, and always felt fat even if the number on the scale was relatively low. Today my weight is steady, I feel comfortable in my own skin, I have muscle tone in places I could never tone before, and I still fit in to that small size that I wore when I basically had glorified anorexia. But the thing is, I look better now than I did then because I’m no longer “skinny fat.” Today I live by the mantra of “Strong is the New Skinny.” I hover around 17-18% body fat at 127 lbs, and I’m OK with that.

Over the course of the year I am so proud of how far I have come. I’m a better wife, mother and friend as a result of putting myself on the priority list and improving my level of fitness. My family eats healthier, I’m happier, and life is easier to keep up with. I’m even set to compete in my first CrossFit Competition on December 8th! I never imagined I would be able to even qualify to compete in an event that I’m training for. It’s been an interesting ride full of ups, and downs. I’ve certainly had my setbacks, but ultimately I have overcome obstacles to get to where I am. Fighting depression, coming back to CrossFit after wrist surgery, and dealing with chronic Epstein-Barr Virus has not been easy. But If I am overcome these roadblocks, anyone can. After one year I am better, faster and stronger!

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Posted By Jenny K. On 10/11/2012 10:01 am

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