11/20/2009

"In my beginning, is my end."

T.S. Eliot

Whatever you think of yourself, whatever you think you are capable of, is really a fraction of what you can do. At a fork in life, we may choose the path that is easiest, of least resistance. For some time now I've been wrapped inside a conversation of "least resistance". I am writing this post because I want you all to know that I'm back. This morning I sit here with my fire rekindled. My passion turned on. My life on over drive! I am FIRED UP! My goals and my intended outcomes are who I am now and in the present. Where I want to be in five years is what I'm used by right now. I don't care how hard it is, how difficult the path may be, and how uncomfortable I may feel. Passion for what I love is the source of all of my actions. 

The coldest I've ever been in my life but LOVING IT! Flirting with hypothermia after a dive in the bay in late October, 2007. Uncomfortable, challenged, and scared at the SEAL Adventure Challenge. 

My Own Paleo Challenge

Robb Wolf (www.robbwolf.com) came to CFB back in June. The day after he came, I decided to go completely, 100% Paleo. Since June, these are the cheats that I've had (almost exactly, I wrote them all down);

1 Cup of White Rice (from Sushi, my favorite cheat meal)

2 Croissants

1 Piece of American Cheese

4 Beers at the Halloween Party

1 Root Beer Float.

1 1/2 Bottles of Wine.

Robb came on June 13. I started the diet on the 14th. It is now November 2. That is pretty damn good if you ask me. What killed me the most was the Root Beer Float (Thanks Jen). 

So, what have I benefited from doing this?

1) In High School, I tore my hip flexor muscle. It was regular for me to feel pain when warming up every day. This pain has been absolutely non existent. This is by far the most incredible of all the things I've benefited from so far.

2) Stomach aches. Like clockwork, I regularly experienced restricting feelings in my gut coupled with an upset stomach. I haven't had a stomach ache in months. (Surprisingly, the biggest culprit I cut out from my diet were Balance Bars. I would not be surprised if these little bastards are what caused all this stomach pain. I ate them like clockwork as a snack 5-6x a week.)

3) Sinus infections. I've always had problems with allergies, in particular fall and spring times. This fall, I have had absolutely no problems with allergies. 

4) Decrease in Body Fat. For the first time in my life, I have a legit six pack. This is way cool. I also have not lost any weight.

5) Increase in alertness. Do I feel highly energetic all day? No absolutely not. Do I have swings in my energy? Nope. I don't feel tired or lethargic EVER unless it's been from drinking that root beer float or those 4 beers I had. I feel alert (but not massively high levels of energy). I just feel sustained, alert, and present throughout the entire day. There is never a fluctuation of energy levels. 

I hope that you all see as wonderful results that I have seen in your Paleo Challenge. Gluten, Wheat, and Dairy suck. End of story. 

This video is amazing. When we take a step back from our training to see how far we have come through a commitment we have to bettering ourselves, it's unbelievable.

Today I ask you to take a step back, look at what you've done, and just allow yourself to be in awe of what you've accomplished for yourself here at CFB.

I never thought I'd be where I am today. Being a 24 year old in the midst of a massively growing revolution, I must admit I am very excited. CrossFit Boston is legend! We are an ever growing community of people who now realize that "Just okay" and "easy" will no longer suffice.

“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth - not going all the way, and not starting.”

             - Buddha

I know that this is another Nike commercial, but everytime someone asks me why I CrossFit, I told them because my ancestors used to have to pick up heavy stuff, chase after their food, and get chased by something that will make you food. There is no better commercial than this that describes what we were meant to do. At no point were we ever designed to sit our butts down at a desk all day. We weren't made for this. We were made for excellence. We were made to push the limits of our every day existence. We were made for WAY MORE than you ever thought possible.