Keeping yourself accountable
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 12:01AM September 1, 2006
"Dear Diary,
. . . did pullups in the gym today, Doug spotted me. My goal is to be able to do at least one by myself by the end of the semester. Push ups too. I want to be able to do real pushups - 25 maybe - without feeling like I am dying. . . "
This is an actual entry from my diary senior year of college. And this image hung on my bulletin board for the entire year. Going back and reading this entry makes me smile but it also makes me sad. I didn't actually get my pullup until 2 years later. Because it wasn't until 2 years later that I discovered CrossFit. It's not that I couldn't have worked hard and gotten the pullup without knowing about CrossFit, it's just that no one really held me accountable.
I was thinking back today trying to recall just how long I have been recording my workouts. Of course since I started doing CrossFit, that's just part of what we do, but I think I've actually been doing it pretty diligently since 2005. Even though my workouts looked very different back then (I won't share that diary entry - Chest, Triceps, Shoulders and some bicep curls for good luck) I was doing all the right things. I was making goals, writing them down, telling people about them, and tracking my workouts. It wasn't until someone else held me accountable that I really started working towards my goal. I could give lots of excuses to myself and they were always good ones. But the same excuses usually end up sounding real lame when you say them out loud to someone else.
This is one of the many reasons that I love CrossFit. Without this community that takes an interest in my success, I might still be working on the gravitron machine thinking I was getting closer and closer to that elusive pullup. Being a part of this community is what keeps me accountable.
Obviously there are many ways to stay accountable and reach your goals. I think my consistent training and diligent record keeping were important parts of my progress, finding the CrossFit community was just the last piece of the puzzle that made everything click.
So here's your post-WOD assignment:
-make a goal (has to be measureable, observable and as specific as possible)
-tell us about it (your coaches, other members, your family)
-Write everything down (workouts, nutrition, sleep, stress) That way if you are working toward your goal but not quite getting there one of your coaches can take a look and help figure out the reason.
-Let us know how we can help you get there. That is the beauty of CrossFit Boston - we care! We want you to reach your goals.
Here is a fun site about goal setting from Lululemon. They are big on setting goals and sharing them so that others can help you in any way they can.
091609
WOD:
As many rounds as possible in 15 minutes of;
Max bodyweight Push Press
Max Pullups
Post rounds and reps to comments.
Reader Comments (37)
Nifty wod...
Ohhh. First one to post, eat it pencilnecks !
Get a job Hobart.
Hey Erica Saint Claire -
I tried to order some cookbooks online and something is messed up either with my computer or the website page...but I have a pretty hefty order... I would like to order 14 cookbooks...email me at Stacey@crossfitboston.com for billing and whatnot. Thanks a bunch!
Hey CrossFit Boston,
I'm a crossfitter from Potomac CrossFit in Arlington, VA. Are you guys open to drop-ins? I'd love to do today's WOD with you.
Thanks!
Chris
Hi Chris,
Come on in. Shoot me an e-mail at: info AT crossfitboston DOT com
Awesome! Thanks. I tried to email you on Sunday. I'll resend it. Looking forward to it!
Chris
Chris K,
Mike Rauseo (aka Boston Mike) is my good buddy and a trainer at Potomac CrossFit. When you return, give him a punch for me.
Xander, get a clue.
32 115# push press, 65 blue band pullups in 8 rounds. Push press form broke down towards the end. Thanks to Jen and Alex for form suggestions. Hopefully next time will be better. Pullups were a bit better than before though.
Public goal making and accountability sounds good. I'd like to learn kipping pullups, get 100% compliance w/ the level 1 milestones, and 50% compliance w/ level 2 milestones by the end of this year.
Jen! Great Post today! Absolutely loved it. Wish I could have been in the box this morning...but my body isn't cooperating with the lack of sleep it is getting. Seriously loved the post!
Hey Crossfit Boston: A couple things
1. Keep your eyes posted for information pertaining to the sale of Neal and my loft. It comes with one year's membership to CFB.
2. Get signed up for the Fight Gone Bad Challenge! Let's get our fund-raising numbers up there.....we've alway been one of the top Fundraisers for this Event. After the Fight Gone Bad WOD there will be food & drinks at CFB! Let's fund-raise lots of money together and have fun at the same time. Remember to reach out to everyone when fund-raising....you never know who has been affected in some capacity, either personally or through an aquaintance! Get Creative with your fund-raising!
Check out Erica's Fund-raising: http://sites.google.com/site/paleopantry/
*Fight Gone Bad IV is September 26, 2009*
http://www.fgb4.org/team-standings/
Awesome, brutal WOD! Did 115 lbs and 115 reps. I loved Ed's comment, after about the first round, when I think that he realized that he may have used too much weight. Ed, can you repeat it?
Holy crap.
90# for the push press and 81 (??) reps in 9 rounds. Pullups felt much better on the bar now that the finish is off...thanks, Neal!
"Shit just got real"
165 reps with 135#(80% BW, 75%1RM)
Jessy;
"Keep your eyes posted for information pertaining to the sale of Neal...."
Since when did we start selling husbands?
My new year's resolution was to complete all the level 1 standards on CF Seattle's chart by the end of the year. I have 8/21 left to accomplish. My biggest obstacles are the pullup and the dip. My goals are certainly SMART, but the plan i have to accomplish them are lacking.
In other news, yesterday was my one year crossfit anniversary. In that year, I lost 30# of fat, gained almost 200# on my CFT and have accomplished things that neither I, nor my family ever thought I would do.
Great workout and Ed's comment was hilarious.
108 Reps at Rx'd weight of 185# (8 rounds). Power cleaning the weight before each round of push presses definitely became a struggle in the later rounds.
Jo, I agree with you on the pullup bars. I've noticed a huge difference in my hands.
Jessy - I bid $20 for Neal. Possibly more if he can cook?
Also, good quote from the classic movie "Dodgeball" regarding setting goals.
Kate Veatch: I'm curious, is it strictly apathy, or do you really not have a goal in life?
Vince Vaughn: I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don't have one, then you are never disappointed. And I gotta tell ya... it feels phenomenal.
If Neal comes as an in house indentured slave I will buy your loft--"hey Neal, tie my shoes; Neal, wash my shorts; Neal, give Xander a naked bear hug."
Mike G, I most certainly will.