I asked and you provided. I’ve embarked on a radical yearlong experiment of self-improvement after deciding to opt-out of a mid-life crisis and spin it into a mid-life renaissance!
I asked you for suggestions for which cliches/weird trends to test out and well…you over-delivered:
You guys, I don’t know how to both “give up caffeine” and “shove it up my a**”.
You also said vampire facials, learning French, and “CrossFit”.
Lord, help me.
Funny you should mention it…
While I was still pursuing my coaching certification, my husband has the privilege of being my “test rat” until then. 😏
He was feeling in a workout rut and I said OOOH CAN I TRY OUT SOME MINDSET HABIT CHANGE STUFF ON YOU?
Here’s a few snippets from that convo:
Me: If you could have the ideal conditions for working out, what it look like? Home? Gym? Group? Solo? Morning? Night?
Him: It might sound cheesy…
Me: I won’t think it’s cheesy!
Him: If it were IDEAL, I like the idea of morning workout at a set time with a group. And something super hard like CrossFit.
Me: Heck yeah. Do it.
We went through a list of his obstacles to the question “What might stop me from this goal?”
Him: I’ve gotta help get the kids to school in the morning. So mornings are out.
Me: What if you committed to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and I just HANDLED it like a BOSS on those mornings?
Him: I’d have to come back to shower and I’d feel like I’d be letting you all down if I popped through but wasn’t helping the team. It would feel selfish.
Me: What if the opposite were true? What if we turned this into a team goal. If we ALL wanted you to achieve this. What if you popped through while we were all getting off to school and me and the kids were clapping and cheering you on? How would that feel?
Him: That would feel amazing!
Me: Let’s try it! Let’s add it to the Family Calendar not Jared’s Calendar. Because this is a family goal now. Want to try it for one week and then see how it feels?
Him: Yep. I’m in.
That was twelve weeks ago. He hasn’t missed and the whole family has cheered him on. (Also…can i just say….the boy look gooooood.)
So often, we assume a goal is selfish when it could actually inspire the whole family.
I’ve found that the most powerful question when challenging our negative beliefs is “What if the opposite were true?”. Usually the answer is “it would change EVERYTHING.”
So when y’all suggested I try CrossFit. I was excited for two reasons.
- This was gonna be hilarious.
- I get a sneak peek into Jared’s world.
He was totally on board with me visiting with him. I asked lots of great questions in advance:
“Am I gonna embarrass you in front of all your cool, strong friends?”
“Will you take a selfie with me while we’re all sweaty?”
“Do you think I’ll be better than you?”
“Will they provide Nickleback music or do I need to bring my own?”
“I see the warmup and the WOD but when do we Fight Club?”
The room was intimidating, but with a brief orientation, I got to work. And when the weights seemed too heavy I just sang to myself:
“This is how you remind me
Of what I really am
This is how you remind me”
The instructor said “you open to adding more weight?” and I said “for sure. I’m in. with arms wide open”
Real talk: the sense of community was contagious. The instructor was so generous with her time and individualized attention, ensuring I had proper form and wouldn’t hurt myself. I got a deeeeep burn maxing out weight and pushing myself to my limit.
I thoroughly enjoyed sharing in a bit of Jared’s victory (he’s real strong, you guys!) and we went home after, got in the hottub and recounted our cling presses over a shared French press, all before 8am.
Will I Crossfit again?
I’m not planning to trade it for my beloved Bodypump class (low weight, high rep, set to fun music) but I see the appeal and could definitely see the benefit of adding the opposite (max weight, low rep, only Nickleback music) to my strength routine. Maybe once a week. Idk. We’ll see. I could barely walk for 3 days, so I need time.
I need time to miss you, Crossfit. Look at this photograph. (Every time I do it makes me laugh.)
I’m plotting my next experiment. What other ideas do you think I should try this year? (so you don’t have to!) What about you? Would you ever try CrossFit?
xoxo, Katie Day (write back soon!)
Current Growth Goal: I’ve been feeling a bit MANIC and hyper-productive lately. My goal is to find the delicate balance between hustle and heart; Goal-getting and being present in the “now”. My affirmation today was “I am flowing toward my goals. I take the next step as it appears. I’m in no rush.”
Up Next: After six consecutive weekends of adventuring, I’m looking forward to a week of household rest and recuperation. We bought a new gigantic couch for our Family Movie Night area and I’m eyeing the blank wall above it and hankering a decor project. I looooove a home decor project.
“One of the hardest expressions of self-assertiveness is challenging your limiting beliefs.”
— Nathaniel Branden
you said: