2 days later and I’m still sore (a good sore)

Stacy and I ventured out (of our comfort range) on Monday to try out crossfit.  Our friend, Karen, is a crossfit queen and has been trying to get Stacy to come to a class for some time now.  Since it’s February vacation week and yoga was cancelled for Monday night, we had a free night.  So crossfit it was. 

At first I was very excited.  I couldn’t wait to see what crossfit was all about.  I’ve been reading plenty of blogs about crossfit exercises and have been pinning work outs left and right.   I’ve even tried to follow some crossfit videos on youtube.  The problem is that doing things at home, with a 3 year old who wants to “help” isn’t always great when I’m trying something new.  

I even shaved my legs for class.  It's winter, and I have not been wearing shorts at all, so I have been quite sporadic about shaving.  Knowing that the class was inside and knowing I was going to sweat, I was very excited to wear some shorts but that meant shaving those legs!  

But then, a few hours before class, I started to get really nervous.  I wasn't sure what I'd be doing and really, truly feared making a complete fool out of myself. 

This is from the outside.  I did not want to go inside until Stacy got there.  I am that much of a chicken when it comes to new things. 

Karen has been raving about her crossfit group and how welcoming her group was.  Indeed, her group of crossfitters were very nice and welcoming.  I didn’t feel like a complete loser. 

Drink that water!  We definitely needed it. 

Thank goodness there were only 4 other people in the class on Monday, adding in Stacy and I, and the instructor, there were 7.  Nice and small and not intimidating at all. 

I think I can, I think I can

We warmed up with some stretching.  I completely forgot to take a picture of the WOD (Workout of the Day) board.  I feel so smart right now, knowing what WOD means.  I has taken me a very long time to figure that out! 

After the warm up, Beau, our instructor, split us into 2 groups.  He split of the two newbies.  Darn!  He explained the WOD and sent us on our way.  Now, I cannot remember everything, but I’m going to do my best. 

Run – ½ mile on treadmill  (I did actually enjoy running on a treadmill again and being able to control my speed and crank it up)

Row  - 50 calories of rowing on the row machine (I always enjoyed the rowing machine at the gym during my gym days – so this part was a lot of fun)

Air Squats (easy peasy – but I believe we did 40?  Sure felt like 100 or more)

Box Jumps (we had to jump up on a box 16 high – this part was so intimidating – and 16 inches is the short box!!!  Somehow, I figured it out and managed to not fall on my face.)

Pushups (these I could handle, I started out with standard pushups but quickly switched to modified – I need to work on this)

Kettleballs (I was very excited to try these out and they rock!  You have to really focus on your form, but these are incredible!) 

Pullups (with huge bands you put one foot into and they really help you get your body up there…I needed the thickest – most support – band – yes, I needed that much help!) 

I am positive I’ve left something out.  But that’s what I get for not taking a picture and having a mom brain.  

Beau was extra nice to Stacy and I and modified our program.  Thank you, Beau.  For instance, he split the number for most of the exercises in half for us.  He also helped us with our form to make sure we were doing the workouts properly.  He was incredibly helpful. 

Are we smiling because it's over? or did we really like it?  

Overall, I truly enjoyed crossfit.   I liked rotating through the various workouts and I felt great after the workout.  The only downside is that the gym is 30 minutes away and that’s quite difficult to make happen during the week.  Hopefully I can figure out how to make it work to get to some crossfit classes this summer when I’ll have more free time. 

Thank you Karen and Beau and all of the crossfitters at New England Medical Fitness for welcoming Stacy and I into your Monday night group.  And thank you, Stacy for just being an incredible friend. 

Karen & Stacy - after the workout