Jillian is done with essentials.....

Today I am following up on Jillian, she has made it through her essentials classes and I believe as I sit here typing this Friday morning that Jillian is attending her first "real CrossFit class" with Jim!

Let me just start with this, we have had MANY laughs in our three essentials classes.  The thing I like most about Jillian is her ability to laugh at herself.  Some of us could use a little more of that.  It's great to know that you're not perfect...but as long as you give it a good shot you can work towards being better.  Isn't that why we're all here?  To be better?

After reading Jillian's blog you will probably see many similarities to your first week at CrossFit.  I know I did.  In fact, I tried to call Jim and get out of my very first day of bootcamp, of course he didn't let me, and I wouldn't have let Jillian either.  

My favorite part of Jillian's story is how she had to walk down the stairs at school because she couldn't find the elevator.  We all know that going DOWN stairs is the absolute worst when you have a good squat workout.  Imagine your first day of doing squats and running around Goshen College as a 43 year old (so you're already behind the 8 ball) and you have to tell some 18 year old to go around you because you are walking down the stairs SIDEWAYS!!!  LOL What do you think that boy was thinking?  

WHO CARES - Jillian is an ATHLETE!!  You wait and see 18 year old boy...she'll be running laps around you in NO TIME!!

In Jillian's words:

Who Knew 20 Minutes Could Do That?

I am at the end of my first week of CrossFit!  My first day of training was actually on my first day of nursing school. Start the year with a bang, right?  I mean, I need to do this.  So, I jumped right in. I was really nervous and excited.  I find that as I get older I have more trouble sleeping at night if there is a lot going on.  So, as you could imagine, the night before my first day of school and CrossFit, I didn’t get very much sleep.  Three minutes before the alarm rang however, my eyes flew open.  With some black coffee and my new exercise outfit (that I was hoping didn’t make me look like an idiot) off to the box I went.  Carole was really encouraging and after assuring me that my outfit did not make me look foolish, we began.  The training was great.  All the moves are modifiable, so in other words, I started off at what I really could do and will build from there.  I found that although it was hard, I was able to do everything that Carole showed me!  I think I even surprised myself a few times.  After some training, Carole set me up with a 20 minute workout where I would utilize all the movements that she had just showed me.  At first I was surprised; I thought we had just had the workout!  But, I agreed and the timer started.  I am learning, so I really don’t know if there is a 20 minute timed high intensity workout everywhere, or if that is how we do it here, but I have done enough reading to know that the quick, high intensity component is one of the wonders of CrossFit.  I had a list to work through and once I was done the workout was finished. I did it! In about 10 minutes I was done. Carole congratulated me, warned me I’d be sore, especially my lower body, and sent me on my way.    

I was pretty proud of myself. You know how after a really good workout, you feel kinda rubbery and shaky, but after a couple of hours that goes away?  Well, off to my first day of classes I went, and was I rubbery and shaky! And it never really went away. That was okay. By the end of the day I was starting to get sore and I was relieved to hit the pillow by nights end.  Okay, you know that moment when you are just starting to come to consciousness, but you really aren’t awake yet, and sometimes a thought drifts through your mind? Yeah, well the thought that I awoke to was, “Oh my gosh, how could 20 minutes have done this?!”  I can honestly say I have never felt anything quite like the pain I felt in MY THIGHS! I texted Carole immediately and told her that I could barely move, OUCH!!  She responded just as quickly and told me that I could, eat well, take fish oil, and NO ibuprofen.  What?  Well, into my day I headed and off to school I went. Or should I say hobbled. I really can’t describe the feeling in my legs. The whole day I moved at a turtles pace. The highlight of my day was when I couldn’t find the elevator in one building so I had to go down the stairs. Holding onto the railing, turned sidewise so as to bend my legs as little as possible, there I was navigating the stairs. Of course, some 18 year old guy came down behind me, and I had to tell him to go around!  Wow.  Let’s just say it was a long day! By that evening when I realized that in a few hours I would have to go do CrossFit again, I started to panic. I thought about calling Carole and telling her I was sick with a fever (which I really was sick with a head cold probably brought on by my lack of sleep). But, I just couldn’t do it. I made a commitment to myself! I was going to do it! 

The next morning Carole knew exactly how I felt (along with many other CrossFitters) and the workout was planned accordingly. I was scared. When Carole asked me to trust her, I decided that I would.  And I made it. I finished the week with another training session and now I am ready to hit the box with the rest of the class. 

It has been a week filled with fears and triumphs. And a week of firsts.  I have a long way to go, but I am excited about what I am accomplishing. I am seeing changes in my body. Last night I took my son to see a play at Notre Dame University. We walked for at least 20 minutes from the car to the theatre. The campus is huge. A year ago I would have dreaded that walk. That walk would have hurt. But, as I walked beside my son last night, I realized that the walk felt good. I had an energy and vitality that I haven’t felt in a long time. I still got tired, and my back still hurt a little, but I had a glimpse.  A glimpse of what I will feel like in the future if I continue my journey towards health and healing.  So, at the risk of those bad thigh aches again, or falling down during a move, or whatever else CrossFit has in store for me, I am going to continue!    

 

Introducing... Jillian DeMoya

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to go to Dr. Angela's Paleo Dinner at Lucchese's (thanks Josh for coaching).  

While we were eating a woman came up to Jim and I and introduced herself.  Her name was Jillian and the excitement of what she was saying literally brought tears to my eyes.  You see when Jillian introduced herself she said "Hi, I'm Jillian and I know everything about you!"  "I have stalked your website and read every word!"  " I knew when I looked over at your table that you were the CrossFit people!"  At this point Jillian started crying, she said "please excuse me for crying but I feel like I have finally been led to you!"  She proceeded to tell us how she had a weight problem and like everyone else considering CrossFit that she couldn't wait TO GET IN SHAPE for CrossFit!

Wait, What did she say?  Get in shape for CrossFit.  What the heck does that mean?

So, I told Jillian to write down her name and contact information and that I would meet with her next week and show her that CrossFit was for everyone.  No matter what stage they are in there is no "getting ready for CrossFit!"  

We met last Thursday 1 week after the Paleo dinner.  Jillian intrigued me because she, like many people I have met along this journey, had the same fears and issues we all face when it's time for change.  

Today, I would like to introduce to all of you Jillian De Moya.  Jillian has agreed to go on a journey with CrossFit and for the first time ever we are going to follow her journey.  We are going to do a weekly blog on Jillian.  Jillian has agreed to be brutally honest with all of you about her fears, hers dreams, her successes in and out of the gym, her trials and tribulations on what it takes to be a full time student, a single mom of 4, a CrossFitter; pretty much a normal woman walking through life, having to make adjustments in her schedule and her life to be who she wants to be.  

Here are words from Jillian:

    My name is Jillian De Moya and I am on a journey. I am on a journey towards health and healing in my life. I want to take a moment and tell you about how far I have come. I gladly do this, hoping that as I reflect upon the progress I’ve made, I will find the courage for the next leg of my journey. 

   
    I grew up on a family farm in the seventies and we grew all of our own vegetables and beef. My mother worked very hard to put up what my father grew in the garden and we ate year round from the bounty. But we also drank Tang and my mother readily bought every new product that came on the market. Those were exciting years as our country exploded with the era of convenience foods.  Little was really known about how they came to be on our tables and in our TV trays! There were other issues surrounding food in our house as my mother struggled throughout her life with obesity and poor health. So, by the time I was a late teenager I had some pretty serious food addictions and unhealthy eating behaviors.

 
    In my young twenties I married and had four beautiful children who are the light of my life. My marriage, however, proved to be an extremely unhealthy environment for me. I struggled with an eight year long depression that with much perseverance I was able to overcome.  Three years ago I realized peace for the first time in my adult life when my husband left our marriage.  I knew that I had to continue my journey towards being a healthy person in every way.

 
    Today I am a full time nursing student and raising my children. It is very demanding, but I wouldn’t change a thing! Almost two years ago I knew it was time to tackle my biggest hurdle yet; my weight. Talk about looking at a mountain you know you can’t climb!  Shaking that thought, I started with all of the determination I could muster. I had read for quite some time about Paleo eating and loved Dallas and Melissa Hartwig’s website. So, in January of 2011 I did my first Whole30. Within 3 weeks knee pain that I had been dealing with for at least 6-7 years disappeared. I felt SO much better! For the next year I slowly lost and learned about what foods affect my body and mind. When I was accepted into nursing school this spring I knew that the time had really come for me to finish this and be the person that I should be! 

 
    I had been reading about CrossFit for the last two years and I had quite a number of friends in other cities that were seeing great results CrossFitting and loving it! But, boy the pictures looked scary! All the people looked like how I wanted to look, but I felt like there was no way I could do the things I saw in my shape.  I read and reread everything I could on CrossFit Michiana’s website, and dreamed about the day when I would be in good enough shape to CrossFit! Then, three weeks ago I was told by a friend who started at another CrossFit gym that anyone can do CrossFit, that all of the exercises were modifiable for any fitness level. She also told me about how caring the community is, and how everyone pulls together to help their fellow cross fitters reach their goals. I also saw two more references of Facebook that same week about the fact that there is no getting ready for CrossFit, you just DO IT! On Thursday of that week I found myself attending a Paleo dinner with my friend and guess who was seated at the next table? The owners of CrossFit Michiana! I couldn’t believe it. I got up the courage and went to meet them. I told them about my dream to do CrossFit and my desire to improve my health. The next week Carole Turnbo and I sat down together and I told her my story and my hope of doing CrossFit at CrossFit Michiana. 

 
    So, here’s the deal. I am starting this week! I am excited! And afraid! I am a 43 year old woman who knows that this journey is not done! I have come a long way, but I have a long way to go. My goal is to be a nurse, and then a certified nurse midwife and I want to be able to educate people about good health and nutrition. I want to be able to tell people they can do it, and believe it, because I did it!  My dreams are big and I need to be in great health to accomplish what I know I am supposed to do. Along the way I want to share with you my experiences. The good, the bad, and the ugly! With Carole’s help, and the community at CrossFit Michiana, I know I can reach my goals. If in sharing my story anyone is helped, then I want to do that. Okay, here we go. Let's make a deal; if you promise not to laugh, I promise to tell the truth!

Welcome to the "family" Jillian!  

Injury's suck.

As you can see the title of my post has to do with injury's.  Injury's that take you "out of the game!" 

Deciding when you should get these injuries taken care of, how you should get these injuries taken care of and why you should get these injuries taken care of are all a matter of, well THE INJURY.

I myself have been "blessed" with two injuries now in my CrossFit Career.  I say blessed because in hind site the injuries have taught me some things about my body that I would not have known had they never happened. 

I started CrossFitting in July of 2008 and in January of 2010 I tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder.  Now, the injury occurred after a brutal snatch/pushup workout combo.  But, I will not say that the workout caused my injury.  My shoulder had been "acting up" - in other words giving me signals that it wasn't happy.  The last workout I did that "sealed the deal!" just happened to be the snatch/pushup combo.  But the problem started when my shoulder was sending me signals and I refused to listen.

My second and most recent incident happened in January of 2012.  This one was an injury due to an error in my lifting.  There was no indication here that I was in pain and as I was training for a competition in Indianapolis later that month I twisted my left hip doing a 1 legged dead lift. 

So, here I have two different incidents of injury and in both cases I sought out the same type of care.  Chiropractic. 

Many people ask me why I sought Chiropractic care for my injuries and my answer is this.  There is no medical or technical reason that I sought out Chiropractic care for my injuries the main reason I chose Chiropractic care over surgery is quite honestly I am afraid of hospitals.  That's it people.  Now, in looking back..I have many "medical" reason that I can provide you....but in all honesty it was just a no brainer for me.  I don't like hospitals and I will go at all cost to never be in one.

This could coincide with my first injury happening 2 days before I lost my brother to cancer and my last recollection of him was being in a hospital bed and hooked to machines.  The beeping of the machines continued to haunt my dreams for many many months.  I like to think everything happens for a reason, my brother saved me from "going under the knife" even in my most desperate moments.

Shoulder injury:  January of 2010

I had already been seeing a Chiropractor for spinal adjustments since August of 2009.  So I mentioned to my chiropractor that I may have done something to my shoulder.  For the next year and a half I would see my doctor for ultrasound on my shoulder, shoulder adjustments and therapy.  I hired a medical massage therapist that worked on my shoulder every week. 

At many points in this journey I was desperate to get back to my "real" training at the gym.  I wanted so bad to do a pushup or a snatch without any pain.  There were many workouts that ended in tears not because it hurt to do the workout but because I was mentally defeated.  But, I knew my limits and I knew that in time and given the proper tools my body would heal. 

By July of 2011 I was back to my regular training regimen.   My strength started increasing and I could tell my body had healed from the injury.  I learned that I should not work through the injury.  I never took time off at the gym, I simply changed my workouts to take time off for the injury.  I also learned what caused my injury in the first place and fixed my errors in the gym along the way.

Fast forward a few months:

Hip injury:  January 2012

I was training hard for the Indy Competition.  My shoulder was finally letting me WOD like normal and I was feeling awesome.  My PR's were coming back.  My lifts were getting bigger.  I was moving and grooving.  One week before the Indy comp on a Saturday I was doing a 1 legged dead lift and twisted my left hip. 

The very first thing I did was RUN to the Chiropractor....ok maybe I just drove really fast!

We worked on massage and adjustments.  I felt "good enough" to compete.  I would continue to struggle with the hip - every time my hip would feel "funky" I would just pass it as not being totally healed but never giving it the time or ability to heal.  I did another competition in April and was adjusted there by a different chiropractor with different techniques.  He took care of me for that day and I was able to excel in the competition.  Finally in May of 2012 after ignoring many of the signals that my body was sending me that I might need to "GET SOMETHING DONE!"  my body said that's it you're out.  At that point my body made the pain in my hip, which now traveled down my leg and into my foot so severe that I had to take a step back and reevaluate the situation. 

I sought out Chiropractic care from a different avenue and have been under this care for my hip, leg and foot since that dreadful day in May.  I have had adjustments, massages, ultrasounds and anything you can imagine done to my hip, leg and foot.

In doing so, I have had to take time off of any lower body exercises at the gym. Once again, I didn't have to  quit working out, I just had to adjust my workouts to accommodate my injury. 

 

So, my VERY long winded point here is this.....how do you you know when you need to do something about an injury. 

First of all you need to make sure that you know the difference between muscle soreness and muscle pain.  Are you just sore from a workout?  Or are there other factors involved here.  One of the most common ways I determine this is if I feel the same on "both sides" of the body.  For instance, are both my shoulders "sore" or is my left shoulder sore and my right is just fine.  Usually if you are sore from a workout, you are equally sore on both sides. 

Do you have a nagging pain that just won't go away?  Is the pain strong enough that it interferes with everyday functions of life? 

If it is, you probably need to get it checked out.

We also need to get down to the gut of the problem.  Are you having the same issue every time you do cleans for instance?  If so, let's take a look at your clean and see what could be causing this pain.  Sometimes the pain can be fixed if your form were perfected on certain moves or lifts. 

I truly believe in Chiropractic care.  I didn't originally seek out Chiropractic care because of my injury - I was already seeing a Chiropractor when I got hurt.  I believe that the body is an amazing healer on it's own.  If given all the right tools - diet, exercise and regular chiropractic care it will take care of itself. 

Don't fear that if you are injured you won't ever be able to WOD again.  You can WOD it just might be a little different than what everyone else is doing...but in reality why are you here?  You're here to be healthy right?  And is being healthy walking around wounded? CrossFitters are a little crazy like that....

Trust me.  I know exactly what I'm talking about here!

68.5 hours without Food = Isabel RX

I'd like to set the scenario....

It's been 67.5 hours since I have chewed food...I have drank gallons of green juice, decaf coffee (which sucks by the way) and tea....

I am dizzy and my vision is blurred.  The gnawing that my stomach is doing on my ab muscles is close to unbearable as is my appearance.

I haven't been able to muster out of bed or into the shower....I know I smell and my hair is smashed to the side of my head from sleeping on the recliner off and on for the past 2 1/2 days.  If you thought I looked a mess at the 515 am workout you should have seen me at 4:30.  I didn't even have the energy to put shorts on - I planned to WOD in my sweats....

I wander into the gym where I am faced with a girl WOD that I would LOVE to RX and in walks Nikole - really?!?!?!  WTF was all I could think at that point....so I decided to be rather blunt with her.  It went something like this "I refuse to look at you while you do this WOD and proceed to kick my ass...so just to let you know you will be staring at my ass for this entire WOD!!"  She laughed and said that once she kicked my ass she would be sure to be relentless in her pursuit to make sure that I finished in a timely manner as well. "Bitch!"  but that's why I love her.

Warm-up:
Double unders- which I skipped.  I'm already a pee pants try drinking nothing but liquids for 3 days and then doing double unders.  I spared myself the embarrassment.
Snatch work....
GHD Sit-ups - 15 each round to be exact.  Try doing that on a more than empty stomach.....let's just say after the 3rd round I was walking like a drunk and Rich was concerned....that's when I knew I would probably die soon.

Strength work:
OH Squat 80# - behind the head pp w/ snatch grip 55#

In the midst of my strength work Jim advised me that I may be having a wardrobe malfunction - my thong was hanging out of my sweats.  Good, all the better reason to have Nikole behind me - told you I loved her!!

This went well actually and my stomach was finally convinced that it would probably be fed soon.  You see my stomach has this little routine that happens EVERY time I workout.  It goes through stages I usually hit this stage where I am starving and then that turns into - OK I totally understand that if I complete this work there is a reward at the end....FOOD!!

Well - between my strength work and everyone else's I sat around far too long and my stomach came back at me with a vengeance before it was time to tackle Isabel.

I WAS STARVING!!!  It hurt SO freaking bad.....Jim calls 3,2,1 GO!  I point my ass at Nikole and start out.  I did 5 snatches without stopping...wow only 25 to go.

This isn't too totally bad....I get the reps in 2 - 3 at a time after that.  Never more and sometimes 1 rep at a time.  But none the less the reps keep going up. I probably failed 2-4 reps by getting it to about my chin and not able to get under it but if I rested long enough I was able to go back at it. 

I specifically remember having 3 reps left when Jim said the faster you get this done, the faster you get to eat....

I RX'd in 6 something...the time really didn't matter.....I went straight for my post WOD. 

68.5 hours of fasting and I get to eat.  I devoured 1 cup of green juice (I really DO love this stuff) about 6 oz of chicken and 1/2 cup squash:)  YUMMY!!!

So, I have been asked several times - WHY?  and is it worth it?

Why - because I have been out of control with my sugar addiction and I needed to refocus.  Refocusing meant that I had to make a drastic change.  I love sugar - just like everyone else....and I get in these cycles where I start to "allow" myself little cheats here and there....and they turn into more cheats here and there...and before you know it....everyday brings a nice "Chai Latte!"  and then some:)

Was it worth it?  Totally - I learned A LOT about my body.   And managed to accomplish my goals of getting my body weight back down under 140 - I'm sitting at 138.8 (total weight loss of 5.8#'s)  and do I want a Chai?  No, I was totally happy devouring the red pepper that's been staring at me in the fridge since Monday.

Paleo Baking - My New Favorite Pasttime

I don't know if it's a reflection of my childhood or something I've just grown to love as a mom but there is nothing better than a clean house and watching my kids or husband walk in the door to the wafting smells of baked goods in the oven. I love to see the smiles on their faces as they try to guess what has been baking and is waiting for them to gobble up.

I LOVE feeding my family. I don't know why. I love to see people happy and I know this isn't exactly a good thing but believe it or not FOOD makes people happy. So, how do I nutritionally make ME happy while continuing to see those big ol' smiles on my favorite people?

I finally learned to Paleo Bake. I know it sounds silly - but that's exactly what it is. When I first decided that a gluten/grain free life was what I wanted I decided I would never again get to enjoy cakes, muffins, bread, and cookies. I had all but given them into a life of the past.....until I started experimenting in Paleo Baking.

Now, the first thing I will tell you is just because it's Paleo doesn't mean you can eat the whole batch of cookies. There is something called too much - even if it's nutritionally sound. So, if you're one of those that still needs to take off some pounds then you need to limit your Paleo baking or learn to Paleo bake and FREEZE so that it's not sitting on the counter every time you walk into the kitchen.

One of the things that I am really really starting to enjoy is that my daughter Brooke is learning to Paleo bake as well. What better gift can you give your children than that of health AND happiness?

Today I baked bread and banana nut muffins.....can't wait till my family gets home:)

See, I've still got it!

You want the big one?

This is a picture of a picture taken when I was a young child. That's me on the right, under my dad's big bicep - I'm the cute one in the halter top:)

Apparently the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree and after finding this picture I realized that I was truly blessed with some great genetics. Thanks Dad.

As you all know my dad has Alzheimer's and this past Sunday was our day to travel to Fort Wayne and cook dinner for my parents. Jim and I have come to look forward to these days and try to always make sure that my parents are fed not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well before we journey back home to finish our weekend.

My father has forgotten many things. And I have to be VERY honest with you after this past weekend that I may be one of them. He never once called me by name or even his favorite pet name for me "baby girl!" But that's ok because I am learning that there are new traditions and new ways that he will always be the greatest man in my life. Whether he knows it or not, because I know it and I look forward to it every time I see him.

You see from the picture above that my father has always been a strong and handsome man. He never needed anyone's help in anything and many times worked several jobs so my mom could stay home and take care of all of us. He didn't work out, he didn't have to - he was a baker and lifted bags of flour and sugar and carried things back and forth and put them in and out of ovens. He was always moving if he wasn't baking in the bakery he was cleaning the bakery and I have many fond memories of helping him out on Saturday's.

So when I asked him if he needed the walker to walk the 5 house stretch yesterday from his house to my sister's he naturally said no. I never walked so slow in my life - and when we got to my sister's she said "Dad, where's your walker?" to which he replied "no one told me I needed it!" Oh boy, I've messed up already.

So, then we're standing at the end of the driveway and for you and I it would be no big deal to walk up, but I saw him contemplating how in the world he was going to walk up the driveway. I went to hold his hand and he slapped it away and said "I don't need no help!" to which I replied "daddy, I'm your daughter and just want to hold your hand!" "Oh," he said and grabbed my hand and walked up the drive! I was catching on.

You see my father may not have vivid memories in his head that he can clearly replay back to you and I but he does have one thing that I imagine he will hold on to till the very end - and that's his dignity. Deep inside of this man who's brain is leaving him little by little each day there sits a big old ball of dignity that no-one will ever take away. He knows he is a strong and brave and handsome hardworking father and husband.

On to new traditions......

So when it's time to leave mom and dad until we see them again we are a family full of I love you's and hugs and kisses. In fact Jim said he has never heard a family tell each other so many times I love you as ours does. And he was a little intimidated by all of the hugs we give out so freely. UNTIL he got the big one.

My big strong dad, who now has shrunk shorter than Brooke insists on giving the tightest hug you will ever get when you leave his house. He looks you in the eye and says "Do you want the big one?" and you have to say YES! And watch out when you do because this man can hug with all his might. And no matter what after you get your hug he says "See, I've still got it!!" and you have to agree ....after all you just got the big one.

Are you a driver? Or a passenger?

Today I want you to take a step back and look at your life! Not just parts of it, but your whole life up to this point - and ask yourself these questions....

Are you a driver? Or are you a passenger?

Are you in charge of what happens in your life? Or are you just along for the ride?

Do you make decisions based on what is going to make your life better - in EVERY aspect or did you set the cruise?

Are you adjusting the cruise as you go and making changes each day to make your life better?

Or are you going through life right now with the cruise button set? Do you get up everyday and do the same thing, the same way, with the same results....ending with the same routine at night - only to get up and do it again tomorrow?

Only you can make the choice to get out of the passenger's seat and take charge....get your BUTT in the driver's seat....put the top down and let the wind blow through your hair....because today could be the first day of the rest of your life.

It's a CHOICE!!