It started so innocently. . . you know, the CrossFit journey that now has taken a hold on your life. It started out as a couple of trips to the gym, and POOF. . .
You talk about it all the time - Not surprising, when we start something new we want to share our positive experiences with people, heck, even in CrossFit circles people say how much something may suck with a shit-eating grin on their faces. And the better part is that the people who are around you that start asking the questions - well, at some point you stop talking and they give it a shot. . .
You attempt (or succeed) at getting 1, 2, 3. . . 12 people to join. . you - You feel like Moses bringing the gospel to the people (those of you that are religious, please do not take offense). "Hear me, I bring to you CrossFit - a lifestyle, a program, etc." And it takes one class for someone to get that reality check - and then they get sick with the CrossFit Virus.
You will only watch one video - And then two, then three. . . It never ends, the CrossFit Journal keeps coming out with new stuff - and you can't get enough. Or maybe you are one of those individuals who have found an athlete that inspires you. You know, the one who you watch so gracefully, wishing that it could be you who makes those movements look so easy. Or you could be the type of person that looks stuff up on YouTube, only to see someone ridiculously perform a movement that they are so proud of, yet if they tried it again it would snap their back in two. . . Or you just read - the articles, the blogs, soaking everything up so that you can get better.
You will only go to CrossFit three days on, 1 day off - Maybe your the person who goes to CrossFit on this prescribed schedule, only to feel that it may not be enough - so you go to a regular gym, only to languish into what can be described as complete lassitude. It's boring, slightly humorous, and in twenty minutes you end up leaving because nothing is really being stimulated and you feel like a damn hamster on the treadmill. . .
You wind up spending an hour at the gym when you were gonna stop by for 10 minutes. . . wait you wanted to stop by the gym??? - Haha, caught some of you! It has now become a haven for you. A place to air grievances from the day, not in the form of bitching (although that can occur) but in reality, you pour the crap parts of the day, the lounging, the sitting at your desk for 8 hours, the blank stares into the computer - all of that into your workout. But wait, I thought you were just stopping by. . . And then there are the conversations.
Class is over, you are just gonna chat for awhile - There you go again, liar! LOL, (that is the only time I will ever use that) you end up spending 15-20 minutes, discussing workouts, making plans with new friends, catching up with a fellow athlete you haven't seen, or talking it up with a Coach.
You wear the shirt - We've mentioned this before. This group has started their own trends. T-shirts sporting gyms like gang signs, except these gangs are collaborative, supportive and nurturing.
Getting sweaty doesn't really affect you anymore - Any uncomfortable situation, really any, becomes negligible (within reason). We become nonchalant of the occasional fart, it's not uncomfortable to discuss peeing in your pants when you jump rope (not me personally, and not necessarily comfortable either :) ), and talking about the latest and greatest Snatch or Clean & Jerk is hip.
You talk the talk - What's your "Fran" time? How awesome is "Murph" with a vest? Are you participating in "Fight Gone Bad 6?" How hard was that last Hero WOD? Are you going to compete? Your terminology for "the Games" doesn't mean the the Olympics. You would love to see how much weight you could move with a slamball.
You can't wait to see what you are capable of - Note: This is reality. People can't wait to see what is being thrown at them - and what they are capable of doing. It is not enough to merely follow a routine to see results, throw "muscle confusion" out the door, we are talking a whole different level. You learn and you apply, your results are driven by how much you work, how hard you work - in two minutes or twenty minutes.
Your feeling of accomplishment becomes the addiction - You strive to get better cause you have had a taste - and there is nothing more satisfying. Like an addict, you hunger for more - pushing yourself to your limits, getting up after falling down, except you encourage others along the way cause there accomplishments make you see the light day in and day out.
Everything in your life seems more positive - The people, the conversations, the opportunities. You don't settle, you move forward. This isn't for the lackadaisical person.
I see the positive change - This little statement is the essence of this post. We had some very large classes this evening and it was stunning to say the least. The camaraderie, the support, the drive, and the spirit. Individuals and classes alike stepped up to a workout that didn't carry the comparison to any prior workout. It didn't carry the Personal Record accomplishment that comes with the 1 repetition max days. The warm-up could have easily been made into the workout, but this was just another evening - an evening that leaves me taken aback - with pride.
Our culture is amazing or in the words of John Welbourn (CrossFit Football):
"Is CrossFit a cult? Yeah, but it's a good cult"
-Coach Tony
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