We are what we….hear

You've all heard the phrase "You are what you eat" but what about "You are what you hear"?  I don't know about you, but the things I listen to, hear around me, thoughts all impact my mood/energy 100%.

I'm usually that person who makes a soundtrack to life and thinks "in this moment, what music should be playing? Should it be instrumental or should there be singing?" At one point in my life I looked into what it would take to work with directors selecting music for scenes and movies.  I mean, right now I'm packing to move and I have created a "packing playlist" to help me get things done quicker.  Maybe I'm this way because I grew up playing instruments, singing and enjoying good ol classic art…who knows…either way, that's how I role.

I'm sure many of you can relate to the workout playlist; mine consist of : cardio, lifting, cross fit, rowing, yoga, stair master, running, HIT.  In addition to my genre playlist (country, classical, hip hop, blues etc) I also have playlist for: traveling, relaxing, reading, pool, getting ready, mellow, cooking, cleaning, bathes, going out….you name it I have a playlist for it.  When I go to power lift I put on rap music, turn it up loud and get in the zone.  Immediately, any doubts are out of my head and I'm in the zone to move some weight and feel good about it.  When I row, I like to listen to Bob Marley because it's powerful and chill music.  Rowing, can be more of a mental battle which is why finding a happy chill place in my head helps me. You get the picture on how music changes things for me.

I'm an emotional listener; meaning when I hear music I feel the emotion behind it.  I get chills, smiles, or tears.  I hear each instrument and feel the music/sound down to my core.  When someone has a conversation with me, I tend to feel their emotion good or bad.  I'm a big visual person too.  Knowing this about myself, why would I think it's any different with my own words and thoughts?  It's not!  Lately, I've been so busy with work that I wasn't able to find a balance and work out or eat as healthy as I'm use to.  As one would expect, I lost some muscle, gained a little, got a little soft (it all sounds so sexy right?)…basically all the hard work I did months prior to achieving a fitness level kinda went the other direction. I started getting really discouraged with things (even though it's really not that bad) and my thoughts of my appearance were all negative.  I'm great at encouraging, motivating others and getting them out of their head. Why the heck can I not do this for myself everyday. During my 40 day yoga challenge at Big Yoga (which btw was AMAZING) we talked about "tapes" we play in our head.  It really hit home to me because I became more aware of how toxic my negative thoughts are to my health.  It was an eye opener.  Last weekend I was so sick of hearing my own negative thoughts about how I looked, I kicked my ass back into gear with working out despite how exhausted I was.  I still carried these negative thoughts but I pushed them out and filled my thoughts with exactly what I wanted.  Did one or two days back into my workout routine actually show a difference, no probably not but because I told myself I was back I felt better and return looked better.  I started cleaning up my diet but committed to  allowing myself to still enjoy things like wine, pizza or chocolate in moderation without thinking I'm breaking a law.  It's amazing how our thoughts and words affect our  health.  I acknowledged myself for dedicating time to my career.  It has led to a promotion, I'm fulfilled in what I do and I'm about to move into a new place.  It's okay that I didn't go to the gym every day or eat super clean every meal because I was still doing something I loved and great for myself.  That's what I should have been telling myself instead of "Ugh, I feel so gross, Im so badly out of shape there's no point of return…give up, you're old and a blimp and no way will I ever wear anything other than a brown paper bag"..blah…blah..blah.. (I'm being a little extreme here but you get the point lol ) That's really annoying.  For the most part, I've weeded out people and things that bring continuous bad energy, but I can't weed myself out…that's not possible and silly so making that change in my attitude is what I needed.  Just from one week of thinking positive and working out I've felt so much better and I am seeing a difference in my body and attitude. It doesn't take much to get back to where you want to be.  The music I play each morning is something that I enjoy and makes me smile or dance around.  At the end of the day I listen to very relaxing calm music.  It's a continuous cycle of music, thoughts and sounds that will help create a successful, healthly and positive version of myself.

I decided to blog about this because I had a conversation with one of my good friends today in regards to our goals and what we would like to change.  As she is telling me what she wants to change about herself I can't help but shake my head.  She is doing exactly what I would do with my thoughts, she created a perception of what she thought she looked like vs how she really looks. She looks like a badass!!

It's so important that we become aware of the things we hear and how we react to them.  I've put emphasis on looks but we have to listen to our thoughts about love, career, family and change because it doesn't matter what it is…our thoughts ultimately control everything.

So, if you get in a stressful situation or long day, turn on your "pick-me-up playlist". If you want to PR on your back squat, turn on your "I'mabadassweightliftingmotherlover playlist", if you're sick and want to feel better put your "thismusicmakesmyorganshappy playlist".

I challenge you to start every morning and end every day with something positive about yourself and someone else.  When it's about yourself and in the morning say it out loud in bed before you let your feet hit the floor and when you go to bed acknowldege something powerful or great you did that day.  Acknowledging someone else just creates a snowball effect…it's a win-win. :)  Remember, it's not just the food we put into our bodies but our thoughts that can either make us healthy or unhealthy.

What It Takes

Do you have what it takes? The answer is "YES, absolutely!" That is such a broad question, but it relates to anything in your life you want to achieve; promotion, new job, being a good spouse/parent, working out. "What it Takes" is relative to each person but the drive is there for everyone.

I'd like to share my recent experience with "What it Takes".

If you CrossFit then you're familiar with the CrossFit Games Open. If not, let me give you a brief summary. The open is a 5 week competition (1 new wod each week) where people around the world compete to make it to regionals and the ultimate goal - CrossFit Games. Its intense, challenging and fun all at the same time.

Last year I decided to do the open just for fun. I signed up and a few hours later did my first wod. It was about this time last year that I decided to up my competitive side and challenge myself. What better way than to participate in the open! First WOD was something like double unders and ground to overhead - I did it, WHEW! Second WOD was a combination of deadlifts, hand release push ups and box jumps. COMPLETED!! Third WOD - As many clean and jerks

110# in 5 min. Okay, so I knew that 95# was difficult for me and was lucky if I could clean that on a good day and jerking it...well that was just the same. So I went into this WOD saying I just want 1 and I will spend all 5 min trying for that 1. Did I get that 1 - nope, but I never stopped trying. After that I set a goal that I was going be able to clean 110 and jerk it. I didn't do the rest of the wods, it had reached a point that I wasn't strong enough for what was coming and I basically gave up. I may have given in to the open, but I made a point to push myself from that point on. Here are a few pictures during this open - you can see the struggle on my face(those are funny-yet painful to look at. lol)

The journey to where I am now looks a little something like this:

Crawfish Mega wod Competition

Crossfit Katy's Beat the Heat competition

Babes and Barbell Strength competition

Battle Buddy and Fight Gone Bad.

I had a plan and that was to be a better and stronger version of myself. I wanted to know that I had what it takes.

Here I am a year later, much stronger, more determined and able to clean and jerk more than 110# :)

This year I completed all 5 wods and I couldn't be more pleased with that accomplishment alone. Some WOD's I surprised myself -had more in me than I thought. But for the most part, I walked away from each wod happy I finished but always thinking about how I could have done more, pushed harder, gotten out of my head. That is both good and bad. It's great that I want to be better but not good to be so down on myself when what I did was my best. I did my last WOD at CrossFit Camp Lejeune, which was an interesting experience. It was outside behind the MARSOC gym. It was a bit intimidating but it got me pumped up. There I was standing outside in the afternoon heat looking at the pull up bars taped and blood stained and yet I was excited. Felt like there was no room for less than my best. I enjoyed judging and encouraging others, watching them push themselves to their limit and beyond. I found inspiration in everyone, saw what it takes with each person. There are a couple people who constantly remind me through their daily actions, what it takes to be where I want to be.

I would like for you to meet my coach and friend Katie Russell

I like this picture of Katie because it shows her since of humor but also states the truth. Katie know's how to turn on "Beast Mode" and when she does, it's absolutely incredible to watch. Watching Katie in a WOD is so inspiring and motivating. She works hard, doesn't stop and is a role model for many of us women at the box. Katie is encouraging as a coach and personally has helped me achieve goals I've set and has inspired me to set new ones. I'm thankful to have had her judge, support, encourage and set expectations for me. She makes me want to be a stronger woman. I'm pretty sure she inspires men and women at our box to be the best they can. Katie, through her female strength competitions, all females classes and representing us so proudly in every competition has shown woman how to be more confident in our strengths and no task is to heavy. :) Id say when I grow up I want to be like Katie, but I'm grown up and she's younger than me...either way, she inspires me!

Now meet Vic

This is a picture from last year, but I chose this picture for a few reasons. Vic is the foundation to BayouCity CrossFit , he created an amazing box with his positive attitude, kindness and ability to provide his clients with the best coaches in Houston. Vic showed me how to turn the obstacles in my life towards positive energy in my work outs. He has encouraged me through difficult times and through doing that has helped me discover strengths and passions I didn't know I had. In this picture, you can see the determination and focus in both of their eyes. Something that both of these guys have taught me is this: when you want something, you can achieve it. You have to push through the hurt, forget about the fear and know that you are capable. There is no room for doubt and as long as you believe, you will achieve. I also chose this picture because both of these guys had a calling; to serve our country and defend our nation. It takes a special person to dedicate their lives to defending others. I am inspired by their mental and physical strength, dedication and constant strive to be the best they can be.

We always recognize the men and women serving our military but not always the spouses. I recently took a trip to visit my childhood friend who I have not seen since junior high or high school

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Ryanne has always been a fun loving person and has such a outgoing, fun infections spirit. In my trip to visit her and her family she inspired me more than I can express. Ryanne is married to a Marine, has two beautiful children and lives on base at Camp Lejeune. Ryanne showed me a snap shot of what it's life is like living on base. One thing Ryanne has picked up recently is running! She joined a group on base called the Stroller Warriors! Stroller Warriors are military spouses who get together every week and run...with strollers...and kids. lol They encourage each other, train for fun runs, tri's, halfs and now full marathons. Ryanne ran her very first half marathon Sunday March 17th and then ran her second (thanks for a free bib) the next Saturday..not even a full week!!! I was excited to be there for that and cheer her on. She IS a WARRIOR!!!

Ryanne and the other Stroller Warriors are amazing women. When their husbands deploy, they keep life at home normal. They take care of their children, support each other, stay active, run their butts off, raise money for illnesses and even when they haven't heard from their husbands they still manage to get through everyday as if it was just another day. They are beautiful strong spiritual woman! I was so inspired by their strength, love and dedication. These women are super hero's!! Being around Ryanne ignited a switch in me. I've been motivated with crossfit and wanting to be my be my best, but after visiting her; I've discovered a spiritual motivation, a motivation to be a better human. I also agreed to run the Marine Corp Marathon in October (YIKES!)..she sure knows how to motivate!!! What a blessing to be able to see a friend after so many years and leave feeling so motivated, lifted and fulfilled.

I know this blog was a bit long, but I wanted to share my inspiration on my journey to discovering I do have what it takes. It's a constant journey as goals are changing, expectations are higher, life happens and challenges will always be around. I hope everyone knows they have what it takes, whatever it may be!

PURPOSE

This is a quick/short blog but I had to share this. It touches close to home for me right now and after reading it, my thought process has been changed and spirits have been lifted. I hope you all enjoy "For Showing Me Purpose" as much as I did/do.

Don't worry, I have so many exciting things to share since I last wrote but on a bit of a time crunch right now so..... I'll have to save it for when a get a little more time.

FOR SHOWING ME PURPOSE

"I AM grateful, God, that I have finally come to realize your purpose for me.

Just when or how this came about I can't say. It wasn't sudden and dramatic, the way it happened to Paul on the road to Damascus, or Peter Marshall with his experience on the Scottish moors.

There have been no visions, no voices, no letters written in fire upon a wall saying "Do this." "Do that." "This is your reason for being"

No, my search for you and for the meaning you had for my life has been uncertain, groping, erratic, filled with accident, false goals. Sometimes I seemed to sense that purpose, clearly see it; but it vanished like a mirage in the harried, often cruel business of everyday.

Yet somehow you keep track of your floundering creatures. Maybe because life is so filled with defeat and heartbreak, we find ourselves turning to you, yielding ourselves to your will, fighting less furiously for selfish, often empty goals. And when this happens we find that you have turned our suffering and our failures into little stepping stones.

Looking back, we see them. These rocks which gradually, all unknown to us, you have been shaping to lead us toward our purpose...And we have been following! However, blindly, however zigzag the course, yet we have been moving toward it.

And looking about, we see there are results. There are signals, hearening little affirmations, unexpected proofs.

However humble our circumstances or undramatic our talents, our true purpose has been revealed. We were meant to be this person at this time and place. Not only for ourselves, but for you and other people --we were meant to make this particular contribution to the world.

And so we must do it well. Do it with faith and patience, with all our strength and passion. And in so doing discover who we really are"

~Margorie Holmes

A Change is Gonna Come

In the words of Sam Cooke, "A Change is Gonna Come"!

Change is constant and can be good or bad. In my case, change is GREAT! I've been wanting for over a year to get my Level 1 Crossfit Trainer certificate and in November of 2011 I did. I also wanted to get my CrossfFit Kids certification and at the end of January...I received my CrossFit Kids Certification!!! WOOHOOO!!!

Now that I have these two certifications my fun coaching journey begins. I start coaching my own boot camp Monday Feb 20th at 6am! Every Monday Wednesday and Friday I'm going to help people get their day started off right! I can't wait to help people discover their strengths, set new goals and live a happier healthier life. My coaches helped me get to where I am and I only hope that I can provide the same support and encouragement they gave(give) me to my own clients. Check out the BayouCity CrossFit website for upcoming events and activities. If you're looking to get involved there is always something new going on. www.bayoucitycrossfit.com

I've started coaching the crossfit kids classes at BayouCity CrossFit and it is phenomenal. What a great opportunity to work with such fun and eager kids. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure my fellow crossfit kids coaches Charlie J. and Monica are the BEST! We have a wonderful team and a common goal - healthy fun kids (aka:super stars). Every time I'm done working with the kids I wear a permanent smile. It's amazing to see what these kids can do! Also, the parents are GREAT! I'm thankful for the parents who see what CF kids can do and taking the time and energy to bring them every Monday and Wednesday. It makes me sad to see how kids these days spend such little time outside and more time inside watching movies, playing video games or who knows what. So thanks to all the parents who get their kids involved in extra activities such as crossfit, softball, baseball, soccer, running, whatever it may be.

Now that I've started this journey it has pushed me further into some of my own goals. I've been lifting 4 days a week in addition to my regular WODs and I'm about to pick up running again to work on my endurance. It's a snowball effect, helping others, helping yourself and creating a positive atmosphere for those around me and a positive rewarding lifestyle for myself. Everyone wins!! SUCCESS!!

I would have never expected to be where I am today, but thanks to change..both good and bad, I'm here! Often times its hard for people to except change, especially when we're not sure if it's good. But even if it seems bad at the time, embrace it and make the best of it; because I can almost guarantee that it ends up being for the best.

So, here is what I'd like for you to do. Ask yourself what can you do to be a better person, what goal would you like to achieve, what's something you think you'd never be able to do. Write it down post it where you see it every day and go after it!! It's never too late to make a change and never too late to go after what you want.

Anything is possible when you put your heart into it!!

Bruised But Not Broken

I remember being a kid and anytime I fell off my bike or got injured playing some sport, I'd go to my Dad for medical treatment/advice (he's not a doctor, just a Dad..but to me it was the same). He'd look me over and usually say something like "You'll be a little bruised, but nothings broken" or "walk it off". lol Either way, I went with it and continued doing whatever it was I was doing because I knew I'd be just fine. Well, here I am 30 years old and I recently fell off one giant bike; aka: LIFE! One thing after another was happening and I was beginning to feel pretty down about it all and at some points I felt, broken. It was an awful feeling, one that I hadn’t felt before.

One day while at CrossFit; it was the middle of the WOD and I heard the coach yell out “Do it unbroken”. Like that, a switch went off; UNBROKEN!!! At that very moment I felt so many emotions in such little time. I needed to be unbroken. When I hear the term “unbroken” I think of double unders, pull ups, etc.. I think of Louis Zamperini, warriors, survivors, strength, power, something complete. So many things come to mind when I hear “Unbroken”.

The definition of Unbroken:

1. Not Tampered with; intact

2. Not violated or breached

3. Uninterrupted; continuous

4. Not disordered or disturbed

5. Complete or whole

6. Undaunted in spirit.

What a powerful word! So, I decided during that WOD (workout of the day) that I was going to be unbroken. I’m applying that term to every aspect of my life right now and honestly, I’ve felt so much better and peaceful. I’m not going to let what’s happened define who I am, change what I believe in, stop me from achieving my goals. That’s giving in and I’d only be disappointing myself; and if I can’t even trust in my own abilities, why would I expect for others to. I deserve more than that. It’s okay to be sad, hurt, down, disappointed, confused; but it’s not okay to let those emotions control or break you down. I think it’s important that we allow ourselves to feel those things but how we overcome them is what’s most important. Don’t let the everyday stresses, heartache, work, work outs, obstacles break you down.

Some people may not understand how Crossfit can teach you things other than how to be physically fit; but this is perfect example of how it teaches mental strength and determination. I hope everyone has an outlet or hobby in their life that challenges and makes them a better person.

I guess what I’m saying is it’s okay to get bruised, it builds character; just don’t allow yourself to be broken. Just push through, walk it off, learn from the mistakes, try it again but differently, don’t give up, be stronger!

I’m happy to say, I’m bruised but not broken! J