Nursing School is trying to kill me...imagine that.

Ok Folks, I haven't been on here for a while because (and I think this is a serious comment) nursing school is trying to kill me.....or at least drive me to insanity.  Thankfully there are weekends with an hour to spare on Fridays and Saturdays so that I can blow off all the steam!

I honestly think this was the hardest week of my life. (well, as far as academics is concerned) I have at least 1 test every day this week.  Some of which is pass or fail and can cost me my slot in the program....so no pressure right!?! Emotions were running high and fragile these last couple days and I think I've cried at least 5 times inward and outwardly.  I have made it to wednesday and I think the worst is behind me at this point but Friday will be the big test of my knowledge and skill as it will be my "Clinical Skills Exam" that will dictate my future. (well maybe not that dramatically but still).

CrossFit has been a major help in stress relief as I've said before in my blogs.  I feel like I can stay calmer through the storms because of it.  I am super thankful that I am able to still go 1-2 days a week regardless of my hectic schedule and appreciate all the support I see there from my fellow gym members.  I am constantly getting encouragement from them and I hope they know how much that means.

I've also been on the hunt for nursing classmate CrossFit buddies.  I have been hounding some of my new friends to join me because I swear CrossFit prevents me from going "Hulk" gama-ray crazy! (I have a 4 year old boy so me and him obviously have been talking)

So I'll try to keep you updated on my progress and I will let you know if any of my nursing friends take the bait.  I think I got one to bite and hopefully she follows through.

Anyway, peace!

Saturday Sweat Fest!

 

Can anyone else see the massive bicep action "Miss Thang" got going on over there? Holy Shnikee!

 

Team #1 push the car with 2 girls in it.....

 

Team #2 do the same as Team #1.......um there's only supposed to have one pusher at a time....what is this I see?

Hey guys! So first week of nursing school done! WHOOHOOOOOO! I'll be honest for the entire week I thought they were eventually going to figure out that they have an imposter in their class room and finally tell me to get lost....but it didn't happen and I am there to stay! fweew! Not to say that I am in the clear because OMG to all the homework/activities/projects/community service/seminars/tests&quizes/...........pretty much all of the above and more.   I never thought it was possible to have that much things to do all at once.  And I thought my life was already stressful....well news flash Rik...it can always get worse. "sigh"....well there goes life. 

Anyway, you are also probably wondering why on earth after listing all these things that are on my "Must Do" list, why am I writing a mindless blog about crossfit and not doing homework or reading my chapters or all of the above?  Well actually it is exactly for that reason.....It is mindless! I get to be free and express my thoughts without worrying if my grammar is ok enough to turn into the very strict instructors that dog points for little things like that.  Also, at some point I have to kind of let loose....not to the point of TMI but enough to get some pressure off the chest.  CrossFit is actually a great way to burn off some steam. 

And I actually had a teacher teach on our 3rd day there about "Stress and Illness".....(o here we go, right?) Did you know (lol)......that stress can threat the stability of the body even or especially on a cellular level? Yup! By which stress can create so much instability in your cells that your immune response is suppressed.  I don't know about you but I can't afford to get sick! So good stress relief is actually found in working out....imagine that. :P Working out or exercise even releases Endorphins & Enkephalins which are Endogenous opioids that are produced in the nervous system and help relieve stress. So there, gotta relieve some stress peps, and Crossfit is a great place to do it!

So as you can see from the pictures posted above I was able to go to RFM this week.....and actually I got in 3 days of workout, thats not bad for being extremely busy.  But next month it might change so I won't get my hopes up to much.

Today was "Saturday Sweat Fest"....and yes I didn't even start the workout yet and I was sweating like a pig...(never really saw a pig sweat but whatever).  Of course Robert being the main coach for today we did various warm ups that just added to the already hot sweaty morning.  Some of the stuff we did hurt and burned and was so tiring that I was unsure if I was going to have energy for the actual work out. Craziness I know.  But I saw a t-shirt that says it all.

 

When you do crossfit you think "omg, I am so sore...I'm not going to workout for the whole week because I need to rest"...but then the next day your like, I "have" to get to the gym.  While I was at school I was jonzing for my gym time.....or "play time" as I have referred to it in a previous blog.  So I was soooo stoked when I was able to fit in some time to crossfit! gotta love it. 

Anyway, the workout was great, it was:

3 power cleans

6 push ups

9 air squats 

amrap or as much reps as possible....for 6mins

x3 or for three rounds. 

O yes you got a good sweat, burn, etc going on for sure.  But it didn't stop there, our "cashout" was Car pushing....hmmm....yup thats what I said.  Push a car....2 teams but only one person can push at a time....actually it looked super fun and I wanted to try but I kinda hurt my foot wearing high heels in gravel...(yea not recommended) so I have to take it easy for a while. 

anyway I had a great Saturday to top off my crazy stressful week and I am so happy I went today. :) 

Love you RFM! 

Peace!

This is Not Goodbye

 

This is now my Motto! lol

So as most of you know, I started the Nursing program at UH Maui College yesterday and am excited and scared and nervous and excited....well you get the idea.  I waited a long time for this opportunity and the day has finally come that I get to live out my dream.  WHOOOOOOHHOOOO! 

Unfortunately, as for my life at RFM crossfit.......I will have to put you on hold at least for September.  I thought maybe I could swing some WODs into my busy schedule but I found out last night that I am just to damn tired to read 40 pages of nursing skills and case studies after I use up all my energy getting through a WOD.  But fear not, I WILL BE BACK! I see this as a challenge....and I know I'll figure out something. ;) 

So anyway, to all my RFM CrossFit buddies out there, (in the words of Arnold) I'LL BE BACK! :)

Wish me luck! and I'll keep all of you updated on my school experience. :) 

PPPEEEEAAAACCCCEEEE!

"Welcome to The 'Flip' Side!" vs. "WTH?"

 

First Challenge.....200 pullups (while in a team of 4...so really its....50 pullups each)

 

2nd challenge: 300 push ups...This is my Team...of course we are the 'Flips'

 

3rd Challenge: 400 squats...This is the apposing Team...."WTH?"

 

Last Challenge: 200 meter 45lb sled drag

(Do you like my expression? It's saying to the camera..."THIS SUCKS ASS!")

 

Had to put this in here because that's the expression I want to have! (and the speed would of been nice) Lori you are WONDER WOMAN! <3 u!

 

My first "break" or when your calluses get ripped off. (thats what happens when you do 50 pullups without gloves...grrowl!jk about the "growl")

 

Notice the Rookies (the ones that look like shizzz..aka: me) and the professionals (the ones smiling..)

Anyhow, since a picture is worth a thousand words and I have 7...I can be done right?

*sigh* alright, I'll elaborate a bit.

Ok, so I was fortunate enough to be able to take the day off to prepare for tonights CELEBRATION! (just in case you didn't know....It's kaika's birthday party and also UFC 133...) so should be fun!

Since I was home today I figured I'd get in another workout for the week.  (Something I definitely need!) Today's workout was one of those special..."surprise" workouts...the ones that they purposely don't post because they know that if they did post it, nobody would come. 

I had my partner (Nalani) to go with me so we both committed to take whatever the coaches could dish out.  (I know...why right?) I didn't think it was going to be that bad today, but also secretly hoped it was going to knock me on my ass.  Those ones are usually the really good ones that give great results in the long run.  And OOOOH did I get knocked on my ass.....you want proof? well here you go. 

 

I know not a pretty sight but some what out of my control.

By the end I was so dead, I couldn't see,  I couldn't hear, and I couldn't feel my body...other than the blood pumping to my eyeballs.  I think what killed me the most was the push ups...which is so very sad because I really want to be good at them.  (but I know...keep at it and eventually it will come).  The pull ups messed with me too because on the last set of 10 I ripped open my hand and after that my brain kept trying to remind me that I'm injured but I was trying so hard not to think about it till after it was all over.  So anyway, it was hard to keep my head in the game.

During the 200 meter sled drag I hit a major wall.  My body was not cooperating with my brain.  My mind said keep going and my body said...yea right.  And what made things worse was...at the turn around point there is a fish warehouse....I don't know exactly what they do there but it smelt like rotting fish and my resolve of not throwing up was crumbling fast.  Even worse is, my legs wouldn't move so I had to rest right in the section that smelt the worse...It was TERRIBLE! As a last resort for finding the will to go on...I thought of Mary and her insistence that "yelling" or "screaming" helps you endure more pain for longer.  So shout I did......very loudly all the way to the end.  (and I must say...It did help a little)  If nothing else it was keeping my windpipe open while keeping my esophagus closed so that it was easier to fight the gag reflex. 

So in conclusion.......THAT WORKOUT WAS AWESOME!  It's not every day that you really push your body to the way way way crazy limit and realize that you actually can do it.  I had major muscle failure as I'm sure everyone was experiencing at some point during the workout but  I know that because I pushed myself that much...I will be able to go harder next time.  It's a great feeling to know you are working your body good. So yup loved it...would do it again. and that is that.

Anyhow, I need to cook for tonight so I'll talk to y'all later. Peace!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IKAIKA!

The man who got me into the gym....

I don't know about you but I have a great husband.  This is not to say that he doesn't make me question male intelligence at times and/or think men really do come from a different planet.

But even though this man can drive me up a wall and cause some serious headaches, I think I found a winner.  He may not be perfect.....in a sense that he has 'everything figured out', but he is perfect for me.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HUSBAND!

Today is his 28th Birthday!!! WHOOHOO! 

And in a few short days will be our 7th year Anniversary in marriage and 10th year Anniversary as a couple.  CHEEHEE!

Very exciting dates for sure! Kaika is getting old and we are getting old together. YAY! kidding...but not. 

So how to make this birthday a memorable one for him...........hmmm......o right, I could tell you embarrassing stories to poke fun at him....perfect.  So where shall I start?  

.......

I could start with the first time I met him and 3 girls stubbled out of his closet.....no no, to long a story. 

.......

or how he broke his collar bone a week before my prom......the nerve right!?! but nah....that one we'll leave untold. 

........

Oh a good ones is when we were playing drinking games and he mixed his drinks and started puking all night till morning.....but that ones kind of gross so we won't go there. 

........

O there was the time I was in labor....and he got 'food poisoning' and got more medical attention then me (don't mind me I'm just the one trying to push out a 9lb baby....go right ahead dr. see if my husband is 'feeling' ok, no rush)....ok ok thats no fair....i'm sure it was a long night....for him.

.......hmmmmm.....

Alright I don't really have much stories to make fun of him so I'll just tell you about what I've witnessed in him since he has joined RFM. 

To start, the people here are truly an extended family for him.  He is one of those gym members that goes to all the class times....yes even the 6am classes on occasions.  Making friends with all the people of RFM...what a guy!

He stays up until the WOD is posted the night before so that he can plan his day around gym time.  He has even bought gym equipment for home so that if for some ungodly reason he misses a WOD he can make it up at home.  So special yeah?

I have been trying for years to get him to take serious steps into a healthier lifestyle....and he finally committed to it when he found Derek and Bumper.  (The 2 healthy guys)  I could spout facts about form including scientific/medical backing but until he hears it from Bumper what I say doesn't mean a darn thing.  And everything I say about food and nutrition isn't true unless he talks to Derek.  There has been numerous times where he starts talking about what Robert (bumper) or Derek said....and I cut him off and say, "yea, pretty much what I told you last week...." and he starts making faces at me.  

Even his 'muscle up' that Frank, Lori, and Kehau helped him to accomplish has been huge in his overall confidence in the gym as well as in every day life. 

Anyway, he has made much progress in the short time here at RFM, thanks to the great members and owners of the gym.  You all have accomplished what I could not.  And not only has he done well for himself but have also been a huge help and inspiration for me to get my big ass in the gym and start taming some wild body parts of my own.  Thankfully, I am finally....yes finally, confident that he has found a permanent hobby that he will actually keep for a long time.  

So Thank You RFM, for being so special to the birthday guy! 

PS:  **ANNOUNCEMENT!*** we will celebrate properly with all of you RFMers soon.  Standby for party updates....(and don't worry Kehau, Mary, and Kristi, we won't celebrate without you!) 

Careful the native is getting restless.....

Attack of the "GRAMMA ARMS"!!!!

THE MONSTER ARMS! (and o my we have the same elbows too...)

Me and my mom have the same back....yikes.

The woman who started it all.....Grams!

Built in Wings....

Three generations of the monster arms...

So this is a follow up blog on the "monster drumstick arms"......this is where it all began.  The 2 older women in me and Randi's life.  They are the cause of all this humbug... lol, crap!!!  My Mom and my grams.  Those are the only 2 people that are still alive and have evidence of this generational curse....so I can make fun of them as much as I want.  

 Family time has been really wonderful this weekend visiting my Waianae ohana.  My mom recently moved to oahu to take care of my grandparents....which makes me the last person still on Maui...(excluding my wonderful cousin Nainoa and his parents).  I have always had lots of family around me all the time so these short trips are always bittersweet.  And with the recent move back of my sister to the islands from middle america I feel like a part of me has come back to complete me.  There is nothing like reuniting with your brother or sister after years of separation.  Having your siblings move away to the mainland for long stretches of time kinda make you feel like the only child sometimes.  It's a weird feeling for sure.  But I am soooo happy to have my sister back.  Maybe one day we can actually get her back to the right Island...RFM we shall pray for that. :) 

anyway, enough with the making fun of Randi....time to tie this into my crossfit life.  

I am happy to report that I have done........zero crossfit anything while on vacation. ha! just kidding I did demonstrate my progress on doing a pistol squat for my sister....but thats about it.  Kaika brought his 'Abmat' and jump rope so that he can still feel like he did something while here.  But not me.  All I did was eat, shop, sight see, eat, eat, eat........o my.  Good thing this trip ends today because I really need to stop this destructive cycle of gluttony.  

Although I did find me some PINK CONVERSE SHOES....I can't afford Oly shoes yet....and probably ever because In just a few weeks I am going to be jobless....so this pink find was a blessing.  Plus, because they were children size, it was only $24. O YEA! I'm ready now....bring on the SNATCH.....or not. ;)

Anyway, see all y'all tonight at the gym! I'm excited to be coming back.....if these pictures aren't motivation enough to get my ass to the gym I don't know what is.  Dips, pull ups, push ups, squats, lunges, and yes even Burpees....here I come!

Guava Girls! YEA BABY!

 

Seriously LOVE the personalized cartons! Kehau you are to good....

 

The three most vibrant yokes I've ever seen....perfect

 

Garlic and Onion Omelet! YUM

Just had my first Guava Girls Egg Omelet this morning and thought that would be a good topic to write about.  As you know Kehau has taken up farming.....and she has her won 'flock of hens'.....I hope I said that right.  I'm not a farmer in a sense of animal raising.  I'm better with plants...so far.   

Anyway, since I have heard so much about the dramatic journey of these young hens and their quest to make eggs for the world..I figured I would also do my part to show them support from afar.  Making sure their hard work is going to feed the multitudes.....ok maybe not the 'multitudes' but at least me and my family.  Which is a good start.  

And may I say they were AWESOME! Nice flavor...not to 'eggy' or 'chickeny'...if that makes since.  I kinda have issues with raw eggs and raw chicken...so don't mind me....I'm a little special remember.  Anyway, best organic eggs I've ever eaten! I think those things even held me over till dinner.  Seriously, I didn't get hungry again till around 4pm.  Crazy! because I'm always hungry.  

So anyway, JOB WELL DONE, chicken friends, and Mamma Kehau and Dadda Frank!  You guys are great chicken farmers! I see the love....even in the cartons that they ship off their product in.  Hand personalization, WOW! 

Anyhow, I am heading out tonight to go see my family on Oahu...so you might just see how we do CrossFit Waianae style if the WODs are easy enough to do with primitive tools.  :) 

Ok well..I'm chuckin up dem deuces ...PEACE!

A Little Encouragement and Inspiration for My Homies!

***WARNING FAT PHOTO'S ARE BEING POSTED...BEWARE!***

Ok obviously this isn't one of the "fat" photos...this was the good ol' days...back in 2004 senior year..high school.  (but as you can see the monster arms are developing) (also note that this picture can kinda give you an insight to the kind of person I was back then...hint: prissy girly girl)

O MY! yup this was taken in October of last year.  Probably the fattest I've been since giving birth to Kela. YIKES!

And now this is me today. The strongest I've ever been since.....ever. and the monster arms are finally shrinking! O YEAAA! *victory dance*

I just thought I'd share with all of you my embarrassing weight journey thous far in life.  I am still not as confident in my appearance that I think I should be...but I know that will come in time....and hard work.  I encourage you to bust ass during the work out because that is the only way to see results.  My time at RFM is limited so I am trying as hard as I can to push my body to the 'healthy' limits.  And thus far I think I've been here about 2 months and already am seeing major strength improvement and some appearance improvement in my body showing more muscle and less fat.  Which is I think...every persons goal.  

So going on to today. I work a night shift so I thought I'd get my workout done this morning instead....and visit my 8am crew.  I am still sore from yesterdays workout and pretty much I'm still sore from day 1 of joining RFM.  I don't think that ever really goes away.  It's like the ache that never leaves and is your constant unwanted tag along for every day movement....giving you a zap of annoyance every time you bend to pick something up or doing various movements that you took for granted prior to the continuous torture we do in the gym to those unknown muscles. It sucks but it's true.  

Anyhow, moving on to the WOD...

Now I know you guys probably haven't looked at what we are doing today so I won't spoil it for you.  All I'll tell you is the WOD was AMAZING! Difficult in the right degree of pain.  I think you guys will really enjoy it. (for those of you that are planning on coming tonight....yes I'm calling you out 5pm and 6pm classes!)...Rod....Chandler...Jen....not naming any names. :P  and Rod Vegas Abs are at RFM tonight.  Super fun and killer.  

I  think this WOD will give you some unforeseen confidence after you are done.  It looks intimidating I'm not going to lie about that....but what WOD isn't. If you aren't scared of the workout you aren't working out hard enough right? 

So anyway, sorry I can't make it tonight but I am rooting for you at 10,000 ft..(haleakala summit) CHEEHOO! 

WORK IT BOYEEEE! CHEE!

Pistol squats Beeoch!

 

Look Ma' no hands....or shoes..huh.

 

My mother-in-law beats me at everything...including pistol squats...sh*t. 

 

My baby boy gets warmed up for his WOD with his Daddy...

Ok gotta start this blog with the last picture....My little boy Lokela decided that he wanted to do the runs with us.  So kaika decided that he will go through some stretches with him and get him warmed up for the runs...It was the cutest thing I think I've ever seen...warms my heart up to the core. :')  Anyway, Kela ended up doing the first 200 meter run with us and actually beat me to the finish line...and decided that he was going to do his own WOD so he got a 45lb weight and did his "box jumps" (he even helped his Auntie Val with her fear of jumping...such a good boy we have)....then he did assisted hand stands with his Dad. and when I was ready to do my 400 meter he was out the door with me.  He made it to the stop point and half way back when his little body finally needed a rest...so me being #1 mom (just kidding)...I carried him while I ran for a little bit. (not kidding)...after his little rest he took off sprinting again and beat me to the finish...again.  Now if that doesn't motivate you to finish off strong I don't know what does. :)

Anyway the WOD was short and sweet.  More arms of course.  Kristi is watching my back and getting some arm workouts in there...Love it! 

so it was: 

200 meter run

20 box jumps

5 chin ups (strict hang)

400 meter run

10 box jumps

10 chin ups

200 meter run

20 box jumps 

5 chin ups

yea sounds like a whole lot and sounds crazy difficult but it wasn't as bad as I originally thought.  Well I originally thought we were doing 20 wall balls which scared the crap out of me cuz I hate having a huge 10lb black ball rocketing towards my face...just saying. Also I have issues with letting that ball take me into a squat and then having to hurl that thing back up in the air.  Not fun. But box jumps I can do.  When  I first started RFM we did a WOD with crazy amounts of both box jumps and wall balls.  I had my little internal 'battle of wills' with the box....me and him had to clear some sh*t up.  But in the end I showed that box who was boss and now I even upgraded to a higher box for this WOD....O yea boyee!  But me and the wall balls are still trying to hash sh*t out.  I think I won some battles but the 'big black ball' cracked me in the chin a few times so we are still trying to work on our 'relationship'.  I donno I'll let you know how it goes with that one.  

Anyhow, I had fun on this WOD.  Especially since we were doing pistol squats and I didn't do to bad...and I actually saw a real quad muscle bulge here and there.  O YEA!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to tomorrows WOD...because I just looked and it looks like some fun! 

Peace y'all!

"1001, 1002, 1003....O It's a Deep Burn...Burn so Deep...."-Ron Burgandy

 

All the dear friends that made it to Kristi's Birthday Party!...wait a minute where the hell is Rod?

 

This is titled "Kaanapali"...I don't know why or what they are doing...Kristi any input?

 Alright so first and foremost....HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTI! We had a great time celebrating with you and all the RFMers!  Of course one of the main questions of the night was..."where is Rod?" but I guess we will never know since he didn't show up for the WOD tonight.  :P  Also, an explanation would be nice for this picture that Kristi took on my phone.  I have no idea what Shauna is doing to Mikki.....and obviously Mikki is expressing her thoughts through sign language. lol

Anyhow, I can definitely say that this night as brought our already tight group even tighter through all the adventures that we shared....quick recap: starting with the various margarita pitchers that was consumed during dinner...which made Ali (one of our newer members to RFM) more talkative and even loosened him up to bust a move or two, Mikki's little 'love show' with the dessert, Val's 'deadlift' on the dance floor, Kristi's 'Snatch-clean & jerk' on the dance floor that made a mexican "jerk"...lets see what else...o and Derek and Elena's burpees..... and last but not least Lori's black friend that made her look tall.  All these things made it that much more fun and very eventful for sure!

So going on to today's WOD.....

here it is:**DB=dumbbell** **AMRAP=as many rounds as possible**

AMRAP in 10mins

5 DB hang cleans

5 DB push press

10 alternating renegade rows (5 each arm) w/ DB

Hey looks like the theme for this week is still arms...o yea! 

So I was really scared of this WOD, because as you can see there are lots of arms and my arms aren't very strong....but that's why we do this right!?! so 'no fear' just do it.  O my! I was already feeling the 'deep burn' after the first round...and looked at the clock and only a minute or so passed so I like..."omg! I still have so much more time to go...Damn!"  Also I used 15lb DB's and those were getting heavier by the min.  I think what killed me the most was the hang cleans.....I HATE cleans with a PASSION!  Mostly because they scare me and they hurt like hell fire! bringing weights all the way up to your shoulders and then squatting down into a full below parallel squat will sap your energy real quick if you are pushing hard.  Then on top of that scary, energy sapping squat, you gotta get those DB over your head for the push press...yea arm burn for shizzle my nizzle!  To top off the bbq on my arms doing 10 alternating renegade rows was like putting lemon juice on an open wound.  It just took the pain to another level.  But hey, if it will shrink my 'monster drumsticks' I'm there! 

Unfortunately, I couldn't do more than 6 rounds.  I felt like I could of pushed a little harder maybe....take less breaks, let the pain linger a little longer before I stopped for a breather....maybe bang out at least 1 more round but that's ok.  At least now I know what I want to shoot for in the future.  I know my reps will increase over time so I just have to hang in there and keep at it.  This is going into my second month in CrossFit and I have already exceeded most of my expectations for myself.  The only thing that I really want to do is do a full unassisted pull up.  But I know that is coming soon.  I just have to keep doing the assisted ones.  One day though...real soon I'm going to do it.  Anyhow...I need to go ice my shoulders now...cuz my arms are starting to show signs of bruising from all the times I let the dumbbell wack my shoulders as it made it's barely controlled resistance lacking fall in my arms.  I'm just lucky I didn't wack myself in the head with those damn things.  

WOW that was a good workout! *sigh....and 1 2 3...pass out*

Peace!

Two Tickets To The Gun Show....

 

Showing off the 'Guns'

 

(this doesn't have anything to do with my blog but....)

Props to brother Rod, look at that stance...VEGAS BABY!

 

& Thank you to everyone that has been making sure Kaika is taking better pictures because as you can see....you can actually see me....amazing!

Ok so the topic of this blog is....The 'Guns'..aka: arms.  Ever since high school my genetics have been  going against me.   When I was younger everyone called me a 'bean pole' because I was really skinny, zero form, just straight limbs...thats it (obviously my filipino blood was going strong back then). But when high school hit I started getting MONSTER ARMS...among other things (like THUNDER THIGHS....but that's a blog for another day).  Unfortunately from my gene pool my grandma contributed 2 things....a love for food that borders on obsession and the notorious MONSTER ARMS.  If I was a guy...it wouldn't be so bad.  But my mom had 3 girls.  All of which have grams arms. 

Imagine substituting your bicep and tricep for a KFC fried chicken drumstick (but more like human life size)....what I'm trying to get you to picture is basically the fat bulb of the drum as my arm and then my forearm being just the bone part (cuz my forearms are very narrow and skinny plus i have small hands)....and that's how I picture my arms....disgusting right?  Anyway, that is one of the issues I have in my self image.  I look in the mirror and see the MONSTER DRUMSTICK! ew! (and mind you they are big for no good reason. totally useless mass...lame)

So being at CrossFit of course one of my goals is to get rid of the terrible arms that I unfortunately inherited from my elders.   So WODs that have pull ups, dips, push ups, push press...basically anything that can shrink my arms into a more slimmer feminine form I am all for it.  Well I got what I wanted this week so far.  on top of squats to 'tame the junk in the trunk' I also got lots of arm workouts. 

Example of this is tonights workout....5 rounds: 10 Dips, 5 pull ups, and 20 lunges.   I think I was pushing a little to hard for the negative pull ups prior to the WOD because by the time the WOD came my arms were already dead.  I also tried to do harder dips because I felt like doing them the way I have been was a little to easy.  So I did it with my legs elevated and I used 2 parallete bars instead of the bench.  Yeah I felt the burn...o my! Then came the pull ups...dead hang....o gosh.  I was using the blue band and I could barely get my chin above the bar.  by the 3rd round my arms didn't want to go anywhere.  So my sweet husband tells me....ok use the green band instead of the blue.  So I do and then I get through the 3rd and 4th round doing that.  But by the 5th round even the green band was not getting my body up from a dead hang.  so Kaika (genius that he is) puts the blue band and the green band together and tells me to try that.  ok ok, I don't weigh that much so what do you think happened....that thing sprang me up so fast my pink shoes went right over my head...(I think kaika got confused some how and thought we were doing toes to bar or something)  Good thing I was holding on because that would of been a disaster.  So of course Kaika, Lori, and Kats were all witnesses to this 'hilarious' moment.  and I was trying to get my legs out of the thing laughing so hard...my time suffered for that.  (good thing speed isn't something I shoot for).

anyway I my arms are super sore and I think I did a good job pushing my arms to the limit.  and aside from the little mishap with the bands...I think I did ok.  The motto for me and my sister Randi that we will have to repeat for the rest of our lives is......

"NO GRAMA ARMS! NO GRAMA ARMS!" 

which I will probably have to revise to "NO MONSTER DRUMSTICKS!" 

anyway that's my story...Peace!

ps: im kinda writing this in a rush because i need to get up at 5am and I still haven't showered yet....so if i am all over the place. sorry :) but enjoy!

Gym Rat

 

 

From Zumba Skirts and Dancing sweat....

 

To Pink Shoes and Olympic Lifting......

So as you can see it has taken me a long time to write about these past couple days....  There has been much to ponder, much to reflect on, and much time to get back to reality.  This past weekend, as you RFMers know, was the Matt Major Olympic Lifting workshop or seminar (whatever it was called).   I did not plan on going to it.  And since I already had reservations about joining CrossFit there was no way I was going to get myself any deeper by learning more about 'oly' lifting.  But, as fate would have it....there were some last minute cancellations and slots that needed to be filled. ('needed' probably isn't the right word..since i don't really think they 'needed' me to fill in) but since I was available and I was (just so happened) in the area, I went. 

So for the whole weekend I was surrounded by sweat, barbells, weights, gym cloths, and RFMers.  It kinda gave me a mini flash back to youth camps....in a sense where you are surrounded by one purpose, one goal, one focal point....and all you think about is that.  Even when you leave you are still picturing the Snatch movements...still practicing at home even though your muscles are so sore and tired that you are not doing anything more than jerking back and forth and you look like you are in serious need of some strong mental medication.  

I think the most interesting thing I learned from the workshop was......how to pole dance.  Pole Dance, WHAT??? Actually, Matt is surprisingly very good at it.  I know what you're thinking...what the heck were we doing in the gym for 4 hrs a day for 2 days?  And the answer to your question is......we repeatedly did obscene movements...some with a pole, some with the barbell, some with the pvc pipe.  Ok ok, not really....but really.  Before your brain starts going toward more X-rated material...I'll explain.  We were learning how to bring our hips to the bar and not the bar to our hips....which gives us more power for our Snatch Clean.  It's actually just a lot of pelvic thrusting....which I think is why Oran scheduled 'Thrusters' for our WOD yesterday.  (He still has 'thrusting' on the brain. haha. jus kidding Oran).  

Anyway, even though (like with everything else exercise related) I wasn't planning on being there or trying it out, I really enjoyed it.  Not that my new goal is to be a competing Olympic Lifter or anything but it was a great experience and I'm glad I did it.  Coincidentally, I feel more confident in the gym now.  Especially where the weight lifting is concerned.  I told a few people that when I first started I had a huge fear of the bar.  I've always been afraid of the bar.  bench pressing in high school was an ordeal for me.  Mostly because I didn't and I still don't have much upper body strength so not being able to bench the 45lb bar was very embarrassing for me.  Since we aren't doing much bench pressing at RFM I guess i don't really have that much to be scared of.....Even so, I still have lingering 'prissy girl' tendencies and shy away from more 'strong people' activity.  Which is stupid right? Because I can do it, I'm not weak.  But old habits die hard.  

Any how, I was just thinking back on my Zumba days and if anyone told me back then that I'd be doing 'Olympic Lifting' I would of laugh at them.  So WOW for me!  Getting crazy over here...breaking out of the box.  Watch out....you never know what could be next...'Muscle ups' here I come. Ha! or not. 

Peace Peps!

 

Redemption & My First of Many Blisters

(What you get when you ask your husband to take a photo)

(What you get when your wife takes a photo)

(& my first real blisters since I started RFM)

Alright, so since you've read my previous post about photo taking you know that I don't just take one photo...I take many...and out of those many I usually have maybe 2-3 good photos worthy of the public eye.  And I know that when I ask a coach to take pictures for me they won't stop at one.  Reasoning I think for this is that by taking multiple photos they know there will be one or 2 that may show up in the next blog post.  Not only that but they are also showing a reflection of their coaching....good form, hard work, etc. (Kehau is a great photographer *wink*)  But husbands on the other hand don't care (and actually grumble about "how many pictures I really need".....I ask him to take my picture and he snaps one...doesn't look at it and calls it a day....Thanks a lot.

Well enough raz for now....(I told you I'd level out the status quo later).

Anyway, Todays WOD......

Well, as you know, I had a terrible time with the WOD yesterday.  So I was really scared to attempt another WOD that Kehau thought up.  Looking at it kinda scared me.....I saw lots of Kettle Bell action happening....not that I don't like the kettle bell, only that the workouts are usually very taxing.  And after yesterday I was afraid of how taxing she was going to make it.  Oly lifting drills were DeadLifts and I love Deadlifts so I was hopeful.

3 rounds:

In 4:00 complete as many rounds as possible of this kettlebell complex:

8 KB swings

6 KB deadlifts

4 KB goblet squats

2 KB Push press (2 per side)

Right before the start I was thinking of only getting the 15lb kettle bell because I was afraid of over doing it with the amrap part of this wod.  But then I rethought about my strength and decided that I was strong enough to do the 20lbs and that if I was ever going to get rid of my 'grama arms' I need to make sure it hurt.

Starting the first round....I felt good.  Mostly because I usually feel good after doing deadlifts.  I think because, at least for me, weights are usually higher than any other oly workout so psychologically I feel "strong".   So I pounded out my first round going as many times as possible....but then my hands started sweating and my grip started slipping....never a good thing with Kettle bells.  I think 3 rounds was a perfect number of rounds...it hit just the right amount of pain level before the end.  Rounds 1 and 2 you were still feeling good.  Sweating but still strong....the 3rd round took you over the edge and made the workout complete.

I honestly thought that this workout was the perfect workout to redeem yesterdays mayham.  I loved it.  If there was any thoughts in my head about quitting CrossFit this workout put all my concerns at ease.  Not to say that this workout was easy....on the contrary...It was challenging and it hurt....my arms and legs were shaking by then end.  But as yesterdays workout made you feel like 'ass' after...this one made you feel 'strong' and 'powerful'.  Confident that you can push that kettle bell through the roof if you needed to.  This is one of those workouts that you pull your arms back, walk straighter, thrust your chin up into the sky, hold your head high....and strut out into the world.  And it is these kinds of workouts that make you feel proud to be apart of CrossFit.

I don't know maybe I'm just retarded and it was just like that for me....so I wanna hear how it was for you guys....

Am I right or am I a crazy person who likes pain?

Lions, Tigers, and BEARS!!!! OH MY!

 

"Pressing Snatch Balance"

 

(does my elbow look weird to you?)

Hey so hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!! This WOD will help you shake off any lazy slug tendencies that you may have developed over this long weekend away from the gym.  (for those of you that are planning on going to the gym today......I recommend that you not eat right before your workout...just a suggestion)

It's weird how fast the lazy part of your brain kicks in after a few days away from the gym.  I almost had to literally drag myself out of bed, accompanied by not a mental slap  but a literal slap to myself to get me prepared to torture my limbs....(I said "almost" so I didn't actually slap myself.)  But that doesn't mean my feelings toward getting up to do a wod were good.  I absolutely didn't want anything to do with working out today.  Then Kaika told me what the workout was, and that really didn't help me decided to go even more.  

WOD: 5 rounds.....
 -Bear crawls  100 ft.
-standing broad jumps 100 ft. (not hard enough you say.....well then lets tack on some burpees with that)
***Do 3 burpees after every 5 broad jumps***
                       
                            Bears have never been my favorite animal.....and now I know why.

Since I know Kehau made this WOD, and I know how ridiculously in shape she is.....(as Rod can tell you all about her super human abilities)......I also know that she is doing this for our benefit.  It is ment solely so that we can all grow up and be just as strong as her. (lol, kidding kehau I love you)  But, BY ALL THAT IS HOLY......that was the worst WOD I've ever done!

Have any of you non-crossfiters ever tried to walk on all 4's like a bear for an extended period of time? Well if you haven't.....it's pure fricken hell! Your arms are burning, your legs are burning, your meal is one wrong bounce away from saying "hello!" to the gym floor.  I felt terrible.... and that was just after my first round of bear crawls....I didn't even get to my broad jumps/burpees yet!

The thing that I was most afraid of was jumping to short and having to do more burpees than most ever need to do.  So I put as much power into those jumps as possible.  The only problem with that is that your body is using more energy for those jumps and as an obvious side effect the fatigue comes on faster as well.  The 'seeing stars syndrome' is how I know my body is just about to revolt against me.    *I have to keep reminding myself....air to the brain might be more helpful to me than having no air to the brain....so BREATH DAMIT!* (easier said than done... believe me...I know.)

***on a side note:  I think I even remember Kehau saying something sarcastic about 'my Bear crawl being so fierce and fast.' when in actuality my bear crawl probably looked like the bear was on some kind of sedative, got shot in the leg and was now slowly bleeding out into a slow painful death. (believe me, it did not look pretty)

Taking everything into consideration.......I still think I hate this workout.  I don't really think it was that 'fun' either.  But the filipino in pink never backs down from a challenge.  So it is done and I am glad to be done with it. 

Who likes bears anyway?  Don't let 'Teddy Bears' fool you.  They really stink, they're ugly, and they probably can't even see the color pink....they can't be trusted.

Peace!