All my life, I’ve been the proverbial 98-pound weakling. I’m still no great shakes (something like a 185-pound weakling, I guess), but Crossfit has made me stronger than I’ve ever been in my life.
Just now, as I was outside mowing the lawn, I decided to do some push-ups. Usually when I try to do push-ups, I can do three. Tonight I busted out twenty good push-ups in a row, stood up, and walked to the mower without breaking a sweat.
I love Crossfit because it’s making me a stronger man than I ever thought I could be.
Yes, I know. Twenty push-ups is nothing to some of you. That’s fine. As I say, to me, twenty push-ups is amazing. And to do twenty without stopping? Unbelievable. I know a lot of people don’t like Crossfit because they think it’s too hard-core, etc. I don’t care. To me, it’s an amazing regimen that is helping me build strength and confidence.
Three months ago, I couldn’t do a pull-up. I could only do thee push-ups at a time. I weighed 203+. Today, I can almost do a pull-up (I need the blue band to assist me). I can do twenty push-ups at a time. And I weigh 185. (Actually, I weighed in at 183.2 this morning, but I think that was an anomaly.)
Have I turned into a Crossfit evangelist? If so, it’s only because it works. After I finish mowing the lawn, I’m going to jump rope — just for fun.
Another 20. The grass itches my belly (yes, I’m mowing with my shirt off — so sue me). But to counter this, I’m going to bike to the ice cream shop when I’m done to buy a peppermint ice cream sundae.
I don’t know what Kris and I will do when you and Paul become crossfit-induced hotties.
Maybe you should practice the after before. Yes? Yes?
Another example: It’s after 10pm, and I feel restless. What do I do? I go out to the driveway to work on my double-unders (where you jump rope while passing the rope under your feet twice per skip). I’m not able to land two in a row, but I try. Then, on a whim, I run around the block (approx. one mile) at top speed.
This isn’t the old J.D. This J.D. is sweatier.
YAY!
Congrats, J.D. I’m glad you’re enjoying your fitness regime. That’s key. Any reasonable fitness routine will get you in shape as long as you actually stick with it and do it regularly. Most people don’t actually *like* working out, though, so they give up. If you find something you enjoy, it’s a lot more likely you’ll stick with it.
Personally, I’ve never liked any sort of gym-based exercise program, but I stay in good shape with cycling and surfing. The type of exercise is a personal choice, as long as you’re exercising!
If this is Part 3, where are Parts 1 & 2? Also… CrossFit sounds great. Unfortunately, the nearest CrossFit gym is about 15 miles away in the next town, and it’s in the wrong direction with regard to traffic, convenience, etc.
As lame as this sounds, I just can’t manage the time. Between work, four kids, my wife, etc. I need something close and convenient. Thus, I soldier on by running in my neighborhood, splitting firewood out back, and so on. If they opened a gym in our town, however, I’d be all over it.
Hells yeah! Go, J.D.
It’s sounding like it’s making the cross from a weight-loss program to a lifestyle. That is SO key.
But wear sunscreen if you’re mowing with your shirt off. 😉
Isn’t it great how it makes the ice cream sundaes taste better too – no guilty residue….