Crossfit and Bibles

The alarm rang this morning at 4:15am. I hate that blasted thing. I hate alarms and all that they stand for. I want an alarm that makes me coffee and kisses me softly on the cheek while laying a kitten on my lap. Is that too much to ask for?

 

By 6:30am this morning, I had dropped Biceps off, ran 2 miles, went to Crossfit and started my short drive home on the deserted streets. (Save for the few headed towards the donut shop. Naughty, naughty.)

I have been feeling a bit on the downer side lately-which is totally not me. I’m the one that bounces into Crossfit at 5:30am humming a tune and annoying the other participants, I’m sure. Today, I just slipped in the back and got to work, not making eye contact.

And while on round 3 of my last movement of 30 friggin’ box jumps, and as my trainer was yelling at me, I started thinking. When was the last time I even talked to God about how I was feeling? Sure, I’ve been reading His Word, but have I been humble enough to admit to myself, let alone HIM, that I was bummed out and really didn’t know why? It sounded so….girly.

And girly doesn’t come naturally for me. Obviously. (*ps-this is a fake picture. There was some concern the last time I posted this.)

Weird, yes. But girly? Not so much.

So, I came home, brewed some coffee, grabbed my Bible and snuggled up to my dewey garden-which is where I feel the closest to God. And I told Him how I felt and asked Him to give me clarity.

Somewhere between I Peter 1:6 and 7, I realized that these trials are temporary. And I have a hope with Him. And I should quit whining, because really, who wants to see someone crying at Crossfit?

No one, that’s who.

So, just in case you are going through something right now, or you may be a little or a lot bummed out, here’s the scripture that pulled me out of the depths of despair.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter 1:6 & 7

Big Girl Panties

Today, I had to put on my big girl panties.

(photo credit undetermined)
I was thrust from a comfortable, year-long situation doing Crossfit at the local YWCA into a brand new atmosphere full of sweaty people at a hipster gym downtown.

At 5:30 am-which is my peak performance time.

And I was t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e.

(photo credit-13stripescrossfit.com)
I am not out of shape, but I definitely don’t look like this Crossfitting/Beer Delivery girl. And, I’m unsure if I could hoist a keg on my shoulder and still look this cute doing it. And, once it was up there-how am I supposed to read a map for delivery purposes? It seems rather inefficient-I mean, we do have dolly’s for a reason….

(photo credit-beastskills.com)
I could not wrap my mind around doing pull-ups this way. I’ve always done the strict army pull-up and had no idea what my legs were doing as they were flinging around kicking people. I felt like a moron.

And, I’m going back for the noon class. Hey-why not? People already know I’m a moron. I might as well really reinforce that stereotype.

The only problem I have is trying to get those big girl panties tucked into my workout shorts. It’s really rather uncomfortable.

My 30 Day Nutritional Challenge-Paleo Eating

You may know this about me (or not), but I love to get sweaty, lift heavy things and generally feel like I could kick someone’s butt if I had to. It’s the little girl inside of me, ready for the day I need to defend myself.

But, working out isn’t enough for me, or for anyone. Diet is 90% of what makes your body look the way that it does.

Don’t like your body? Look in the fridge. Whatcha got in there? Some ice cream, frozen pizzas, nitrate-laden meat, sugary condiments and dressings?

What’s in your cabinets? Crackers, pastas, sugary cereals and processed/packaged foods?

That’s going straight to the hips, ladies (and men).

Biceps and I already love to eat healthy-for the most part. (Let’s just say-cheese is awesome). However, we enjoy our veggies, lean protein, and fruit without reservation. That’s one of the main reasons that I love to have my own garden-I call it my “veggie wonderland”.

So, when it came to participating in a Paleo nutritional challenge my Crossfit group was doing, I was excited…but hesitant.

I don’t do diets. I don’t do hungry.

So, what did “Paleo” mean, exactly? Was this just another fad like Atkins or HCG? Would it mean feeling hungry all of the time, having no energy, and generally hating life?

I did a bunch of research, read the good and the bad and the ugly.

So-what is “Paleo”, exactly? Succinctly, it stems from a belief that we should eat like our ancestors did-cutting out all of the junk, the processed food, dairy, grain products and legumes.

This meal is considered Paleo and took me about 10 minutes to make. Paleo means eating a lot of:

• lean protein throughout the day (chicken, turkey, eggs, beef, fish, etc),
• coupled with a few good fats (avocado, coconut, nuts, olive oil, etc),
• and a ton of non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, etc).

But you can’t eat:

• dairy (eggs are not dairy, even though that’s where they are in a grocery store),
• sugar or sweeteners of any kind,
• rice, grains or beans.

I started this challenge last Monday and I’ll be eating a Paleo diet for the next month. I’ll periodically give you updates on how I’m doing and I’ll tell you the truth as to how I’m feeling–and if my workouts are suffering.

Here’s a quick look at this last week for me as I voyaged into the Paleo world.

Day 1. “Yeah! This is fun and easy!”

Day 3. “I WANT POTATO CHIPS!”

Today.

“I feel like a happy brussel sprout.” Which is hard to do.

I disagree with some of the philosophy of Paleo-no beans or rice, no honey, and no dairy. But, I can do anything for 30 days. Right? RIGHT?!

And, I will tell you that I am sleeping better-like through the night. And, I’ve already noticed a change in my body as I’ve deprived it from bad fats and sugars.

But, it hasn’t cured my weirdness at all. I think that’s here to stay.

Busted. Arrested for my sins.

Dear Sheriff-
My calendar is full-full of really good things-but full, nonetheless. Between Bible Study, Crossfit, t.v. appearances, guest posting, meeting with the tax accountants, my mother coming into town (YEAH!), painting windowsills, being trained as a real estate agent….my days are full and a tad overwhelming at times.

I flop into bed each night–sore from Crossfit, tired from the day and my brain swirling about tomorrow. The alarm sounds the next morning at 5:00am and life begins again.

And this morning, YOU–”Sheriff God”–busted me.

You reminded me of this: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”-Philippians 4:6

Had I even prayed about my day-the tiny details that seem silly to bring to You but seem insurmountable to me?

Nope. Busted.

Had I asked You for help while I made out my list, fretted over it and then complained about it to Biceps?

Nope. Busted.

Did I immediately flip open Your Word to read in James 1:3 & 5, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Nope. Busted again.

Thank You, God for busting me.

However, You were gentle and kind to me and released me from the prison I had made. Commentaries by me.

“I waited patiently (sort of) for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry (flat out guttural scream). He lifted me out of the slimy pit (favorite part), out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:1-3.

Well played Sheriff God. Well played.