What is CrossFit? Well, I can give you the definition you’ll find on just about any CrossFit site:

constantly varied, high- intensity, functional movement.

And it is that….but it is SO much more! I started out thinking it was just a workout plan to keep me healthy, young, and fit. However, I discovered so much more than just a weekly workout. I discovered a way of life. No really. I LOVE CrossFit. It has a way of sort of taking over you. You come to love it, to look forward (and dread) workouts. The results are undeniable. This shit works! And the results get you hooked, and before you know it, you are living it. You are keeping up with every workout you do, talking about girls like “Fran” and “Cindy” like they are friends/enemies of yours.

I knew I was a CrossFitter when Bryan and I started planning our honeymoon. No CrossFit for a month?!? No way! We immediately started Googling boxes (that’s what we call a CrossFit gym) in NYC to train. And we found one! We are both super excited to get to have the opportunity to train with these guys and at their box. It’s going to be amazing to train in a different box with different people under different coaches. Just doing something different is totally in-line with the CrossFit mentality. In fact it’s so appealing, I was actually looking into maybe getting one class in when we stay overnight in Philadelphia, PA (not to be confused with Philadelphia, MS where we are getting married). Lucky for us, most of these boxes seem to have a drop-in rate or some sort of short term plan we can purchase. And like good CrossFitters, we’ll be taking along t-shirts to trade. So freakin’ excited! And also a little nervous…I’m not exactly a top performer in my own box though I’m getting better and stronger which brings me to my next point.

CrossFit is all about being uncomfortable. It’s not Gold’s Gym. I don’t have time to spend 2 hours on the treadmill or going to aerobics classes. And I definitely don’t have time nor care to work on my biceps/triceps and whatever on different days. CrossFit is great because I work out just 3 hours a week, and I’m more in shape than I’ve ever been in my entire life. And I only plan to get fitter and stronger! That’s where it becomes a way of life as fitness and health should be. You can’t get there and stop; you have to maintain your fitness which requires work. CrossFit is work – hard work! But it’s also fun. CrossFit offers up so much more than just workouts; you also get a family, a community. It’s a support system. There is always someone to cheer you on, coach you through the tough parts. The best thing is that this community is not limited to your box. If you meet someone from another box, you can instantly become friends because you do the same thing. You get it. You’re all CrossFitters!

Back to being uncomfortable. CrossFit is about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone – get comfortable with being uncomfortable is something we are reminded of daily. Most workouts last no longer than 20 minutes. Be really uncomfortable for this short time and yield amazing results or be pretty comfortable on the treadmill and yield minimal results. It’s not a hard choice for me, but I realize that CrossFit isn’t for everyone. I have seen amazing results across the board. I can run longer, lift heavier stuff, but best of all – I look better naked! And who can’t appreciate that? I can go on and on and on, but I won’t because I’m pretty sure everyone is tired of hearing me talk about CrossFit.

CrossFitters do the impossible.