The Importance of Camaraderie

I Coach CrossFit, CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Teens, I personally train clients at a regular gym, teach body sculpting classes and I am a nutrition consultant. At one of the gyms I coach at we are running a 6 wk Elite Challenge. We have close to 50 people signed up. It is awesome! Every single person in the Challenge is working incredibly hard. The energy in the gym is amazing and contagious! There is one member that broke her leg 6 months ago or so and she cannot do any high impact movements so she does something else. She takes it upon herself to figure it out or the other Coaches help her. She keeps on moving.  She is inspiring. We have 20 year olds, 30 yr olds, 40, 50 and 60 yr olds. You are never too old or too young to be part of a fitness challenge.  Recently, during one of our bootcamp classes I realized the importance of camaraderie in the gym. I was observing everyone helping each other and cheering each other on. It was refreshing! We all need a little help at times. Some days it can be a challenge to get yourself motivated each day to workout, eat healthy, get enough sleep and stay on track with life. So…join a group, hire a trainer, meet a friend at the gym. 

Even I need a push.  Last week when I was driving to my local CrossFit box for a morning class I had butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to turn around and just go for a run (as my husband says, "running is in your wheelhouse." Running comes natural for me) but I didn’t. I went for the more challenging workout. When I read the WOD(workout of the day) on the website it said, 

“Helenish”

3 rounds for time

800 m Run

21 Box Jumps

12 Pull-Ups

20# vest

RX: 24/20

I wasn’t sure if I had to wear the vest the entire WOD or not. Sure enough when I walked into CFTO Rich (one of my favorite Coaches) said, “You are wearing the vest.” I was nervous but I just told myself I will go slow, I don’t care what anyone else’s time is. I was up for the mental challenge. I knew physically I could do it but the scariest part was jumping on the 20” box with 20 extra lbs on me. I did it! Part of the reason I did it was my Coach believed in me. He knew I could so that gave me more confidence. Deep down I knew I could do it too. The BEST part of all of this was all the other members of the gym were thrilled for me that I wore the vest. Even the next day when I went back to take a class the members were congratulating me about wearing the vest. How cool is that!  The morale of the story is don’t be afraid to try new things, believe in yourself and you can do anything! My time was 20:58 RX. I was so happy all day long. Lol

Check out a short clip of the pull-ups with the vest on…

Not bad for 45 years old. 45..yikes!

Pick 1 thing this week that mildly scares you and do it! You will feel so good about yourself.