A few photos of me in all my glory (i.e., baggy sweats and no makeup) at the boot camp I attended Saturday morning:
In the right and left pictures, I’m doing wall balls with a 6-lb medicine ball (you can’t see the “wall,” but just above me there was a concrete partition). In the center shot I’m doing a quick shuffle with my feet while pushing a PVC pipe away from my chest as fast as I can.
I look at these pictures and honestly my first thought is, “I still have a really long way to go before I’ll be where I want to be!” It is hard to overcome a naturally critical disposition; at this point, it’s still a reflex to find fault both with myself and the world at large.
I can catch myself pretty quickly sometimes these days, however, and do a little gentle correction: “Those pictures show me working hard and doing my best, which I refuse to ever be ashamed of.” Effort isn’t always pretty on the outside, but it’s good for our hearts.
(Photos courtesy of CrossFit Central’s Relentless Bootcamp.)
1. February 2010 at 10:06 AM
Looks like a tough workout-good for you for getting out there and doing it!
1. February 2010 at 10:19 AM
Thanks, Elaine! It was a challenging workout for me—and apparently they scaled things down because it was a workout open to the public!
1. February 2010 at 10:27 AM
OK, so you still have a distance to travel. But would you even have CONSIDERED standing around outside with strangers, in the cold, doing exercise 6 months ago? I mean seriously, would you have even given it a second thought?
That is a HUGE accomplishment, woman! Just being there, never mind the kickass workout you probably got!
1. February 2010 at 10:35 AM
Shanny: You’re right, I would never have given boot camp a try even as recently as two months ago, let alone six! It’s a big step for me.
1. February 2010 at 11:55 AM
Okay, I looked at the pictures and thought – wow! that girl is killing it! I hope I can do that tonight at my workout! :)
Isn’t it funny how we can all be our harshest critic at times?
It looks like you’re doing a great job and look fab. Keep up the good work!
1. February 2010 at 3:13 PM
Thanks, AFG! You are definitely one of my workout inspirations—always giving it your best effort!
1. February 2010 at 1:42 PM
I’m so excited! I didn’t realize you were in Austin! SWEET!
I wish I’d gone to the UTB — we could have worked out together. Congratulations on your first CrossFit workout. That’s really awesome. Wall ball and those fast chest-press thingies are NOT easy. Good on you!
1. February 2010 at 3:15 PM
Melissa: I felt awesome after completing the workout and will be checking out the CrossFit boot camp my co-workers go to (I think Zach is the coach) this evening! Maybe we can meet up at the next community boot camp workout? That would be fun!
1. February 2010 at 3:33 PM
Hilary, those photos ROCK! I found it liberating to post the pics of me kickboxing, did you feel that way posting these? I think it’s so friggen awesome that you joined this bootcamp – you are kicking ass and taking names girl!
1. February 2010 at 4:26 PM
Thank you so much, Josie! I thought the kickboxing photos on your blog were fantastic—you look so determined in them, not to mention constantly in motion :)
1. February 2010 at 5:50 PM
Wow, you are one determined woman and that’s the only thing I know will work. You WILL suceed this time. Your head and heart are in the right place and you are brilliant at riding out the temporary feelings that could, but don’t, derail you.
2. February 2010 at 8:49 AM
Shanna, thank you for being one of my biggest cheerleaders! You are right: I will NOT let anything derail me.
1. February 2010 at 7:17 PM
My first thought when I looked at the pictures was, “Wow, that girl is FIT!”
2. February 2010 at 8:49 AM
Carla: Thanks! It’s so interesting to hear how other people view the exact same pictures! My boyfriend said he loved them because I look so determined :).
2. February 2010 at 1:58 AM
Those pictures show you being AWESOME!! Seriously. Bootcamp looks freaking tough. GO YOU!!
2. February 2010 at 8:50 AM
Thanks, Mary! I consider you a fitness pioneer of sorts, so that means a lot to me. I remember some of those classes you took at Green Mountain—I was so impressed!
2. February 2010 at 6:32 AM
I totally understand your point about looking at the pictures and only seeing how far you have to go, I am the same way. BUT this is a Cross Fit workout! You should be so proud of yourself. Those classes are seriously intense. When I look at those pictures I say, damn, she is really pushing herself. What’s my excuse!
2. February 2010 at 8:51 AM
Janie: I was definitely giving it my all and I’m glad if that comes through a bit in the pics :). It seems like *finally* my head is in the right place for me to put forth the effort it takes to reach my goal, you know?