As of this week, I am now into my third week of CrossFit. This is my first full week of regular classes after graduating the introductory On-Ramp classes. In my short time at CrossFit, I have noticed a definite trend in my emotions. I call it the Five Emotional Stages of CrossFit:
1. Fear and Dread:
This is how I feel when I read about the upcoming WOD on my box's Facebook page. I often
2. Acceptance:
Once I arrive at the Box, I instantly feel better. Everyone is very friendly and supportive. It is probably the least intimidating gym environment I have ever been in, as far as the other athletes personalities are concerned. There are more than enough people around willing to help build you up, to give you pointers and the confidence you need to get through it. I even start to get this false hope that it won't be that bad.
3. Pain & Suffering:
This is how I frequently feel during the WOD. I sometimes actually worry that I might die (or puke). At times I have seriously contemplated throwing down the barbell and running out the back door in tears to never return again (I would never actually do that). I feel pain. I am suffering. I am making faces that would scare small children (no one take my picture please). I am paying someone money to feel this kind of pain? What is wrong with me? I remind myself this is all making me stronger. I am doing this on purpose.
4. Total Elation:
Immediately following the 7-20 minutes of pure hell, I feel a top-of-the-world elation that is hard to describe. It is kind of like a runners high, but better. I may be laid out on the floor while I am feeling this, but even if I finished in very last place, I pretty much feel like a total bad-ass. These are probably some of the happiest minutes of my day (outside of the time I spend with hubby).
5. Excitement:
This is the part when I go home and all I can talk about (to my poor Hubby and anyone else who will pretend to listen) is CrossFit. I rehash every miserable minute with such enthusiasm, one might think I was crazy. Wait, I'm confused, it sucked? So why are you so happy? I am very excited at this point to face the next challenge. I imagine my future-self doing unassisted pull-ups, handstand push-ups, and back squatting my own body weight! I can't wait for the next class...until the next day's WOD is posted on their Facebook page.
Then I repeat the cycle...
How about you? Does your work out scare you? How do you get through it mentally?
Keep Running (and WODing),
Lea
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Oh, I love this!! I am planning to add CrossFit next year after husband returns!! Totally looking forward to these feeling!!! :D You seem to be kicking butt!!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I feel! I actually had this conversation with a friend the other day:
ReplyDeleteMe: "Total ass beating at the gym today."
Friend: "I can never tell if that makes you sad or happy."
Me: "Happy."
I know all of these feelings. I just started 6 weeks ago and i can relate to them all! I love it though! (: Everyday I wait around until the wod is posted.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this makes me want to try it or avoid it:) Usually my long runs are big thought provokers. I sit and worry whether I will feel good or like crud. Very mental for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just found your blog from Bloggy Boot Camp's blog share on facebook :). I love this post. I haven't tried crossfit yet (mostly because of the cost) and this helps me know what I might be getting myself into if and when I try it ;). Number 2 on the list somehow makes number 3 seem less terrifying.
ReplyDeletehahahaha.. I go though those exact emotions!!!!! you hit the nail on the head!
ReplyDeleteComing up on my one year anniversary of crossfit. I would say the only thing that changes is you now start the cycle at acceptance. You stop fearing the wods (unless you are competing and there are three to four wods in a day and you don't know what they are until just before). The rest of the cycle stays the same, which is pretty cool a year later. The pain and suffering subsides as well, mainly because you are getting so much stronger. As for running, my pre crossfit half marathon time was 2:20. Post crossfit times, 2:06 and recently 2:02. I cut back 75% of my training for the 2:06 time and honestly didn't train at all for the recent half I ran. Crossfit just makes you a better (fill in the blank here).
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thank u for sharing. I've been at Crissfit for 7 weeks now. It's anticipation more than fear before the WOD, which is better than before. Love it and couldn't imagine not doing it!!!
DeleteI can so relate to all of these emotions! Very true and something I experience every.single.day. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYou really did nail it. Seriously... I couldn't add anything!!!
ReplyDeleteI go through all of these stages daily! But I try to avoid looking at the wod before going to Crossfit so I can't worry about it. It helps because its a surprise every time and I can't talk my way out of a hard one.
ReplyDeleteOMG! It's like I wrote this! You have simply put every.single.emotion I have. This is week 3 of the foundations class for me and I'm addicted, but terrified all at the same time. Thank you so much for this!
ReplyDeleteI have been doing Crossfit for about 4 months.. I too feel this way...but you forgot one...the one where the soreness kicks in... and well you smile a bit everytime you squat to pee or bend down or lift something and that soreness bites..but it a good one..you know that its working..lol
ReplyDeleteTotally relateable & completely accurate! I am on week 3 of CrossFit & cleaner eating & it is def a ride! The dreadful CrossFit anticipation, but i keep going for more. I no longer remember what it's like to not live in a state of some kind of body soreness. I'd roar ,"bring on more!" But I'm going to quietly chirp, "more please". Afterall, i have yet to master an unassisted pull up. Lol.
ReplyDeletejust started crossfit 12-11-12 and today was my second day. I am in love. I don't have the "dread" feeling I have the excited feeling. To get in there and do what I never knew I could. It's also my "me" time. Away from the kids and husband. It gives me a reason to wake up at 5am (after nursing a baby through the night) and get in a workout that I only know of when I walk into the gym. I agree that it is not intimidating at all. Everyone is supportive and we even have a "PR" bell you have to ring and everyone yells and high fives. It's exciting and the "high" last me all day. I eat better, laugh more and feel more at ease.. (after the sore pain and hot shower has gone away).. But After having kids, running and doing at home workouts. It's nice to have a place to go and get away. I am enlisting in the Army in March so I am more then happy to walk in there and kill their workout routine. Maybe I'll even teach them something!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I totally agree! I also just joined your blog via google friend connect so I can stay in touch with your newer blog posts!
ReplyDeleteI would love for to to check out my blog and join it via GFC! I am over at www.imfitpossible.com
Cheers! Tara
Hi Tara! thanks so much! I am following you back! :) great blog you have over there!
DeleteWow. I started Crossfit about 5 weeks ago and this is EXACTLY how I feel. Can't wait to do push up hand stands and unassisted pull ups either!!
ReplyDeleteI just started CrossFit... last week. Nonetheless, this describes my experiences exactly.
ReplyDeleteOh. my. goodness. I could have written this verbatim! LOVE that you expressed these five stages so clearly. Completely accurate. Well said.
ReplyDeleteDead on! I love the feeling during the last round; I always seem to find strength and stamina from somewhere, almost like a high that pushes me through and to try even harder. Then when I've finished I'm gasping for air and tend to walk around in circles before collapsing to the floor, but feel amazing that I completed another WOD and survived. Oh yeah, the endless babbling about Crossfit.....
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteYou SERIOUSLY just read my mind! Crossfit mama of 3 little ones. I often say "I hate that I love it" or if asked how the WOD was...I respond "terribly wonderful!"
ReplyDeleteLOL, now I feel more prepared for crossfit. I'm starting on my own though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post! Been doing crossfit bootcamp for two and a half weeks. At first I thought I wouldn't renew my membership, but now I'm hooked! The accountability with the instructor and fellow crossfitters has been inspirational to me. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteYou have so successfully summed up the emotional roller coaster of CrossFit so well! I've been at it about six months now, about the same time I started running, and love every painful minute. If you love a good challenge, you're gonna have to love CrossFit.
ReplyDeleteI have never read a more accurate description! This is SO me too!
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that my box won't post the WOD until the day is over..I fear that if I knew it prior to arrival I would find a reason to not go!
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I'm starting crossfit soon (as soon as my workout buddy and best friend can both fit it in our schedules around our regular workouts) and i'm already experiencing stage 1!! I'm so scared!
ReplyDeleteVery very true!!! Excellent points made.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I just started Crossfit a week ago and am already addicted! And you described me in this article to a T! lol.
ReplyDelete...You must have followed me to my box, because this is EXACTLY what goes through my mind every single stinking day!!! I had that fight or flight moment in a WOD last week where I just didn't think I could go on without puking or passing out and debated about literally just walking off the floor, but I battled on I guess and made it through. Lying there on the ground, making a sweat angel, I still thought I was going to die... but at least I'd die happy :) It would've been a "#crossfitjunkie" problem moment right then and there
ReplyDeletemaybe I am stalking you. ha ha just kidding. Glad you liked my post and kept going!!! :)
DeleteLove this- great post. That R-U-N word came up on our posting tonight. Joy. At least the second part is squat cleans!
ReplyDeleteJulie @ Julie 2 Jules
These are dead on. I actually had to stop reading what the WOD for the next day was going to be because I'd lie away thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteI've been in tears during the class and the fight or flight syndrome was in full action in my brain. I have never given up though and never will. I've been doing Crossfit for 2 1/2 months now and can't imagine it not being part of my lifestyle now.
My entire blog summed up in one page... LOL. Great read, thanks for sharing, I'll be sharing it with my humble readership as well, giving credit where it's due. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteSpot on! As my wife looks at my bruised collarbones, rope-burnt shin, mat-burnt tailbone, and shredded palms, she just shakes her head and asks, "This is somehow fun for you?". It's the highlight of my day!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! This is exactly me and I have been doing it for 1 1/2 years! Love it! My poor hubby and clients and co-workers (I am a hairstylist) that have to listen to me! I can't help it! Best shape of my life at 51! XFit4L!!
ReplyDeleteThis couldnt be more accurate... lol
ReplyDeleteYou know, this is actually kind of funny. When I first started, I dreaded going, then I accepted it, then I started trying harder things (therefore pain), then I started feeling happy when I would go, and now I'm actually excited to go. This isn't just the five stages of each WOD, it is my five stages of falling in love with it. My dad has been doing it for six years, and this is him all the way. I just started a couple months ago, but I am madly in love with it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a true story. I started Crossfit about 3 weeks ago and I feel like I failed so miserably last week that I'm stuck at stage 1 and haven't been able to get past it to actually show my face at the box due to embarrassment. Ugh. Any crossfitters been through this?
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know my struggle is normal. Late 40s and started crossfit a few weeks ago after years of sedentary behavior. I did not realize inner strength building was part of the package. Thanks for perspective.
ReplyDelete