Christine White

Mapping it out!

2010-10-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Everyday I see these amazing before and after stories at CrossFit Central and it made me start to think... how much can someone change/do in a month, 6 weeks, 2 months? Which obviously lead to the questions... how much can I change/do in a month, 6 weeks, or 2 months? I have been struggling getting back on board lately and need some goal to get back on the wagon. Minor setback after minor setback has put this fear of getting back on board inside me... maybe my science experiment can make things change and get me back on track?

I am mapping out a plan to see what I can get done in the next 2 months. Starting on October 25, 2010 and ending on Christmas Day, I will map out a daily plan and look at the results and see just what I can do during this time.

Give me some ideas/feedback/suggestions!

Scientists at the ready!!!

(Also, looking for co-guinea pigs that want to get back on track?)

Balance

2010-09-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

It seems lately that every time I turn on the news, or open a paper that there is some report on a new food that was deemed bad for you. I had a friend that had been filling her body with soy products since high school read an article that discussed the many ailments that are being caused by soy (I have asked her to send me the article so that I can pass it along) and she now thinks she is going to get cancer. I told her, "Everything in moderation. There are foods that we know are beneficial to eat- eat those!" She has dropped the soy but inevitably will find some new thing to fill her diet with. We all go through diet struggles- what advice do you Paleo addicts give to someone that needs to be more balanced in relation to their food?

"If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered to a ten-foot chain."
-Adlai E Stevenson Jr.

2010-02-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

"What does that smell like?"
"Elite, it smells Elite"

3...2...1...Go!

The I Hate CrossFit Show

2010-02-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

"I know, I know, I wish it were smaller as well."

CrossFit Hurts

2010-02-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

Back by popular demand...

2009-09-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

WODS have flown by since the last time I blogged- the .com class is still kicking my butt and I am improving daily. That is really one of the beauties of CrossFit - no matter how long you do it, there is still room for improvement and what a long way I have come and what a long way to go! This is one of the reasons that CrossFit Central has been pushing everyone to bring a log book to class lately! I have trouble explaining to people how great it will be to one day look back and say "I cut my time in half." or "I did double the weight." Since starting the .com class, that is exactly what I have been doing- comparing my scores and improving workout by workout.

This past Tuesday, the .com class did:

Max rounds in 20 minutes of:
5 Thrusters
7 Hang Power Cleans
10 Sumo Deadlift High-pull

I used the Women's rx weight of 65 lbs.

This is why I love my performance log:
6/25/09- 6 Rounds
8/25/09- 7 + 2 Thrusters
9/28/09- 9 rounds

This month at CFC we are focusing on certain named workouts and I am going to blog some of my own improvements that I have made on these workouts.

"Little by little one walks far"
Peruvian Proverb

CrossFit Central Superstars!

2009-07-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of the amazing group of athletes that we sent out to The 2009 CrossFit Games in California this year! They are fantastic athletes and they have been working really hard to get ready for the competition. They released some info about the events today - INFO and I can't believe how everything is set up! Follow the action here this weekend and find out how CrossFit Central is doing in the Affiliate Cup and the Individual Competition!

Listen to CrossFit radio for updates as well!

Good luck to everyone competing this weekend! They have a tough weekend ahead but I am sure they are coming back winners!

"Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior."
-Karl von Clausewitz

The new .com class!

2009-06-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

I have done the .com WOD's before but today marked the start of the new .com class at CrossFit Central! We started out with a bang as today's workout was B-R-U-T-A-L! Above, is the after pic- guess it couldn't have been THAT bad if we were able to eke out a few smiles afterward!

Today's .com WOD was:

"Erin"

Five rounds for time of:
40 pound Dumbbells split clean, 15 reps
21 Pull-ups

It was harder than it sounds - I thought my forearms might explode! It took me what seemed like an eternity to finish... 27:40. At least, I finished! Can't wait to see what I am in store for tomorrow...

M.I.A.

2009-05-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

So, according to my blog I have been missing in action! Well, actually the cord to my computer caught on fire and I have been sans computer for some time now. So, I am back!

This past weekend the CrossFit Central crew went to Fort Worth for the Hell's Half Acre Regional Qualifier. I am so incredibly proud of everyone from CrossFit Central that competed. Carey came in first place for the women and Crystal came in 3rd! Lance Cantu came in 3rd for the men! So, that means 4 awesome athletes heading to Aromas for CrossFit Central plus our awesome affiliate team!

Richard also did an awesome job at this past weekends event! I am so proud of him!

Today: I did two rounds of Fight Gone bad and it went horribly. I need a do-over!? I think I really might give it another go since I didn't feel good when I did it... we'll see.

This weekend: Spartan 300 Challenge. Hope everyone is already signed up for the challenge because it is going to be awesome! I am going to make some major progress during this years challenge! Can't wait to give the workout a go... gotta find some time to get that in.

____________________

“You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction.”

-George Lorimer

Advancing Performance Through Deficiencies?

2009-02-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

Today, I watched a video of Coach Glassman talking about advancing your GPP (general physical preparedness) through working on your deficiency. This was just the right day for me to have watched this video! I was on my high from doing "Grace" yesterday but as I started a short run I thought to myself "I won't be able to finish this run.", "I am going to embarrass myself." and "What if someone hears me breathing?!" These are the things that I think about when faced with even a short run! I have come a long way in my training but I just can't let go of these negative running thoughts even though my running has improved drastically. I did fine on the run but I know the next time I prepare myself for a run that those feelings are going to creep up again. The video made me realize that the feelings I get when I see 4 rounds of 800 m run on the board is precisely the reason that I need to work on them.

On Monday, Mel wrote a great blog about conquering her fear of the box jump which gave me even more motivation to conquer my fears! I have heard Coach Burgener talk about "Paralysis by Analysis" and I had this happen over and over with the box jumps and some of the lifts. Last month, I finally conquered Fight Gone Bad with ALL box jumps and now I need to advance my performance through working on my running!

Yesterday, Grace.

Today, I did a workout of heavy deadlifts, pushups, and pull-ups and then did a million and a half- okay, just about 50 heavy Push Jerks but it felt like a ton!

What do you fear? We all have deficiencies- it may be the time to take them head on and improve your GPP!

2009-02-17T08:42:00.000-08:00

My life has been a little crazy lately. Not all good things, not all bad things just a lot of changes taking place. In the past these are the times that I would let some things fall apart because I am focusing so hard on keeping things in place. This go around I have just been accepting the things that are happening and continuing with the things that are working. I think I finally realized that stresses in life are going to happen and I can use my workouts and eating right to give me a stable place instead of being something I struggle with when everything else is going bonkers! All of that having been said - I did two workouts yesterday. It felt good and I was a little sore today but in a good way.

First WOD:

"Cindy"

AMRAP in 20 minutes

5 Pull-ups

10 Pushups

15 Squats

I completed 13 rounds with a band on my pull-ups.

Second WOD:

"Michael"

(or a wimpy version of it)

3 Rounds

800 m Run

50 Back Extensions

50 Sit-ups

My "Michael" time was pretty slow but I had only about 2 hours in between the workouts. My time was right at 24 minutes. I think I may keep "Michael" as my go to workout on my own - or even for traveling as you don't HAVE to have any equipment.

After "Michael," Nicole and I worked on pull-ups even though my arms (and hands) hadn't recovered from "Cindy." I have been really excited about using the bands and "graduating" to smaller and smaller bands. I joked that it is reverse Karate belt graduation - you start on the black.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Stick with it!

"The field of consciousness is tiny. It accepts only one problem at a time."

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

5-5-5-5-X

2009-02-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

Today's WOD

Power Cleans

5-5-5-5-5

I was really excited to see a heavy day come up on the schedule but I wasn't too sure about Power Cleans. I had never done a max before and wasn't really sure where to begin.

I did...

85/95/115/125/ and didn't make it on the 130

I am neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. I was super happy to get the 125 but really thought I had the 130 in the bag (just needed to get under it). One good thing is it will give me a goal for the next time around! I will DEFINITELY be doing 130 next time!

__________________________________

"Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire- you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.

-Denis Waitley

2009-02-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a week/weekend! It seemed a little blurred together - so much so that I couldn't even figure out what day it was most of the time!

Friday: I was a test subject in the Level II Certification that we had at the gym - it made me realize what an incredible group of people we have at CrossFit Central! I was really proud of everyone who went through the cert.! I did, however, underestimate what I would be doing for four hours straight. It was more overhead squats, push press, med ball cleans, etc. than any human being should be required to do! I think some people forgot they had told us to go down into something and would leave us in it FOREVER! By the last group I was fried! It was really fun though and it is always great to go over form! Friday night was another great event put on by CrossFit Central. First, Jeremy and Nicole had a great seminar, followed by a really fun bbq with affiliates from all over. It was great to meet so many people and get to chat with them over some Texas style grub.

Saturday: Another day and event to make me proud to hang with CrossFit Central! We put on an awesome affiliate workout. I think the affiliates that participated could finally see how CC can put together a HUGE workout and still make it effective!

After meeting so many CrossFitters from around the globe I think I need to plan some trips!

;-)

______________________________

It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all the resistance and sweeps away all obstacles.

-Claude M. Bristol

Fight Gone Bad

2009-02-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

I was a little excited and anxious about doing Fight Gone Bad today in class and when I finished I felt a little disappointed with my score. I can't remember what my score was at the event and hadn't done it since then. I just had a feeling that I could have done better. I spent the rest of the day thinking about it, wondering what had happened, and then this afternoon sitting in traffic on Mopac it hit me- I didn't do box jumps the last time! I did the elite weight at the event but did step-ups. So, although my strategy didn't go as planned today I still did the entire workout as Rx. There was a little mini victory dance in my car and I wasn't nearly as disappointed with 203.

I actually can't wait to see what my progress is in a few months! I am going to set a BIG goal and say 250 next time! I can do it - I have been hitting it hard lately...

Exciting Things This Week

2009-01-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

This week CrossFit Central's UTB Free Workout was featured in Austin Tidbits. The tidbit talks about three free workouts to check out around town. This Saturday, January 31 is the free UTB for this month- come check it out!

This week I also learned a lot about the importance of creating healthy children and instilling in them a desire to stay healthy the rest of their lives. I talked to parents that want to give their children the greatest gift of all- the gift of health and wellness through fitness. Read the article here.

I was greatly moved by one of my fellow CrossFitters- Mel's story of her half marathon journey. She is so awesome and everyone should be reading her blog! Congrats Mel and Dave!

More updates to come...

Week In Review

2009-01-25T20:55:00.000-08:00

So, this past week was really fun but SUPER busy for me - hence the fact that I fell off the blogging wagon and am posting my week in review.

As for workouts - I had some fun ones this week but my favorite was the partner WOD from Friday. I partnered up with Nha, a new CrossFitter, that did an awesome job!

Flying Barbell

Partner WOD

4 Rounds for Time

(BARBELL DOES NOT TOUCH THE GROUND!)

50 Overhead Lunges

50 Push Press

50 Sumo HP

400 m Bar Carry

For those of you who didn't try it this past week - give it a try! It was interesting seeing the teams figure out the best way to get the barbell 400 meters (a MILE in total).

In other workout news, I dead lifted 225 lbs on Wednesday and I still think I have more in me. I would have tried for more but during my 225 lift I popped a blister that for some reason hurt more than normal - reminded me of a paper cut because it didn't look too bad but kept bugging me! So, I am going to keep working on my form and keep inching that number higher in the coming weeks. (One of my '09 goals was to improve my CrossFit Total score.)

This weekend we also had a little going away get together for Jen who is about to embark on a 3 month long trip to Greece - I am so jealous! I have been having some serious wanderlust lately! We will miss her but I am sure she won't be missing us too much while she is traveling! Hopefully she will find some CrossFitters in Greece to workout with too!

All in all a great week! Hope everyone else had a great week and weekend!

Pictured: Jen Ervin and I at her Bon Voyage Party at The Oasis.

2009-01-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

Friday's WOD

AMRAP in 20 minutes:

Ring Rows

Pushups

Thrusters

The way this one worked was you do as many reps as you can do of one movement then move on to the next movement. Add up your total reps at the end.

It was another good workout and even though I internally groaned a little when I read the word THRUSTERS on the white board (I did 90 yesterday!), it went pretty well. I felt really energized after the workout!

I think I may even go have some Kool-aid...

Women's Only WOD

2009-01-15T20:28:00.000-08:00

Today's workout was pretty awesome- By awesome I mean really, really hard but satisfying! I used the elite weight of 65lbs and even though the thrusters started to kick my butt I stuck with it which made it well worth the effort. Thought this WOD was quite interesting - everyone should give it a try!

3 Rounds

10 Cleans

10 Pullups

3 Rounds

20 Back Squats

20 Supermans

3 Rounds

30 Thrusters

30 Situps

Get a time for each set and take a small break (about 2 minutes) in between. Watch out for those thrusters that last set is rough!

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

-Muhammad Ali

Hello Kitty says "Take your Zone meal with you!"

2009-01-15T10:28:00.001-08:00

I am pretty sure that Hello Kitty zoned that cookie she is eating - and either way she is encouraging me to take MY zoned food with me. I got this cute container for Christmas along with a gift certificate to Betty Sport - awesome gift. It has been a struggle for me to eat all my blocks during the day and make sure they are favorable items but Hello Kitty has helped. That has been one of the things I have been working on so hard lately and I seem to be doing pretty good.

2009-01-14T21:04:00.001-08:00

Today's Workout:

AMRAP in 20 minutes

7 Dumbbell Hang Squat Cleans

(25 lb DB for women)

7 Renegade Rows

I used the rx'ed weight and got it done. After, the workout we did a little ab work and then tonight I did a little jog in the neighborhood. I am excited because soon I will have it back on track.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

-Winston Churchill

"Looks like someone's got a case of the Monday's."

2009-01-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

I am over my Monday morning grumpiness and have moved onto anticipation for the coming week. I have been struggling since being back from the break but have made my mind up that this week I am going to get back to where I had been before the break- I've got goals to conquer! Mel wrote a GREAT blog about The Hard Routine which got me even more fired-up for this week and even though I was ill prepared to Zone my breakfast this morning, I made it work.

Monday Morning Workout

"LACE 'EM UP"

4 Rounds:

400 m Run

50 Squats

After all of that awesomeness I decided to work on my squats some today. I had read Mike's post last week about staying in your heels and I know that it is something I need to be more consistent in. Read Mike's reminder to stay in your heels- here.

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

-Henry Ford

2009-01-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

This week has really been a rough one in terms of the WOD's but I have been trucking through with the new year's resolution momentum behind me. As you can see I finished in 25:41 - not super excited about it but at least I finished. I was moving pretty fast when I was moving but there were a lot of breaks taken during those 25 minutes. I may have another sore day ahead of me but according to my resolutions I have to go in the morning NO MATTER WHAT!

Can't wait to see what is in store for me at 8AM!

"All experiences of life seems to prove that the impediments thrown in the way of human advancement may for the most part be overcome by steady good conduct, honest zeal, activity, perseverance and above all, by a determined resolution to surmount"

-Samuel Smiles

2009-01-06T20:54:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning wondering how I could possibly be as sore as I was - the answer - 'Angie.' It was awful but as part of my goals for this coming year I can't miss any of my workout days, so, I dragged myself out of my cozy bed into the rain/cold/traffic to do my first "I AM CROSSFIT" workout with Nicole. The picture above is proof that we were good little crossfitters and did our burpees even though I wasn't sure how I could possibly do ANY more squats or pushups.

Today's Workout:

5 Rounds

10 Burpees

15 Push-ups

20 Squats

100 m Row

Time: 15:35

In case you want to give it a try-

'Angie'

100 Pullups

100 Pushups

100 Situps

100 squats

"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."

-Arnold H. Glasow

My Journey from NotFit to CrossFit (journey in progress)

2008-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

The picture to the right is from December of last year. I had started boot camp and had made some progress with it but this is before I started Crossfitting and the real body construction began.

Since I started attending indoor CrossFit classes I have lost weight, lost inches, gained confidence, become closer to my brother (who also crossfits), I have energy to spare, I take care of myself more, I give back more to the community, I have realized that FAT is not bad and scary, my running has improved... EVERYTHING has improved! The incredible thing is that I'm not even close to my goals yet! I can't wait to see what all has improved when I have achieved my new goals in 2009!

It is difficult to chart out your future if you are always looking behind you at your past BUT it is also important to remember your success and progress and use that to motivate you towards a better future. Right now I am looking back realizing how much CrossFit and CrossFit Central have changed my life and are going to change my life.

"Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone."

-The Dhammapada

Ready to Make Things Happen In 2009

2008-12-30T21:52:00.001-08:00

2009 is rapidly approaching and at CrossFit Central we have been focusing on making positive changes through goal setting. It is really strange but I am so excited about getting things started and knocking my goals out one by one that I can't wait for '08 to be over. It is really important to keep your life road map handy and evaluate where you are every once in a while. I am working hard to finish writing down all my goals for the coming year before the ball drops - I encourage you to do the same thing!

Make sure to set goals for your health, career, personal life and whatever else is important to you! I will keep you posted on some of my goals and my progress.

"In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it."

-Robert Heinlein

Lessons Learned From CrossFit Central

2008-11-23T14:33:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, I embarked on a journey. I am not sure that I knew that I had embarked on this "journey" at the time but without knowing it I was on my way to being a different person.

A few members of my family had been going to some classes with Jeremy Thiel and asked me to join them at the Lake Pointe boot camp. I was excited. I was always looking for some new thing to get involved in and it motivates me to have friends or family join me in these new adventures. I started going to the classes and felt better with each class. Last December, only a short time after starting the boot camp, I went to Hawaii with my family. While I was there I decided that I was going to surf. I had always loved trying new things and was always adventurous but I also was afraid of showing physical weakness and because of this was afraid to try some things - not this time! I think during that trip I finally realized how much of a difference attending the boot camp had been! I took surfing lessons and got up by myself and surfed all day long - my family had to drag me out of the water with a bloody shin at the end of the day! Another day, we all went on a hike to the top of Diamond Head- none of us knew what we were in for! It was a pretty good hike up the mountain and when you thought you reached the top you realize that you have to squeeze through an opening and go up even farther. The view was great and I remember thinking to myself, "I wonder if I would have made it without training with CrossFit Central?" When I got back to Austin, I couldn't wait to sign-up for my January (2008) classes.

Lesson 1: These programs CAN change your life! (Even in just a short time!)

The one thing I left out of the story above is that IT WAS HARD. I know everyone wants to think (or at least hope) that making progress in your life, weight, fitness level or any other aspect of your life is going to be easy - it just isn't. I am a competitive person, not in a scary way, but in a "Oh God, please don't let me be last" kind of way. When I started the Lake Pointe boot camp I was last - a lot. These women had started at a different time than I had and I had to convince myself that I would be there eventually. Again, I had deceived myself - there is no end to where I am headed. I didn't realize that a year ago, there is no magical point in life that we get to and can just stop and do whatever we want. This goes with everything in life, no you don't get to your goal weight and *poof* you get to stay there forever without watching your habits and working to stay there, you don't run a marathon and whenever the desire strikes you just walk outside without any training and run it again, you have to maintain the things in your life that matter to you! Work hard to keep the things you have obtained.

Lesson 2: Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting even harder to keep!

Part of the reason all of this is coming to mind is that CrossFit Central recently released the 2008 Success Stories. Reading these stories has made me reflect on my own success and how far I still have to go! It is so amazing to be a part of a group that is so encouraging and inspiring to make a real difference in people's lives. You wouldn't believe the sheer excitement that this group of people exhibits every time someone reaches their goals - they are personally invested in every client and go out of their way to help people. You would think that people with such an intense workout schedule would let the people with little hope, motivation, and desire (like I was - and am somedays) fall by the way side. They believe in people who don't even believe in themselves. I have never liked running and while playing sports would do pretty much anything to get out of that portion of practice/training but now I realize that because it isn't my strongest trait is exactly the reason that I need to work on it. Throughout the past year, I realized that I am capable of so much more than I have given myself credit for in the past.

I know it is cheesy, but...

Lesson 3: Believe in yourself!

Sometimes people feel like they are alone on their journey. It is scary to go into a situation that you are unsure of or are worried about failing in. The negative, looser-y feelings creep in and you think that you are the only one that has this-or-that problem. Stick around CrossFit Central for a minute or two and you will see or hear someone with the same story or situation that you are in. There is such a feeling of belonging and being a part of something bigger. You want to raise money for important causes - participate in some of the events at CrossFit Central that are for important causes like autism, prostate cancer, wounded warriors, and coming this December, the Austin Children's Center. You are looking to make friends in Austin that are interested in the same things as you - CrossFit Central. You wouldn't believe the collection of people that attend the CrossFit Central programs - the diversity is quite astonishing! You want to fill your spare time with productive activities - CrossFit Central. When I look at the calendar of events for the gym I can't believe all the fun events that happen at the gym and other locations around town but then again that is CrossFit Central's motto - Building a FIT community. That is really what it is all about. Help people, help yourself, realize what you are capable of, meet new people, have fun- all in one place- CrossFit Central.

Lesson 4: Be a part of something bigger. (By this I mean, be a part of something bigger than working out at a box gym where you don't go, don't see results, and don't make a difference in anyone's life or the community around you.)

Honestly, I have learned a lot more and changed a lot more in the past year then I have written here. As someone who has made a big impact on my life recently said, "2009 is the year of destiny."

Look out 2009!

Pictured Above: My brother and fellow Crossfitter, Richard White and I.