Continuous Improvement

It is the beginning of a new year. 

Every year brings a slew of new years resolutions....the same ones set from year to year....lose weight, get healthy, save money, and so on....

But what is a resolution - from dictionary.search.yahoo.com - A course of action determined or decided on.

So we resolve to lose weight...get healthy...those are such broad statements...how about breaking those down into manageable goals.  We live in a world of instant gratification...we resolve to lose weight....we workout for a week...see no results...then quit....If that resolution was broken into a serious of manageable goals...at years end you could be one of the rare ones who actually achieved their New Year's Resolution. 

This year, I've decided not to set any resolutions...for two main reasons. 
One, I am absent minded and have terrible follow through.  I'll forget in a month that I set a resolution, I'll lose the paper or file I created with that resolution, I'll never look at it again. 
Two, I am happy with me.  What more can I say about that.  Of course there are always areas for improvement, but overall, I have to say that I like me.  I am a good mom & wife (I think), am a good employee, workout 6 days a week, eat pretty healthy a good portion of the time, have good friends, and am financially stable. 

I find that I succeed if things become routine....I know that sounds boring...but it is true.  I do the same thing day after day, eat the same breakfast/lunch day after day, make a menu for suppers but we tend to repeat a lot of the same meals week after week...routine...

Resolutions (or lack thereof) and routine were really not the reason for me writing today....but I got sidetracked. 

What I really wanted to write about is the physical improvement that I have seen since beginning CrossFit in December 2011. 

Let me give you my January 2012 physical self - 
Back Squat max was 135
Dead Lift max was 175
I could not do a strict pull up
I could not do a double under

My December 2013 self 
Back Squat - I have not completed a 1 Rep Max (RM) in a while, but in August my 5RM was 183
Dead Lift - again I have not tested this since July but then it was 255
Strict Pull ups - I can do a 35# 1RM weighted pull up
Double Unders - I can do 75 unbroken, that is my personal record.

It amazes me everyday the improvements I have made, not only in my lifts, as a result of CrossFit and the community that I am a part of...

• My confidence has improved, not that has ever been lacking, but I am more confident in the decisions I make and rarely second guess myself.  I believe that my increased confidence has helped me move forward in my career.  
• I do not care as much about the number on the scale.  This just isn't important to me anymore.  I weigh as much now, if not a little more, as I did two years ago.  I exercise every day, I eat right....I do what I can.  The thing that has changed is my muscle mass.  Two years ago, I ran, A LOT....half marathons, one marathon, 10Ks, obstacle course races....but I was not strong.  Today...I don't run near as much...but I am strong and have awesome muscles!! 
• I am setting a great example for my children.  I am showing them that it is okay to be active, be strong, take time for yourself, and how to work towards a goal. 
• My marriage is even stronger.  We workout together, compete together (or against one another), celebrate each others PRs, and encourage when we are just having an off moment.  We are on this journey together which makes it even better!

Tri-State Throwdown, Centerville CrossFit August 2013

Continuous improvement, you can always get better!