Chapter One

One week down, and I'm thrilled that I am feeling right at home at my gym. Monday we completed the Crossfit Open 15.4 workout- I did a super scaled version of 10 push press, 10 cleans in the 8 minutes for AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) and got through 5 full rounds plus 10 extra push presses.

What was really nice about doing the open workout was seeing all of the different skill levels within class. One woman was doing the RX of actual handstand pushups, something I can pretty much only dream about at this point.

Despite not being able to fully raise my arms above my head on Wednesday thanks to the push press, we did the WOD below.

I don't think I have ever sweat so much in my life than I did in those 20 minutes. This is even including when I ran the Chicago Marathon, which was also quite sweaty! A day later, my legs stopped working randomly when I was walking because my quads were so sore. 

I've been working really hard on staying focused on where I'm at and making progress for myself, and not feeling like I'm competing against anyone else in the classes. I saw the quote below on Pinterest and it really resonated with me, because I feel like I'm doing a good job of doing things for myself instead of trying to be the best. 

Until next time!

On going with your gut:

You know how sometimes something really doesn't feel right, but you can't explain why you feel that way?
That's how I was feeling about the gym I'd been going to after completing my Crossfit Foundations class. I had learned from the class, I didn't hate it, but there was something missing. I couldn't see myself going there, but couldn't come up with a way to explain why.
I emailed around to a few other gyms to see what their Foundations programs were like and when I could get in to check the place out. I found somewhere right on my way home from work that is a slightly smaller facility that the first place.

Yesterday after work I stopped and dropped in on a class. Their Crossfit is led by two coaches- they are a relatively new location and are getting a lot of new members. As a result of this, they accommodate everyone's busy schedules by running a Foundations class simultaneously with their regular WODs. One coach is able to help the new people scale the workouts, teach movements, and focus on the newcomers while also letting them see what they're getting into once they're more experienced.

Personally, this works great for me and I'm excited to go back. It finally clicked with me last night why this gym seemed to be a good fit for me versus the other one. Two people came up to me after class to introduce themselves. Both coaches talked to me about goals and what I expected from Crossfit. The owner introduced himself and gave me some literature on Crossfit and their gym in general. For someone who makes lists for fun, and is known to talk even in her sleep, this is exactly what I'm looking for.

Can't wait to go back!

The Rowing Machine is my favorite thing in the world.

This is me on a soapbox about not drinking on weeknights, giving up candy for Lent, eating cleaner, and doing Crossfit. The top photo, as I mentioned in my last post is more of an "in progress," the bottom photo that I took today made my jaw drop when I compared the two. The Rowing Machine is my new best friend, it's official.

I have not been on my best behavior these past few weeks by any means- I definitely ate two slices of Chicago-style deep dish pizza this weekend after going on a bar crawl... But I'm trying to eat less bread, I pack a significantly lighter lunch, and have been trying to eat as clean as possible when I'm able to. 

My lunch strategy has been to pack at least two different pieces of fruit with some sliced turkey and a small piece of cheese. Tonight I cooked a bunch of lima beans to divide into containers to pack for lunch as well. I have some popcorn for desperate times, but have really curtailed my boredom eating by running around like a crazy person at work and being so so busy. It's a blessing and a curse that the closest Starbucks is 10 minutes away from my office and is quite a production getting out and going there. 

One more day of Crossfit Foundations tomorrow and then it'll officially be time to decide if I want to join or pursue other options.

"before" and a bargain

Not quite a "before" more like an "in progress"

I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like a total dork flexing into the mirror trying to take a selfie from the privacy of my own bathroom. I've taken maybe four gym selfies in my life, and each time have felt like a total jackass, paranoid that someone is watching me and laughing. I'd been feeling way too proud of the hard work I'd been putting in at the gym not to (especially on shoulders day). I've had the idea of joining a Crossfit gym in my mind for a while now, and I thought it would be really great to have some photos to track my progress this spring- so while I'm not going to be sharing this with the whole world, I'm glad I have it.

Day 2 of Crossfit Foundations was a lot about form and going over the basic movements. We deadlifted medicine balls for what felt like hours, and my legs and glutes are paying for it today. Part of our warm up included the rowing machine- I'm so proud of myself for feeling like a natural on it!

Miller-inspired for a steal!

Since I've learned that not many people care about your workouts, the things you eat, and your thoughts on deadlifts- I wanted to incorporate what I hope will be a main component of this blog, fashion. 

I'm an avid shopper and consider myself to be a pretty talented bargain hunter. If I dedicated the same amount of energy that I use for shopping as I did towards working out, we might be in a different place right now. I've been lusting after Tory Burch Miller sandals for a while now; while I might think nothing of spending a couple hundred dollars on a dress or a purse, something about spending that much on sandals makes me cringe. I am way too rough on summer shoes to make that kind of investment. I randomly came across a cute bargain version at Payless of all places! 

I also snagged a REALLY cute pair of peep toed booties (see Instagram) and the comfiest pair of basic flats I have ever come across. The DexFlex flats are seriously the best I even went out of my way to wear them out on a shopping excursion. This is saying something- I have never had a pair of flats that fit comfortably! Check out the whole line- your feet and wallet will thank you!

Happy shopping & lifting!

Denise

Oh, we're doing this again?

Hello Internet!

I've made many attempts to blog consistently and frequently in the time since I graduated from college. In the past 3 years, I have started (and consequentially, forgotten about) two blogs. I start out excited with a ton of fun post ideas, topics, and goals for myself. I got discouraged when I posted about using E6000 and dollar store items to make apothecary jars and it didn't go viral. I also got discouraged when time didn't stop because I posted about my five favorite places to buy monogrammed items online! Can you believe it?

I manage to have about a million brilliant ideas each day, but sometimes lack the discipline and follow-through to make my ideas a reality. I am most proud of putting my mind to Twirls + Pearls and executing it into a brand that is sold in two retail locations, has a great social media presence and is on the wrists of women across the United States.

For 2015 I decided to skip resolutions and give the year a theme. This year's theme is follow-through and I sincerely hope that's something that I stick to.

In the theme of follow-through, I have set some goals for myself already this year that I am sticking to. One of my major goals is to save a lot of money. I am fortunate enough to have almost no expenses (living the twenty-something dream at home has its perks!) and make myself sit down bimonthly and funnel my paycheck into savings, a mutual fund, 401K and a travel slush fund. Making (and saving) a lot of money has helped curb my spending and has made me more hesitant to spend my money and go shopping as often as I used to. It's been really motivating to have big-picture things to be saving towards and not buying a ton of shoes I probably won't wear.

Another thing I've been pretty good at following through with is going to the gym. In terms of convenience, I have it made. The strip mall outside of my subdivision has a 24 hour gym in one of the units and I can walk there in about 3 minutes. Despite being a stone's throw away, the gym lacks the amenities I'm looking for and is a magnet for people who like to sit on the workout equipment and text instead of actually using it. My favorite are the people who feel the need to grunt and scream as they're working out. I really don't see why people think they need to yell as they're doing shoulder press in a small room with other people around.

At the urging of my boyfriend and best friend, both Crossfitters who were probably tired of hearing me rant about idiots at my gym, I started to look into Crossfit gyms in my area. I found a really nice looking gym on my way home from work that has a two week intro course to give new people a feel for what Crossfit will be like.

My first day went really well and I can definitely see why people get so into Crossfit! Everyone at the intro class was supportive and encouraging; all week I'd been worried that I would feel silly for asking obvious questions or needing extra help understanding something. I could kick myself for spending a few extra months at my previous gym, unhappy and stuck in a rut, when I could have been having fun and challenging myself at Crossfit. I'm going back for my second day tomorrow, and I look forward to making some progress and hopefully some new friends!

Stay posted for more!