Changing a lifestyle.
People I think always assume that a lifestyle change is difficult. That it requires some metaphysical cosmic collision to ever work right. And although no one ever said changing years worth of habits and living would be easy...I found changing a lifestyle was actually way simpler than I had anticipated.
My lifestyle change occurred by accident. I never really set out with the idea to change my age-old habits of exercise, eating, sleeping and moody behavior, it just sort of occurred. I knew with my recent engagement that certain things needed adjusting, but I never assumed that my whole outlook on life would be so drastically altered. The shift started on my first day at CrossFit East Oahu. Not knowing what to expect, where to go, how to handle barbells and weights, wall balls and boxes and what the heck was a "WOD"?...I hesitantly stepped into my first class. After the first 3,2,1...go!...I knew I was hooked. The atmosphere, the people, the workout..it was all pleasantly different. The aching, the sore body, the "I can't figure out how to sit down and take a pee because its too much like a squat" feeling was surprisingly refreshing.
The first gears clicked into place of my new lifestyle change that fateful day...but they didn't start rolling and moving until a few weeks later. It started with 2 classes a week. Then I challenged myself to 3. Then 4. Then 5. All of a sudden I couldn't go enough and 6 and sometimes 7 days were the norm. I watched people around me that had been there longer and started making mental goals to hit. Little milestones that I wanted to achieve. The first one was cutting out certain foods, eating healthier and committing to a workout schedule.
When that was done I wanted to continually move up in weight until I could complete one workout of the day, "WOD", at RX weight (the prescribed weight). That benchmark came faster than I had expected. Ok...kipping pull-ups! You should YouTube that if you're not sure of what it is. I can do them now! Squat clean at 110lbs? Sure!! Heavier weight. Ok! 135lb backsquat, check. 190lb deadlift (technically 185lb counted because my grip slipped at 190, but I got it UP!). Check, check, check, check. Overhead squats, snatches, running, blisters and sore feet, shin splints and sweat...yes!
Certain things starting clicking and shifting and all of a sudden those gears were turning. Without even meaning to I had created a lifestyle change. I got excited about going to workout, to challenge myself into heavier weights, longer distances running, faster times. I wanted to go as long as I could on a fast, wanted to challenge myself to cut out certain sugars, refined foods and grains. I wanted to see the callused hands and blistered feet (and boy do I have those now). I wanted to be able to get my name on the board, I wanted to complete a workout without puking (which...luckily...I have yet to puke). The most motivating part of the process was not only the weights and endurance, but the physical changes I was starting to see in my body. Pants were getting lose, arms were getting stronger, thighs were becoming toned. I could look in the mirror and not have to suck it in. Sit down on the sand and know that I wasn't bulging out of a swimsuit.
I remember I tried on my wedding gown and told the lady "Wow, this has a great corset!"
To which she replied, "Oh no darling, this has no corset, that hour-glass shape is all you!" That was completely inspirational.
My accidental lifestyle change not only occurred physically, but also mentally. I started breaking down these barriers and walls that I had built without realizing it. It was almost as though I had built these barricades and dugouts, placed up barbed wire and had machine guns ready at aim to fire at any intruder. Through years and years of small hails of bullets I had built a fortress ready for an attack. Suddenly, when I realized that attack wasn't coming, I could start taking down my defenses. The bitchy, standoffish self that I had become such great (and terrible) friends with was slowly fading away. It was a strange thing to realize that not only physically could I tackle these great feats of strength, but mentally I could encourage myself to keep fighting. When my body was aching and muscles were screaming to stop, I could take a step back, stare at the bar and tell myself to finish. Besides one medical set back which made jumping rope incredibly painful...I have finished every workout I have started. And when I started tackling what, at one time, had been impossible to me...I started tackling life in the same manner.
When all the war-ready barricades had been torn down and I stood there feeling naked and defenseless in what was once a hostile zone, I allowed myself to recognize and acknowledge what had been scaring me into hiding for so long. And when I surrendered to myself and waved my white flag, all of a sudden relief efforts were coming from all around me. In forms of friends, family and my incredibly understanding and patient fiance, they came to help me. They cleaned my wounds, let me recognize why I had been hiding, fed my inspiration, encouraged me to smile, put some clothes on me and walked me off the battlefield. And I really truly believe that a lot of the reason I was able to stand there asking for help in the first place, was because CrossFit gave me the strength to overcome any "WOD", physically and mentally.
My lifestyle now is healtier than it has ever been. I am physically active, willing to strive for everything I start and confident enough to tell myself "Bree, you CAN do this, you CAN finish this". I eat healthier, have more staminia and endurance to get through my days and feel better about myself. Mentally, I'm ready for anything you can throw at me. I've become happier, I understand why some things frighten me and feel that I have been given the tools and allowed the right people into my life to help me build things back up. The gears are clicking away and I feel that this unintentional change has set me on the path of "anything is possible".
I'm not sure what I want you to take away from this. Maybe that changing your lifestyle isn't as hard as you think. That overcoming physical and mental barriers can be difficult but inspiring. Let the right people and circumstances into your life, open yourself up to the beautiful changes that are occuring. Hopefully you too will find happiness, in whatever "WOD" you do today.
Namaste.
Brianna Saylor
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