Fit-miss - my 5 year journey

Fit-miss- my 5 year journey 

It appears that my wardrobe choices are not the only things that have improved over the past 5 years.  

My fitness journey started when I was about 16 years old. Sure I danced, cheered, and kicked throughout my childhood, but I only really started caring about what I looked like in my late teens- which I think is fairly on schedule with most girls. 

I would secretly run on the treadmill each night for the length of one episode of American Idol. This was the early 2000's...no one had a gym membership! What even was that?! 

Finally, a judgement free zone
Welcome Planet Fitness. This was a low risk investment for parents (only $10 a month) and soon enough, I joined with a friend. Planet Fitness was my jam for many years- until I reached my early 20's. 

I graduated college with a full-time job lined up. This launched me into adulthood and routine. At the time, many of my friends were still students and working part time jobs. After work, like most of the population, they would invite me to happy hours where we could eat and drink the night away on a 22 year old's budget.

For some reason, I wasn't into it. I didn't understand it then, but I felt like happy hour wasn't exactly the after hours hobby I was looking for.

Yeah, I pinned it 
Pinterest was on the rise, and so was a lot of Fitspo! Everywhere you looked there was a stock photo of some inhumanly fit girl with a motivational quote stamped across it. It boggled my mind. I had been working out for years, eating decently healthy, and being as "adult" as I could imagine, but I sure as hell didn't look like that! 

Suddenly, strong became the new skinny. Instead of having ribs and a thigh gap, the idea of beauty was shifting- and I liked it.  
Yeah, Groupon changed my life
I had never purchased a Groupon before, but something deep down told me that the site was setting me up for a life changing opportunity. I took the plunge and bought a pack of CrossFit classes at CrossFit 631 in 2013. 

I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. I was petrified. I am not kidding when I say I imagined people just bleeding out on the floor each class (and me passing out at the site of blood). I remember my 1st class vividly. It was a Saturday,and a group workout. All these girls were holding their own with the guys and there I was lost and confused probably not actually doing anything at all- but I was hooked instantaneously.   

For the next 2 years, CrossFit became the hobby I had been looking for. I went every day, mingled when I could, and thoroughly enjoyed both the workouts and social atmosphere.

Somewhere after that I realized that I was only doing 50% of the work. I had been putting in the hours, absorbing all the lessons, but I hadn't changed my lifestyle at all. 

I will do a pull-up
How many women dream of doing a single pull-up? I know I did! I had been coming to CrossFit for about 2 years and really thought I could "never get a pull-up". I mean after all, "I have no upper-body strength".  

Guys, as it turns out...you can do WHATEVER you want. There is literally no limitations to what your body can do. Once I dialed it in, got my diet right, and became consistent in every aspect of my life- movements I thought I could NEVER do, became just another thing I could. 

Think different
My day is not done until I finish my workout- and I don't think that is so far off base. Your day doesn't start without brushing your teeth so why would this be any different? 

If you are like me, stuck behind a desk for 8 plus hours a day, under horrible lighting, staring at pixels on a screen, don't you feel bogged down? It is horrible for us- do your body some good and MOVE.

You have to change your way of thinking. Going to the gym isn't just a hobby- I was originally so, so wrong. It is the first step towards disciplining your entire life.

Just getting there is half the battle
I honestly feel that activity comes before diet. Once you begin introducing daily activity into your routine, a balanced diet comes naturally. Why would you put yourself through the physical strain of an intense workout and then go home to eat 3 slices of pizza? Why would you have that Chinese food for lunch, get to the gym, and be unable to move? Your activity level and diet go hand-in-hand. I am adamant that without one- you can never have the other. 

My current fitness and diet lifestyle 
What works for me, may not work for you, or even future me. 2019 Mel might be like hey! What are you doing? Eat more, drop the cardio, lift more! But right now, I am feeling good and I am running with it. 

In my mind, consistency is key. I am not kidding when I tell you that I eat the EXACT same thing every day...

Breakfast: 
1 packet of unsweetened oatmeal 
Ginger and turmeric tea 

Lunch:
2 boneless skinless chicken thighs prepared in an air fryer with smoked paprika, and an assortment of spices
a large salad with cherry tomatoes and 1 tbs of Marie's chunky blue cheese dressing

Post-workout:
4 scoops of Rich Piana's egg white crystals with water 

Dinner: 
A repeat of lunch

Snack:
occasionally an Oh Yeah bar  

According to the My Fitness Pal app, my diet is 18% carbs, 37% fat, and 45% protein. 

Sure I have a cheat meal once a week where I include a surplus of calories and "bad" things like refined sugar and grains- but 90% of the time I am on track. I promise you when I say this- I don't even think twice about my diet. Yeah sometimes it becomes hard to make healthy choices when temptation is in front of you- but you don't need it. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail- as long as you meal prep, there are no excuses. 

Now, my diet isn't perfect. But what I have found works for me is a low carb, high fat diet which is refined sugar and grain free. I barely ever track my macros, but I do feel that it is highly beneficial when embarking on your journey. After a while you will be educated enough to make your own decisions and hold yourself accountable without checking in. 

This is me 

I am 4'11 currently weighing in at 100 lbs. CrossFit has turned me into an endurance junkie, but I am currently trying to build and maintain some lean muscle mass. 

Aside from normal programming, I have been trying to incorporate bodybuilder style training into my routine. 

I don't think I will ever be "satisfied". There is always room to look, feel, and preform better. It is important to set and reach new goals as frequently as you can. 

It has been 5 years since I began taking my fitness seriously and I am so proud of the foundation I have built so far. So, what's your 5 year plan?