I Am a CrossFit Dropout

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Five years ago you would have found me in my home gym working out five to six days a week for at least an hour. I knew everything that was going on in the CrossFit “world” and I followed all the big names on social media. I knew offhand how much I could squat, bench, deadlift, clean, snatch, and how fast I could run a 400-meter distance and how fast I could row 500 meters on the rowing machine. I would rarely miss a workout day. I would wake up early or rearrange my schedule to ensure I got in my training days. I was in the best shape of my life.

CrossFit

Fast forward to the present, I have two kids (3 years old and 6 months old), I work part-time from home (I work during nap time and after kids are in bed), I serve as a Vice President in my MOMS Club, and I homeschool my preschooler. My workout time is now condensed into 20-30 minutes a day, three to four times a week WITH at least one of my kids awake hanging out with me.

After trying to get back into CrossFit postpartum, I quickly realized I did not have the right mindset for that style of workout. I struggled to get the movements in without worrying about a kid getting in the way. I struggled to focus my efforts on what I was doing. I struggled to walk into my home gym and get moving right away as I have limited time to get my workout in. Overall, the way I used to train was not working.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the CrossFit style of workout. I love the burn I get from a fast Metcon. I love the endorphin rush I get from lifting heavy weights. I love the idea of training for life but for me, in my present stage of life, I needed a change. I was training for the life I used to have. I now needed to train for the lifestyle I have and how I want to spend my life – with my kids.

I needed a style of workout where I could get in and out fast. I didn’t have to think much at all. I could keep my kid(s) happy and content during my workout time AND it could not be during nap time because that’s when I would get my part-time work completed. That’s when I decided to finally give in to that online workout program that had several options for workout programs to follow.

I found a workout program that was only 20 minutes a day. It was however supposed to be done six days a week but that was not realistic for me right now. After completing two weeks of the program, I was sold. I was happy with this new type of training along with supplementing with running a few miles pushing my double jogging stroller. All I had to do was log in and push play or just run – no thinking about how to set up my workout, little to no equipment, and it was super quick!

Some day when this stage of life is over, I will have my garage gym full of CrossFit type equipment and I will get back to those days of fast and furious workouts but for now, I’m happy following someone on my computer screen tell me what to do. I’m happy to only commit 20–30 minutes of my day, 3 to 4 times a week to working out following a bunch of strangers on the screen or mindlessly pushing the stroller up and down my neighborhood streets. I’m happy with the results it gives me and I’m happy with the time it allows me to have for the rest of my day.

One day I will look back on these days and wish I could have these reasons (or excuses depending how you want to look at it) to not do that programmed CrossFit workout that I know will take me past my comfort zone and into the pain cave. But I won’t because then my kids will be older. They won’t need me every second of the day and I won’t be able to spend every day with them making memories. I remind myself this is just a phase of life and I wouldn’t change it for a thing, even if I am a CrossFit drop out right now.

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