Thursday, June 21, 2012

My Journey Towards Healthy

I don't talk a lot about fitness on my blog, mainly because I don't know a whole lot about the subject.  Growing up, I was always in sports and never really had to do much else to stay fit.  I played softball, basketball, and ran track in middle school and in high school I was a cheerleader.  I didn't really begin to go to the gym til I was in high school and realized my body was changing (i.e.- I was getting curves and becoming a woman, but unfortunately I had no idea what was going on at the time!).  


Soon after, I spiraled in to a very dangerous habit of working out at the gym for hours at a time without eating much.  I became fixated on a number on the scale and when it went up, I entered full-blown panic mode. I never had a full-blown eating disorder, but looking back now I realize how close I was to developing one.  Somehow, I got out of that obsessive pattern.  However, ever since those scary few years in high school, I have been a little afraid of working out too intensely.  Unfortunately, that means I wasn't regularly going to the gym.   I could never stick to a work out routine and easily got bored.  Plus, I always found an excuse not to go.  Then, about a month ago a close friend of mine began doing Cross Fit.  It seems the entire country has exploded into a Cross Fit frenzy, and naturally I was a little skeptical to begin with.  I heard they lifted very heavy weights and sessions were similar to boot camp.  That definitely didn't sound like my cup of tea!


Still, over the last few months I began itching to work out.  I missed that after workout high of endorphins, and I wanted to tone up a bit.  Reluctantly, I went along to a cross fit session with my friend about a month ago.  Since then, I have become obsessed with the workouts!  Not only is it fun to do it with a good friend, but the high intensity is exhilarating, and the workout is often done within 30-45 minutes.  Instead of spending an hour on the elliptical machine, 30 minutes on the treadmill, and then lifting a few weights, I get the same calories burnt in about half of the time.  Plus, I feel better about myself after completing a hard workout.  Granted, I am only a month in to going, but I think I might have found my workout niche.    I encourage any of you who might struggle with your self image (as I do) to find a healthy workout plan that you are excited enough to stick to.  And, give Cross Fit a look!  I highly recommend it. :)

I'll be sure to keep you updated on my journey towards health.  What do you do to stay healthy?

20 comments:

  1. What a great post Sam! I rarely talk about working out on my blog either but know what you mean about balancing wanting to be healthy yet not be obsessive about it. I have yet to try CrossFit but am loving the Barre Method!

    Kirby
    www.theshortandthesweetofit.com

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  2. Thank you so much for your honest post. I loved reading this. I have recently begun my own journey to becoming more healthy. I eat anything I want and don't exercise very much. Something needs to change.

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  3. I love your honesty. I think as women we'll always struggle with not feeling like we are enough physically. I love your journey towards health, not a certain weight. What a victory, my friend! Thanks for sharing : )

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  4. Ooooh!! Love this post!! I am I have a boarding unhealthy obsession with my stomach, not boarding eating disorder line, but still not good, so I work out a lot. Loved the honesty here!

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  5. Great post! I really enjoyed reading this. Working out makes me feel energized :)
    xx

    www.queenoffunkydiy.blogspot.com

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  6. Thank you for sharing! This is inspiring! I have been out of my workout routine to say the least. I hear CROSSFIT is very addicting, good for you : ) Hope all is well!! I enjoy reading your blog daily and I dont take time to comment often enough but keep up the great work!!

    xo Katie
    http://dailycrushes.blogspot.com

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  7. Good for you for being so honest and open about something that affects us all. I am in the midst of trying to find my workout niche and I love hearing about what other people are up to. P.S. Thank you again for your nice tweet earlier! xoxoxo

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  8. that's so amazing!! i've been curious about crossfit too! i've been doing jillian michael's for about 2 years now and there's no way i can go back to working out over an hour at a time. xox

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  9. I've heard so many great things about crossfit! I'm tempted to try it out!

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  10. I love this post :) good for you!!! I found that I love pilates, but also just walking on the treadmill for an hour or the elliptical while I watch my reality TV makes me feel so much better. Guilty pleasure combined with workout in one. I am trying to get into spinning, but the whole painful crotch and awkward walk afterwards is making it difficult!


    http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com/

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  11. You are inspiring me. After this pregnancy, I need to get my fitness into HIGH gear.

    Cheap Makeup Reviews
    Beauty Fashion Seattle

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  12. Yay, good for you Sam! I believe that working out is essential to remaining sane and feeling good!

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  13. Very inspiring, Sam. Love your honesty here. I had similar struggles with my body image and it's still pretty distorted but I just have to ignore the negative and stay healthy!! My best friend has done Cross Fit for years, but I have never tried it. I do Insanity at home though and I feel so great after working out! Thanks for this post! xoxo

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  14. That is awesome to hear! My sister and a friend started up their own (Element) CrossFit and I've been doing that non-stop for 3-4 years now. It's amazing to accomplish new things and push yourself to another level you never knew was there. Now I'm sad if I miss a workout, where before it was the other way around. Have fun and every little bit counts.

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  15. Good luck! I know there is a a line between being fit, health and a healthy weight to becoming obsessed Happens to far too many women!

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  16. This is so great!!! I love your honesty :) I definitely struggled with body image throughout my 20s and even still at 30 (I haven't worn a bathing suit in front of anyone for probably 6 years...ridiculous, I know). But, I just decided it is time to make a change. I started working out a couple of months ago...the wedding is definitely my catalyst!!!...and it took a little bit of time, but I definitely found my niche, too! I am doing the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout & her beginner dance cardio. I love it so much that I am hooked and can't wait to do it each day! Thanks for opening up to us :) XO brynn

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  17. oh, and one more thing...guess what?! i am headed to palm springs next weekend & i WILL be wearing my bathing suit ;)

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  18. I'm dying to try cross fit, it sounds amazing! I've been hunting for somewhere to go near me so hopefully I can start soon! So glad to hear you are loving it! xx

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  19. Ohh I should try it. I've lately gotten into Insanity which is similiar.. no need for cardio and it's only 38-42 minutes of high intensity! I LOOOVE it. And you don't have to go anywhere but can do it in your room.

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  20. I've been so scared to try it for the same reasons you say - it seems really tough! But maybe I just need to find a Cross Fit partner in crime and give it a shot!

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What say you? I'm all ears.

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