CrossFit and Life

This is what CrossFit has taught me about life:

ALL people have weaknesses. Most people are content to hide them or downplay them, focusing the attention instead on their strengths. CrossFit challenges us to identify our weaknesses, and work hard to turn them into strengths. Whatever your “goats” may be, find them, and work on them. Whether it be strength, flexibility, or double-unders, don’t avoid them, don’t ignore them.

The same is true in life. We each have our own struggles. It may be anger. It may be bitterness, or resentment. We may be judgmental, or selfish, or self-righteous. But if we soberly examine ourselves, we can identify these shortcomings and work to address them. And we should.

I expect my coaches to care enough about me to point out the chinks in my armor. I expect my friends to care enough to point out the flaws in my character. Not in order to tear me down, but to allow me to grow. And that’s a rare and difficult thing. It takes tact, and empathy, and compassion.

Granted, some people come into the gym so beaten down physically and mentally that they don’t need anyone to tell them how terrible they are. They already know. They need someone to lift them up. Someone to encourage them on their air squat progress and point out how awesome it is that they showed up.

And that’s where some people are in life, too. They are so overwhelmed with their shortcomings, they can barely function. They don’t need someone to point out their flaws. They need to be loved. They need to be encouraged. They need to be lifted up.

They need hope.

It’s the responsibility of good coaches, and decent humans, to recognize where someone is, and act accordingly.

How to Read Food Labels

Here is a quick video showing how to find out how many blocks are in a food item based on the label. This type of eating is not preferable, and you should try to eat unprocessed food from the food list in CrossFit Journal 21 as much as possible.  Also, if there is a discrepancy between the food label and the food list, you should go with what the food list says. There is some wiggle room here depending on exactly what foods you are getting, but that’s not a problem. Trust the food list.

-Jonathan, originally posted on crossfitkinnick.com on 1.6.11

Balancing Meals

Every meal you eat should have equal amounts of Protein, Carbs, and Fat. Whether it’s a full meal, or just a snack, it still needs to be balanced. Some of you will find that you are more sensitive to carbs, and we may discuss lowering your carbs or switching to lower Gylcemic Index carb choices. What happens here is that your carb choices are spiking your insulin too much, which slows your fat loss and makes you hungry too soon after eating. Ask a trainer about it if you think you might be extra sensitive to carbs.

-Jonathan, originally posted on crossfitkinnick.com on 1.6.11

Meal Timing

Some of you have been wondering when you should be eating. It is very important that you don’t go too long without eating. It will mess up your insulin levels, which will slow down your fat loss. Here are some tips:

  • Eat within 1 hour of waking up.
  • Eat within 3-4 hours of a full meal
  • Eat within 2-3 hours of a small meal/snack
  • Eat within 1 hour of going to bed.

Follow these tips and you will start seeing better results!

-Jonathan, originally posted on crossfitkinnick.com on 1.6.11