WEEK 49. Man. That's almost unbelievable, because it means we are just over 3 weeks to the one year anniversary of Solcana CrossFit, and just over three weeks to the day that my life was completely changed. Aside from the 1 year anniversary, there's another couple of big dates looming right around the corner, too. May 16, I'll be competing in the Solcana CrossFit Beginner Olympic Weightlifting...
The sun is coming up earlier and setting later. Outside, the trees and tulips are blooming. Winter gear has been exchanged for short sleeves. And in the gym, we've replaced rowing with....RUNNING. Y'all know how I feel about running. I've been very vocal about my feelings on the subject as evidenced by Week 10, Week 12, Week 14, and Week 17. YOU GET THE IDEA. Here's a flashback...below is a video of me in...
With just 5 weeks to go to our one year anniversary (I say our because THIS IS A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP) I finally made the jump to organize my wardrobe and rid it of the clothes that no longer fit. I've held on to ill fitting items for 47 weeks of this process, and, well...it was time. I wasn't sure what to expect as I went through all my clothes that...
My gymmate and friend, Ryan, and I were chatting as class started one night last week and he asked me if I ever go back and read any of my old blogs "...you know, to compare?" I do, on occasion, but this conversation sparked my curiousity mostly because Ryan told me he could really see the change. The difference. That, at the beginning of this journey, it was tough to...
For a second consecutive week, I have managed to make my goal of hitting the gym a minimum of 5x/week. Feels good to do right by your body, and what a week it was! We recently finished some big weight lifting progressions at Solcana, which means last week had a lot of 1 Rep Max (1RM) PR's like: Back Squat: 255# (up 5# from 3 weeks prior when...
It's been a good week. Since starting this journey 44 weeks ago, I've officially dropped 40lbs. In the process, I know I've also gained quite a bit of muscle mass, too. Here's the most important thing: I've learned that the weight number is just that...a number. Yes, I'm ecstatic I've hit this milestone and it definitely motivates me to keep going - but if we're comparing other...
I had a tough week last week. I only made it to the gym twice - Monday and Saturday. There were so many things going on and I let them get in the way of my workouts. And I could feel it. My anxiety and restlessness were rearing their ugly head and for some reason, I let them. I had two shows Friday night at Mystic Lake...
It's been a fun couple of weeks around the gym, you guys. The sun has been shining, the doors have been raised to let the air in, and my dog, Louie, continues to make himself (too) comfortable in Coach Hannah's office. He's learning, just like I have over these last nine and a half months. Here are 10 best things I've learned from Solcana Crossfit: 10. Embrace the...
We've had a big week, kids. For one, I survived Week 2 of the CrossFit Open, the worldwide competition made up of a broad range of functional movements. Functional movements move large loads, long distances, quickly. These movements also form the basis of the CrossFit exercise program. They say that the CrossFit Games are designed to test, not train, fitness, and the goal is to find the fittest athletes, not...
I just started my tenth month of this journey. Ten months. I think that's how long it takes to cook a baby (or so I've heard). Ten months of constant challenges and surprises and support and friendship and health and positivity. There are many places and relationships in my life that have provided the exact opposite and I have learned that those are places and people I don't...
About 5 years ago, I worked with a personal trainer for the very first time. I met with them twice a month (at $75 a pop, that came to $150/month) and then I was on my own the rest of the time. I did work out, often doing the same exercises my trainer had showed me when we met, but something was lacking. I loved...
Six weeks ago we started a food challenge that included adding three cups of vegetables, eliminating grains, sugar, and dairy, reaching a body weight appropriate amount of protein, and adding healthy fats into our diets each week. Additionally, we needed to drink a gallon of water each day, sleep at least 8 hours, and get our workouts in. The biggest challenge for me was mostly at...
Last week I came across Aaron Bleyaert's post titled How To Lose Weight in 4 Easy Steps. A person I admire in comedy posted it and, basically, if she posts someting...well, I will read it. All of it. I wasn't sure what to expect, being on my own fitness journey and all. Perhaps the typical 'eat less' and 'work out more'. I wasn't prepared for such a...
Sometimes when I attend to an itch on my shoulder I stop for a minute because the shoulder I'm touching feels...unfamiliar. It feels firm and tight and muscular to touch and I sit in disbelief for a few seconds to come to terms with the fact that these are MY shoulders. My strong shoulders. The same shoulders that bra straps and tank tops used to fall off consistently...
In 35 weeks, I'm officially down 32 lbs. Seven of those have come off since starting the WholeMe Challenge nearly 4 weeks ago. Generally speaking, this equates to roughly .91lbs/per week - a definitely healthy rate to be losing weight. I've always heard that 1-2lbs a week is a good guide for weight loss. I do find it very interesting (and scientific!) that nearly 1/5 of my loss has happened...
It’s week 3 of the WholeMe Food Challenge, meaning I’ve successfully survived so far. Adding more veggies in week 1 (3c per day) and eliminating grains last week. I do have a confession to make. I drank a beer. I know. I was in Milwaukee most of last week doing shows at the Comedy Café, and Thursday night I ordered a New Glarus Spotted Cow...
Hi friends! We're into Week 2 of the Solcana WholeMe Challenge and things seem to be going according to schedule - managing to successfully add three cups of different vegetables to my diet every day during week one, and will continue to do that for the rest of the challenge. A gallon of water a day has started to feel a little more managable (with less trips to the bathroom,...
We're officially into 2015 and it's been a big week of new things at Solcana CrossFit! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you all started the year off with renewed spirits like I did. After being out of town performing shows for New Years, I can report that I officially started 2015 in a hotel bar, post show, in the middle of nowhere Minnesota, with about 8 complete strangers and...
Well here we are, at the end of another year. So many awesome accomplishments and experiences and highs that far outweigh the lows. Last night we completed our 12 week deadlift progression inspired by Benedict Magnusson. I've talked about it here with you before, so you might remember that each week consisted of a series of reps at various weights that I followed on this Google Spreadsheet....
I am not sure how to start this week's entry, so I'll just dive right in. It's been a doozy of a few weeks. I hit a rough spot. A breaking point, if you will. And, well, I actually...broke. Some of you saw it unravel on Facebook in the only way I knew how to ask for help - generically. This time of year is killer on mental health...
What a couple of crappy weeks it has been. Before I left for Houston, TX we had received word that Minneapolis comedian, Gus Lynch had passed. His wake was last week Thursday night. Early Friday I got a call from a fellow comic with news that ANOTHER Minneapolis comedian, the beloved Bill Young, had also passed away - unexpectedly and suddenly some time during the night....
Well, every peak has to have a valley, right? After a glorious six month milestone recap last week, early Thursday I jetted off to Houston, TX to do six shows at the Joke Joint Comedy Showcase. I returned late last night. It's always a lot of fun to visit the club and hang out with my pals in H-Town. I also had a few meetings in town for...
It was mid April when Coach Hannah reached out to me to ask me if I was "interested in actually doing CrossFit?" and I didn't know it then, but my life would be changed forever. Solcana CrossFit opened it's doors on June 1st, 2014. Six months ago. I did my first workout there on Wednesday, June 4 and visited twice that week. I remember Hannah telling me that...
I saw the picture and I panicked. Up until this point I thought I had avoided it, but alas, I was suddenly faced with my biggest fear. The Rope. Solcana CrossFit is now the owner of three climbing ropes. They just hang there, like a constant reminder of my past failures. OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD Throwback to all those years of elementary and middle school...
Remember when I failed last week? I walked into the gym last night with a vengeance and with a goal of nailing my repeat Week 5 Magnusson progression in Week 6. If you recall, I needed to complete: 4×4 (4 sets of 4 reps) at 200lbs 1×2 (1 set of 2 reps) at 225lbs 1×2 at 255lbs 1×8 at 200lbs Josh, my trusty weightlifting partner and I had a great time, in...
My time at Solcana CrossFit has been a series of personal records and success with new skills and, luckily, very few setbacks. It's week 5 of the 12 week Magnusson progression you might remember me talking about back in Week 21. If you're interested in following along with the weights I'm lifting, you can check out this handy Google spreadsheet. Up until now, I have hit...
Last night I went to my usual 6:30 class with Coach Jake. I have come to really love Mondays at 6:30. We seem to have a nice flow with each other - we laugh, we work, we sweat, and we usually fall onto the floor together post workout as a team. It's comfortable. It's the only place I need to be Mondays from 6:30 to...
Hard to believe Halloween is at the end of this week, right? Mostly because that means that Thanksgiving is next month and Christmas and New Years the month after. Basically, it's 2015 already. Are you ready for this? It's crazy how fast time flies sometimes. It's even crazier how many holiday get-togethers with glorious foods and drinks and treats like mashed potato martinis and sticks...
This past week, we started a 12 week heavy deadlifting progression inspired by Benedikt Magnusson. I started deadlifting this summer in Powerlifting Club (Saturdays after my regularly scheduled 9am lady class) so I was really excited to learn we were going to be focusing on this lift. It's one of my favorites. My deadlift PR set back at the meet on September 13 was 231lbs (105...
Last week a colleague snapped a full body picture of me. For the first time - in maybe my whole life - I didn't hate it. I didn't sit and scrutinize and identify all of my 'trouble areas' or better yet, delete the picture entirely. In fact, for the first time in my life I let it be seen. I have always struggled with my perception...
