I NEEDED THIS!!!

PLEASE WATCH!!!

Just a Lil' Reminder

Hey guys!

I have been slippin'....I'll be honest. My nutrition has NOT been where it needs to be, given my goals and upcoming tasks. When my bloated stomach is not enough, I use this resource to help remind myself of why it is that I should WANT to eat high-quality, paleo foods.

I thought that some of you out there may be going through some of the same challenges, and maybe this will help you get back on track.

The POWER of MUSIC...and other ramblings

We have all felt IT...

The chills we get when THAT specific song plays to spark THAT specific emotion. The song causing that electric response changes constantly. It changes with the trials and tribulations we are pushing through at that time...It changes when we face adversity...It changes when we need inspiration...It changes when we have an overwhelmingly powerful vision or idea...A song chooses us at the time that we NEED it.

THIS is my current inspiration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmtD-j6p57Q

I am currently re-opening my eyes to the power of music. I have re-discovered the vital role music plays in my life while I prepare my mind, body, and spirit for the hardships I will undoubtedly endure during the months leading to the 2010 CrossFit Games.

Let it be known to all...I will do everything in my power to qualify for THE Games!!! It will require a great deal of planning, effort, passion, respect, and patience on my part. It will also demand a lot from those who are closest to me. This period will NOT be easy...It will NOT always be fun and enjoyable. This is where a certain level of understanding and support must come from those around me. I will look to those that are closest to me, as well as the CC community to push me along when the path becomes difficult.

Thank you all(in advance)!

Get ready for some BIG things in 2010!!!

Allison Wegner: CF Central Success Story

This will be my first opportunity and privilege to share the successes of a CrossFit Central athlete...and I am pumped about it!

Allison and her best friend and fellow CrossFitter, Naomi were my first Elements clients. I remember being a little nervous about taking on the elements sessions with the two of them rather than the typical 1-on-1. And because this was my first, I had Carey Kepler supervising me during the process. To say the least, it was a stressful situation made worse by to some ridiculous MOPAC traffic (I had not yet become accustom to), ultimately making me late to my first session(big NO-NO!). Long story short...I quickly realized that these ladies were rockstars, and that I had little to stress over.

That is how our trainer-athlete-relationship started, and every since then I have watched Allison make amazing jumps in performance in class, proper nutrition, and most importantly, self-confidence! She is truly what makes my job as a CF Trainer so rewarding, and she is a great example of what is possible if you take responsibility of your lifestyle and become FIT! Watch for more BIG THINGS from Allison!

Here is her story:

(actual e-mail)

Hey Travis!!!

Here are two pictures(see above). The first one is from last year when we went to Las Vegas. How fitting... I'm outside of FatBurger! I actually thought I was in pretty good shape. Little did I know "being in shape" would take on a whole new meaning a year later!!! By the way...thanks for helping me change my life!!!

Allison

1. How did you find CrossFit?

I live right down the street from CrossFit Central.

2. What was your motivation for joining?

I kept driving by and seeing so many hardworking and VERY fit people. After awhile it got very hard to ignore and I found myself wondering what it was all about. I looked it up on line and read all the success stories. They were so motivating and inspiring! I was pregnant with baby #2 at the time and thought it would be a good way to lose the baby weight after my son was born. Since after my first pregnancy it took me 9 months to lose the weight I was really excited to start at CrossFit Central as soon as I could!

3. Before joining, how would you describe your health/fitness?

I have been an athlete my whole life. I played basketball and soccer in college. I have tried almost every kind of exercise and every diet known to man trying and get the body I want. I have trained for 3 marathons. Started training for a sprint triathlon, but I hate to swim! Done A LOT of Bikrum Yoga. Spend hours at 24hr fitness on the elliptical. I even joined Nutrisystem before my wedding. The same scenario happened every time...some success followed by rapid return to my original state!!! So, I may have been an athlete my whole life, but what I'm learning from CrossFit...I've never ever really been FIT!

4. List any pre-CrossFit measurements(weight, inches, body fat%) that you feel comfortable sharing.

Since joining CrossFit Central at the end of September I've lost 17lbs, 4.5 inches off my waist, and my body fat has gone from 29% to 24.5%!!!

Check out this link to a "Transformation" slideshow Allison put together!

http://photos.msn.com/Slideshow/Viewer.htm?locale=en-us&config=%2fSlideshow%2fConfig.aspx%3flocale%3den-us%26folder%3dnBuRgwTGIGhLKWJ*219E3n1kgy4LN95iAlD5c1qRdLM%24&data=%2fSlideshow%2fData.aspx%3ffolder%3dnBuRgwTGIGhLKWJ*219E3n1kgy4LN95iAlD5c1qRdLM%24%26index%3d0

5.What impact has CF made on your fitness, your daily life, etc.?

CrossFit has truly changed my life. I have such confidence and strength physically and mentally!!! Even my posture is better. I feel in total control of my diet, which I have never felt. I push myself harder physically than I ever thought I could. I think the zone/paleo diet has had a huge impact too.

6. What goals do you have as you continue with CrossFit?

My original goal was to fit into pre-pregnancy jeans...that has been well surpassed! Now I want to do an unassisted pull-up! And I want to reduce my body fat to 20%. I also want to set some measurable fitness goals!

Battling the Unknown

While sitting, eating my breakfast at home, I received an e-mail from a CrossFit Central member that told a very, very sad, but yet, inspirational story. It is a story of a young man - 27 years old, with a lovely wife and 3 children -BATTLING.

I do not know Robert Feuille personally, but the story of his long, agonizing, and ongoing battle with testicular cancer touched me in way that I was not expecting. It has impacted me in such a way that as I sit here and blog, looking out a window to my backyard, I find myself extremely grateful for all the good things in my life....and to be honest....a feeling of guilt is also present. What is it that I have done to receive this awesome life...and why is it that people like Robert must suffer such hardships?

So, today, the purpose of my blog is to do my part and inform others of Robert's story, and hopefully stir up some momentum in our CrossFit community so that we, as a larger whole, can come together to help a young man continue to fight for the thing that we often times take for granted -- LIFE.

In addition to this blog, I will be proposing some form of recognition for Robert during our Crossfit Central staff meeting today. With the help of fellow coaches, Robert's co-workers, and possibly Robert himself(if I make contact with him), I know we can come up with something great to recognize Robert's fight and his unwillingness to quit. Stay tuned for developments!

Please take a moment to visit Robert's website( http://www.fightforfeuille.com/ ), or his blog (http://robertfuel.com/fight/ )for a more accurate and detailed account of his continued fight.

TALENT

For those of you that are sitting at home relaxing and watching football like myself, here is something for you to watch during commercials and halftimes. It is pretty amazing to think about all the many talents that people have. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3kyNGVK-hI

Pullup Shout Out

I have to give another first-time-pullup shout out to my friend, Chelsea! Yesterday, during the "Nicole" WOD, Chelsea thought after 3 rounds of max effort pullups using a band that she would just give it a go without the band for a pullup attempt. Not only did she get one, she came back from every 400m after that and nailed a total of 3 unassisted kipping pullups!

So if you see Chelsea around the gym, be sure to congratulate her on this major CrossFit accomplishment!

Good stuff, Chelsea! Keep up the hard work!