Whenever I have a new potential member come into Motor City CrossFit (for their free assessment) I give them a 30 minute ‘talk’ about what it is that we actually do and why I think it’s such a fantastic program. We talk a little bit about the science, their diet, their goals, and how they will be met. During this overview/chat I find myself telling people that CrossFit is very, very hard. I want new members to understand what they’re getting into. That way, when they’re done with their workout they won’t be surprised!
Then I got to thinkin’…Is CrossFit really that hard?? No…it is not.
CrossFit isn’t hard…here’s what’s hard.
Hard is getting winded going up a flight of stairs, or hurting your ankle walking to your car, or going to the hospital with ulcerative colitis, or having 3 pre-cancerous polyps removed before age 30.
Hard is finding a place to rest your hands when you’re at the ballgame – because your armrests are reserved for your abdomen.
Hard is having your 44” pants extended to 48”.
Hard is looking at pictures of yourself when you are 85 pounds overweight.
Hard is waking up in the middle of the night with stomach pain.
Hard is wondering if you have time to finish a cigarette on the way into the [fast food] restaurant.
Hard is dealing with all of the anxiety associated with the obvious need to lose so much weight.
Hard is wondering what people think of you.
Hard is wondering how you let yourself go for so long.
Hard is being the fat friend.
Hard is hearing you doctor call you ‘pre-diabetic’.
Hard is getting up every morning with back pain,
Hard is having to take Prilosec every day.
Hard is wondering if you are the reason you haven’t been able to have kids.
Hard is trying not to look fat.
Hard is wondering how young you’re going to be when you die.
Hard is dealing with smokers cough every morning.
Hard is wondering how long it’s going to take and being worried that you won’t stick with it.
Hard is dealing with embarrassment.
Hard is realizing you drink too much.
Hard is going swimming and leaving your t-shirt on.
Hard is poking an extra hole in your leather belt with a screwdriver.
Hard is bending over to tie your shoes when you’re obese.
Hard is realizing you have only yourself to blame.
CrossFit, in its most simple form, is eating mostly meat and vegetables and working out at a high intensity for 5 or 6 hours per week.
CrossFit is easy folks. All that other stuff is hard.
For me anyway…
Jason – This is fantastic post! This really puts things in perspective very well. It takes only a short amount of time to re-learn how to eat in a way that is truly kind to your body, and to re-learn how to move your body as it was intended to function. Spending just 5 – 6 hours a week working out at high intensity makes the other 164 hours in the week way easier and more enjoyable. Crossfitters are sometimes looked at as being a little crazy, but it seems crazy to me to NOT take that trade-off. Improving FUNCTIONAL fitness pays dividends in all aspects of your life – and the proper nutrition is a key foundation.
Is there a epilogue to this story that reveals who it is referring to? Yours is an amazing story. I am very proud of your continued accomplishments in fitness and health.
I really enjoyed this post JD. It made me think about how Crossfit really can change peoples lives and make everyday more enjoyable. Thanks again for the excellent post.
Thanks Jim! And you’re exactly right! It only takes a few little changes to a lifetstyle to have a monumental effect on ones health.
Wow JD, that was awesome and truly inspirational!
once again, well said. Love it!
JD that was great- Well said- I will take ripped hands anyday over anyone of those things on the list- for me each wod is motivation for the next one. Thanks for taking the extra step and opening MCCF- it has truly changed my life- Thanks to VInney and yourself-
Great post!
Smartest thing I have read on the internet in a long while.
Thanks Mike!
Jason that is some more great stuff. I just copied it over to my blog and put a link to this and the blah blah blah article. I hope you don’t mind.
Keep it up.
Cool Matt!
Damn man….. Are we related?