I love glitter.
So, today (8/12/2014) was a crazy day, I worked out at 9AM
practicing Strongman events for my FIRST Strongman competition. To say I’m
pumped about it is an understatement. It’s another marker to see how far along
I’ve traveled on this fitness/health journey. I never thought I’d be where I am
today.
It was hard to admit that I needed help with my fitness.
Almost a year ago I was in a place I really shouldn’t have been. I’d run a half marathon, did a small triathlon,
had done countless 5k/10ks and had done Tae Kwon Do. I thought I was fit. But none of it was enough. I was always tired
and wasn’t strong. My times in my races weren’t improving and I was HUGE. I
wasn’t training correctly AND I wasn’t fueling my body correctly. I was treating
my body as a garbage can instead of an engine that needed to be taken care of.
I started my Crossfit
training in November of 2012. I walked in and had an hour long session with Kim
Wilkes of Crossfit St. Charles. It took me almost 10mins to finish the “baseline”
work out.
The Baseline workout is: 500m row, 40 squats, 30 situps, 20
push up and 10 pull ups. I couldn’t do the pull ups (It's cool I subbed ring rows) and my push-ups were on my
knees. I don’t even know what my squats looked like. Actually I do... like this:
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The amazing part about Crossfit St. Charles is that it has
the most amazing people; something for everyone. You want to do Strongman?
Done! Olympic Lifting? Done! Gymnastics? Done! Nutrition Coaching? Boom, you
got it! But Mayra, What about Stretching and Mobility? Well, of course!!! I
feel like Oprah; “You get a class! You get a class!...”
Well, I started
training with my coach, Paul Cegon, in September 2013. Let’s just say, despite
my sparkling and bubbly personality, I need someone to call me out on my shit
and push me. Paul did not let me make excuses. I couldn’t be “too busy” or “too
sore.” It was all part of the training. Just do it. Paul knows where I am, what
I can do, when to push me and when to pull back. This is the type of training
you get at Crossfit St. Charles.
So, on my first day Paul had me do body weight squats on the
curb. My form was horrible, I couldn’t get down low, and I kept falling off. I
couldn’t do much. I felt like everything I did was modified and the weights
were low. I’ve never been a quitter and I wasn’t going to quit this (especially
since I was paying for the “torture’) but it sucked. It sucked balls. Big.
Hairy. Sweaty balls.
I stuck with it. Paul never let me “sandbag” the WOD. He pushed
me every time I met with him. I’ve wanted to throw things at him. I can’t
because I’m usually too tired (well-played Paul). I cuss every day that I’m
there. I cuss at the world. I cuss at Paul and when I can move my arms, I flip
him off every now and then. It takes me
a while to get up. Did I get good workouts? HELL YES!
Paul is amazing. He can tell where you are that day, week, month, etc. Every day is tailored to your strengths and weaknesses with your underlying goals. That was Paul’s first question to me. “What are you goals? What do you want to get out of this?” I told him I wanted to be strong and lose weight but that I wanted to compete in Crossfit competitions. I told him I wasn’t going to be a famous Crossfit athlete but I just wanted to feel strong and be able to go to a competition and not finish last.
Paul is amazing. He can tell where you are that day, week, month, etc. Every day is tailored to your strengths and weaknesses with your underlying goals. That was Paul’s first question to me. “What are you goals? What do you want to get out of this?” I told him I wanted to be strong and lose weight but that I wanted to compete in Crossfit competitions. I told him I wasn’t going to be a famous Crossfit athlete but I just wanted to feel strong and be able to go to a competition and not finish last.
Now, I just feel better. I know I’m a strong person mentally and
emotionally. Now I just have the physical part down too. The confidence that
comes with getting stronger, faster and lifting heavy shit is indescribable.
You just walk taller. You don’t care about anyone’s opinion. Praise me. Hate
me. Talk shit. I don’t care. Just be
you. It’s peaceful really.
The main thing I’ve learned was the importance of diet. Paul
walked me through my entire food plan. This man made me start a food log. He
asked me every day about my food intake. I knew I had to be honest because I’d
only be cheating myself. Man did I pay some days. Man did I feel great most days.
Diet is everything!!!
If I ever have a question I know I can ask him. I know I
post a lot about what I do and don’t eat. What I do want and “cant.” I’m a
grown woman. I know I can eat
whatever I’m craving. I don’t WANT to eat it. I post about it to complain and
to hold myself accountable. I joke about Paul “seeing” all the bad food I eat
but that’s just so he can remind me that what I eat the night before will make
my workout the next morning SHITTY. Fueling your body properly MATTERS. I still
eat cupcakes and pasta. I just don’t eat it ALL the time. I used to think I
could eat almost anything I wanted because I ran/walked occasionally. Nope.
That is false. Eating dessert after almost every day, doesn’t compensate for an
hour of jogging every other day.
Plus, the physical aspects are amazing. I can climb a rope.
I can run faster than ever (and we hardly run). I can do wall walks. I’ve
competed in a Crossfit competition and didn’t come in last place! I am signed
up to compete in a Strongman competition in less than a month away. I’m
competing in ANOTHER Crossfit Competition. I wear booty shorts and tank tops! I
look good and I’m happy! LOL.
There are memes about Crossfit obsessed people.
I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. I LOVE CROSSFIT. I drank the Kool-aid and it was delicious. All I do is work and workout and I LOVE IT. I’m focusing on me now and that’s ok. It’s something that I hope to do the rest of my life. I will train with Paul until I can be accountable to myself.
Well, almost a year later, I have lost over 75lbs. I’ve lost over 20 inches (from my hips, waist and chest). I went from a tight size 20 to a size 10 (the ladies will get this reference). Basically a XXL to a M. Most importantly I’ve gotten a helluva lot stronger, both mentally and physically.
I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. I LOVE CROSSFIT. I drank the Kool-aid and it was delicious. All I do is work and workout and I LOVE IT. I’m focusing on me now and that’s ok. It’s something that I hope to do the rest of my life. I will train with Paul until I can be accountable to myself.
Well, almost a year later, I have lost over 75lbs. I’ve lost over 20 inches (from my hips, waist and chest). I went from a tight size 20 to a size 10 (the ladies will get this reference). Basically a XXL to a M. Most importantly I’ve gotten a helluva lot stronger, both mentally and physically.
Crossfit has definitely pushed me physically. It’s also
pushed mentally. I just think if I can push through that heavy weight or WOD from the
day before then I can do anything! I. Can. Do. Anything.
Last, but most definitely not least I want to thank all the
people who have helped me get to where I am today:
Kim Wilkes: Like I’ve said multiple times: What you’ve created in that gym is insane. Walking in there the first day to do baseline was intimidating and scary BUT there was no way that, after having that first session with you, I wasn’t coming back. I am truly addicted to this sport for multiple reasons. 1) the Family that is the Box, 2) the variety of classes so that we are well rounded athletes, and 3) your coaches are amazing!
Paul Cegon, your constant expectations and encouragement of my best always have me pushing my limits, cussing you out, and getting stronger. I would not be where I am right now without you. You have helped this Unicorn sparkle. I mean you did let me play Backstreet Boys to encourage me. We should go back to that! :D
Jeremy and Crystal Pickett: You guys have created an awesome brand and idea. Black Legion's mentality is amazing! I’ve never cared less about what people think about me since I’ve met you. Jeremy you’re an awesome coach that makes me feel like I can lift anything.
Ingrid Hurley: You are an amazing coach and an even better friend. Women like you make me feel so empowered and there’s nothing like the feeling of walking out of your Pilates class feeling at peace.
MikeSidwell: You have definitely increased my love for Strongman. Jeremy lit the fire but you poured gasoline all over it. Thanks for the excellent coaching. I can’t wait for Columbia. Last but not least
Crossfit St. Charles: You guys rock! Thanks for the fist pumps, chalk buckets, yelling, cussing, bullshitting, a listening ear, a helping hand, and all the other shit that comes with a Crossfit family. I would most definitely not be here without you guys. Thanks for noticing the changes, constant encouragement and the take no prisoners mentality. Thank you for the emotional support when I needed it and for just being there for me. Specifically, to the Crossfit Ladies: Y’all are some strong, ass, bitches!! I love how we push each other, don’t give a shit about what other people think and just train to get stronger. Regardless of where you are I want to be like you. We all contribute something to inspire each other and I love that we push each other.
Kim Wilkes: Like I’ve said multiple times: What you’ve created in that gym is insane. Walking in there the first day to do baseline was intimidating and scary BUT there was no way that, after having that first session with you, I wasn’t coming back. I am truly addicted to this sport for multiple reasons. 1) the Family that is the Box, 2) the variety of classes so that we are well rounded athletes, and 3) your coaches are amazing!
Paul Cegon, your constant expectations and encouragement of my best always have me pushing my limits, cussing you out, and getting stronger. I would not be where I am right now without you. You have helped this Unicorn sparkle. I mean you did let me play Backstreet Boys to encourage me. We should go back to that! :D
Jeremy and Crystal Pickett: You guys have created an awesome brand and idea. Black Legion's mentality is amazing! I’ve never cared less about what people think about me since I’ve met you. Jeremy you’re an awesome coach that makes me feel like I can lift anything.
Ingrid Hurley: You are an amazing coach and an even better friend. Women like you make me feel so empowered and there’s nothing like the feeling of walking out of your Pilates class feeling at peace.
MikeSidwell: You have definitely increased my love for Strongman. Jeremy lit the fire but you poured gasoline all over it. Thanks for the excellent coaching. I can’t wait for Columbia. Last but not least
Crossfit St. Charles: You guys rock! Thanks for the fist pumps, chalk buckets, yelling, cussing, bullshitting, a listening ear, a helping hand, and all the other shit that comes with a Crossfit family. I would most definitely not be here without you guys. Thanks for noticing the changes, constant encouragement and the take no prisoners mentality. Thank you for the emotional support when I needed it and for just being there for me. Specifically, to the Crossfit Ladies: Y’all are some strong, ass, bitches!! I love how we push each other, don’t give a shit about what other people think and just train to get stronger. Regardless of where you are I want to be like you. We all contribute something to inspire each other and I love that we push each other.
Love,
GlittaKilla
