Monday Motivation: More Stuff?

We loved Lisa's recent blog so we decided to share it as our Monday Motivation - check out Stilettos to Snatches here, and enjoy Lisa's post from just before this weekend:

MORE STUFF

I often get asked how many pairs of workout shoes I own.  I sheepishly admit that it’s far too many, especially for someone who sits at a desk all day.  And that doesn’t include my weightlifting shoes. When it comes to doing a workout, just like any one else, we want the things that set us up for success.  For today’s Fitness Friday post, I was reminded that the reliance on more stuff for workouts isn’t always necessary.  Are knee sleeves, wrist wraps, a weightlifting belt, and weightlifting shoes going to get you more PRs? Maybe. Or is it just a better attitude?

Today’s post was inspired by a friend of mine at the gym – Katie.  Katie hasn’t been a CrossFitter for very long, but she’s certainly a damn good athlete.  She’s a strong runner, and a dedicated member who works really hard.  Katie recently back squatted 225 pounds in Metcons for a new PR. When I saw her results on the whiteboard, I was supremely jealous.  Here I am in all of my gear, trying to just eek out 195. 

ALL THE THINGS!

Taking that step back to do some reflection, I realized that my issue is something that plagues many people.  We get caught up on reading ads, scrolling through Instagram, and watching TV.  Camille LeBlanc drinks Xendurance before workouts, Rich Froning owns an ski machine, Noah Olsen does ROMWOD, Annie Thorisdottir wears all the latest Reebok gear.

CrossFit, just like any other sport these days, capitalizes on the the perception and need for stuff.  Rogue Fitness is almost like the Amazon for CrossFit stuff, selling everything from muscle recovery electric stimulation machines to a host of knee sleeves and wraps.  And then there’s the supplement side.  Progenex and other companies have a number of products that suggest big PRs and increased capacity.

But what happened to just showing up and lifting with what you had on you that day?  For good and bad reasons, I, like so many people, have a lot of things.  None of that stuff works though without a few critical components.  The first being, the consistency to show up and work hard.  You can wrap yourself up in Ben Smith’s wardrobe or Sara Sigmundsdóttir’s blonde hair, but it won’t work unless you find the same work ethic that my friend Katie has.

-Lisa G

WOD for 11-07-16:

"Ranch Dressing"

For Time:

33 Calorie Row

33 Ring Push-ups

33 Kettlebell Swings @ 70/53 lbs

33 Walking Lunges

22 Calorie Row

22 Ring Push-ups

22 Kettlebell Swings @ 70/53 lbs

22 Walking Lunges

11 Calorie Row

11 Ring Push-ups

11 Kettlebell Swings @ 70/53 lbs

11 Walking Lunges