Week #9

As I look back on week 9, I am hoping this was a breakthrough week for me. Physically, this week was no different than any other, in fact I just continued to push on with my workouts and healthy food choices. Emotionally, this was a roller coaster week to say the least. I finished my first graduate class at SNHU, worked on meeting goals at work, and dealt with serious wedding stress. After a much needed release of fears and frustrations at yoga class, I feel like I might finally be able to enjoy wedding planning! As someone who struggles with needing to control situations, wedding planning is taxing. Add in the fact that a lot of it is DIY and the situation intensifies. A bride can only take so much! This week, I realized I can't keep focusing on perfection with this wedding and I cannot let others influence our day. The friends and family who matter will be there for us on that day because that is what friends do for the people who are important to them. I have great friends who have been helping me with the planning process and I am so grateful for them. I also appreciate that they lift me higher because they are selfless and willing to listen to my bridezilla moments. Therefore, an additional goal that I am adding to my challenge is to be more appreciative of those who have been helping me and brush off the other junk. I can still focus on the things that I can control: how I look and how I feel. Hopefully, a clearer mind will give me more room to push through the final segment of the challenge. Plus, now I can focus on the fun stuff with the wedding because at this point we've had more than enough surreal and ridiculous situations thrown at us. We have persevered--it will only get easier and more enjoyable moving into the 6 month countdown :) Tips and suggestions for making planning easier are welcome!

Next week, I enter week 10! Yikes. Only 5 more weeks left in the transformation. I packed a bunch of clothes away today and realized I am going to need some new warm weather clothing as my closet is looking quite sparse! The warm weather last week was extra motivating, but it looks like that won't be back for a few weeks. I'll have to take the workouts back inside for a little longer, but that gives me time to get my gorgeous Felt bicycle tuned up!

Workouts for Week 9:
Monday- 45 min AM walk/ AM xfit (press, G row, squats, and sprints)
Tuesday-50 min AM swim/lunch walk/ PM xfit (clean/push press, dips, and conditioning)
Wednesday-55 min AM elliptical/walk/lunch boot camp
Thursday- 40 min AM swim/30 min lunch walk/PM yoga
Friday- 40 min AM elliptical/lunch boot camp/PM xfit (bench press, g row, deadlifts, and conditioning)
Saturday- 40 min AM swim
Sunday- REST

Fasted cardio = 6
Pushups = 360
Bricks= 6 (total = 54)

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
---Dr. Seuss

Week #8

It was time for my 8 week measurements and I'll admit that I was a bit nervous because I felt like I had hit a little bit of a plateau in my challenge, but I was wrong! Since week 4, I've lost 4.5 inches and another 3.6lbs. This brings my total transformation inches lost to 7.5 inches and 8.6lbs lost. Compared to week 4, I lost more inches than weight and I am fine with that. I'm keeping my eye on the prize over the next 6 weeks. I definitely have some fierce competition with some very impressive girls at the gym, but I am going to keep plugging away.

My brick wall is up to 48 perfect bricks after 6 bricks this week. I should probably clarify (because bricks are different in triathlons) that my bricks are following my morning cardio, diet plan, and pushups for as many days as I can in the week. With my one cheat/rest day, the most I can earn is 6 per week and I have been able to do this for the last eight weeks. Is there something you want to do to progressively build? Start small, 1 pushup a day and add on each week, etc. Whatever your goal is, if you start small, you will be able to make significant progress if you persevere.

One of the other goals that I had for this transformation was to be able to complete one full chin up. I know this sounds easy, but considering I couldn't do one when I was a tiny, girl in elementary school, it seemed almost unreachable as an adult woman. Nonetheless, after weeks of pushups, presses, bench press, and negative chins, I was able to do three full chin ups this week! Slowly, but surely, I am exceeding my goals. It is not easy but it is so worth it :)

Week 8 Workouts-
Monday-AM Elliptical/walk and AM Xfit (Bench, G row, Squats and conditioning)
Tuesday-AM swim/lunch walk/PM Xfit (clean/press and conditioning)
Wednesday- AM elliptical/lunch boot camp
Thursday-AM elliptical/walk/lunch boot camp/PM yoga
Friday-AM elliptical/walk/lunch boot camp/PM Xfit (press, G row, deadlifts-170lbs and conditioning)
Saturday-AM swim
Sunday- REST

Bricks = 6 (48 total)
Pushups = 330 (5 sets of 11 for 6 days)
Fasted cardio = 6 days

Week #7

"The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before."
-Steve Young

The halfway point in the transformation challenge is finally here! So far, this challenge has improved many facets of my life. I get up every weekday around 5 and head to the gym. Because I am getting that morning workout in, my productivity at my job is much higher--hence opportunity to grow professionally. With dedicated times for crossfit, boot camp, and yoga I have no excuses to miss a workout which gives me the "me time" necessary for positive work/life balance. And of course, a general perk, my physique continues to get better every week!

Recently, I read a post by someone who said crossfit was "like a cult" where people take themselves "too seriously." This struck a bit of a nerve with me at first because it was such broad generalization about the sport. Then, I had to take into account that maybe this person had a bad experience at a particular gym, or is just generally misguided about the sport. Of course, there probably are extreme gyms--just like there are extreme religions, extreme parents, and pretty much anything that can become extreme. I can think of many people (myself included) who take themselves too seriously in some aspect of their lives. Nonetheless, crossfit it is not one of those areas where I take myself very seriously--how could I? Compared to other people at my gym, I am a wimp ;-) But I don't mind--because the goal is personal improvement and pushing through a difficult task to achieve things I never thought possible.

When I go to WMC, I am immediately welcomed by friendly people who genuinely are interested in how my week is going or how I am doing with my goals. It is not a pretentious environment where you are judged--it is the opposite. Also, people are always laughing or shouting out words of encouragement. This is not something you find at your everyday gym. Do friendly people who motivate you constitute a cult? I have trained with a great group of triathletes with S2 and practice yoga with supportive people at Quest yoga--does that make those groups cults as well? Here is a great article by a woman who works out at White Mountain Crossfit. "There's a Crossfit Gym in Concord?". Anyway, if being around people who work hard and treat each other with respect is a cult, then I am OK with that! I can think of far worse things I could be involved in. Perhaps if more people in this country were involved in something like this, we would not be a society plagued by obesity, depression, and fear. However, I understand that crossfit is not for everyone, but find that hobby or focus that gives you time to be introspective and focused on you.

We always make time for work, family, and friends, but find that outlet that is only for you. As someone who was a public servant (aka public school teacher) for seven years, I know how easy it was to get caught up in doing things for everyone else. It was all about the students, parents, administration, etc...this list goes on. After leaving the field, I finally found that work/life balance and crossfit has only served to add to that balance.

Week 7 Workouts:

Monday-AM Walking/ AM Xfit (Press, G Row & Squats)
Tuesday-AM Swim/ PM Xfit (conditioning)
Wednesday- Elliptical/Walking/Lunch walk
Thursday- AM Swim/Lunch run/PM yoga
Friday- AM elliptical and walk/ Lunch boot camp/ PM Xfit (Press, G Row, Deadlift & mobility)
Saturday- AM elliptical/walk
Sunday- Rest

Fasted Cardio Days- 6
Perfect Bricks-6 = 42 bricks!
Pushups = 300 (5 sets of 10 for 6 days)

Week #6

The above graphic was designed by my wonderful friend Sara. She is very talented in the areas of photography and graphic design. When I was reading her blog, House Bella, I noticed she had created an eye-catching bucket list graphic for her year and I immediately was pulled in by it. She graciously agreed to make one for me, so here it is! I cannot say that I will be able to do everything on the list, but I can sure try! Thanks Sara :)

Last week was all about getting out of running mode and into transformation mode. It was strange not having long runs on the weekend or short planned runs during the week; however, my lunch boot camp incorporated running several times, so I never quite get away from it!

It was a fairly uneventful week other than the snowstorm on Thursday which caused yoga to be cancelled :( Hopefully that was the last of winter! There was a snowshoe race on Saturday, but as I already had plans, I could not participate. I guess I'll have to look forward to that for next year because I am ready for warm weather!

Week 6 Workouts:


Monday- AM Elliptical/AM XFit
Tuesday- AM Swim/Lunch Boot Camp/PM XFit
Wednesday- AM Walk/Lunch Boot Camp
Thursday- AM Swim/ PM yoga video
Friday- AM Elliptical and walking/ PM Xfit
Saturday- AM Elliptical and walking
Sunday- Rest

Fasted Cardio Days = 6
Perfect Bricks = 6 (36 so far!)
Pushups= 270

Week #5

I selected this quotation about compassion because after yoga on Thursday at Quest, I spent some time reflecting on a passage that the fabulous Karen Kenney read. At the beginning and end of class (and quite often in the middle), Karen shares words of wisdom that have made me want to try to improve how I view life and treat others. One of the main things I took away from that evening was compassion. So many people forget about treating others with compassion. I am certainly guilty of putting myself first and not showing care or concern when people may need it the most. I think certainly in this election year, people of all backgrounds have lost sight of compassion. Some people are privileged and receive things because they are lucky--that is not their fault, but they should understand they are fortunate and show compassion for those who have not been dealt that same hand in life. Some people work hard and can never get ahead. But we are all humans. If we want to make out country better, we could start by being supportive to those in need because you never know when your life will change and you will need assistance in some form. Another thing that Karen has touched on is materialism. We are a society driven by this, in fact there was a riot outside a store over Nike galaxy shoes recently. Are you kidding me?! People care more about possessions than other human beings. Again, I am not excusing myself from being guilty of enjoying things. I love my Felt bike and my Iphone; however, I work a second job to have those luxuries and I am certainly not trampling over others to obtain those things. Thus, Henry David Thoreau's quote seems very fitting here: "It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly." Are you living freely and nobly? Or are you a slave to possessions?


OK, thoughtful reflection aside (I just felt the need to digress for a bit)...this week was about physical recovery from the half marathon on Sunday. As I mentioned at the bottom of my post last week, I was able to PR in the Half at the Hamptons. I finished in just under 2 hours and about 5 minutes faster than my time in 2010 Big Lake Half. I am happy because now that I have reached that goal, I can take a break from the long runs for awhile :) Monday, I was able to get up and go for a morning swim and evening crossfit class. It was Tuesday when the race exhaustion really hit me, so I rested that day. As the week progressed, I got some more energy back. Next week, I plan to again hone in on morning cardio and diet. I feel as though I could be approaching a plateau, but hopefully I can push through to the next level. The challenge is still on for another 9 weeks!

Week 5 Workouts:

Monday- AM swim/PM xfit (Bench, chins, and G Row)
Tuesday-Rest
Wednesday- AM Swim/ Lunch boot camp
Thursday-AM elliptical/PM yoga
Friday- AM elliptical/PM xfit (Press, G Row, Deadlifts)
Saturday- AM Swim/AM lifting (Squats)
Sunday- AM cardio (elliptical, arc trainer, 500m rowing, and walking)

Pushup weekly total = 240 pushups ( 5 sets of 8 for 6 days)
Bricks = 6, for a total of 30 perfect bricks in the wall!

Week #4

On Monday, I took my measurements and weighed myself for the first time in four weeks. As a frequent scale user, this was difficult, but lessened the pressure of the challenge on a day to day basis. The results of the first four weeks of the challenge were...drumroll... 3 inches and 5 lbs gone! Now, even though this seems small, I have to admit that I actually had already lost 10 lbs and dropped 2 clothing sizes since beginning crossfit in November, so this was actually solid progress for me. In fact, at this point, weight is not the focus--I am trying to tighten and define as much as possible, but hey, a few bonus lbs lost is fine by me :) The measurements are affirmation that I am doing all the right things. And believe me, I am. There are so many days when cutting carbs by 2pm sucks. I might just want a bag of chips after work, but instead I grab protein or veggies. At lunch, I dip fresh sweet peppers in salsa and pretend they taste as good as tortilla chips. Of course they don't, but being able to fit into all my clothes is much better than chips or cookies! Being able to deadlift 160lbs, complete 35 pushups a day, and destroy boot camp workouts at lunch...those are all so much better than a few minutes of snacking.

In the next few weeks I will actually be packing away a lot of clothes, not because they are too small, but because they are falling off me. I did not think at age 30 I would be in the best shape of my life, but that is where I am. Don't get me wrong, I have a LONG journey to reaching some of my goals (chin ups, lifting heavier weight, etc.); however, I have made some steady progress...24 perfect bricks complete at the end of week 4.

Tomorrow, I have my first half marathon since starting crossfit. I am curious to see how this will impact my time. My PR was 2:03:46 at Big Lake in 2010, so I am trying to beat that time! That race day was very cool and rainy. My focus had been on long runs with no weight training. I'll find out tomorrow if a different approach will be more effective. Even if it isn't, I am ok with that because I really would like to move away from the endurance races for awhile.

Week 4 Workouts:
Monday- AM Swim/AM XFit (Bench, Squats, and G Row)
Tuesday-AM Run & Walk/ Lunch Boot/ PM Xfit (Jerks and conditioning)
Wednesday-AM Elliptical/Lunch Boot
Thursday- AM Run & Walk / Lunch Boot/ PM yoga
Friday-AM Swim/ PM Xfit (Deadlifts, Press, and G Row)
Saturday- AM swim (isolated legs to focus on arms and rest legs for race tomorrow)
Sunday- Half Marathon

Weekly Pushup Total = 210
Fasted Cardio Workouts = 6
Pefect Menu Days = 6

Goals for week 5: add more burpees and chins

*New Update: PR at Hampton Half Marathon 629 59/149 F3034 LAURA SAXE 30 F 1274 Concord NH 1:58:33.8 9:01 *

Week #3

I've completed three weeks of the transformation challenge and am still feeling great! I had 6 more perfect bricks to add to my wall which puts my wall at 18 bricks. Not too shabby. Honestly, it was a relatively uneventful week. I did everything I was supposed to including my half marathon training. That race is next Sunday and I am eager to be done with long runs for awhile. Clearly, snowshoeing is not in the cards for this winter, so my focus after the Hampton half marathon will be a combination of crossfit at White Mountain Crossfit and Bikram yoga. I'm looking forward to incorporating more stretching into my week. Right now, I attend yoga class at Quest on Thursdays, but I am always up for more yoga! Next week it is time for more photos and measurements; I'll find out if my hard work is paying off so far!

Week 3 Wrap Up:


Monday- AM Swim/AM Xfit
Tuesday-AM run/walk/PM run
Wednesday- AM elliptical/lunch boot camp
Thursday- AM run/Lunch boot camp/PM yoga
Friday- AM elliptical/PM xfit
Saturday- AM run/PM run (8 miles total)
Sunday-REST