The First Rule Of Crossfit
Is we don’t talk about it…
Well, we almost never talk about it. Unless, we’re talking about it. Which can be often and with the wrong people.
My Crossfit journey started almost 3 years ago. I’d like to tell you it was a graceful entrance and that it was instantly life changing but it was. Life changing. The graceful part was anything but — a long list of foibles that my ignorance and ego let get in the way, resulting in a couple of minor incidences in the first 6 months.
I survived. In spite of all the detractors — those people around me who believed they had my best interest at heart telling me how dangerous and stupid the activity was. It didn’t seem to matter that I was overweight, dealing with health issues that made walking up a set a stairs or climbing out of bed an ordeal. It also never seemed to strike their radar when I took a long drag on a cigarette or amused them with my drunken anecdotes on life. No, their concern started when I partook in an activity that to outsiders is right up there with skydiving or swimming with sharks.
Now I don’t want to get all preachy about why I do the sport that is and honestly, our circles — those people that started out with me — hardly ever talk about it anymore. We go about our lives and social gatherings discussing everything but. I remember a time when we gorged on discussion of Crossfit and the euphoria of our new found cult. I guess at some point we realized there was no one else to convince — we drank the kool-aid and we were good with it.
The other night at a function, I was talking to a friend about health. She’s looking after her mom who is having many issues and to compound her woes, is herself overweight and dealing with severe back problems. She’s a couple of years younger and can see where her choices are leading. “I’m worried that as I get older, simple tasks like getting off the toilet are going to be difficult…”
You may think it a bizarre comment to make at a social gathering but if it’s on your mind, it’s a real and valid concern. “It may be time to consider a lifestyle choice” I said. I could hear the voice, the words coming out and felt like smacking myself “Crossfit can save you…” and there it was. I spent the better part of 5 minutes preaching the benefits and how it changed my life and how it could change hers. I recognized immediately that while her curiosity was peaked, it was unlikely she would be signing up for an onramp anytime soon. I know because I could see her in me at the first suggestion of joining back in the winter of 2012.
What I didn’t talk about unfortunately, is the bigger issue. That of diet. It’s possible that it crossed my mind for a moment but that’s always a more difficult conversation to have. It’s easy to own a sedentary lifestyle — 50 hour work week, chores, someone to look after, downtime and where do you fit in an exercise regiment? A person’s eating habits — that’s something entirely different. If you’re overweight, you need to own that and until you do, change won’t come soon. Discussing someone’s lifestyle can cross too many lines and no matter how good your intentions — it’s simply not worth offending a friend, even if it means potentially saving them.
My aunt is morbidly obese. She’s in denial. We’ve all listened to the proclamations — the challenges shared about her new exercise regiment and healthier eating. I’ve witnessed a once vibrant, happy lady turn into a bitter shell of her former self. This is a person that once went to painstaking lengths to feed her family organic, grew her own vegetables, canned food and never had a drop of sugar in the house. The writing is on the wall and it’s difficult to watch her hobbling around, knowing there is an amazing person still inside that would probably love the opportunity to turn back time and come out and play.
At 60 years of age, it’s doubtful we’ll see that once vibrant young woman again. Not that it isn’t possible, it’s just that certain addictions can’t be overcome so easily. And we know that fear is driving more people to not step out of their comfort zone and to nestle in with what they know — and sugar, unfortunately is that drug of choice.
I deal with my addiction every day. The cravings get worse at moments of inactivity — those times where life gets in the way and days go by without hitting the weights. My mood is affected and I almost immediately reach for sugar. It gives a momentary reprieve but never addresses the issue and the fix puts me on an emotional rollercoaster that only seems to be cured with a dose of chocolate or what ever confectionery goodness is close by.
There’s little doubt in my mind that the feeling is very close to alcoholism and potentially every bit as dangerous, physically. The cravings are real and for someone like myself — a label reader and reformed addict — I’ve learned what to stay away from. I know what I have to stay away from. If you’re an addict in denial; you don’t have a chance.
Sadly, too many people are victims of an industry that is designed to keep them from getting off the drug. Sugar is everywhere and when multi-million dollar contracts are being paid to super star athletes to endorse products under the guise that they’re healthy, those who have the most to lose generally do. You only have to look at the major sponsors for the Olympics to see how messed up it all is. Does anyone really think elite athletes make Coke a part of their daily routine???
My addiction is never going away. I know that. I deal with that demon every day. Fortunately, my Crossfit support group is amazing and the drive to stay healthy through my fifties and as I move towards my sixties keeps me from going back. Yes, I’m going to fall down from time to time but at least I know and understand the relationship to good mental health, diet and exercise. Nothing can pick you up off the ground better than a sound thrashing in the gym. Nothing can keep you balanced like a healthy meal and a tall refreshing glass of water. Everything after that is simply — moderation.
Please, I beg of you. If you’ve read this far then watch the video shared below. It’s a link from Crossfit’s founder Greg Glassman and he talks about the soda industry and how there’s a war on to keep you chronically ill. Even if you’re not a fan of Crossfit, this is an important message that everyone needs to hear.
Please pass it on.
