she lifts bro // my first olympic weight lifting compettion

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would compete in an Olympic Weightlifting competition... Remember one year ago? I didn't even think I was going to stick with crossfit. 

But now I'm obsessed, drinking the kool-aid, throwing weights around, and constantly trying to get a PR at each session. 

After a month of freaking out and training from an awesome Coach (Lincoln Brigham of Gryphon Strength and Conditioning), I did it - my first ever Oly Meet at the 2015 Dariotis Memorial Weightlifting Championships in Kent, WA. I had been to a few meets before -- but just as a spectator. This was my first one going as a participant, and I had the absolute best time. 

Nervous? You betcha pretty bottom dollar. I was terrified. 

I completed four out of six lifts, medaled and learned a lot about myself that day. I'm beyond thrilled to cross this off my bucket list, and look forward to training for my next one in a few months. 

I think, more than anything, the thrill and excitement of this competition was the fact I was trying something new - something I was afraid of. To be able to conquer one of my fears, get over it, and challenge myself was the most rewarding part.  

{ A few action shots from the mock-meet to prep for the big day }

{ Day of the Meet }

{ Celebrating our wins } 

No matter the challenge -- whether it'd be running a marathon, competing at a weightlifting competition, taking a photography class or figuring out how to make homemade pasta -- those moments when we're learning and pushing ourselves to try something new -- that's an incredible moment worth celebrating. 

What are you hoping to celebrate in 2015?

Cheers to you and your "celebration" moments this New Year, and wishing you the best!

xoxo

Photo cred: Coach Lincoln Brigham

celebrating one year of crossfit

One of my biggest accomplishments in 2014 was starting and committing to my crossfit journey. Remember when I first started as a crossfit newbie? It's crazy that it has been a year since I first joined Crossfit Belltown. So much has changed since then, and I've never been happier. I was scanning through my myWod app on my phone that I use to log all of my workouts, benchmarks, etc. and it's just mind blowing to see how much I've grown. I honestly can't imagine my life without it. I love it so much that I'm even training for my first olympic weightlifting competition! 

I mean it goes without saying that I'm obsessed with Crossfit (read more here), but it's more than just the crazy workouts. I've made great friends and met amazing, inspiring people through the gym. I admire them in and outside of the box, and am more than lucky to call them my friends. The 6 am crew who I affectionately call my crossfit family - are some of the most supportive folks I've met. No matter the time of day (I mean c'mon... it's 6 am peeps... it's still dark outside), and these folks are cheering, yelling and screaming with encouragement and excitement. Pretty spec-tac-u-lar! 

Well, here's to one year anniversary at Crossfit Belltown, and I'm beyond excited for many more years of WODing with the 6 am crew! 

How did you keep up with your fitness resolutions this past year?

xoxo

PS Check out the member spotlight my box did on me! I share my embarrassing secret for heavy lifts... 

why crossfit?

image via revie jane of crossfit babes

I know.. I know... It goes without saying. Peeps who do Crossfit talk about it all. the. time. *le sigh* 'Tis true. I'm addicted, and anytime I get a chance to proclaim my love for crushing weights... I gladly do so at the top of my lungs. No shame. 

So you ask... why? Why the hell do you put yourself through that?

How do you do it? // Aren't you scared? // Does it hurt? // Why do you do that to yourself?

Honestly, I don't know. There's so many factors. YES, I'm scared. Absolutely terrified. Right before every workout, I feel a crazy adrenaline rush and my heart goes pitter-patter at 10 billion miles a second as I wait for the clock to start. Even though my ass is handed to me after every class, and I'm sweating/sore/hurting like hell - I just come back for more. Maybe it's my personality, my strive for perfecting a certain lift or the desire to be better - that's fueling my passion. 

photo courtesy of coach lincoln

It's beyond the fact that I feel stronger, faster and better than I've ever felt in my life before. It's not just the fact that I can actually measure my performance, set benchmarks/goals and/or work towards achieving, as well as surpassing what I never thought my body could do. 

For me, Crossfit is about the community. Ehhh, you could argue it's semi-cult like... but it's a good cult, right? I admit - we all talk about how excited we are to go to the gym each day, complain when the next day's WOD isn't posted yet, and relish in the moment when we get to indulge in a cheat meal. 

But what's most important is that the sport is about supporting each other. It doesn't matter if the person next to you lifts 5x more weight and just finished his/her WOD. He/She is your cheerleader - motivating you to complete just one more rep or that extra burpee. No matter the caliber of the athlete - from a newbie to a Crossfit Games pro, the camaraderie and support has been overwhelming. I will never forget my first WOD during a Crossfit Basics class at CFBT, and I had 15 more box jumps to go. The cheering, clapping and "you go, girl" was what got me through it and had me coming back for more. 

Am I drinking the kool-aid? Maybe. But hey, don't judge it before you try it. Yes, it may be intimidating at first... but give it a go for a month, then try and tell me you don't love it. 

Accessorizing Life With: Crossfit Belltown's Kendra

happy morning // crossfit class + green juice

It was a bright and early morning today with a 6 am class and one of my favorite green juices to start the day. Today's WOD was rough - deadlifts, front squats and squat snatches have my legs feeling like jelly and my arms sore... but totally worth it, right?

One of the reasons why I continue to push myself at Crossfit (even when my legs are about to give out) are the amazing coaches at my box. One in particular is Kendra. A fellow Lululemon obsessed, RxBar junkie - she inspires me to be a better crossfitter, and I can push through the hardest WODs with her coaching and cheering.

As such, I thought it'd be more than appropriate to feature Kendra of Crossfit Belltown as part of my "Accessorizing Life With" series, because I've learned over the past few months that Crossfit has become more than just a workout for me. It's one of my vital accessories for a happy, healthy life.

Hope you all enjoy meeting, Kendra!

Who inspired you to try Crossfit?
Chris Spealler. I met him at the same rec center I worked at in Utah. He was the only athlete to go to the Crossfit Games 6 years in a row. Also, the first movement that really got me going was the Kipping Pull-up. It's so incredible what your body can do when you push and challenge it.

Why Crossfit?
I've had friends who've done Barre, and I used to be a former spin instructor. Those are all great workouts, but I've felt the strongest and most confident with Crossfit. Crossfit movements are more practical and applicable to every day life. You learn to lift things properly - whether that be a box or a baby.

What are your favorite gym outfit accessories?
Leg warmers + Lululemon sport bras.

Favorite Crossfit Movement: Clean + Jerk

Favorite WOD: Mary (push-ups + pistols + pull-ups)

Top Three Songs for a Good Workout:
Dark Horse by Katy Perry // I Don't Dance by DMX // Talk that Talk by Rihanna

What is your morning routine? (What are the must-dos for a successful day?)
Coffee - lots of it. Eggs and almond butter. And of course, a positive attitude.

image via

Over the time that you've been Crossfitting - what's the most rewarding experience you've had?
I've been doing Crossfit for about 2 years, and the most rewarding experience is that moment when you meet your personal goals. It's even more amazing when you exceed those goals farther than you thought possible.

image via

Crossfit in Three Words: Fun. Rewarding. Challenging.

Thanks Kendra for being a part of  the"Accessorizing Life With" series!

xoxo

for the love of yoga pants.

Before I share with you my ode and overwhelming love for yoga pants, one quick crossfit update. I'm beyond proud of the fact that I've recently tested out of my basics class and now get to take the same class as my main squeeze! I've traded a dowel for some more barbell work, and I look forward to how I'll improve in all of the lifts and gain more confidence in the gym! 

So what help gets me through a crossfit workout?

• lemon water for hydration 
• the coconut cacao Rxbar for a burst of energy and fuel 
• my nike 'free bionic' training shoes, my pair of choice to help me stay in my heels during lifts and squats
• and most importantly, the perfect pair of yoga pants/capris

Personally - if I could wear yoga pants every day for the rest of my life, I would be a happy camper. I know, I know... it's a bit ridiculous of a statement. But seriously... tell me, would you want to switch to a pair of jeans after wearing comfy, stretchy pants?

Whether it's crossfit class or running errands on the weekend, I absolutely relish those moments when I get to prance around in my beloved pants. My favorite pair? Any of the run inspire crops or wunder unders by Lululemon. I wholeheartedly admit, I have a Lululemon obsession. It's an expensive one, but oh so worth it.

My recent purchase - the run inspire crop II capris in the black/quilt spring print. Mesh venting keeps the back of my knees and calves cool while I'm jumping on boxes and sprinting. Chafe resistant flat seams also help ensure that I'm comfortable during my entire class - so my focus is solely on the workout and not on any surprise camel toes or itchy irritation spots. Maybe that was a bit of a TMI, but hey... those are legit concerns.

run: inspire crop II :: lululemon

Another pair of yoga pants that I have my eye on include these beautiful Zella 'Streamline' Live In Leggings - love the bright pattern!

Below are a few other pairs and more to consider for your workout wear:

one month check-in: my crossfit journey.

image via

This week marks one month of my crossfit journey, and I'm more than thrilled to share with you my progress! Never in my life did I think I would be able to complete such strenuous and high intensity workouts. I just feel so strong and empowered... like I can conquer the world. The fact that I can now lift large weights over my head or run through 150 burpees - it just wants to make me cry with so much happiness.

Within just a few short weeks, I've already lost a few inches off my waist and some beloved pairs of jeans in my closet got a good 'ole hug the other day when I was able to squeeze my butt back in them. But it's not just fitting into cute clothes... it's the fact that I really learned what "work + life balance" really meant. I had made countless excuses before - saying that I didn't have time to get healthy because I was so busy with work. Those excuses no longer exist now, and I'm happier than I've ever been.

Enough with my sappy - "I'm a converted crossfitter" overload, it's not just the workouts that have helped me get healthy again... it's my eating habits, too. I've always been a "green" eater I'd say, since I was formely known as the "rabbit snacker" in college. Yup, I was "that weird girl" who ate a ziplock bag of spinach instead of chocolate chip cookies at our study hall. However, I realized my crazy consumption of veggies wasn't going to cut it. I would have to rid myself of the sweet decadence in my life - the unforgivable macarones and other sweet treats. It's been said that working out is only 10% of getting into shape and that eating right is 90%. And so began my mesh of diets...

I've been channeling a Paleo-Zone-like diet but allowing some dairy products like goat cheese, Greek yogurt and coconut milk. It's a weird combo... but I'm super strict about not eating carbs... you've got that right. This girl's not eating any pasta, pizza, bread, tortilla wraps, etc. To cope with my cravings, I've tried a few substitutes like cauliflower rice instead of white/brown rice and mashed sweet potatoes instead of mashed Yukon potatoes. Of course, there's the weekly cheat meal - not to be confused with a cheat day, as I'm only cheating on one meal for that day... Reason why? I'm terrified of getting sick from an overload of food that my body is not used to consuming on a daily basis.

My current food gurus whom I tap for meal inspirations (because cooking paleo can only get so interesting...): Against All Grain, Nom Nom Paleo and PaleOMG. Otherwise, I just end up blending everything in my oh-so-dear Vitamix and call my favorite green juice a meal.

So there you have it - this girl's changed for the better. Working out and eating clean - we'll be saying "hello" to some abs and a cute bikini come this summer!

Thinking of trying crossfit or signing up for a new healthy workout plan?

Would love to hear your thoughts below!

xoxo

In case you missed it, here's my first crossfit blog post as a little newbie!

work it: a crossfit newbie.

As some of you may have seen via Instagram, I've recently taken up Crossfit. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would start an intensive workout class such as that... I've always thought of dabbling in Pure Barre and the like, but my main squeeze (and Mama Nguyen) convinced me that it was time I needed more than just ballet movements and yoga-lates to get my butt back into gear.

The Honest Truth
For the past year and a half, my daily exercise went from two runs a week to zero... nada .. zilch. I became a couch potato... blaming that "I didn't have time to work out." Making excuses that I needed to work late and that morning workout classes were a problem because I wake up at 5:30 am everyday for work, etc. The list continues, and next thing I know, I've gained about 12ish pounds. My clothes didn't fit like they used to.. and those beautiful pink pleated pants I wore two summers ago have remained in the back of my closet - taunting me and my extra flab.

Taking the Challenge
My main squeeze, on the other hand, (I swear) has like zero body fat and praised crossfit as the best workout he's ever done... pretty much begging me to give it a try. I'm not going to lie - it's absolutely freaking intimidating. After about 3 months of back and forth "I'm going to try it.. No I'm not.. I don't know about this" - I signed up.

Survived my first crossfit class this past Thursday, and barely made it out alive after my first bootcamp class last night. My legs always feel like jello after class, and my arms... don't even get me started on how sore my arms are. Did I mention it's difficult to bend my legs? Does it basically hurt like hell? YES.

 BUT it is so damn worth it. 

With just two classes, I'm already feeling much better about myself and have gained a whole new sense of confidence. All the crossfit language that I was puzzled and scared about (kipping pullups, burpees, medicine drills, etc.)... it's all beginning to stick, too. My crossfit journey has just begun, and I'm really looking forward to seeing and sharing my results with you. 

Are you into crossfit? 

What have you been doing to stay active?

Would love to hear all your tips (healthy recipes, too) in comments below!

xoxo