Milestones make me happy!

I can't believe that it's been 8 months since I started Crossfit, but the real shocker is that I am still going strong at it. I don't remember the last time I stuck to something this long and I am thrilled. As a Crossfiter there are many milestones we look forward to, one that I was patiently waiting for was being able to do a Handstand Push-up, and last week I finally did!!! Of course I had to get the prove on camera, and my coach was nice enough to get the action shot! That is one more RX move and one step closer to being able to compete even if it is on the scaled division!

I have to say that determination and consistency does pay off and boy am I happy. Next move to master are the kipping pull-ups... God that has taken me a long time!!! I can do one... but to do a sequence of them, oh how difficult it is...

My diet keeps being mostly Paleo, and I say "mostly" because I did fall off the wagon after moving to FL. The good thing is that in these things you just need to jump right back on it and in just a few days you can notice the difference, not only physically but in performance.

I LOVE being a Crossfiter and can't wait to master many more moves :)

XOXO
CM

Oh Sunny Florida!

Well people... I'm back in sunny Florida! Sunny indeed. This time around in much different terms. Great new job, sweet sweet place at the beach and a lot more freedom because of shared custody with Michael. In other words, life is pretty sweet!

I never thought I would say this when returning to Florida because most people that know me know I'm not a fan, but this time around I'm near the ocean and not the swamp and it seems to be making all the difference! My runs are along the beach, Crossfit has beach WODs and well, my place is SICK!

My job is super awesome, still Salesforce.com but just so much more flexibility. This company is truly ran as a technology company and working remotely is available without any issues. I live walking distance from the beach and Las Olas and the place is ridiculously amazing. I keep bragging about my balcony but people, IT'S THAT COOL! I have a balcony with lounge furniture in my room, when I work home I lay in the sun in the balcony in my bikini YOU CAN'T TOP THAT!

So now that we established the fact that I love where I live I can move on... Sophia is so happy to have Mommy & Daddy around, she is loving the change.

T came to visit from Atlanta and he is staying with me until Monday so we have awesome plans for the weekend, all chill and romantic! Tomorrow we are scheduled for a Sunset Paddle Boarding Tour on the Intercoastal and of course early morning Crossfit everyday! God I love a man that can lift! Dreamy :)

The rest will be all balcony, wine and home cooked paleo meals... Gotta love a Crossfit couple, the good thing? we are perfectly beach body ready!

That's all!
XOXO
CM

WHOLE30 Challenge

In the Crossfit community the most common diet (which is not a diet but more of a way of eating/lifestyle), is the Paleo Diet. This consists of no processed or refined foods also known as eating like a caveman! Meat, veggies and fruits. You can eat some unprocessed sugars like agave and raw honey, nut based flours and absolutely NO beans, grains and legumes and NO DAIRY!

There is a known strict Paleo challenge called WHOLE30 which eliminates ALL sugar and alcohol and I've been on it since January 1st. This combined with Crossfit 3-4 times per week has given me UNBELIEVABLE results in less than a month and I can't even describe how pleased I am!

I've been obsessed for quite a while with the idea of getting a 6 pack and honestly I was ready to quit, I was telling myself my body wasn't designed that way and the effort would be too great... Well I'm back on the 6 pack wagon! This diet is making it happen, with Crossfit of course :)

I will keep posting the progress and hopefully I won't derail. I am now allowing myself to drink once a week if I go out because come on, I need the alcohol! What would I do without wine??? But the pounds keep shedding and the core keeps getting stronger!

If you would like to know more about Paleo and what it entails follow HASHTAGpaleo on Instagram or 

Facebook. Great source for recipe ideas and motivation from the Paleo/Crossfit community :)

That's it for now!

XOXO

CM

Week 6 of Crossfit

It's been 6 weeks of finally doing something consistently, I am in love with this insanity and the results are amazing. Anyone that knows me understand how much of a milestone it is for me to maintain something like this for this long... I am not only in love with the WODs but I am in love with the amazing results. I am committed to keep this going as a life style and can't wait to see the transformation a few months down the road. 

The picture above was last week. I have NEVER EVER had abs defined, not in my twenties, not when I was running 5 times per week, not when I did bootcamps... NEVER!!! And look at this, they are starting to build in ONLY ONE MONTH!

What does one of these WODs look like you might ask? Well they vary daily but here is an example

Crossfit is definitely reshaping me in many ways, not only I find myself a lot more disciplined in my daily routine and diet (Paleo) but it has made me mentally stronger and helped me reach heights never before imagined. Pain tolerance? Geez, no pain, no gain! I am sore 24/7. But I feel happy and accomplished, I love this new lifestyle and body and I am looking forward to every bit of improvements. 

Little things that will make me happy? My first unassisted pull-up, my first handstand push-up, ring dips and the list can go ON and ON! I am so focused and determined! No more running, or silks or any distraction that could take me away from getting better and giving my best to this new love of mine. I am moving in only one direction, and that is FORWARD!

This is it for now... I think I might start a new blog just Crossfit related to log my WODs and track my progress, so keep your eyes open if you are curious!

XOXO

CM

And this is what's new...

It's been a while since my last post, and even though my life has been wonderful and interesting to say the least I haven't been very motivated to write. I usually use this blog to document progress is some sort of area in my life, whether it is nutrition, running,  etc. Well, I haven't been running, or cooking anything interesting lately but I did start an exciting new activity that I would love to journal about.

Three weeks ago I started the hardest workout I've ever tried in these 37 years of life, I started Crossfit! Out of curiosity and with the goal of not only slimming down but toning up I ventured into this very uncharted territory. I have ran plenty and tried different workouts that I've enjoyed but never really stuck to it long enough to see the results that I would like to see. Well, I have to say I don't think Crossfit is going to go the same way. 

I started this on October 29th, I've managed to go 4/5 times per week and all I can tell you is that people keep telling me how good I look. They don't quite notice what has changed but they can tell something is different. I have not lost much weight, but boy is my body reshaping and changing. My posture is so much better,  I can see where my deltoids end and biceps begins, my shoulders are looking great and I can even see a bit of traps!

Now let me stop bragging about results and start telling you about my experience. I love my "box" (CrossfitRX in Atlanta) - which is what fellow Crossfitters call the Crossfit Gym, the sense of community is amazing and you feel part of a group. As intimidating as it is to begin this journey I have to say that I've never felt more welcomed. 

Another GREAT quality about this place is how much time they actually take to teach you proper form and safety. They encourage you to reach your full potential without compromising your safety, always safety over weight! If heavier weights compromise your form then they will make you go with a lighter weight until you master the lift.

Bad Ass WODs is an understatement! I have male friends that have been doing this for 2 + years and when I show them our long WODs (at least one per week) they go WTF?!?!?!? This makes me want to run away, but I finish my WOD EVERY TIME! That is what makes this such a great workout, not only it makes you physically strong, but it gives you a mental strength and determination that not even long distance running has been able to do for me.

Every WOD is a challenge and when done EVERY TIME I feel like I conquered the world!

This is in a few words my experience so far, I will probably now that I feel more comfortable with the WODs start posting pics and talking more in depth about each workout. Honestly, I still walk into my Box every day scared to death and not knowing what to expect. The good thing is that every time I walk out with a great sense of accomplishment having reached heights never before imagined!

XOXO

CM 

My 37th!

So my birthday is coming up and I can’t help but recap my life and evaluate where I’m at and where I want to go and all I can say is that I can’t be any more grateful than what I am now. This year has been just wonderful, my life has done a 180 turn and I feel nothing but accomplished!

Here are some of the blessings received!

·         A new career that I love and that is very profitable

·         A new job where I almost doubled my salary and that allowed me to move to the city

·         Not only I moved to the city, but I moved to my favorite neighborhood downtown with an amazing school district and into the cutest little house. WINNING!

·         I met a man like no other I’ve been with before. Someone I am extremely happy to have in my life, which I admire and look up to and who has done nothing but teach me and enrich my life.

·         And last but not least, I am finally applying for my Citizenship this month! Can I say excited? I have been waiting for this moment for a LONG time. I can’t wait to have my US passport!

With that said there are still a few things I am working on, but my life’s improvement has been unbelievable in the last year. I am nothing but grateful and I want to thank all of the people that have had a positive influence in these changes!

Until next post!

XOXO

CM

I had company!

This weekend was my first week at the new place, and to celebrate I had company. My beau went camping over the weekend and I offered to keep Murphy with me. Murphy is the cutest boxer mix ever! We had a blast, my new neighborhood is super dog friendly and has all these running/walking paths that go for about 16 miles out. So Sunday morning we went for a 2 hour walk where he got to play with other dogs and exercise, we came back home, ate and took a nap and then waited for "A" to pick him up.

I ended up dropping off Murphy, we then went to the movies to see Savages, which I liked very much, stopped at our neighborhood for dinner and a bottle of wine and then back to his place for some alone time. It was a wonderful weekend and a wonderful date night.

I am really enjoying my new place, the neighborhood, life in the city and all these awesome changes that had happened in the last month or so. Life is good, so I think is time to change the name of this blog to something less melancholic and  more welcoming to this amazing life that I am very much enjoying.

I need to think about the new name, but the decision has been made. Even though I miss Chicago, it is no longer in the way I did. I don't ache to go back, I no longer want to change my present, I am no longer working towards going back, at least not any time soon. I am embracing change and this new life full of opportunities, a new career, a new relationship, a new place, all the things that I've prayed for are here! It was granted to me and even though they are not in Chicago i welcome them with excitement and arms wide open!

Embrace change and be grateful!

XOXO
CM