"First: What It Takes to Win" by Rich Froning [Book Review]

As someone who loves fitness, I am also a strong supporter of CrossFit. I have nothing but respect for individuals who continuously challenge not only their physical capabilities, but also their mental capacities as well. It is no easy feat completing one CrossFit Workout of the Day (WOD), much less competing in and winning the Crossfit Games. That admiration is only one of the reasons why I look up to the many Crossfit athletes, and in particular, Rich Froning Jr. Rich began as a CrossFit unknown who did not even imagine making it past the first day of the CrossFit Sectionals in 2010. But by the end of it all, he was runner-up to the 2010 Fittest Man on Earth, Graham Holmberg. And from then on, he only went up.

But much like many other fans, I only knew Rich Froning as the "CrossFitter." As the dark horse turned number one target. As the two-time Fittest Man on Earth. So when he released his autobiography titled First: What It Takes to Win on June 21st, 2013, it only took me a couples days before I downloaded the e-book version onto my Kobo. And after taking only another couple days to finish reading it, I can say that I admire Rich for more than being an extremely talented athlete. I admire him for his hard work, his ambition, his drive, and his passion to serve the Lord. I am not a religious person, but I do believe in Rich's message that there is more to life than serving yourself. And there is more to Rich Froning Jr. than the title of the Fittest Man on Earth.

To keep from spoiling the book, I'll keep the summary brief. It began with a foreword written by Dave Castro, Co-Director of CrossFit, and soon launched into the story that changed the life of Rich Froning. If you want to know what that is, you better read the book!

Following that, Rich organized his book in a fairly chronological way. First included narratives about how his childhood, and his family has contributed to who he is today. It was nice that Rich was not afraid to invite the reader into reliving the personal struggles that he faced. There was also in-depth retelling of his journey that eventually led to competing in three CrossFit Games, and the recollection of each stage of the competitions. Although Rich did a great job in defining CrossFit terms, I felt that an average gym-goer, or someone unfamiliar with these movements would not have truly understood the tenacity of those workouts.

In addition to insight into "Rich the CrossFitter", he also explained his journey to spirituality. Often when authors discuss religion, it comes off as being too "preachy." But that was not the case here. Instead, it felt more like Rich was merely talking about what he believed in, and why.

The latter sections of the book talked a bit about his gym, CrossFit Mayhem, and his workout "routine," and diet. And to cap it all off, First was sealed with pictures and some other CrossFit related information regarding definitions and classic workouts.

Overall, it was an interesting and fairly easy read. As someone who has watched many interviews of Froning, it comes as no surprise that Rich Froning is a genuine guy who worked his ass off to get to where he is today. Much like other athletes, he is competitive, but at the same time he is also humble about his success.

To those interested, Rich has once again captured a spot to compete in the 2013 CrossFit Games. This year's games are held from July 22-28, so don't forget to tune in! There's nothing more motivating than watching amazing individuals give it their all in each and every workout.

I'll leave you with a quote from Chapter 21 (page 7 of 14): "Every day begins with the potential of learning something new about myself-- that ability to say, 'You mean I could have been doing this the whole time?'"

Until next time,

C

The Lack of Motivation is an Excuse for the Weak

I often get asked how I stay so disciplined in terms of eating healthy and exercising regularly. The secret to this, which really isn't a secret, is my commitment to this lifestyle. I believe that one of the purposes in life is to become the strongest version of yourself-- mentally, emotionally, physiologically and physically. And because of this belief and my passion to achieve this, I am committed and dedicated to rolling my sleeves up and putting in the work. The key words here are "committed" and "dedicated."

Commitment and dedication to achieving your goals is the only way you'll ever succeed.

There is often a lot of talk about needing motivation, be to obtain it from people, events, music, you name it. And yes, motivation is important to get you started. You have to want it. However, motivation is not what keeps you going. Commitment and dedication is.

I frequently hear people complaining about having a lack of motivation to workout, or a lack of motivation to put in the work to reach their goals. But that's nothing more than an excuse to justify the reason they're failing. You don't need to be motivated 24/7. If that was the case, nobody would ever achieve anything. Rather, you need to visualize your end goal, and understand why you're putting yourself through this struggle. If you can't figure that out, there is no way you're going to stick with it.

For myself, I've always been a competitive person who strives to be better than everyone else. But about three months ago, something in me clicked and I realized that I wanted to be better. I no longer wanted to only beat others, I wanted to beat myself. I wanted to hammer the weak out of me, so to speak. This does not just encompass being physically fit, but also mentally, emotionally, and physiologically as well. I wanted to further challenge myself. I wanted to push myself beyond the realms of what I think I'm capable of and into what I never knew I was capable of. I want to become the strongest possible version of myself. That's the goal. That's the reason why I am committed to this lifestyle.

With that in mind, there are obviously times when I don't feel like working out, or when I would rather opt for unhealthy choices. But because I am committed to this process, and I am dedicated to constant self-improvement, I resist these temptations. There have been cold and rainy mornings where my body ached, and I couldn't mentally convince myself to want to get out of bed and to want to put myself through a gruelling workout that I know is going to be tough. But I do it anyways. When you're committed to something, it means doing it even when you don't feel like it. It means putting aside your feelings, and getting it done.

So yes, I think the cry for the need for "motivation" to workout, or to achieve anything in life, is an excuse made by the weak-- it is a cop out.

I hope you all have something you're striving for. But no matter what, don't give up. Don't cop out. If you're going to do something, give it your all. Otherwise, there's really no point starting in the first place.

Until next time,

C

Unpacked: Powerscore LSAT Bibles

After much anticipation, my Powerscore LSAT Bible Trilogy finally arrived earlier today! It took exactly one week, so good job Amazon.ca for being on time!  

Anyways, I just thought I would share that, and I guess I'll have to start digging away at the material. It's been suggested that the best way to study for the LSAT is to be around it a lot. So that's exactly what I plan on doing for the next 8 months. I'm aiming for the February test, so we'll see how it goes.

If you are currently studying for the LSAT, planning on taking it, or have already taken it, let me know! I want to get connected with you all!

Well, until next time.

C

PS if you're trying to decide which LSAT books to buy, I've been told by a few that the Powerscore bibles are the way to go. If you can't find any used ones (much like how I wasn't able to), then check out Amazon. I got all three books for $135. PLUS there were no shipping/handling fees! If I had purchased these three books off of the Powerscore website, it would've costed $145, and that's not even factoring taxes or shipping/handling fees. The following is going to be an expensive ride, so gotta save where you can! 

Motivation Monday (Video)

VIDEO: Girls Can Do It Too! -- Female Workout Motivation

This is one of those videos that pumps you up, and gets you ready to kill your workout!

The Difference Between DOMS and Injury

Hello again!

I'm currently experiencing DOMS (Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness) in my legs, so I thought it would be a good idea to talk a little bit about the difference between DOMS (which is essentially muscle soreness after a workout) and an injury.

Again, I am not an expert, but I have had experience dealing with sports-related injuries and I have also obviously experienced muscle soreness. To give a little bit of background before I go on, I was involved in five different sports/athletic teams during all five years of my high school experience. I participated in basketball, volleyball, track, cross-country, and soccer. And like many high school athletes, I had my share of injuries, which ranged from my jammed fingers, to my twisted knee, to my ankle sprains. And since high school I have remained active by running, doing HIIT, and lifting weights. Anyways, I hope that bit of information gives you an idea of where most my fitness experience comes from.

Okay, let's move on. Do be aware that it may be difficult to distinguish between DOMS and an injury. Most medical research out there says that DOMS lasts for 24-72 hours, and anything after may require attention, such as a strain, etc. Although that may be true for some people, that time frame is not accurate for all. There have been times after an intense workout where I experienced DOMS for 4-5 days, but that does not mean I injured myself. The rule I like to follow is to give it a week. If after a week it is still bothering you, then you might want to get it checked out. But of course, if the pain is really bad and it has only been a couple days, do what you need to do to give yourself the peace of mind that everything is all right.

I think the most important way for gauging whether you are experiencing muscle soreness or if you have sustained an injury is to get a feel for your body. I know that sounds like a holistic approach, but it's true. Often people say "no pain, no gain," which is true to an extent. But, especially to someone who is just getting into exercising, that pain could very well be something more serious. Yet at the same time, you also need to be cautious of not being too timid about pushing yourself harder. By getting a better feel for your body, and listening to what your body is telling you, you will be able to find the balance between pushing yourself to the edge, but not so much that you're falling over and hurting yourself.

NOTE: DOMS is not an excuse to not workout. In fact, some cardio may actually help with blood flow, which in turn, helps relieve some muscle soreness. A few other effective ways for relieving soreness is to stretch, use a foam roller, and/or get a massage. Some people do take tylenol or the like to help with the pain, but to be honest, it's really not necessary. But that's just my opinion.

Anyways, I hope that spiel gives you a better understanding of the difference between DOMS and injuries, and do let me know if you have any questions.

Until next time.

C

Gluten-free Diet: Yay or Nay?

Hello again!

Someone asked me on twitter today about the benefits of the gluten-free diet/lifestyle that has gained tremendous popularity over the last little while. And of course, I thought it would be a good topic to blog about.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert. In fact, I am not even a science student. However, my knowledge about fitness, and in this case, evaluating the gluten-free diet is based on research, and my own experiences. With that said, there should also be mention that research on the health benefits of the gluten-free is still inconclusive. Nevertheless, there are indications of such benefits.

First off, what is gluten? Simply put, it is an ingredient in main types of grains that about 50-70% of the population are sensitive to. However, most people are not aware of this. An acronym to remember what contains gluten is BROWS, which stands for barley, rye, oat, wheat, and smelt. There are other products that contains gluten, but these are the primary ones.

Now, how does gluten sensitivity affect us? Well for most, it causes digestive problems. One example is from strength coach/strongman Elliott Hulse. Prior to eliminating gluten from his diet, he was a very gassy guy, which did affect his life. However, after doing some research and deciding to eliminate gluten from his diet he realized that the ill-timed farting stopped. And of course, Elliott is just one of the many who did not even realize they had gluten sensitivity.

Okay, let's talk a little bit about the health benefits of eliminating, or reducing the amount of gluten you consume. Let's say you are not sensitive to gluten, but are still interested in what this lifestyle can do for you. The main health benefit is that it is reducing/eliminating the consumption of a lot of the chemicals that are used in modifying most products that contain gluten. In particular, you would be avoiding many types of processed foods, which are not good for you. So from the health standpoint, it makes sense.

Another reason why some people choose to adopt it is to lose weight. Do note that there has not been enough research to back this claim. However, just from looking at the foods you are eliminating, which are mainly processed foods, and bad carbs, you're looking at an increase in the consumption of goods carbs, ie more fruits/vegetables. With that said, I am definitely not saying that this will help you lose weight. I am against "diets." I prefer "lifestyle." It is impossible to lose weight or to maintain a healthy body by merely adopting a temporary solution. It needs to be a lifestyle change. And of course, although fitness is dependent primarily on what you eat, about 20% of that is also dependent upon being active. But let's not go into that. At least not for now. Perhaps I'll write a post another time about my thoughts on fitness and healthy living, and what I do to become the strongest version of myself.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this very brief summary on the benefits of adopting a gluten-free diet, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Until next time.

C

Mom Rant

My mother drives me insane.

I'm guessing that I'm probably not alone in that sentiment. I love her, I really do. But there are times when I feel like I have to consciously remind myself of that just to keep my anger from boiling over. I know she cares, and I know she just wants what's best for me, but there are certain things that I cannot stand.

The main one is the fact that she just doesn't listen. She would ask questions, but she never stops to hear what the answer is. It really bugs me, and often leads me to adopt a poor attitude, which really shouldn't happen. Unfortunately it does. And the more she doesn't listen, the less inclined I am to want to share things with her. It pushes me to not want to tell her things, or to delay giving her new information just so I could avoid, at least for a little while, having a conversation that just spins around in circles. I mean, that was one of the main reasons why I waited five hours before I finally told her about my job offer.

And another thing? She thinks she knows me. But she doesn't. That may sound harsh, but the fact is, no one really knows me. I keep to myself too much to let that happen. I'm too much of a private person for anyone to get close enough to understand who I really am. I guess part of that is on me. However, it still bugs me when she makes decisions on my behalf, or tells people things based on her assumptions about my reactions, etc. Again, I know she is trying to do what she thinks is best for me. But sometimes what she thinks is best is not what I think is best.

Regardless though, I still love her very much. She is probably one of the strongest and most selfless woman I know. She's amazing. And yes, there are things she does that annoys me, just like there are probably things that I do that annoy her, but I wouldn't change a thing about her. I know that the day these little things stop will be one of the worst days of my life. As much as it bugs me, it just wouldn't be the same without them-- it wouldn't be her. I honestly could not have asked for a better mother, and I can proudly say that I probably have one of the best mothers in the world-- if not the best.

Go tell your mother you love her. Give her a hug, a phone call, a visit. Because she's not going to be around forever.

Until next time.

C

Free Will or Determinism?

Hello again,

Today, I received an email for an employer that I have been waiting for for the past few months. In waiting, I had exhausted most of the options I had available to make this summer productive. However, I failed. And just when I accepted the reality that I was going to spend the next few months doing absolutely nothing, I got that email.

It's funny. I'm usually a very logical and rational person. I believe that, for the most part, I have the freedom to act in whichever way I please, and those actions dictate the subsequent consequences that will occur. However, there are times like these when I feel like I don't have that control-- times when I wonder if things are predetermined. I've taken a couple philosophy classes before, and no doubt the topic of free will vs determinism is something I am very interested in. However, it is also something I struggle to understand. So bear with me as I try to unravel my thoughts.

The situation above may not be the best example for explaining free will vs determinism, but it does touch upon it. I had done everything in my power to make this the summer that I can look back on and be proud of. I had look forward to gaining valuable work experience, and just learning. But when I failed to receive any indication that that was going to happen, I went out of my way to still try to achieve what I had set out to. I applied for jobs, I did my best to secure something-- anything. But that never happened. It's almost as if my efforts were wasted. I would even go as far as saying that perhaps I was bound to get that email, but not until that predetermined time. Yes, you can say that there are many actors and factors that may have contributed to why my efforts did not pan out, or why that email was delayed. But it does not change the possibility that everything that happens to us happens for a reason.

I guess it would be easy to claim that every time we do not get what we want that it is because things are predetermined, and that better things are going to come our way. That almost sounds foolish to me. Naive even. But if you look at it from a much deeper level, you begin to question whether everything that has happened to you has in fact happened because that's the way the world spins, or if those things have happened for a reason.

Take my parents' divorce, for example. I believe that the decision to separate was one of free will by the both of them. Or at least to some degree. However, I do not believe that the impact it had on me, or my brothers was one of free will. Everyone reacts to situations differently. For me, I started leading a life that I cannot even believe I did. Looking back, I cannot help but feel so blessed for having accomplished all that I have. If it were not for that breakdown, I would not have met some amazing people, I would not have become captain of my basketball team, I would not have won awards for my achievements... I could go on. I just would not be the person that I am. I understand that psychologists may say that it is because people respond differently-- some people flourish, and some people flop. I was one of the lucky ones. But can I truly attribute all that to myself? To my own free will? Probably not. The decision that propelled to where I ended up was my decision in grade 8 to try out for the volleyball team. I didn't even like volleyball, but I had been encouraged by a friend. I still wasn't sold on the idea, but I did it anyways. And from there, it slowly snowballed until I was in my final year of high school with lots of friends-- both peers and with administrators; and also academic and athletic achievements. I had it all. But if it were not for that one split decision, I would not have ended up where I was. So was that really free will? Did I just luck out? Or was all that planned? I guess I'll never know.

Well, that's enough pondering for now. Until next time.

C

REPOST: Like a Father (Dec. 2, 2010)

This is another repost from a while back. Just another story I'd like to share. 

"Everyone leaves footprints in your memory, but the ones that leave footprints in your heart are the ones you will truly remember."

- Nicholas Sperling

I finally found the time to visit my old high school principal today. He got transferred to another high school (from the one I graduated from) this year, and fortunately he stayed until I graduated last year. With the changes happening-- him changing schools and me graduating-- I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be to stay in touch. Today was the first time I've seen him in about six months. The last time I saw him, I had tears streaming down my face because the reality that my journey through high school-- the place that I've grown so accustomed to-- was ending. 

Today, as I sat in his new office, I began reminiscing about the good old days. We talked for over an hour and during that time we updated each other on our new environments, things about our families, our lives. It was so easy to talk to him, and it took me right back to before when I would sit in his office, just talking. He was such a big part of my high school experience, he made high school memorable. Not every principal takes the time out to really get to know their students, not every principal cares. I think the one thing that really stuck in my mind that he said today was that me leaving high school can be paralleled to me leaving his life. "It's like you've been kicked out of my life." At this moment that I am writing this, tears are filling my eyes because I know how true that is. I don't want it to be happening, but it is. I miss him so much. He is honestly one of the few people I can be completely truthful with, the only person that really understands me. I can't even properly explain the joy I felt in seeing him again, in finally having the chance to talk to him. There were so many things that were said, and it was at that moment that I knew I can't let him out of my life, I just can't.

My parents are divorced, and each have remarried. I have a father and a stepfather. But neither of them have truly embodied the role of a father figure as he has. I'm not saying that they're not incredible people, it's just not the same. Starting university and venturing off on a new life, with everything that he's taught me, is such an exciting thing to do. But at the same time, it makes me realize that we can't always look forward. In no means should be dwell on the past, but I have to remember that the past has made me who I am. That the past will always be a part of me. I don't want to let go of someone that I care about so deeply because I am too focused on reaching whatever my destination is in the future. He has done so much for me and my family, and I just don't want him out of my life.

It's amazing how one conversation can completely change my entire outlook. I know what I need to do, what and who I want in my life. I need to make the effort to make sure that he stays in my life because he's someone that I never want to lose. I want to see him sitting in the audience when I graduate from university, I want him to be at my wedding, I want to keep him in my life. After four years of knowing each other, from the time he served as our basketball sponsor in grade nine to being someone I appreciate so much now, I know deep down in my heart that he'll always be there. Regardless of if we lose touch for a while. But I don't want that. I want to keep in around for as long as I can.

This man. He's amazing. He's just like a father to me.

C

REPOST: It's just not worth it (Nov. 4, 2010)

I wrote this a couple years back on another blog, and I thought I'd repost it. It's a good read.

We all have those moments when we overreact, when we allow our emotions to blind our rationality. There are times when we think our lives are over because of what is going on. But when we look back on it, it never seems to be that big of a deal. It may even be silly. When I was seven years old, my parents got divorced. I didn't go over the stereotypical stages of anger, depression or rebellion. I just accepted it. But deep down, I know it hurt me. I've always been mature for my age, I've always been able to cope with the most unfavourable events. I don't think I really started to realize how my parents' divorce got to me until I grew older. I love both of my parents, and I just knew that getting separated was the best thing for them. And it has been. During this time, my world was being torn apart, my life was being reassembled. And what was happening somewhere else, in the same city, during this time? Someone was killed by a car. A kid.

I just learned that when my friend was seven, he saw his best friend dying in front of him. A seven year old. People die everyday, but the life of a child? The last breathe of a little boy expiring being witnessed by his friend? This was the point my friend was forced to grow up, the point he realized that life is so fragile. All the arguments that seven year olds have, all the joy, everything; it was taken from him that day. All the while I thought my life was falling apart, someone else's was, literally. At the same time my family separated and my life was torn in two, someone else was being permanently separated from his family and his life was over.

It just amazes me how selfish humans are. It's so cliche to say that we take things for granted, that we rarely appreciate all the people in front of us, but it's the truth. Does that fight really matter? Is money really an issue? Are you really willing to let things that are so insignificant compared to the sacredness of life slip by because you're too stubborn to see what is right in front of you? Sometimes, whatever it is that's going on, whatever problems are happening, whoever is being stupid, it's just not worth it. 

C

I'm Back.... Again.

Hello Internet friends,

I cannot believe it has been more than a year since I have last written a blog post. Time sure flies. I am back though. For real this time. I initially started this blog with the intention of focusing on running. But there's so much more to my life than that. I love health and fitness, but I'm also someone who is "always in her head." A "thinker" I've been told. So because I constantly have so many thoughts running through my mind-- sometimes insightful, mostly weird-- I think I'm going to start writing more. I mean, I already keep a journal, but it never hurts to share some of my thoughts with the world. Or the odd unknown who happens to accidentally stumble upon this page.

You know what's interesting though? I write as if I'm speaking to an audience. But in reality, this "audience" is probably the same person staring back at me in the mirror. Regardless though, I just love writing. To be honest, I've always been intrigued by journalism. By the possibility of writing for a living. I can't explain why I've never really pursued it. But it's never too late to try now.

Anyways, I guess I should introduce myself. I mean, if you're still reading this, that means there's a chance that you'll stick around, right? I hope so.

Well, I am a 20-year-old (21 in a few weeks!) student who is still trying to figure out what the heck she wants to do with her life. Law school, teaching, journalism... those are only a few of the options that I am currently contemplating. Although I am still undecided about what I want to do with my career, there is one thing I do know. I know that no matter what job I choose to do, it is going to be something that I am going to love waking up in the morning to do, and that is is something that is going to change lives. As cliche as it sounds, all I want to do with my life is to make a difference. Even if it is in just one person's life. Even if it is for just one moment.

I know my introduction is vague, but I hope that it has intrigued some of you enough to want to read what else I have to say. And as for my name? That's not important. At least not for now.

Wow, I didn't realize I had written so much, so that is probably long enough for now. I have a million topics that I want to write about right this second. But maybe another time. This feeling that I'm getting, this excitement over what I want to talk about-- this is why I love writing.

Until next time.

C