Dear Crossfit Family

Dear Crossfit Family,
Thank you for helping me become physically stronger and mentally tough in ways I never thought possible.  Thank you for providing me with a support system and thank you for being there for me through the challenges I face- not just getting through a work out, but the daily struggles.  You have dried my tears when I'm angry and frustrated, taken me out on the town when I needed to unwind, and have continuously checked in with me when you know things are rough. 

You are not just people I work out with.  You are my community and you are my family.  You are like my brothers and sisters- we squabble, we resolve, and we get closer. You understand that lifting is not just about picking up heavy things, it is a metaphor for perseverance and overcoming life's challenges.  And if I need help, you are always there with words of encouragement, an ear to listen, and a belief in my abilities that far exceeds my own belief in myself.  You laugh with me, you indulge my bad jokes, and you cheer me on.  You allow me to do these things for you, by giving me the gift of supporting you and being there for you when you need a boost.

I feel grateful to experience this energy and this kind of love.  Thank you for helping me grow, showing me the life I deserve, and for always being there when I have a rough day and need a reminder of just how important personal growth and change can be.

Thank you.
xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo
J

Female Body Satisfaction

One aspect of psychology I have begin to do work in is feminine body satisfaction.  Current research discusses that the way a woman feels about her body can influence her overall happiness, sex life, self-esteem, and many other facets of her life.  This makes sense.  If you don't feel great about your body, it's going to have a trickle down effect. 

I often wonder why perfectly beautiful, intelligent women base their body satisfaction on bullshit dictated to them by assholes.  And those assholes aren't always men.  They are often other women.  You "should" be this size.  You "should" be this number on a scale.  You "should" not have an ounce of fat on your body.  You "should" not be so muscular.  You "should" stop feeding into bullshit that is so unbelievably anti-feminine.

Yes.  We all have moments of frustration with our bodies where we say, hmmm...maybe I'm not my healthiest or maybe I'm feeling like I've let my shit go a bit.  Maybe you have PMS and you really just need someone to remind you of how fucking spectacular you are.  That's fine, and that's not what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about ripping yourself apart body part by body part, finding flaws where there do not exist, and fixating on numbers that have nothing to do with the person you are.  For instance, if you are denying yourself an amazing sexual experience because you feel like you look a little bloated today:  HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM.  If you miss out on a great party because you feel "too fat" to be in public, that isn't good.  And if your day gets ruined because your up a pound, I'm talking to you. 

So ladies, please be kind to yourselves.  Accept that there is only one Heidi Klum and you aren't her.  That is NOT a bad thing because there is only one, amazingly, spectacular, gorgeous you.  And guess what?  There is someone out there who will appreciate every dimple of cellulite on that ass of yours because they love the beautiful, human being that is you.  Until you find them, for the love of God,  LOVE YOURSELF- every wonderful, imperfect morsel.

You may be thinking, "thanks for the pep talk, now how do I love myself?"  That is a loaded question that can really only answered by you.   But here are some suggestions:

*Be body positive and if you find yourself indulging in negative self-talk, notice it and stop.  Move on.

*Surround yourself with a body positive posse and if this is something you and your girlfriends struggle with, take on the challenge to stop engaging in negative body talk as a group.
* Focus on health and what exercises and foods make you feel good, healthy, strong, and happy
*Find things you are passionate about and do them

 I would like to give a big thanks to all the men out there who support women and make them feel spectacular about their bodies.  You guys fucking rock!!!!

xoxo
J

Springtime Smoothie on a Snowy Day

I woke up this morning, looked out my window, and called bullshit.  I am so over this weather.  If you ask me, it's time for flip flops, sun dresses, and shirtless wods ;0)  Instead of wallowing in self-pity over the snow, I decided to hit up a smoothie that made it feel like springtime- at least in my kitchen.

1c. water and a few ice cubes
1 banana
1 c. cantaloupe
1 c. spinach
1 scoop egg white protein powder

I even threw a few cacao nibs on the top because to me, chocolate goes with everything.

On a side note, I cannot WAIT to get into the gym today and lift some weights!!!! It is Crossfit Open season right now and my normal lifting routine is off.  I didn't realize until the past few weeks just how much I have started to love lifting.  There is something so fun and empowering about throwing that bar around! 

Enjoy this beautiful day, my loves!  Lift something heavy today and drink something light (preferably not a Coors light)!
xoxo
J

The Newest Addition to my Beauty Regime

Many years ago, in a land far, far away, I was worked for beauty companies doing make-up, massage, some skin care consultations, and discussing the right shampoo and styling options for every kind of hair.  It was a magical time, full of mascara, push up bras, hairspray, and dressing all in black a la Johnny Cash.

My beauty regime during this time was INSANE!  Full of eye creams, skin scrubs, and every new product I could get my hands on.  I think I even used a skin corrector at one point that was clearly not for white people.

As the years have gone on, my beauty routine has gone from complicated to uncomplicated.  Some coconut oil all over the bod and face.  Done and Done.  If I'm really feeling wild, a couple of dabs of hippie perfume and maybe I will push my pecs together with the demi cup bra.  But there is one thing I have added to my daily beauty tasks that I never saw coming...not in all of my wildest body care fantasies did I imagine I would be...

SHAVING CALLOUSES.

Yes non-crossfit folks.  You have to shave the fucking callouses off your hands.  You build callouses doing all of that work on the bar and then you have to shave them down to prevent them from ripping off the next time.  I promise you in all of my days at Victoria's Secret, AVEDA, and MAC I never dreamed I would ever, ever, ever be shaving callouses.  It goes like this:  shave legs, shave under arms, shave lady parts, shave callouses.  Maybe not in that order.

Have a beautiful day, my loves and remember to shave your hands hahahahahah!!!!
xoxo
J

Jacking up the Flow

For those of you who do not do Crossfit, time off is a necessary part of training.  Rest is helpful mentally and physically.  Some days you just do not want to talk about freaking crossfit- I know that seems hard to believe coming from me.  Plus, your body needs that time to recover from the exercise and repair itself.

This past week, I had three days off in a row.  There were sick kiddos and shit to get accomplished that took priority over workouts.   Before I knew it, it was Wednesday afternoon and I had yet to hit a work out.  So I decided since my flow was already jacked, I was going to go with it and mix it up.  Not only did I take the rest days, but I visited other Crossfit gyms.  I worked with different coaches, different athletes, and it was nice to take a mental break from my routine and get out of my world for a bit. 

Sometimes you've got to mix it up.  We all get stuck in our ways sometimes.  Variety is the spice of life after all ;0)  And now I feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to my coaches, my workout buddies, and my routine.

It's almost Open time!!!  Get ready to rock it, my loves!!!

xoxo
J

Peanut Butter Balls- A Scandalously Delicious Treat

I'm not sure what it is about peanut butter, but we have a little love affair going on.  When I am training hard, it seems to be my go-to food.  After a couple of google searches, I realized just how common it is for athletes who are training hard in various sports/athletic endeavors to crave it.  I have a feeling it has something to do with the fat/protein/nutrient ratio.  As you all know, I am not a nutritionist, but that is my hypothesis.


Here is a little yummy treat for those of you who lust after peanut butter the way I do:

Jane's Scandalously Easy/Delicious Peanut Butter Balls

18 oz jar of natural peanut butter (If you are following strict Paleo, substitute almond butter)
2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
3/4 c honey (you can add more or less to taste- after all, they are your balls)
Mix this together and form into balls.  Refrigerate them and eat them at your leisure.

Now this is a food that is high in calories, fat, and carbs.  If you are reading this recipe thinking, "Hell yes!  I can eat these 'healthy' cookies everyday," you are sadly mistaken.  This is a treat food.  It is especially good for those times when you need to gain weight, are training like crazy, or have seriously killer PMS/DudeMS. 

You will go nuts for them.  Get it?  Balls?  Nuts?  Peanut Butter?  God I'm awesome. 
xoxo
J

Long Time, No Write

Hi friends- long, lost friends!

So sorry it has been so long since I have blogged!  Life kind of got in the way of my enormously successful blogging career.  Hope you all have been able to live your lives without my brilliant insights ;0)

I have been going through some stuff, to say the least.  Stuff that is not easy to write about and stuff that really isn't the blogging world's business.   Even though stuff happens, life gets crazy, and things aren't always sunshine and roses- I will not fucking die. That is what I keep telling myself repeatedly as bad days seem to happen more often than good, when I'm feeling lonely, sad, or like the world is soooo not my oyster these days.  I keep repeating my new mantra:  I will not fucking die.  I will not fucking die.  Sometimes it's with a laugh, sometimes it is through tears, but somehow it always applies. It's kind of funny, and it's kind of reality.  When shit gets tough, you have to keep plugging way, keep believing in yourself, and know that you aren't going to die from tough times.  I know at some point I will come through on the other side feeling happy, like myself, stronger, and more amazing than ever.  But until then, I have to remind myself- that I will not fucking die and neither will you.

So whether you are on the good end of life or in the eye of the shit storm, know that everyone experiences both ends of the spectrum.  If you are in the storm, call up the people who are whooping it up for a good dose of hopefulness and happiness.  And if you are in the good, make an effort for those people going through it- I know I have certainly appreciated my amazing friends and family who are helping me get my shit storm together. 

xoxo
J