Red Rover, Red Rover, Let Erin Start Over

So. 25 months of counting steps, many pounds lost, a whole pair of Keen shoes worn through, 10 sizes down, I should be happy, right?

Of course I should.

But I am not. In fact, I'm downright glum. I have more weight I would like to lose but it is not coming off. I'm walking every day, but slacking on my food. My body has hit the dreaded plateau and I can't justify plastic surgery until I hit my goal weight.

So. Time to try something new. That something new is Crossfit. Crossfit is uh...I don't even know what you call it. It's a work out program that involves small groups of people and a long list of exercises that you do at a high intensity for a short period of time.

I decided to take their free intro class on a Saturday morning. I arrived nervous but was comforted by the fact that there was only one other person in the group and only a few people in the gym. After a nice young lady, Shannon showed us the facility she went through a slide show about Crossfit, the owners, the community, their methods and even the common criticisms of Crossfit (ie: "Crossfit is "cult like.")

Then, we did a mini-workout. We ran 400 meters along the city's 3rd busiest road then were instructed to do 3 sets of burpees and wall balls. Burpees are the devil's exercises. You squat, put your hands on the floor, kick your legs out so you are in a lowered push up position, jump your legs back into squatting position and then jump up, clapping your hands over your head. For wall balls, you take a weighted  medicine ball, squat a few feet away from a wall, throw the ball up to a point on the wall about 6 feet overhead while standing up from the squat, then catch the ball while going back into the squat.
Shannon wanted me to do 15 of each, then 12, then 9.

15. Then 12. Then 9.

I got to about 3 before I was visibly struggling. Shannon was coaching me on, even other people in the gym were encouraging me. But damn, I was struggling, having to use my knees to get up, not being able to hit the wall ball high enough, catching the ball with my face...the first 15 were brutal. Shannon wisely told me after 15 to just try to get 9 more of each in. 3 sets of 3. They were ugly, but I did them.

Then, the emotions took over. I felt 270lbs again. I felt like the past 2 years had not even happened. I felt like I was starting all over again. I was crying with a face full of sweat and snot and I'm sure that Shannon thought I was crazy. So, I explained my emotional state and she said I was right, I *am* starting over. Strength training is a different ballgame and right now, all I can play is wiffle ball. Two years ago I could not even touch my toes, I needed to lose some of the weight before I could build strength. I could have and probably should have incorporated it in sooner but I didn't and well, I am now so that is what matters.

I'm giving Crossfit 13 sessions (3 foundation classes about all the movements and exercises and 10 regular classes) and will then decide if it's exactly what I need or if should keep looking.

It is absolutely scary. It's going to be stupid hard work and I will be a pitiful sight. Hope it's worth it!