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Don’t confuse simple with easy

Saturday I spent the day at CrossFit North Alpharetta learning from Ben Bergeron, founder/owner of CrossFit New England (one of the most successful affiliates in the world).
Ben is well-known in the CrossFit world for being a brilliant programmer & coach. CFNE has sent a team to compete at EVERY CrossFit Games, making the podium several times. Ben also does distance coaching for CF superstars like Chris Spealler & Becca Voight.
And now, he’s a business coach too.
I learned a lot at the seminar, but nothing terribly technical or complicated.
Ben encouraged us to keep our businesses simple: Do the right thing. Be good to people. Set a routine. Work hard. Take time to train yourself. Treat your team like family. Spend time getting to know your members. Read.
It never surprises me when a successful business ninja tells me to read more.
Duh. That’s simple, right?
So why don’t we do more of the simple stuff to make us happier & more successful?
Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy.
This week I challenge you to take 10 minutes each day to do something simple YOU KNOW is good for you… Read, meditate, start a gratitude journal, do something nice for someone else.
What will you do?

imageCongrats to everyone who attacked Friday’s tough workout, especially Tiff who powered through it solo as the only student in the 8a class. Get it, girl!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Rebecca
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Rebecca
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6:30p: Group Intro- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit- Cassie

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A1. Weighted pull ups:A2. Bench press: 3×5 workups
B. 3 rounds for time:
10 Box jumps
20 OH walking lunges
400m run rest 2 min

And coming tomorrow

A. Snatch:
15 min to a heavy double
B. Time trial: 500m row

MON 10.6.13 Keep it simple Read More »

Listober CFMakeover Goals: get LEAN & stay SWOLE 🙂

Coach Lis breaks down her goals for the CFMakeover.
In October 2010 I competed in another box’s Paleo Challenge and came in third place. I ate strict paleo for 30 days…no booze, no grains, no dairy. My only indulgence was a post-workout shake that wasn’t entirely paleo.
At the time I was a bartender at the Nook, on Piedmont Park. YES I was pouring fish bowls and surrounded by totchos at every shift and I STILL stayed clean. SOBERTOBER, ya’ll.
It was worth it. In 30 days I lost 7# of bodyfat AND gained 4# of muscle. I FOUND MY ABS! I slept better, felt stronger and got relief from my seasonal allergies, IBS and acne.
Since then, I continue to eat 80/20 paleo… indulgences are weekend alcohol, dark chocolate and sweet potato fries.
Here’s the plan this time around:
In November, I compete in the USAPL state powerlifting meet. I’m currently about 10# heavier than the weight class I hope to compete in. So I need to cut weight, yet maintain my strength.
I will eat strict paleo with exceptions for pre/post workout supplements, limit alcohol and sugar, and focus on recovery to stay healthy.
OH, and I have a weekend trip to NC planned 10/18-20, so I’m allowing myself one cheat weekend. 🙂
Goals:
*Lose 6# of bodyfat
*Maintain muscle mass
*10 Strict Pull Ups
Diet:
*Strict paleo with ONE cheat weekend
*NO alcohol (SOBERTOBER), sugar, grains, dairy or legumes
*100 oz of water a day
Meals:
*I’ll lean on my girl Chef Veronica at Edesia Meals, the BEST paleo meal delivery service in town, for most of my grub.
*I’ll also cook a few meals on Sundays to freeze/save as backups. SO EXCITED it’s pumpkin season. NO, not the fake syrup sh*t they put in your coffee. REAL pumpkin, like the kind I’ll put in this pumpkin chili recipe… my FAVORITE of the season.
*AND I’ll shop in the CFM Pro Shop for a few backup snacks like Paleo Kits & Epic Bars.
Training & Recovery:
*Whatever my coach tells me to do 🙂
*Lift M, W, F, Sat
*Wed night Metal Yoga at Tough Love
*2 add’l conditioning days: sled pulling/tire flips
*8 hours of sleep a night
*Weekly massage
*Weekly acupuncture
*Weekly float tank (sensory deprivation)
*2x/wk chiropractic adjustments & ART
*3x/week cryotherapy
Other
*Daily meditation
*Daily journaling

What are your goals for the CFMakeover? Post in the comments below… Not registered yet? What are you waiting for? Get in the game to change your life by Halloween! Check out CFMakeover details here.

CFMakeover Fall 2013
We’ll place the CFMakeover t-shirt/v-neck orders Monday. Let us know your size!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 10 min mobility work
B. 10 min goat work
C. “Karen” – For time:
150 wall balls 20/14

And coming tomorrow…Team Chipper

Work in teams of 3-4. Complete in any order, but once you start one movement, you must complete all reps before starting another movement.
40 Tire flips
60 Box jumps
80 Kettlebell swings
100 Burpees (jump to a 45# plate)
120 Walking lunges
Optional cash out:100 yard sled drag OR prowler push

FRI 09.27.13 Lis’s CFMakeover game plan Read More »

A game of inches

by Coach Raul
Considering football season has begun, the monologue below from “Any Given Sunday” is appropriate. This message applies well beyond football, to life in general. The six inches right in front of our faces are what matter.
Be proud of your accomplishments – look back to when you started CrossFit, and look at where you are now. Those little inches… those small goals accomplished one by one, add up to the moon and back. Be proud and like always, DO WORK!

“You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That’s, that’s part of life.
But… you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game – life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean… one half step too late or too early
you don’t quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don’t quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in every break of the game
every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know… when we add up all those inches
that’s going to make the f*cking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I’ll tell you this… in any fight…
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know… if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is –
The six inches in front of your face.”

photo-6 copy 2Scott D. spotting Wes on bench.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym – Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back squat: 4×4 workups (add 5# to last back squat workout)
B. 15-10-5 reps for time:
Thrusters 95/65
Box Jumps 24/20
Pull Ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Bench press: 4×4 workups
B. For time: BUY IN: 3 rope climbs, then
30-20-10 of
Russian KB swings
Lateral hops
Abmat sit ups
then, CASH OUT: 3 rope climbs

WED 9.11.13 A game of inches Read More »

CFM events this weekend

Join your friends tonight for happy hour at the Nook, on Piedmont Park, from 6-8pm.

And… SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!
Support CFM at the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s Streets Alive event this weekend, as Peachtree Street is shut down to motor vehicle traffic from 2-6pm. CFM will be there all day at 13th & Peachtree, with free workouts on the half-hour led by our awesome Coaches in Training. Our very own DJ POB will also be playing some tunes for us!

What: Streets Alive – Peachtree
Free WODs & tunes and other fun… take out your stress by flipping a tire, pulling a sled or swinging a sledgehammer! Come celebrate our active Midtown community.
Where: 13th & Peachtree
Who: the CFM community & anyone who wants to try a free workout. All ages, abilities & skill levels are welcome!
When: 2-6p Sunday. Free WODs at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30p.
Attire: CFM gear… REPRESENT!
Afterward: Yes, we know the NFL season also kicks off Sunday. We’ll head to Taco Mac to catch the later games.

photo-2CFM coaches representing for Kill Cliff’s website photo shoot on Thursday (Cassie, Lis, Beka, coach-to-be Becca).

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 10 min mobility work
B. Goat Work: 10 min to work on any skill you choose!
C. Grace
30 clean & jerks for time 135/95#

And coming tomorrow…TEAM WOD

A. Make up a lift you missed earlier this week.
B. In teams of 3-4…
Rotate through all four stations TWO TIMES-
1. Row 300m
2. 30 kettlebell swings
3. 30 wall balls
4. 30 box jumps
C. EXTRA CREDIT CASH OUT: 50 barbell roll outs OR 3:00 plank hold

Sunday Schedule

12n – All Levels CrossFit w Dyer
“Massengills”
As many rounds & reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
2 Power Snatch @ 75% of 1 rep max
4 Box Dips, or Stationary Bar Dips, or Strict Ring Dips
8 Burpees
Rest 5 minutes
4 – 100 foot prowler shuttles (50 feet out/50 feet back) as heavy as possible – Not for time

1-2p – Open Gym w Dyer

2-6p – Join CFM at Streets Alive on 13th & Peachtree.
Free all-levels (newcomers welcome) workouts at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30
Or just come out to pull the sled, swing the sledgehammer, flip the tires!!
Wear your CFM gear and bring your friends!

6p – Yoga w Monica back at CFM

FRI 09.06.13 Happy Hour today & Streets Alive Sunday! Read More »

Be Kind!

Maybe you already heard about and/or read the graduation speech George Saunders (no relation) gave to Syracuse graduates back in the spring. I just read it after hearing it’s being made into a book. The gyst of the speech is to be more kind… to “err in the direction of kindness.”
It made me think of how hard I tend to be on myself… how “unkind” I can be to myself. What if we could all be more positive in the gym, and to each other, and to ourselves? Just this week, as I was complaining to a friend, it dawned on me:
“What am I doing? He has a really tough week ahead of him too. Why are your problems more important than his? Stop being so negative already. STOP complaining and instead FIND a solution to the problem. Turn your outlook around and BE more positive.”
So as August wraps up, and FOOTBALL begins, and the seasons change, I challenge you to enjoy life, and be positive, and be kinder to yourself and others. Be a better you.
As my distant Uncle George (still no relation) said it best:
“Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial. That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been. Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s. Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place. Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.”
Read the entire speech here.

Donations for the Youth Adventure Trust

CFMers Joe P & Shay are participating in the Invesco Perpetual Lakes Adventure Race and you’re welcome to donate $5 towards the fundraising effort.
The goal of the race is to raise funds to give young people the hope, confidence and life skills to meet the challenges in their lives and also build trust and motivation through a journey of experience, adventure and fun.
Here’s more info about the race.
Day 1 – Hike across 10 peaks covering a distance of 30 km
Day 2 – Mountain bike across 6 peaks covering a distance of 30km
The team has a fundraising target of 4,000 sterling.
Donations can also be accepted on Virgin Money.
imageA class full of box jumps last week.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Khaki
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Khaki
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit – Cassie
8:15p: Yoga – Samantha

Workout of the Day

A. Back squat: 5-5-5+
B. 6 rounds for time:
3 box jumps
6 ring dips
9 barbell roll outs

And coming tomorrow…

A. Deadlift: 5-5-5+
B. Annie:
For time: 50-40-30-20-10
Double unders
Sit ups

THURS 8.29.13 “Err in the direction of kindness” Read More »

Increasing Your Rowing Intensity

by Rowing instructor & ITPer Uran
If you’ve been coming to rowing class or just checking out the programming, you may have noticed a trend. We did a 2k time trial on May 1st, and the past couple weeks’ workouts have been based on your average 2k split time, or the time it takes to row 500m. The focus this month is on increasing our rowing intensity.
Even if you have no interest in rowing specifically, it’s still built into some of the CrossFit programming. Whether during the warm-up or “Jackie” (or in tomorrow’s 1k time trial during the regular class WOD), good technique goes a long way, and it never hurts to be faster, particularly if being on the erg makes you cringe!
Once you’ve established safe rowing technique, you can start to work on rowing more efficiently by applying more power and slowing the recovery. On the drive back from the starting position, increase your power by engaging the legs at the start. Only when the legs are almost completely extended should you open the hips and follow through with the arms. On the recovery, do that in reverse, but take your time. You’re not doing yourself any favors by rushing back up for another pull. Remember that it’s called recovery for a reason, and a good rule of thumb is the recovery period should be twice as long as the stroke. Here’s what that looks like:

Rowing class tonight at 7p!

Here’s the workout: 1 x 6 min at 2k split time
2 x 5 min at 2k split minus 1 sec
3 x 4 min at 2k split minus 2 sec
2 x 3 min at 2k split minus 3 sec
1 x 2 min at 2k split minus 4 sec

Rest 1:30 between each segment.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Bench Press: 5-5-5+
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 15 minutes of:
5 situps
6 box jumps 30/24
7 kb swings 53/35

And coming tomorrow…

A. Max ring rows: 3 sets max reps ring rows or supine ring pull ups. Rest 5 min between sets.
B. Double unders: 10 min double under skill work OR
Advanced athletes attempt OPT’s “FLIGHT SIMULATOR”:
5 unbroken double unders
10 unbroken double unders
15 unbroken double unders
20 unbroken double unders
25 unbroken double unders
30 unbroken double unders
35 unbroken double unders
40 unbroken double unders
45 unbroken double unders
50 unbroken double unders
45 unbroken double unders
40 unbroken double unders
35 unbroken double unders
30 unbroken double unders
25 unbroken double unders
20 unbroken double unders
15 unbroken double unders
10 unbroken double unders
5 unbroken double unders

You MUST stop in between sets (the rope must stop).
Once you miss at one level three times in a row, work back down the ladder.

C. Rowing time trial: 1k row for time (LEADERBOARD WOD!)

WED 05.21.13 Increasing your rowing intensity Read More »

NEW YOGA CLASS Sundays at 6p

Starting this weekend, Monica will be teaching yoga Sundays at 6pm at CFM! This expands our yoga offerings to three classes a week – Wed at 12n with Beth, Thurs at 8:15p with Laura, & Sun at 6p with Monica! Yoga is included in your membership. It DOESN’T count toward your weekly class limits, so you’ve got no excuse to skip it. Come on in and get your yoga on!

NO CLASSES AT CFM SATURDAY!

We’ll hold ONE WOD Saturday at 10am over at the Piedmont Park Active Oval. So come for that OR PLEASE join us for the entire Field Day, Saturday morning from 9a-12noon. All proceeds benefit Strong4Life. Email Tirzah if you’d like to volunteer or if you still want to register a team.

Field Day will happen RAIN OR SHINE!

Stay tuned to the blog this week for announcements & the CFM Facebook page Sat AM for updates. If necessary, we’ll relocate the games back to CFM.

Speaking of the CFM Facebook page…

Did you know we film a new silly dance video to post on YouTube for every 100 new fans we get on Facebook? Welllll, we’re hoping to score ONE THOUSAND…1,000… FANS before Saturday so that we can enlist the help of our new student Antony (He’s a breakdancer. How cool is that?) to make the BEST VIDEO EVER at the Anniversary Party. Please help us recruit more fans. Share the CFM page on your FB page and help us break the 1000 mark!

ANNIVERSARY PARTY SATURDAY 7-10p AT CFM!

Here’s why you should come:
These guys will be here from 7 to 9p dishing up some BBQ for ya (paleo & not-paleo options available :)). We’re picking up the tab from 7 to 8, so get here early!

Yoga today at noon!

Rowing class tonight at 7p

Here’s the rowing WOD:
1 x 5 min at 2k split time
2 x 4 min at 2k split minus 1 sec
3 x 3 min at 2k split minus 2 sec
2 x 2 min at 2k split minus 3 sec
1 x 1 min at 2k split minus 4 sec
Notes: Rest 1:30 between each segment. If you do not know your 2k split time, it’s ok. I will work with you to figure out a good pace for the workout.

Workout of the Day

20 min to find 1-rep max bench press THEN…
2 min to find max standing broad jump THEN…
2 rounds:
1 min max plyo push ups
1 min max overhead lunges 45#/25#

No rest between movements/rounds.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Pull ups: Weighted pull ups – 5-5-5+ at 75% of last week’s 1 rep-max OR
Negatives 5-5-5
Rest 3 minutes between sets
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 10 minutes:
5 ring dips
5 wall balls 20/14
5 box jumps 24/20

WED 05.08.13 Sunday Yoga! Read More »

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