How did I get here?

Every time I write a new blog, I post it. On all social media sites. It gives it exposure. And it helps me feel like I am actually doing something valuable, even if it is just for me. 

Recently I posted my blog and it opened up a conversation among my fellow crossfitters and other health oriented friends about my meal prep. I have to say, when I jump into something, I pretty much dive in head first without looking back. And so, with eating Paleo and joining crossfit, I quickly and easily become obsessed into this healthy, intrinsic lifestyle. Which I am completely happy about. The intensity, the goals, the WODs, all of it. I love it so much I even work at my box, Concord Crossfit. 

My conversation on my Facebook page about meal prep turned into a "party" that I am now planning to have everyone over to meal prep so I can show them how I do it. And that got me. A party for meal prep. Really? My life has changed SO much in just just a few short years.

I'll make this brief because I could go into a lot of detail, but you all don't care that much. In December of 2010 I was in a car accident and nearly died. I did not nearly die from the accident, I nearly died from the hospital who, after discovering my IV was in wrong from the EMT onsite, fixed it and gave me oral medication as well as IV meds. The overdose of medication caused me to code. Yep, I stopped breathing and my heart stopped. Luckily, my husband (who I owe my life to) was sitting next to me and heard this happen and ran to get the nurses. I wasn't being monitored because the extent of my injuries was minor. They brought me back and I spent a few days in ICU, finally able to come home right before Christmas. 

Recovery was tough and not from the ICU visit but because I had been working out intensely for the years leading up to this point. I dropped from 150 lbs (at that time my heaviest in 2010)

My first heaviest weight of 150 lbs.

to 125 lbs. 

The accident broke my wrist and cut open my knees. I couldn't do much but lay on the couch for about a month. When this was all over and I was able to go back to work and get back to a regular routine, I just couldn't get my workout routine back. 

I struggled from that point on with reckless behavior that continued for years. Finally choosing to confront my own demons, I got myself on the right track. But by this point, I was up to 160 lbs. 

10 lbs more than my heaviest. This was summer of 2014. I needed to change something if I was going to make ANY of my goals in life, one being competing. 

My thinnest at the end of 2010

Competing wasn't at the forefront of my mind at the time. In fact, I struggled to make it to the gym a couple of times a week and usually when I was there was SO unproductive. I lost every ounce of motivation I ever had. During a car ride with my husband in August of 2014, I found a groupon for Concord Crossfit. I did not know much about crossfit but I did know I had always wanted to try it and that I needed a change. And so did my husband. So we bought a groupon and signed up. 

I was thrilled to do this, I cannot even tell you. But I had no idea what to expect. We went for 1 month and endured the "beginners classes" that were full to capacity. I had never in my life worked so hard while working out. In fact, even when I was at my thinnest, I wasn't even close to able to do the things I was attempting now. Amazed, I forged on. And after the month we were hooked. (Okay I was hooked after 1 week to be honest). It was intense, it was insane, it pushed me harder than I had ever been pushed before, it was EXACTLY what I needed. 

From October - December I went generally regularly. Making 3-4 workouts a week part of my routine after work. When my husband has surgery in November, I dropped off a bit but when he could return, we did. And I went full force, no stopping. 

Me at 160 lbs, right before
starting crossfit

I now go to my box daily. Literally, I am there every day. If I am not working in their office, I am working out. I make time for that. It is 100% a priority. I am completing a minimum of 6 workouts a week and 3 extra lifts. I am eating Paleo. I have crossfitters friends. I have people who encourage me that don't care if I finish last. I am down

15 lbs since October (5 lbs just recently, due to my new found dedication and Paleo tendencies), I am signed up for the Crossfit Open, I am going to be baking Paleo cupcakes this weekend for an event at my box, I have people who want to meal prep with me, I have people who read my blog. 

Yesterday I tweeted to Crossfit Games on twitter in response to their question about why I signed up for the Open. "It's been a lifelong goal of mine to compete and although I am not anywhere near ready, I am doing this!" 25+ favortied my tweet. 5+ retweeted it. Crossfit Open welcomed me. And all I could think was, OMG I made it. 

So how did I get here? I decided to start. And yea, I wasn't great but you don't have to be great to start. But you do have to start to be great.