Tag: #2CHX

fitness and nutrition, friendship

Every Peach Has A Story…

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My Peach(tree) story began in Atlanta, GA in 1997. I wasn’t a runner but a friend asked me to run the Peachtree. What was the Peachtree? Well it is only the biggest 10k Road Race on the planet. So I did it. No training, just did it. The internet wasn’t so big back then so I don’t even know how long it took me to complete the race. All I know is I conquered the challenge and moved on. I was a one run wonder.

1998 was a new year with new adventures and the Peachtree hype faded in a blink of an eye. I wasn’t a runner, I didn’t grow up in Atlanta and I just didn’t have a fit circle of friends who ran the Peachtree each year. Over the next 20 years, I climbed the corporate ladder, I had a few kids, I raised a child with health issues, and I worked hard at being a mommy and a wife yet something was missing. What was missing? ME time. I learned to prioritize and put everyone around me first, before me! I see this happens to many women (not men) but women. I had tried to lose weight in those years, I tried to live an active lifestyle, I tried and tried but I never made me a priority so failure was always around the corner. How could I be the best version of me and show my kids how to be fearless?

I had to reinvent myself. Some would judge me, some would defriend me, and others would support me. I guess this is where you really find out who your true friends are.  As I make changes in my life, I find myself seeking out new adventures. And with new adventures come new friends. I would meet new friends with similar interest and goals. I had always told my kids and employees that you become what you surround yourself with. And it’s true: spend all your time around negative people, you will be negative. Spend all your time around lazy people, you will be lazy. Spend all your working hours with those comfortable in dead end jobs, you will find yourself right there with them. This isn’t what I wanted in my future. So I changed my scenery. Slowly but surely. Out with the old, in with the new.

Fast forward to December 2015. I found a gal pal who was willing to work out with me consistently at 5:30am at a gym in between our homes. Why so early? We had to go before the kids had to get on the bus so we didn’t take any time away from our husband (hmmm) and then before we had to work (yes we had full-time jobs in addition to being full-time mommies). We pushed each other, we relied on each for accountability and we got in 1-2 hours of gym time 3-5 days a week. This was huge for us. But we were both moms just relying on the internet or friends for workout advice. We met people at the gym that marveled at our consistency and progress but we eventually hit a plateau. We considered kick boxing, a personal trainer, a boot camp but nothing jumped out at us or gave us a spark to change. We finally saw a Facebook ad for Crossfit at a local box for women only in a trial boot camp. We said let’s give it a shot. It was whimsical. We were not in the worst shape when we got there but we certainly were not near the cream of the crop either! And we said holy cow what if we never worked out before we came here? We would have died! Seriously.

For about 6-8 weeks we did core work, we ran, we crawled, we walked, we sweated and we lost our pride over and over and over again. We even learned a new vocabulary. A snatch, an immature squat, a Russian baby maker, and so many more. What started as 30 women got to less than 10 by the end of the time commitment. We were still lifting weights (not really) with a PVC pipe. Is that even a thing? Oh now what to do now? Well we could spend a good amount of discretionary income for the monthly membership and see how we fair. Let’s check in to see what the others are going to do as we liked some of the friends we made. 4 of us opted to stay and give it a go. We were nervous entering the regular class with the “big boys” who all seemed to be friends but we sucked it up and went 3 days a week. We got stronger. At the end of month 1, one of the girls dropped off so we were down to 3 but a new boot camp started and we met the ONLY girl in that boot camp, Sarah. She was just like us before. She really was just like us so we took her under our wings and the new foursome became the best of buds. We again sweat, ran, crumbled but we never quit. We never QUIT. We chipped away at each workout and we cheered for each other along the way. We all had good days and we all had our share of bad days. We scaled the workouts to our abilities and in time we earned our spot in the morning class. Shoutout to my WOD Goddesses below. These friends left the box for the beach this past fall to celebrate life. I remember one guy saying we (the guys) don’t acknowledge you (the girls) until you have been here 6 months. That’s when we know you are committed and are going to stick around. Did he seriously say that? How offensive! I guess when I look back, he did me a favor. He pissed me off so bad that I had to show him that was like flies on shit and I was sticking around and I would make sure the other girls stuck around too just to prove a point. HA to that one guy, SUCK IT! I/we are still here 2 years later at the same box and we are crushing it in our own way every time we come into that box. PR-PR-PR, some might say PR as in personal record but I say PRRRRR as in lady ROAR. Slay all day after you get your WOD in at 630am with the PURE DIVAS. Here we are with our friend #burchie who motivates us each and every week at the box and here at the race.As I reflect, we not only stayed but we conquered our fears and we slimmed down in the process while gaining confidence, friendships, and offering inspirations to others who thought they couldn’t do it. NO matter your shape, your size or your athletic ability, YOU can tackle anything YOU put your mind to. Weight loss, professional aspirations, workout goals, family goals, etc. The playing field may be different but the process is still the same. Commitment, goal setting, and achievement are all common denominators.  Check out the pre-race fun we had in 2017. So what does this all have to do with my PEACH story? EVERYTHING! My Peach story was revived in 2017 when a group from my Crossfit box started talking about running the Peachtree. I did the math and 2017 would be 20 years from the last time I completed the race. HOLY COW! I have to do it. I was feeling pretty good after being at Crossfit for a year and had dropped a good amount of weight, so why not? I got a few of my gal pals to jump in and do it together. There were about five of us who took part in it together. Each of us conquering our own set of challenges to get there and get it done. It was great. We planned for 2018 to keep the momentum going.2017-2018. One year of fitness. Can you see the difference? I can feel the difference. In my energy, in my clothes and in my mind.Now here we are in July of 2018. Life has been full of ups, downs, adventures and memories but through it all our gal pals at the gym have been together pulling for each other. This year there were almost 10 of us attempting to connect for the race and many “others” we knew who would be there racing as well. As I reflect on 2018, I see where I hit the 20 year milestone that has now started the annual event log for my fitness journey. This will be an event that I can continue to attend as long as my body will allow. I will strive to conquer the race and improve my race time each year. From mile 1 to 6.Because age is just a number and I am like a fine wine, aging to perfection. At almost 50 years old, I am now focusing on me. ME! I am committed to eating healthy, working out, and plan to enjoy all that goes along with living a healthy lifestyle. While others turn into couch potatoes at 50, I am working towards FAB at FIFTY. I am proud of my accomplishments thus far and I am excited for what is on the road ahead. I am sure there will be bumps along the way but hopefully this blog post will be one way to hold myself accountable and possibly inspire others who can’t see the finish line in their journey at the current moment. DO YOU, FOR YOU. It’s not to let late to start writing your amazing story!Go find your Peach story and live it. I am a Georgia Peach and live life to the fullest each day. I keep the negators away and find ways to smile each day even if it is at my own expense. Be thankful. Inspire others. Improve communities. #MiniMadness=doublefun#KTV #2CHX #Crossfit #Fitventures #PeachtreeRoadRace #GetMoving #AuthorsBlogToo

fitness and nutrition

Beth’s First Year of Crossfit

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There’s a running joke on the internet.  CrossFit people LOVE to talk about CrossFit. A year ago I wouldn’t have thought I would be one of those people, but today I can tell you it’s true.  A day doesn’t pass when I don’t talk about CrossFit.

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It starts when my alarm goes off at 4:45am. I ask myself…Beth, do you really want to get up and go?  Then, get out of bed to my quads and glutes screaming….why are you up?  Get back to bed! Walking across the room, every cell in my body is telling me I’m sore.  I can’t today. But I keep walking. I get up and get to my box nearly every morning.

It is addicting and those who haven’t experienced CrossFit (but have friends who talk about it) might call it a cult. I may have even been one of those people just a year ago. I won’t go that far but I will say, after nearly a year, I am a believer.

KT and I each had our own paths to joining our box, CrossFit Pure, but KT took the plunge far earlier and is responsible for bringing me in to the CrossFit community.

It wasn’t easy to get me to try it. KT would tell you I was full of I can’t. I won’t fit fit in. I’m not athletic enough. I don’t have time. I just can’t. But those were all just excuses or poor reasons to not invest in myself. It took about a year of her asking, persuading, coaching, nagging, or verbally dragging me before I gave in.

KT and the Box Babes welcomed me with open arms. They told me it will probably be like death for the first few days but you can do it and we will be here to support you. And that is where my Pure family journey began in late summer 2017.

Before I joined Pure, I had been a committed walker / jogger for years.  In 2016, I set a goal of moving for 750 miles and managed to clock well over 1,000 miles.  That was an accomplishment. I was still considered morbidly obese, but my cardiovascular health did improve and I managed to keep diabetes at bay. Even still, I wasn’t getting the results I wanted, the ones you see in the mirror and others might take notice of.  I lost about 10 pounds that year, but I wanted more.

Fast forward to today, when I will soon celebrate my first year CrossFitversary. I can’t believe I did it but I did.  I committed to something out of my comfort zone.  I made a financial and time commitment to myself despite scheduling challenges and long commutes.  I survived and now consider myself an athlete of sorts.  Maybe not an elite athlete but I compete every day at the box, even if it’s just with myself.

I had my annual physical yesterday. My doctor marveled at how much I have improved my health this year. My blood pressure is excellent, my heart is strong, and as a bonus I lost over 25 pounds, which is about the same as what I had lost the previous three years combined. Holy wow, I did that. Me! The girl who thought she couldn’t turned into the girl who believed she could and did it.

I am now able to look in the mirror and see how much I have changed. I am physically stronger, mentally stronger and I am capable of taking on many life challenges I face by slowly chipping away at them. I feel better. I look better and more confident. I eat healthy foods most of the time.

Looking back, I was afraid of CrossFit for several reasons.

As many of my friends can tell you, I am about the least athletic person on the planet.  I can trip over flat ground (and do so often).  I have no coordination or sense of my body. Growing up, I had permanent scabs on each knee.  My Dad called me “Grace” (since I had none).

Having heard some of the things CrossFit athletes did, I was convinced I wasn’t capable of lifting weights on a barbell, doing burpees, or jumping on a high box without injuring myself and those around me (and also eliciting ridicule from the actual athletes there).  Then, there was the scheduling.  The friends I had went to a class I couldn’t attend due to my work schedule.  How would I endure this by myself?

I can now share that all my fears about CrossFit were quickly laid to rest.

Movements were taught step-by-step by capable, patient, qualified coaches…scaled versions helped me build up if I couldn’t get it that day.

Even though I technically went to class by myself, the people at my class welcomed me quickly and encouraged me from the very beginning (which isn’t easy at 5:30 am!)

Finally, I now find seeing people and enduring the pain / accomplishment to be a beautiful part of the process.  These are people who I would have never met otherwise.  Some people who are crazy healthy and fit actually cheer for me – me! And are pulling for my health, fitness, effort, and happiness (even as they play a role in it).

CrossFit is the real thing.  My story is real and still unfolding.  I’m just one of many who have been transformed by CrossFit and community, and I’ll keep talking about it to anyone who will listen.

Think about your health goals.  Maybe CrossFit isn’t for you today, but what might your next step be? If you feel scared, find a buddy and get active. It might be a nightly walk today and yoga next year. Define your path and skip along at whatever pace works for you. Remember if you never try new things you will never see the world and all that it has to offer.

#2CHX

 

 

family

2 Chicks and their Baby Chicks

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As life would have it, our daughters are besties just like their mommas.

Sometimes it seems like we have known each other for three months, sometimes three years, but in their world they are already lifelong friends.  They met on the lacrosse field and it was quick chemistry.  It didn’t take them long to figure out they had chemistry off the field, too. This made them a duo on the field that no one wanted to compete against. The kind where they just give a quick glance, the smallest nod, or point a toe in a certain direction and the other automatically knows where to best position themselves for support on the field. They are simply in tune with each other.

It’s almost uncanny how this mirrors the connection between their adult counterparts.  You’ll find Chick 1 and Chick 2 supporting each other on and off the field in much the same way.  The games may be different but the principle is the same.

Even though they are a bit apart in age, for years they played on the same lacrosse teams. Until now. Recently, Chick 2’s daughter Anne moved on to high school sports, while Chick 1’s daughter Lexi had to remain competing in middle school.  A few months ago the girls played their last game together for a while but made a pact that they would share the field again in two short years. Then, in an unpredictable fluke, they ended up playing against each other in a tournament in South Carolina a couple of weeks ago, when they merged their two age groups.  What an odd twist of fate.

Chick 2 felt cringy inside at the thought.  Chick 1 said “watch out Anne! the littles are going to school the high schoolers.” (That’s a different story but the short summary is that age should never define anyone’s talents or ability to succeed.)

Lexi had a great idea before we all left for the tourney.  Chick 2, could you bring the nice camera?  It would be fun to have some shots of the friends competing – an in-action photo shoot of the besties back on the field together, something we thought would take years to happen. Of course, we not only photographed those games, but decided to blog about it as well.

Anne Lexi Draw

If you read our blog for a while, you’ll discover that in many ways, KT and Beth are opposites.  This is a perfect example.  As far as activities go, Beth grew up participating in the arts. She shies away from competition and seeks harmony.  Karen is a multi-sport athlete. She’s been a coach for years now. She ignites passions in others, showing them that they too can be leaders on the field and in life.

These early experiences are part of what shapes our very different approaches to life, adversity, and working together.  You can see this in our writings and when you meet us at grass roots events. It’s part of our spark and signature. It’s a mix you can’t recreate as it’s genuine and deep-rooted.  This is the same special spark our minis have and we cherish every day we get to see them laugh, grow, smile, and share memories. Heck, we even try to join in the fun as much as we can or as much as they will tolerate us.

As for Anne and Lexi, they both played their hearts out that weekend. They bring out the best, most competitive parts of each other. At the same time, they are probably among each other’s biggest fans, just as both of the Chicks cheer for both of them wholeheartedly.

Anne Lexi Reach for the Draw

Each had their winning moments that weekend. And when the game was over, they were right back to the same silly, goofy, lean-on-each-other friends they always are, a team that transcends uniforms.

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As we blog this both girls are in their different uniforms again, playing the game they love most, lacrosse. Anne is in Florida, Lexi in Georgia.  No matter the miles they are still connecting and supporting each other with updates via text, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Just wait until they figure out we were blogging about them as they were on the field.

#2CHX

balance

The Cray Cray Post

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It’s been a capital-c CrAAazYyyy week for the 2 Chicks.

Chick 1 has had some teen drama to deal with on the home front. Chick 2 has had teen independence issues of her own this week. Different varieties, still exhausting.

In addition, both Chicks had professional trainings and speaking engagements to manage, on top of running households, parenting our other children, trying to eat healthy, fulfilling our regular work responsibilities, and getting to the gym each day. On most days moms flip roles so frequently that others around can easily take their ability to shift mindsets for granted.

Sometimes, when things get capital-c CrAAazYyyy, people will ask you “who is in your corner?”

We prefer to think in other shapes instead, like circles. We are both lucky to have close inner circles of trusted friends and family who can close in and keep us upright when life is out of balance.  Those circles are filled with people who can connect us with resources, reassure us with their common experiences, or just listen and jump in to do just about anything when needed.  It can also be a web that will catch and support as we find our center again.

This is a mom’s world. A working mom’s world. A community approach to managing life’s daily challenges and this community usually exists behind the scenes of the four walls of our homes.

Of course, as with most thing Chicks, we each have our own twist with our circles.

Chick 1 likes the infinity symbol.  It’s two circles or loops, showing the interconnection of her family, her friends, her co-workers, her mentors, and the loop means the boundaries are limitless.

KT Infinity Plus 1

Chick 2 sticks with the smaller, more simple circle.  Trust is difficult to give and only a precious few will gain access to her inner circle. It requires deep connection to help her manage her complex world.  But when things go sideways, she is always glad to have those friends to recenter her.

Librarybeth Hula Hoop

Maybe your shape is a diamond.  Maybe it’s a pyramid.  Whatever your shape, remember and consider those who make it up carefully.  As we’ve been reminded lately, these central connections play a vital role in keeping our balance – mental, emotional, and social.

#2CHX

 

 

awareness

In the News and Close to Home

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suicidepreventionbanner

If you read our books, you’ll know we like to start at The End.  Here, we will start with the bottom line right at the very top:

Anyone can make a difference. Ask a question save a life. It is that simple. The suicide hotline is posted above. If you know somebody who is struggling, or if you are struggling yourself, use this number as a resource!

What do a purse and a chef’s coat have in common?

If the purse is structured leather in bright colors with a spade symbol, or if the coat starched white with Brasserie Les Halles stitched on, it could be a symbol that you made it. 

But this week, in two difficult and very public stories, the purse and the chef’s coat also signify sadness. Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain both died by suicide this week.

In addition, the CDC just released data showing that the suicide rate in the US has risen dramatically in recent years for a wide variety of reasons. With these recent stories bringing suicide to the headlines, we wanted to add our voices to the conversation.

This is a subject that touches us both personally, but in different ways. KT works on the prevention side of suicide and often receives push back from many who don’t want to talk about the taboo subject.

Librarybeth is a survivor. Her grandmother committed suicide when Beth was still quite young. For many years, it’s been a taboo topic in her own family not to mention social circles.

The fact that it is taboo to talk about suicide or suicidal thoughts is part of the problem.  People suffer in silence or wonder about others but don’t ask the question.

We remember not only the famous, but the hundreds each week who die by suicide, including an estimated 20 veterans every day.

And now the bottom line again:

Anyone can make a difference. Ask a question save a life. It is that simple. The suicide hotline is posted above. If you know somebody who is struggling, or if you are struggling yourself, use this number as a resource!

#2CHX