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Earlier today, as I was going about my merry little way, it dawned on me that next week isThanksgiving. In all seriousness, what is happening? It gets dark at like 2pm and it’s already Thanksgiving?!?

With the start of the holiday season I’m feeling all these feels about the celebrations, the treats, the holiday drinks at Starbucks… all getting cozied up right next to my fitness goals. Threatening them. Taunting them. It’s rude really.

So in the process of talking myself off a ledge, telling myself that it’s going to be ok and that I’m not going to derail every fitness goal I’ve ever had this holiday season, I thought I’d share some of my holiday rules guidelines with the fine people of CFA. These help me to keep in mind what is really important this time of year but also keep my progress in the gym a priority.

Number 1: Chill out.

(Ok fine, in my head it’s more like, “Erica, chill the fuck out.” – but I’m tryna be classy!)

Here’s the deal, ideally, we eat for the purpose of fueling our bodies for movement and activity. However, as coach Gen would say, “Sometimes, we need to eat for our hearts.” There is joy to be had in spending time with your people and enjoying food because it just tastes dang good. Being miserable because you have sworn off any and all sweets, or alcohol, or whatever the temptation may be, is just not worth it. Give yourself the freedom to enjoy life. This will actually lower the odds of binging in response to the frustration of rigid rules that suck the life out of you. It will also keep stress levels down. Did you know that increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol can actually increase appetite and cravings? I don’t know about you, but I need that like a hole in my freaking head. I’ve got enough appetite and cravings to deal with on my own, thanks.

Number 2: Have a plan.

Ok calm down. I’m not talking about busting out macro counts and food logs at Thanksgiving Dinner. I don’t mean a rigid unwavering plan, just a general plan of attack to guide you in deciding moments. Two principles help me on days packed with holiday temptation at it’s finest. First, make more good decisions than bad. This might mean eating healthy throughout the day and then indulging at an evening event. Or make good decisions at dinner so you can have that piece of your grandma’s pie you’ve been thinking about literally the entire year. Second, prioritize how and when you choose to indulge. I don’t know about you, but there are things that I want, but I know I can say no to. Do that. Exercise that ability to say no when you can and it doesn’t open the floodgates of anger and bitterness. However, there are things that when they are in front of me, it’s happening. Remember last week’s post about our limited decision making ability and energy? Anticipate the degree of temptation you’re going to be in and plan accordingly. Can you say no? Do you want to? Can you plan in such a way that you don’t have to? Maybe you avoid the temptation altogether because you know your weakness is no match. Just think it through friends. You is smart.

Number 3: Keep moving.

This is my favorite. Keep doing what you’re doing CFA! You have prioritized your fitness by being a part of this community, investing in a training program and showing up and working your ass off. Andyou like it, you know you do. Keep it up. In the midst of a season of extreme busyness, keep moving. Make your workouts fun and make them a priority. Grab some friends and sign up for the Austin Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Run your little heart out and then get your grub on. Or come work out with me on Black Friday. (Let’s all wear black!) There are tons of opportunities out there, find them, share them on our members page and let’s be all about moving together. Consistent movement, in or out of the gym, will keep your body running efficiently and keep you feeling good. Promise.

So hopefully that helps. I don’t know about you, but I am excited for the holidays. Enjoy them people! Let me know how I can help. Myself or any of the other coaches would love to be a part of encouraging you, keeping you accountable to your goals, and most importantly, celebrating a great year and all the progress you’ve made!

– Coach E

Do you ever have those days, when working out is just not happening? For whatever reason, you’re not interested. Maybe you woke up late, didn’t sleep well, not enough coffee in the world could make you feel alive. Or maybe work was stressful, coworkers not pulling their weight, deadlines approaching too quickly, late nights and early mornings plaguing you. Or maybe its relationships, finances, kids… LIFE. Any given day, I could probably find exactly one million reasons not to work out.

Do me a favor and google “benefits of exercise.” It will take you seven seconds to find a result that includes improved mood and mental health. So apparently it helps, yet some days, nothing could be harder to do.

Last week, I had one of those days. I had early morning sessions, followed by mid morning sessions followed by late morning sessions. I had agreed to train a client at 11am, which I typically avoid so I can prioritize my workout at noon at CFA. But she was so sweet and needed her coach, at 11am specifically. So I agreed and planned to workout on my own later. But given the way this particular morning had progressed, I knew my own discipline wasn’t going to be enough. As soon as my session ended, I texted Tim asking to hop in when I got there. Of course, he said yes. I immediately pulled out my phone and used my CFA coach super powers to check and see who would be in class. My mood instantly changed when I saw the handful of people that I was going to get to workout with that day. I hopped in on a build to a heavy deadlift and by the time I had picked up my 85%, my day had completely turned around.

A couple years, ago I read a book by Dan John (And when I say read, I mean I started. I am a chronic book non-finisher.) where he talked about our limited decision making ability as humans. He argued that the most powerful tool we have toward the success of our goals in the gym is freewill. However, the catch is that we have a limited amount of free will to expend. As we go about our day making decision after decision after decision, the decision making energy in our bank account dwindles. In an effort to make the most of your freewill, he gives three suggestions. Maybe these will offer so help on days like the one I had last week.

First, he says to decrease the number of options, choices and decisions you make in the course of a day. The ultimate example, meal prep. Why is meal prep the most successful plan of action toward nutritional goals? Because the decision factor is taken out of any given moment when could easily be negatively affected by emotions, cravings, or immediate access (think that sweet lady at work that keeps bringing treats and destroying your fitness goals). Same thing with a consistent workout routine. It helps me to workout every day at noon. That decision is already made. So when I caved and let something change that standard, my workout was at the mercy of my mood and that day, it was hanging on by a thread.

Second, he says to whittle down your life, do less, invest more in fewer and more important things. Prioritize priorities. You can’t do it all and do it well. So what is most important? To your mental health? To your physical health? TO YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH? (Talking to myself on that one!) When we try to do it all, something has to give and typically, it ends up being exactly what would help us the most (physical activity cough cough).

Finally, he says to build an army of people that can invest their free will into yours. And this is what I needed and what I got last week, when the workout wasn’t going to happen. We are more successful when we tell our goals to the masses, because we are held to them. We are checked up on, encouraged, pushed harder during workouts, and mentally, we are never at it alone. You see, the science is there, exercise is a mood changer. But having a tribe of people in the trenches with you, if you ask me, that’s the real game changer.

So if today you’re feeling like working out is the last thing you want to do, if the decision to workout is hanging on by a thread, come. I just decided for you! I’ll be waiting for you, with some trap music and an empty barbell.

-Coach E

$50 per Team (includes registration for both team mates) Only 20 spots available!

(Only 1 registration per team – We’ll send an email to get division and partner name)

***Proceeds from Night of Champions will go toward new equipment for the gym!***

FOLLOW THE FB EVENT HERE

REGISTER HERE

NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS 5 WODs

WORKOUT 1) CrossFit Total-The CrossFit Total is the sum of the best of three attempts at the squat, the press, and the deadlift

The order for performing the three lifts will be squat, press, and then deadlift. The best single attempt for each of the three lifts are added together for the CrossFit Total.

SQUAT RULES:

The squat must be done from the squat stands or power rack. The bar must be placed on the back and walked out to clear the rack completely. No contact with the rack is permitted until the bar is replaced in the rack. Once the bar is lowered, the stance cannot change until the bar is to be racked. The starting position must be completely upright, with the knees and the hips fully extended and with the chest up. The hips are lowered until the top surfaces of both of the legs at the hip joint are lower than the knees, and then the bar is lifted back up. The bottom position is identified by A) the apex of the crease in the shorts formed as the hips are lowered, B) the surface of the top of the patella, C) the plane formed by a straight line between the two, and D) the dipping of the hip end of that plane below horizontal. The finish position is the same as the starting position, and the athlete must return to it before the bar is racked. When the finish position is secure, the bar must be walked back into the rack and successfully replaced. Any halt in the upward motion of the whole bar, identified at its position on the back rather than at its ends, constitutes a missed attempt, as does any change in position of the feet against the floor during the squat. Any deliberate attempt to lower the bar counts as an attempt. No more than two spotters are permitted, and they are not allowed to touch the bar during the attempt, which is finished only after the bar is successfully replaced in the racks. The spotters are permitted to steady the racks, and to take the bar if the lifter loses control of it. Any touching of either the bar or the lifter by any spotter invalidates the attempt.

PRESS RULES;

The press is also done from the racks. The bar is held in both hands in front of the neck, taken out of the rack and walked back away from the rack. No contact with the rack is permitted until the bar is replaced in the racks. Once the stance is assumed it cannot change until the lift is completed. The starting position must be upright, with the knees and hips fully extended and the chest up. The bar must be in contact with the top of the shoulders or the chest, whichever individual flexibility permits. After the starting position is correctly assumed, the bar is pressed overhead until the elbows are completely extended, with the bar in a position directly above the ears. Once this position has been attained, the bar is lowered back to the front of the shoulders and walked back into the rack and replaced. Any halt in the upward motion of the bar, identified as the part of the bar between the hands, constitutes a missed attempt, as does any change in the position of the feet against the floor during the attempt, any bending of the knees, or excessive backward lean of the torso as identified by A) the position of the most anterior aspect of the armpit, B) the most posterior aspect of the buttocks, C) the plane formed by a straight line between these two points, and D) the movement of that plane to a position behind the vertical. Any deliberate attempt to raise the bar counts as an attempt. Spotters are not permitted for this lift.

DEADLIFT RULES;

The deadlift is performed with the bar on the platform or floor. The lifter assumes a position facing the bar, with the bar parallel to the lifter’s frontal plane. The bar is gripped with both hands, and pulled with one continuous uninterrupted movement until the lifter is standing erect with knees and hips fully extended, the chest up and shoulders back. Once this position is attained and the bar is motionless, the bar is lowered under control with both hands back to the ground. The bar may not be dropped. Any halt in the upward motion of the bar constitutes a missed attempt, as does failure to assume a fully erect position with both knees and hips extended. Any attempt to raise the bar counts as an attempt. The equipment that can be used is minimal. A belt of any type can be worn but is not required. Knee wraps or sleeves are permitted, but if they are used they must be left on for the entire duration of the session in which the lift is performed—e.g., they must be put on before the squat is warmed up and left in place until the last squat attempt is completed. Wrist wraps are permitted; lifting straps are not.

FORMAT
We will be running platforms with an ascending barbell.

*Opening weights for each lifter, for each lift must be submitted by Wednesday 11/8*

– The weight will move up :30 of every minute.
– The lifter will lift within the second :30 of every minute
– Minimum increase is 2 lbs.
– Each person will have 3 attempts.
– Weight will be changed as a group on each platform

This event will be scored by calculating the combined weights of each lift to find the CrossFit Total and then adding both partners totals.

WORKOUT 2)

5:00 AMRAP(RX)

20 cal Assault Bike

15 Ball Slams @ 20#

10 Pull-ups

5:00 AMRAP(SCALED)

20 cal Assault Bike

15 Ball Slams @ 10#

10 Jumping Pull-ups

*may split as desired, so have a plan and communicate for smooth transitions in case plan needs altered during WOD

*assault bike: must stay seated, no standing while biking

*ball slams; arms must be extended overhead OH, control ball past knees

*pull-ups: chin must pass bar, arms locked out at bottom

*jumping pull-ups: set-up on rig (box, mats, plates) where bar touches 3-4” below wrist when standing on object and arms extended OH

1) Let your alter ego take over.

This option produces not only a great costume but, lets be honest, some self satisfaction we’ve all been looking for. Who wouldn’t want to live, for just one day, in the fantasy of who you could be. Maybe it’s the opposite of who you really are, maybe it’s your dark side. But this Halloween, embrace it and share it with the world!

 

2) Be the ULTIMATE you.

What do you love? What do you love to do? This year, go all out. Like basketball? Go as your favorite NBA player. Love CrossFit? Go as your favorite games athlete (or Coach 😉 ). Really smart? Nerd it up! Love aerobics? Grab those leg warmers! (These should obvi make a comeback!)

 

3) Embrace the season.

Those of you that are lacking the creativity or courage to step into a fantasy you or an ultimate you, go with a tried and true seasonal object, persona or fictional character. You can’t go wrong with these. Options include but are not limited to: ghosts, witches, Frankenstein, pumpkins, pilgrims or even Santa (just don’t be surprised if people insist on copious amounts of lap sitting, or maybe that’s your thing…).

 

4) Get in touch with your spirit animal.

This is my favorite option. Maybe we should all do this one, together. A spirit animal represents the traits and characteristics you possess, in animal form. This might require some soul searching, but figure out the loudest parts of you and your personality and be the animal you were meant to be!

 

Alright friends, hopefully this guide gave you some solid inspiration (if not maybe a good laugh or two?). So get out there, get that costume ready, and I’ll see you THIS Saturday for the long awaited, 3rd annual Halloween WOD and BOO-runch…aka come look silly, workout and then let’s eat and DRANK it up! Sign up today!

$50 per Team (includes registration for both team mates) Only 20 spots available!

(Only 1 registration per team – We’ll send an email to get division and partner name)

***Proceeds from Night of Champions will go toward new equipment for the gym!***

FOLLOW THE FB EVENT HERE

REGISTER HERE

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start and that your meal prep game is on point 😉 I have been prepping my meals for the week on Sundays for a few years now. When I first started, I kept it simple and pretty much ate the same thing (or a variation of the same thing) every week…. until I got so dang sick of chicken breast I couldn’t stand it!

So, this past year especially, I’ve gotten braver and more creative with my meal prep dishes and it’s been awesome! In an effort to keep you from eating boring food, I wanted to share one of my favorite go-tos that is great for weekly prep, but also perfect for a quick weeknight meal. I’ve made this one several times and the nice thing is, you can really dress these however you like! They are super easy, super fresh, and super delicious. Without further adieu, let’s get into this lovely recipe for Portobello Mushroom tacos.

(I also love the name of this blog – Gimme some oven? Come on!)

Enjoy!
-Coach Gen

ROASTED PORTOBELLO TACOS

Don’t judge my plating… I don’t have anyone to impress 😉

DIRECTIONS:

Oh, hello.

Welcome to… (queue drumroll)

Diaries of a Coach!

Erica here, hopefully I have met most of you but those I haven’t, nice to meet you and welcome to my diary! I have to say, I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Writing has been an outlet for me for awhile now and when this idea was thrown out, I knew in my gut I needed to say yes. (Ever get that oh-crap-I-know-I’m-supposed-to-do-this-but-I’m-HELLA-nervous feeling? That.)

Anyways, this is the new place to be. Right here, on my public diary! My hope is simply this: I want to make you laugh, bring a smile to your face. I want to tell you some stories, let you in on the life of a coach. I want to be real. I don’t know about you, but a big ol’ dose of realness in my day is always good for the soul. While my life and experience will be far from perfect, let’s connect over the struggles, the pains, the joys, the laughs, the highs and the lows that we all experience in this crazy CrossFit world we share.

So post numero uno commences… Right. Now.

A few months ago, Coach Jared and I did a video on our “why”. If you haven’t seen that, you should probably check it out (What’s your why)! If you watched that video, a huge part of the reason I train and am so passionate about coaching others comes from my own experience, growing up immersed in a lifestyle that very minimally valued proper nutrition and adequate movement, if at all. As I got older and realized the unhealthy and deeply rooted habits I had adopted, it became clear to me that I was to change a very prominent generational pattern in my family, or else I was headed down a slippery slope toward countless health risks and limitations.

Fast forward to the present, living in a city where health and fitness are cultural norms, working in an industry that is inundating me with new training methodologies daily and being borderline addicted to my own training and progress, people from my past stepping into this world might not even recognize me. So when my family came to visit last week, this was in many ways the case. My life is centered around something that lives on the very outskirts of theirs at best. So over the course of the last week, I found myself asking, “How do I encourage those around me to move, to take ownership of what and how and why they eat, to care about their health with the decisions they make daily?”

Odds are, if you’re reading this, you are engaged in a training program, hopefully here at CFA with me. (If not, holla at ya girl! erica@crossfitaustin.com) So more than likely I don’t need to encourage you to move consistently. But maybe, like me, you care deeply about someone, or multiple someones, that haven’t tasted the goodness of pushing physical limits, of eating a meal with the sole purpose of fueling the body for work, of gaining confidence from achieving a long term goal in the gym. This is my heart for most of my family. I want them to not only live long and healthy lives, I want them to have the ability to do the things they love, I want them to live pain free, and I want them to accomplish things they never thought possible.

Here’s what I would say after a week of contemplating all of this, of encouraging and sometimes violently pushing the people I care most about (let’s be honest, sometimes we all need a loving but violent push). Keep loving what you do, who you are and how you feel when you finish a workout every day. Aren’t you so glad to have a community of people in it with you?  But let’s also invite people in. Let’s talk about it like we adore it, because we really do. It gives us life, literally. So many haven’t found something that keeps them going, that challenges them, that provokes healthy change both physically and mentally, and people to do it with. Maybe it’s simply initiating a conversation about the struggles of fitness and nutrition, or inviting someone on a walk, or bringing them to CFA (shameless plug, nailed it). How can you, today, share your fitness? Y’all, someone’s life might depend on it!

-Coach E