How exactly do you define inspiration?
The Online Dictionary defines it as:
- arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
- a product of your creative thinking and work
- a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem
- arousing to a particular emotion or action
I think we can all agree that it can be easy to fall into the familiar routine of everyday life, just trying to get through your day and hoping for the best. And often, your true inspiration gets lost along the way. Thing is, we all need that spark to keep us going here and there, at different times, for different reasons and at different levels. Sure, there is always that minimum little flame burning somewhere inside, keeping you motivated through your tasks. Otherwise you wouldn’t even get out of bed each morning! Still, the larger, hit-you-over-the-head kind of inspiration needs to show itself from time to time to help ease us out of those naturally occurring slumps.
Would it be fair to say then that the same principal applies to your workouts?
We all have different reasons for signing that initial membership contract in the gym. Over time, that initial inspiration that got us repeatedly to the gym might change and grow. But on days where you feel like you just don’t give a hoot, and you can’t for the life of you think why you’re crazy enough to do something like CrossFit, it pays to look back.
In writing this, I had to dig around a bit in trying to recall my initial inspiration for getting started on my own lasting path to real fitness. I can admit it: five years ago, getting fit for me was completely motivated by the fact that I wanted to control my body weight. Plain and simple. Yet, as I gradually reached my initial goals, I began to set new ones, more lofty and challenging. I continually surprised myself with my own success, which only drove me onward to learn and do more. Eventually, my whole modus operandi for fitness had shifted.
…And this is what eventually brought me to CrossFit. Although my daily/weekly/monthly inspiration still ebbs and flows depending on what is happening in my life, how my body is holding up pain-wise, what videos I’ve watched and conversations I’ve had, and where my energy falls on a particular day, I now pursue fitness for the same identifiable reasons.
I want to live a long and healthy life. I want my body to function like a well-oiled machine; strong heart, strong lungs, strong limbs, strong mind. I want to open up doors for myself, and be able to do and see and try things that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to do and see and try. I want to be among like-minded people. I want to be healthy; not only to outward appearances, but on the inside as well. I want to hold myself accountable for what I do to my body and put into my body. I want to learn how to push myself further, through hurt and pain and when things feel impossible. I want to taste the real satisfaction that comes from success following endless hard work. I want to live my life the best way that I know how.
What inspires YOU to pursue personal fitness? Share your motivators to the comments section, and you might just succeed in inspiring someone else!
Today’s Workout
Buy-in: dynamic warmup led by coach (10min)
WOD: “Helen”
This is a CLASSIC… if you haven’t done it yet, get ready cause it’s got a lot of history – check out James Fitzgerald (OPT)’s sub 7 effort (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5gL9IIzbsY&feature=related).
Rx – 3 rounds for time of:
- 400m run
- 21 kettlebell swings (35/55)
- 12 pullups
Zone 3 – scale kettlebell weight to 20/40-45
Zone 2 – scale kettlebell as needed, assisted pullups
Zone 1 – scale as needed
Cash-Out: record your scores on MFT!
Those 400m’s are going to be awesome with this wind….;)
Seeing a picture of myself at 27 inspired me to join Crossfit again… 195lbs and fit. 6 years later, 240lbs, eating like crap, I figured If I was ever going to get back to that weight, I’d better use it or lose it (not that it’s ever lost, just WAY harder to get back :P).
I’m not sure if this is ‘inspiration’ or not, but definitely the ‘stress-relief’ aspect of pursing physical fitness is a HUGE benefit.
Ya Jer! You’re well on your way and the physical, mental and emotional rewards you’re reaping are infectious. 🙂
When push comes to shove, I’ll need the ability to pull myself (and others) to safety when those zombies come after me.
My long term inspiration is the 40 and 50 year old athletes that are healthy and amazing. I turn 47 in 2011 and I want this year and the following ones to be those that I’m in the best condition of my life. That gets me motivated. On a daily basis, I get inspired just working with other people on the daily WOD. Sometimes in round 3 of a real hard one, just seeing the other members giving their best is all I need to keep going, keep eating the pain cake and finish strong.
I concur with Cindy – Jer, you are inspiring. You are always working hard at chipping away at your “goats” and putting in that little extra before and after every class. I am inspired to be more like you! 🙂
And Cindy…yes…the Zombies.
Since I have been doing CF for approx 5 years, it is my life and my inspiration is a lot different then those that are just trying to get to the gym and stay fit or get in shape.
I find my inspiration changes on a daily basis. What inspires me, is the challenges that CF brings to me on a daily basis. I am always inspired when I can push myself harder than the day before, either mentally or physically.
I don’t see CF as a fitness program anymore, it is my sport. Growing up I was always into sports and loved them. As I had to grow up, the chances to play sports minimized. So this is the best replacement for me, and I love it! In saying that, I am inspired daily by the athletes around me. I am inspired by those that do things that I strive to do on a daily basis, and those that are striving to do what I do on a daily basis.
I hope this makes sense!
What inspires me, is for me to be better than yesterday.
“your body’s a machine. either rust it out, or wear it out, the choice is yours” – grandfather
For me inspiration is in the little things all around… I believe our mind is a muscle – and too often we forget that we need to train it daily too. I love reading different authors (Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer) for affirmations and reminders on being positive, loving, and always having faith! Then I feel so lucky because all I have to do is come down to the box & see all of those words in living proof. As a former Elite athlete I know what it takes – but being retired from sport (for over 10 yrs now) who I was then is very different from who I am now… and sometimes that’s hard to take. I was scared to start crossfit. I was scared to fail. But I’m so thankful I did and now I feel so blessed to be part of this incredible family & community – FOR LIFE!
Some days when my tank is running low, seeing my friends push beyond their limit fuels me up! Other days when I’m reving high I love being that person to pump up/encourage everyone around me… helping others achieve greatness feels SO rewarding. And EVERYDAY thinking about kids gets me over that fear of failing. The attitude kids bring to life – being open, having no expectations, knowing no limitations, and picking themselves up after falls/defeats is a great reminder.
The fact that I live with an Olympic Gold medallist doesn’t hurt either 😉
(he’s bigger & more appealing to the zombies!)
On a daily basis I seem to get inspired by at least one person in the box. Whether its a PR or watching someone grind the finish of a WOD.
If I ever feel like I need a little inspiration pre WOD, I’ll have a look on the .com site and watch a Mikko workout or listen to Speal talk. Those dudes are pretty inspiring
Thank you everyone for sharing your inspirations!
Erika, it is always an inspiration having you in my class, you are a beam of sunshine and always there to motivate and cheer everyone on. I also quite enjoy the occasional turrets!
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