Saturday, September 29, 2012

Emotional Stress

There have been a few family issues that have been stressing me out lately. I guess that's what's been keeping me from sleeping at night. This afternoon things kinda came to the point where I had to confront the issue head on -- it felt terrible. As I was dealing with it, I kept looking at the clock, noticing that it was getting closer and closer to the time I needed to start getting ready for CrossFit.

Part of me just didn't want to go. I really felt like I was an emotional wreck - unfocused, crying, feeling down in general ...

But I also knew that if I didn't workout, I'd feel worse. It would be good for me to take all that angst out on the weights.

I wasn't entirely convinced as I left the house. Then I made a huge mistake of checking my email right after parking at the CrossFit place - there was an email related to what's been going on and it had me completely burst into tears. I gave myself a few minutes to kinda let it out and then collect myself and then into the Box I went.

We had a bit of time before our workout started, and instead of isolating myself (like I wanted to do) I just chatted with the rest of the team, and before long I started to feel better.

During our skipping warm-up I finally managed to get a few double-unders. I've been struggling to get them over the past week or so. Our warm-up was intense - The quote "Our warm-up is your workout" is no joke when it comes to CrossFit! It included squats, hand-release push-ups, burpees, tire flips, crunches, and more ...

Then we worked on our skills. I was working with M on Cleans & Snatches. I'm still struggling with Cleans big time. I just can't get the movement smooth yet ... the snatches, however, are going well. I just need to keep my focus.

Our WOD was intense - deadlifts (60kg), burpees, and push presses (10kg) -- Reps increased in sets of 3 - so 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 reps of each exercise. I didn't finish (did the 18 deadlifts and then stopped after 9 burpees). I wish I had finished, but I tried my best.

This week boxing classes have started at our CrossFit box -- and my first lesson was today right after the WOD. Man, I was knackered! Still, I love boxing and I really wanted to do it, so I just got to it for another 45 minutes. It felt really good.

I'm so glad I had dinner prepared because I didn't get home until about 9 p.m. and I was starving!

I had to deal a bit more with the family situation after I got home, but at least I managed to de-stress through the workouts so it wasn't as bad as before.

Sometimes things just don't feel right, but you gotta push through anyway.

Starting Week 3 of the Whole Life Challenge -- I've managed to earn full points + bonus points so far. It's going well :)

5 comments:

  1. You are so strong. When I have an issue going dowm I hide from my phone and email - cowardy custard, I know! Kia kaha as we say here in NZ - stay strong.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi PlumPetals! Yes, I've found that I nearly always feel better going to workout. It just doesn't feel that way when deciding to go. CrossFit does sound like an excellent workout. You're doing so great.

    :-) Marion

    ReplyDelete
  3. I find that stress will often lead good to a great workout. You did a great job with not letting it keep you from your workout!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just got caught up with your blog as we've been gone since early Friday morning. I think it's great you stayed on plan for your dinner party.

    Exercise is a great de-stresser. I keep telling my daughters that, but I don't think they really believe me yet. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Prayers that the stresses at home work out soon.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I can use all the support I can get :)