CrossFit will force you to quit smoking. And Burpees are hard.

It was pretty clear after the first class that CrossFit would help me to quit smoking.  Every time I had the urge to smoke after my first class on my 40th birthday, I thought about how my lungs felt during that class.  No problem.  Being sick for a few weeks helped too.

After ironing out the rest of the holidays and returning to work, I've returned to the box for my second class.  I have no idea what to expect.  The white board at the box is filled with cryptic numbers and letters.

One word sticks out at me because I do not know what it means.  BURPEES.  I learn this is an exercise closely associated with CrossFit.  You can see Kelsey Lee from XHIT demonstrate a burpee here.  The burpee is also close associated with pain if you aren't used to doing them.  I went full force in this class and made it to 8 before gasping for air.

My favorite exercises of the evening were the kettle bell swings and wall balls because they hurt the least.   For now.

As a reward to myself for returning at all, I bought a sweatshirt.  Yay.

Inside the Box at 40

Today is my 40th birthday.  Today I start CrossFit.  Today I step inside the box at 40.

It's not a New Year's resolution, although I'm lucky enough that my birthday falls right in front of the New Year.  It's a lifetime resolution.  After smoking and drinking with regularity for most of my adult life, I've decided to head destiny off at the pass.  I want to avoid a heart attack, if at all possible, but do so without Lipitor and his pharmaceutical pals.  How?  Exercise and (mostly) proper eating.  Intensive exercise.  I joined my local CrossFit box.

Here I go....