There is nothing in my world that makes my life as sweet as my family.

Yes that is the word I would use to describe my evening.  


Come along with me on a little journey...


This morning I checked my Facebook (imagine that) and this is what Boomer's status update said:
In just over 16min, I ran a mile, did 50 push ups, 50 KB thrusts & 50 box jumps... Now back to my regularly scheduled staycay... — at CrossFit 480.

Sometimes I think I'm making a great choice, specifically in clothing and/or make-up.


I mean, I get it.  I'm ok with looking back on photos and thinking, "Wow, really?"  Cases in point...

• College with the REALLY flippy hair.  I looked like a duck, which is funny because there was a girl we used to make fun of because her hair make her look like a duck.  I'm 98% sure it was actually ME my friends were talking about and just trying to spare my feelings. 

• The days I wore concealer that was WAY too light for my face.  The results were pictures of me with really white circles around my eyes.  

• When I was a hostess in college and I wore dresses and skirts that were so short I'm pretty sure part of my ass was actually coming out of it.  

• Or the time that I did my lipstick in the car and had no idea how Chola dark it was and wore it into a party...where my sister-in-law and best friend were and said NOTHING...I still don't forgive you.

Today, my friends, I did it again.

I got all ready this morning.  Showered, hair done (and when I say "done" I mean worn the same way I wear it every day of my life), outfit on and out the door.

I got to school.  I got through my day.  Nobody told me I looked cute all day.  Not a student, not a teacher, nobody.  I mean, people don't tell me I look cute every day.  That wasn't the problem.  It was the after school when I got home and looked in the mirror...I realized why nobody told me I looked cute.

My shirt.  My new Ann Taylor Loft shirt looks like scrubs.  I looked in the mirror and was like, "Ummm, really Katie?"  Perhaps it wasn't as, hmmm...flowery with my trusty cardigan on top.  By the time I got home the cardigan was off and I looked like I should have gone to work in a hospital today.  AWESOME.

Dear Mom,


Love,
Mooch

Today, I write, again, because:
A.  I'm still on Spring Break and thought I'd put out as many posts as possible while I still have time.
B.  My body is too sore to move anything other than my fingers.
C.  I don't get the morning paper so with my coffee, I blog.

Nancy Negative Side:
I'm in an asstastic mood.  LPIYH (Little people in YOUR heads):  Oh joy, so glad you decided to share this bad mood with both of us.

The only reason I'm sharing this is because, perhaps, a few of you can relate.  Maybe there is a teeny, tiny chance that some of you are here because you, too, feel asstastic about this same thing.

So there I was...

• My clothes are fitting awesome.  
• Lots of my pictures are looking good.
• People are making comments that I look better. 
• My last workout was rad.

I was feeling good.  I was feeling pretty.  I was doing my morning walk around the internet and suddenly this picture kicked me in the face.
Sidenote:  There has NEVER been a good picture of me that has come out of the Crossfit 480 owner's camera.  That damn thing hates me. 

• I don't look exactly like I want to look but I'm getting there.  
• I'm closer than I was 6 months ago.
• I did 190 Wall Balls yesterday...and a shit-ton of other stuff
• No matter how long I do Crossfit, it's ALWAYS hard (as in lay on the floor and try not to die hard) and I NEVER quit.

• My clothes are fitting awesome.  
• Lots of my pictures are looking good.
• People are making comments that I look better. 
• My last workout was rad.
• I have tons of super great things going on in my life right now.  
• I pulled out my entire summer wardrobe, a wardrobe that didn't fit last summer, and it ALL FITS! 

There are days that I don't ever think I'll find the man I'm looking for.

I used to think I didn't even know what I was looking for but today it was so crystal clear to me, my type, that I wish everyone who fit this mold would just line up so I can test drive them.

So, in walks this guy.  Tall, dark, freakin sexy.  Actually, he was just ok when I first saw him.  Pretty good looking guy.  Tan...love tan men (not Pauly D tan just normal human tan).  Dark...I like dark hair.  Big...not fat, not huge muscles (at least not that I could see through his shirt) just a manly looking guy.   Cute face...

On that note, let me tell you 3 scientific facts I know from all of the research googling random shit I do.

1.  People are attracted to people who resemble themselves.  What?  Weird, right?  I mean, I don't wanna day me but it's true.  People are attracted people whose faces look similar to theirs.

2.  On that similar faces note is the whole, people are attracted to others with faces that are more symmetrical...odd but true.  Don't believe me?  Google it (Lol, "I don't know, GOOGLE IT."<---what movie?)

3.  Women are attracted to different types of men during different parts of their hormonal (or is it menstrual cycle).  Anyway, during optimal conception days women are more attracted to men with higher levels of testosterone.  And if you're me, you're ALWAYS attracted to men with high levels of testosterone.  Alpha Male?  Yes, please!  Every meatheat a-hold frat boy in college?  Yes and yes.


Back to MY TYPE...
Back to the story...in walks this guy and he's just ok.  He sits down with us at the coffee shop and then he opens his mouth and Oh-My-God.  All this wisdom came pouring out of his mouth.  Words I didn't know.  Research he'd done.  The intricate details of things I have never heard of.


I saw it on Pinterest.  I haven't had time to see if it's a real thing but I know I have it.
I am RIDICULOUSLY attracted to smart.

Honestly, not gonna lie, since the invention of Facebook and social networks I have been sadly disappointed in our society.  I mean, until this, I really did think that adults knew which there (there, their, or they're) to use and when.

But, when I talk to guys who know shit...and when I say shit I mean anything more than what I know about.

Guys who know a lot about cars...Sexy
Guys who know a lot about finance...Sexy
Guys who know a lot about fitness...Sexy
Guys who know a lot about politics...Sexy
Guys who know a lot about freaking tropical storms...Sexy

Not that I care about tropical storms but at least they know a lot about something and I know they can read and probably have read more than Maxim Magazine.  UGH, guys who read are so hot.
So, that's it.  I found my type.  Be smart.  Look good, not even that good just a tiny bit above average.  Be smart. Done.

So...men who are my age and unmarried and fit my above qualifications, please line up.  No?  Nobody? You all got married when you were 25?  Awesome.

Hello and welcome to this episode of What I'm Loving Wednesday...Spring Break version!


1.  Hiking with Friends
Ahh, hiking season.  I love you hiking season.  I loved getting my Camelbak all packed up with my mini-sunscreen, Luna bars, fruit strips, and an extra hair tie.  I loved trying out a new trail today.  I did not love that my legs wouldn't really work for me today--seriously, bad workouts 2 days in a row?  What's going on!?!?  Geez, this blog is what I'm LOVING not what I suck at.  Moving on, keepin is positive :)

Love hiking with my friends!

2.  Cobb Salad
I've never actually eaten one but my friend had one at lunch and I see no reason that I haven't tried this yet. Bacon, avocado, eggs, what's not to love?!  I'm inspired and going to make one for myself tomorrow!


3.  Photobooth.
Philip, Lily and I had lots of fun taking "funny pictures."

Not every workout or every day on the Journey is awesome.

Some days blow...or suck as in suck wind.

Today's WOD

7 Power Snatches                 7 Rounds
65 Singles
---------------------------------------------------------
1 mile run

I contemplated not going but after talking about how much I love Crossfit all weekend I felt like I'd be a failure if I didn't go.

So I went.

My stomach hurt so bad.  I'm not going to tell you why my stomach hurt because that would mean me admitting that I had a Shamrock Shake from (gasp) McDonald's on the way home and yesterday I had a (giant) piece of pizza and an ice cream cone.  (Ahhhh, I'm praying hard that Justin doesn't read this.  He shows no mercy when I make bad food decisions).


I did the first part of the WOD...slowly, shititly (wow, I just made that word up and I think I love it).

I almost puked.

I told Justin I was NOT going to run because I feel sick.  He says, "Ok, you can row 2000 meters."

Hmmm, I guess I'm running.

I start out running.  I almost puked.  Sick.
I walked the rest of the way.  It took me 12:38 to go 1 MILE.  W-T-F.

It sucked.  I hated it.

Lessons learned:
Don't drink Shamrock shakes.  Period.
Don't eat dairy.  It makes you sick Kathryn.
Even though I sucks and felt awful I did more than you fools who didn't work out today.  Get cha ass off the couch!! (Said with lots of love ;) )

May I remember how awful I felt today the next time I want to pick up some dairy or pretend food.
I shall eat great so I can work out great.  I've come a long way but I'm not nearly there.

Just about 180 days ago I started this journey to change my body, mind and life 180 degrees.  At the time I honestly didn't think I would change.  I thought I might get a bit better in the gym but since I had always had a tough time shedding lbs in the past, I wouldn't change all that much.

I am convinced.  I have all my stats below but more, than any of that I have so many people to thank.  The gentlemen (Derek, Brian, Justin) for CF 480 have changed everything about me and I am forever in their debt (and those thank you cards are coming, promise ;) ).  And anyone else who has helped me along this journey...which has been SO many people, thank you.  Every compliment makes me want to push further and go harder.  Every, "Come on Katie, let's go," has helped me finish that WOD a little harder and a little stronger than I thought I could have.


I've done things I absolutely never dreamed I could do.  Crossfit 480 has changed my life.  I wish I could just bring new members in droves because that's how strongly I believe in this.  They say that Crossfit is a bit cult-like.  I have to agree and I'm in.  I'm so in that I just paid for a year up front.  It was expensive...but worth every penny.  I am officially hooked on eating clean and training dirty.


I say this and I will also say, I really don't think Crossfit is for everyone and I think you need to find what works for you.  For some, it's Pilates.  For some, it's cycling.  For some, it's Bar class.  Find what works for you and commit to it and push yourself.


So...just how has CF changed me?
Sidenote:  I didn't post before/after pictures.  I took them every week but there are just some things (very few ;) ) that I can't share on here.  Perhaps, one day, I'll get really brave and post them...not today.  However, a few people can attest to the fact that I look a bit different.

Description	180 Days Ago	Now
Mind and Body
Weight	Big…effin fat…not a size I wanted to be.  There’s only a handful of people who know the number and I will keep it that way.	18 pounds less…18 pounds on a 5.2” body...and still losing
Ankles	Sprained at least 4 times with lots of torn ligaments so I walked like I was 88 until after my morning shower.	NEVER hurt…never.
Size	Big…should have bought Bigger but wouldn’t do it.	2 sizes…ok 3 sizes smaller…and going down!
Eating	Sugar addict, knew what to eat but didn’t do it.	Paleo baby!
At Crossfit 480
Burpees	A joke.  My stomach was huge and whatever I was doing certainly didn’t look like a burpee…perhaps like an army crawl.	My burpees actually look like burpees
Pull Ups	Ring Rows…and they were hard	Blue and purple band.
Thrusters	Weightless PVC Pipe	65#
Back Squats	100 lbs (This was my best exercise)	155#
Box jumps	On the curb, jumping up and stepping down.	On a – in box, jumping up and jumping down.
Running	Run 100 meters, Walk 100 meters, Run 100 meters.	I finished a 5K without walking.  I run every run in a WOD and never walk.  I’m signed up to run Pat’s Run (4.2) in April…Running is my biggest accomplishment!!!
Comments	“Katie, just do 3 rounds, not 5.” “See if you can squat a big below parallel.” “Good work Katie.  You’re going to get even better.”	“I saw you walk 3 steps, don’t let it happen again.” “Get back on it.  Let’s go.” “Go ahead and just do 3 rounds,” but he WASN’T TALKING TO ME!!!  I have to finish every WOD, every time.  “By the way, you look amazing.” “Lookin’ good.”
Life
Me	Unhappy, unhealthy, not confident, ran away from cameras…yuck.	180 degrees different.  I really didn’t think that I would be changing 180 degrees and I have.  I just paid for a year of Crossfit because if anything interrupts my gym time I would be devastated.  I am doing my 2nd Whole 30 (hoping to push it to a Whole 60) because I love how it makes me feel. Life is good great.