Sexy Sculpt & Flexible Eating (Krissy Mae Cagney)

Posted on by Sandy

Well, first of all, if you don’t know who Krissy Mae Cagney is, watch this. (Even if you DO know… watch this 😉 )


I “discovered” Krissy Mae Cagney via her interview on Girls Gone WOD Podcast. Then, Claire of GGW posted that KMC’s books were half off for Black Friday, so I picked up her book “Flexible Dieting” and her 12-week training program, “Sexy Sculpt.”

Claire and I actually decided that we’d give Sexy Sculpt a try. We texted on Sunday about it, and started Monday (December 1st). Claire had “done the math,” and starting now basically means that we will be done just about when the Crossfit Open starts. We also realized how much better it always is to do a program with someone else – even though Claire’s in Denver and I’m in the San Francisco area, just having someone to “check in with” makes it all a lot easier to stick with.

hmmm which multiplier?
hmmm which multiplier?

I started with the Flexible Dieting book, and figured out my “macros” through that. This book definitely nails the whole “macro” thing and if you are interested at all in following a macro or “Zone”-type eating program, I would strongly recommend you pick this up. Because I am over 50, have metabolic damage, and have a body fat percentage of 31% even after everything I have done to budge it, I chose a multiplier of 11.1; however, after reading Sexy Sculpt, I re-calculated my multiplier to 12.

Whatsa Macro?

You really need to get the “Flexible Dieting” book, but in very general terms, “macros” stand for “macronutrients” (e.g., protein, fat, carbs). You need to take in a certain number of grams of each macronutrient daily to just survive – if you’re working out, or want to lose or gain weight, you need to know your “base” number, then tweak from there.

Whatsa Multiplier?

I mentioned you really gotta get the book, right? Once you have your weight and your body fat percentage, you use a “calorie multiplier” to figure out the amount of each macro you need daily. the multipliers run from 11 (if you are older, have metabolic damage, don’t really exercise, or have body fat over 29%) through 14 (if you’re super active, exercise all the time, have a fast metabolism, are young, or have a low body fat percentage).

What you multiply by the multiplier is the first number you have to choose. You can:
1. Just multiply it by your current weight, and get a number for your “maintenance calories.”
2. If you know your body fat percentage, you can subtract that percentage of your current weight, leaving your “lean body mass,” and multiply the multiplier by that to get the maintenance calories needed for that lean body mass.
3. If you have a goal weight, you can use that, to give you the calories that you will need at that weight, to maintain that weight. And, lastly,
4. If you have a goal weight and a goal body fat percentage, you can do that math, giving you the calories that you will need to maintain your lean body mass at your goal weight and body fat percentage.

Woman pinching fat from her waistAs I have discussed before, I’m not at my slimmest currently. My hormones are also all messed up, which my doctor ascribes to my doing a boatload of endurance events back to back for a year. (I blogged about this in my last post.)

My maintenance calories – using 11 as my multiplier given all of the “reasons to use 11” were:
1. 1958
2. 1351
3. 1705
4. 1398

After figuring this all out, I read the Sexy Sculpt book – in which KMC states there is “no way” that you should be doing this program on a multiplier that’s less than 12-ish. I figured that I’m doing the program, but I also have all the other “11 issues,” so I re-did my maintenance calories based on using a 12 multiplier, which gave me:
1. 2136
2. 1476
3. 1860
4. 1525

I decided to use the 1525 calories as my marker for figuring out my macros. (That is my goal weight times my goal fat percentage.) Now, from here, you figure out how many grams/calories of protein, fat, and carbohydrates you need a day. (Go get the book…HERE is the link again. You’re welcome.) So I did that, and re-introduced myself to MyFitnessPal.com. I really hate weighing and measuring and logging, but what the Heck, I’m doing it with the workouts, might as well just suck it up. I also found, then recharged, my BodyBugg. Now, many of you probably use FitBits – which I find a little odd, frankly. BodyBugg keeps track of your heartrate, perceived exertion, steps, sleep/sleep quality, etc. FitBit does…steps. Oh okay and logs your sleep time, if you remember to click it twice and turn around and click your heels or whatever you do. Yes, FitBit is nicer looking, but I’ll take all the information over a fancy bracelet any day. So I re-upped my BodyMedia account, linked my BodyBugg to MyFitnessPal.com, and I was ready.

Sexy Bo-grammed Sculpt
Sexy Bo-grammed Sculpt

As I think I mentioned in the previous post, I’m currently having our programming director, Coach Bo, program WODs for me specially, that take out the MetCon portion, but still “track” the programming for the day. (Yes, I know I wrote about this in the last blog because I explained what a MetCon was.) So I got myself all industrious, and “matched up” the WODs from the “Bo-gramming” to the KMC WODs. Basically what that entails is just adding the KMC Sexy Sculpt WODs to the Bo-gramming, because the former is a lot more involved than the latter.

Um, yeah, so, the photo here is what that looks like. It’s the WODs from the Sexy Sculpt (HERE is the link to the book again! Oh and NO I do not get paid anything or get anything free for recommending it), with the Bogramming added, plus the pre-stretching and post-mobility added from my fascia guy and my mobility guy. (Claire asked if that stain was blood. Naw, just tears. Big honkin’ tears.)

So far, it’s actually been a blast to do the workouts “with” Claire. We both started with Day One/Lower Body (barbell back squat, barbell glute bridges, etc.) and then, as is allowed in the program, moved today to Day Four/Lower Body (deadlift, good mornings, calf raises, etc.) I did this because it matched my Bogramming better – though our legs are so sore we are having “functional fitness issues” in things like, oh, getting up from the toilet (laugh – TMI!). Tomorrow we’re doing Upper Pull (bentover row, lat pulldowns, cleans, etc.) and then Friday we’ll do Upper Push (overhead strict press, bench press, push ups, etc.)

The Sexy Sculpt program is 4 days, though you get “extra credit” for doing other things on the other days. I’m doing just “Bo-gramming” on one day (as I do Crossfit 5 days), and then hopefully hiking or something like that one other day.

So far so good.

Wanna Join?

Claire and I are just 2 workouts into the Sexy Sculpt program – if you’re looking for something to do to really attack your weight issues, body fat issues, strength issues, or what-ev-ah, why don’t you join us? Get the book, give it a read, and if you’re interested, leave me a Comment and maybe I will start up a Facebook group or some such.

I just wish it wasn’t called “Sexy Sculpt.” Beh. Claire and I are calling it “The Black Iron Workout” because that’s KMC’s gym and sounds less ’80s Jane Fonda.

Go get the books!

I’m baaa-aaack…and cryin’ at Crossfit again ;-)

Posted on by Sandy

crossfit kettlebell swingWhere have I been? Oh boy . . .

The super duper short answer is that I had my computer and purse stolen recently, plus my cell phone went haywire, and trying to replace and regroup has taken an inordinate amount of time and energy. I still am not totally over it – still haven’t found an adequate way, for example, to do emails the way I “want to” – but I’m getting there.

Losing 20+ years’ worth of email tags, flags, folders, etc. is like losing a part of your brain. Though I have “chronological” backup, I lost all my email folders and flags, because I didn’t set up the backup correctly. It’s not as gut-wrenching as losing things that are “irreplaceable” – like the chamsa from Israel or my USMC dog tags that were in my coin purse – but still miserable. Just the other day a client asked for the name of an expert I’d told her about a few months ago, and I went to get the name from my “expert folder” which is . . . gone. No way to remember the name, as it was snuggled in that folder for years, where I would pull it out on the random occasions I needed it. Harrumph.

But this post was to be about Crossfit.

About three weeks ago (more or less) I also was given the medical opinion that I should basically quit Crossfit. The short story (I know, I know, my stories are never short) is that doing the 5 marathons and triathlon in a year-ish totally messed up my hormones, and that the ‘metcon’ [METabolic CONditioning] portion of Crossfit wasn’t allowing that to heal. Hence the continued 30% body fat percentage (and dreaded, unbudge-able, “back fat”), draggy-ness even on a handful of meds and supplements, etc.

Woman pinching fat from her waistI parsed through the “Why” of quitting Crossfit with medical professionals, and what it came down to was that I could keep going, if I concentrated on the Strength portion, walking, and “some sprinting, but not right now.” This follows the basic prescription from books such as Younger Next Year and innumerable podcasts that I’ve blogged about. Just no metcons or long, endurance-type workouts.

So Coach Bo (our Programming Director) now does up a week-in-advance schedule for me. It basically takes out the metcon portion of whatever is programmed. As an example, I might be doing the same movements as the program, but not “for time,” or I might be “going heavy” where the program is to go less heavy and to sprint.

Since I now have to really concentrate on form because I’m trying to “go bigger” with lifts, I also had to change my workout time.

Why?

I’ve been going to the 9:00 a.m. WOD for over a year now. Recently, it’s gotten a lot more “social” – people talking, etc. There are also now a lot of people in the box, and with lots of people, one coach, three different programming tracks, etc., you wind up being coached more reactively (“No, don’t do that!”) than “proactively” (“Let me show you how to do that in the best way for you.”)

So I swapped out to the 7:15 a.m. WOD. It has, max, 4 other people besides me in it, and all are men concentrating on “getting’er done.” Some mornings, it’s just me, or me and one guy. So this allows me to get proactive, personal coaching. There’s no “share the bar, gossip or chat between sets, sass mouth, sandbag, don’t-squat-all-the-way-down-in-wall-balls-if-the-coach-isn’t-looking” vibe.

A big part of why I wanted a switch, too, is that I continued to be far and away the “worst one” in every activity. New women would join, and within a month or so, they’d be out-squatting, out-lifting, out-whatever-ing me. (And no, they were not 20 to my 50.) I’m not particularly competitive, but this sort of thing just grinds you down, especially when you feel you are trying so hard at everything.

Bar-facing burpees. Yes, I am so tired I'm resting my head on the PVC pipes I was jumping over.
Bar-facing burpees. Yes, I am so tired I’m resting my head on the PVC pipes I was jumping over.

This is what came out for me yesterday. There is a new coach at our box, Coach Chelsea. And yesterday, it was just the two of us in the WOD at 7:15. So, basically, I got a private.

Part of the WOD prescribed for me that day was “weighted walking lunges.” I have had stabilization/balance and pain issues with lunges for years now, so I have always done these either forward but holding on to a vertical with one hand, or as reverse lunges while standing in place. When I went to do that, Coach Chelsea said, basically, “Nope.”

Just the day before, I’d done a WOD with Coach Bo, who was enthusiastically surprised when I could do an “ass to grass” squat with my heels still on the floor. Oh sure, I have to push up with my1.7blog hands to get out of it, and I can’t just drop down into it, but when I first came to Crossfit, I couldn’t even squat down more than maybe about 5-6″ before getting “stuck.” It took me a year to get to the point where I could get my butt below my knee crease, and even then, it was with a box or wall ball under me. (I still do this for lifts that contain squats.)

Because I’m new to Coach Chelsea (and vice-versa), however, she doesn’t cut me any slack. She wants to “see” why I have to scale, and pushes me to do things where my constant, ever-present internal backtalk pushes back with “I can’t.”

I did this when she told me I had to do actual forward lunges – not with a weight, but I had to actually touch my back knee to the ground, and I had to travel doing it. When I said “I can’t,” she said, “I don’t believe you. Do it. Show me why you can’t.”

The first round was not the prettiest thing. But I did it. Then she stopped me and said, “You are always saying you ‘can’t’. You’re stuck in your own back story. It’s time to look forward from that, because you’re using it to get away with not progressing further. It’s a crutch.”

What did I want to say back? I wanted to say how far I had come. I wanted to say that she didn’t “know” how “bad I had been” and how “great” what I was doing was, comparatively. Heck, all the other coaches are amazed that I can lunge down while holding onto a vertical, why aren’t you? Why do you want me to do something I find not just scary, but super scary? What if I fail?

Why didn’t I say that? Because I knew she was right. So I teared up (which totally surprised her), and then we had a discussion about the issue (it being a private lesson and all).

The discussion brought up a memory of a friend of mine, who, to be crass, “thinks her sh*t doesn’t stink.” She objectively is not all that good at her job (we used to work together, so I know), at what she does in her personal life, etc. But she thinks she’s awesome. It’s a wonder for me to behold.

I admitted to Coach Chelsea that one of the main reasons that I didn’t try some things was not so much that I felt I would get hurt doing them. It was that I didn’t want to be embarrassed by trying super hard at something that wasn’t even a drop in the bucket for everyone else, and potentially failing. Also, I told her about the whole “being the worst in the gym” thing.

Raaaawrrrr
Raaaawrrrr

She didn’t disagree with me about that comment. But what she said was that I was looking at this from the wrong perspective. That sure, maybe I was the worst. But there were people who would love to have the will power to get off the couch and go to a gym to just ride the stationary bike and leaf through a magazine. Much less go five times a week to something as “bad ass” as Crossfit.

She also said that everyone in the gym felt the same way. In other words, if you were doing a move perfectly but without weight, you looked at the ones who did it with weight. If you did it with light weight, you looked at people doing it with more weight. If you were the top of the box, you competed, then realized that you were really just a big fish in a small pond.

That you want to use where the people that are better than you are to motivate you – and to use where you used to be to springboard from. (Which reminds me of my first BIG “Can’t” argument with Coach Chelsea – max box jumps. My max to that point was 15″ – I was stacking up plates to start at 13″ and “maybe get to” 17″. She made me go over to the gymnastics pit and practice and practice and practice. and “Shut up already with the ‘Can’t’!” By the end I did 24″. Still the “worst in the gym” – but way better than my previous best.)

And speaking of couch potatoes, I had, in fact, been one. That’s what had started the odyssey that ended with me completing the Ironman triathlon. I know that many people just want to run a half or a full marathon, and, gee, I did five in one year with a triathlon and a long distance swim thrown in. If someone marvels at that, I of course answer immediately that I’m a back-of-the-pack’er, and that I know that they can do it. But being a “back of the pack’er” doesn’t take away from the pile of finisher medals on my bureau, and I have to stress that in my mind, not the “back-ness.”

Coach Chelsea also said that she had had some of these issues herself, because she’s of larger stature. As she put it (when we were practicing rope climb drills), she had a “lot more to get up the rope” than the usual Crossfit woman. To progress, she had to not only compare herself only to herself, but also to constantly poke any “Can’t’s,” to see if they’re still true.

I hate realizing that my own mind is holding me back. Realizing that feeling I had gone “so far” from my beginning was making me sandbag to some extent. And, more importantly, that not wanting to “feel stupid” for trying a heavier weight that was still by far the lightest weight on the whiteboard – and failing at it – was causing me not to try that heavier weight at all. Also, that I was sort of depending upon the coaches who really had seen me from the beginning to tell me how great i was doing – when I could do better. Yuck.

Well, that’s enough from me. How about you?

  • Have you ever “not tried harder” because you felt you were “doing enough”? Or that even if you “did amazingly” you would still be last, so you don’t even want to put in the effort?

  • What are you sandbagging at?

  • What’s your self-talk like? Do you constantly “bad mouth” yourself to yourself, or do you think that your “stuff” doesn’t stink?

  • How do you handle defeats? Do you keep at it? Do you stay in the “safe” zone? Do you quit? Do you blame?

  • How does what people “think of you” affect you?

  • Where do you feel you could improve? If no one is pushing you, are you able to push yourself?

  • What do you aspire to? What inspires you? Or, on the flip side, what defeats you?

Amazing Race 25 – Episode One!

Posted on by Sandy
the best watch/compass combo I could find.

A watch with a compass. Who wudda thunk it?

The Amazing Race, Season 25 (wow!) started this week. And the team that came in far and away in first place was able to do so, because a team member had a watch with a compass on it. (SPOILER ALERT, don’t keep reading if you haven’t seen the episode yet!)

The Episode started with all the teams getting out in front of a “ring of fans” in New York City. The first clue was actually pretty fun – you had to know something about TAR history – where Season 1 started. As such, the teams had to ask the “fans” for the answer. I liked that a lot – gave the fans something to be proud of knowing. As it was a question about TAR-1, and I only started at about TAR-15 or so, I wouldn’t have known the answer either!

The final clue had the teams given a set of “coordinates” by “Blackbeard,” and they had to dig up a “treasure box” to finish. They were given a water compass (I think that’s what it’s called – see HERE for the video showing this part of the show) and a yard-long shovel to figure out their directions and paces.

The compass (as you can see from the video, if you clicked on it) says what is facing you. For example, if the ball says NORTH and you’re holding it in front of your face, then NORTH is the direction you’re facing. This is 180 degrees from what a “Regular” compass would show – as in, if you held up a regular compass and wanted to go North, then SOUTH would be “facing” you (with North on the “far side” of the compass).

I would totally have gotten this wrong, too. No doubt. It’s actually far easier to use (if you think about it) than a “regular” compass – because where you are going is right in your face. It’s just we are all programmed to think of it working the other way around!

HOWEVER, the he-dentist figured it out right away. As it looked like the sun was up around noon, that wasn’t helpful for figuring out East/West. HOWEVER, he had a COMPASS ON HIS WATCH. So he pointed himself in the direction the watch said, then looked at the ball. And figured it out immediately.

The other teams kept coming up to him to ask him how to do it. He found his treasure box quite quickly, and then was off – so the folks who actually got to talk to him wound up being able to find their boxes too (after some trial and error). The teams that did NOT talk to him – that got to the island after they’d left – didn’t really figure it out. Well – they did once the sun was setting (as in “rises in the East sets in the West” – though the “hot girls” that are always on TAR (blonde realtor girls), when asked, said “Um, rises in the West, sets in the East?” – um….why, ‘cos they’re from Florida??).

The three teams that were left wound up, after digging into the setting sun and working like dogs, just taking the 4 hour penalty together. This was like a couple seasons ago in Bali, when the 3 teams that couldn’t get the task done just all agreed to take the penalty. In this case, they all got close – in fact, it showed on the screen where each team was digging – and where the box was (usually within a yard to so of where they were).

One thing I didn’t really understand was how DEEP folks were digging. I would have walked over to the hole of the folks who got away quickest, to figure out how far down the boxes were (not very far at all). Once I knew that, if I didn’t find it where I thought it was, I would have started making little “tester holes” in the vicinity, not dug these grave-deep holes like a couple of the teams did!

Interestingly, the realtor girls – who are the ones who came up with the idea of “everyone” taking the 4 hour penalty – did it because they thought they would be able to beat the other 2 teams to the mat. As always, the first round is ALWAYS an elimination round.

The thing is, the girls had actually “stolen a grease pencil away” from the firefighter team (who I know they were SURE they would beat, because one of the guys is heavy-set), and the firefighter team was really sore about it. This had happened earlier in the day. So once they got off the island, all making this “pact” to take the 4 hour penalty, the “lighter” of the firefighter team got to a taxi van first. Then one of the realtor gals tried to get into it, too, and the heavier firefighter basically grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her out, said “Um, no.” The realtors wound up getting eliminated, and on the mat they were whinging about how the firefighters hadn’t “played fair,” etc. But in reality, they sort of had karma come back to bite them for “elbowing out” the firefighters earlier in the show!

This show (at the beginning) has a REALLY GOOD “intro” of the teams. I think that doing a TAR tape JUST like they introduced the teams as they came out of their cars in New York City would be awesome. It shows their hashtag, tells their story, shows a little bit about them. Granted you get 3 minutes in the submission tape – these were about a minute – but I think that it is THE WAY to present a team in the intro tape. Food for thought 😉

That said, am I losing weight? Getting stronger? Even GOING to Crossfit? Nope. Was in Colorado for holiday with Herbert, and we did get out and bike, do some hiking, etc. but we mainly ate and drank (surprise surprise!) I’m in Utah now, and plan to go to Crossfit here, but I don’t have a car. The closest Crossfit is CLOSE (less than a mile away), but no walking or jogging through the thunder 😉 I also had work to do today and tomorrow, but after that, time to climb back on the bandwagon! How many times have I said THAT!

Too many times! LOL.

Are you watching The Amazing Race?

Would you want to be ON The Amazing Race?

If so – what do you think would be important as a racer – besides a watch with a compass? 😉

Awesome Travel Pants for Tall Legs and Crossfit ‘Booty’

Posted on by Sandy
Columbia “Just Right” Omni-Shield trousers

As many of you know, the entire first chapter of my first book is dedicated to “clearing out” your life – and being ready for anything.

This past Labor Day, for me, was all about attacking the entropy that had overwhelmed parts of my life . . . which means culling through clothing, etc. ruthlessly.

I have been reading TravelFashionGirl.com for a while, and really like her website and suggestions. The biggest issue, however, is that she’s short, and doesn’t have much of a “booty.” So a lot of the clothing that she suggests just won’t work for 6’2″ booty-esque me.

I have two pair of the same “go to” black slacks in my wardrobe. The issue, however, with these slacks (like a lot of women’s clothing!) is that they have no pockets. As such, I’ve been trying to find a replacement that will not only work for a pair of work slacks, but also will work for Crossfit/hiking/etc.

Not that I would purposely go out of my way to wear a pair of slacks to Crossfit, mind you – but I’ve decided that this is how I am going to judge all new clothing purchases. (Why? Because, of course, I want them to work WHEN I am chosen for The Amazing Race. Naturally.)

Enter the first pair of pants I’m really excited about! They are pictured on the right – the Columbia “Just Right” straight leg pant. Not too tight and not too loose, these woven pants deliver beautiful balance: the perfect amount of fabric and stretch for a sleek, flattering shape and a comfortable fit that is equally ideal for daily wear as it is for all kinds of active endeavors – yes, I wore them to Crossfit on Thursday, and they performed like a champ!

They have UPF 50 sun protection, plus Columbia’s Omni-Shield stain and water repellency. They dry easily hung overnight; I have washed them (cold) and also dried them for a tiny bit in the dryer, and they held their size.

Although it’s tough to see in the picture, there is a “raised seam” on the front, which looks like a trouser crease. These pants are “stretchy” but not so much that you feel like you are wearing tights, and are super light weight as opposed to many “go to” travel pants, like jeans or khakis. They have a draw string on the inside, which is actually a nice feature as you can cinch in the waist a bit. They do not have tight straight legs – they are roomy enough for Crossfit quads and hammies without being “boot cut.” Ideal!

There is seaming on the back and I must tell you – they make my booty look amazing.

Although there are no pockets in front or back, they have a very roomy zip pocket on the side of one leg. This pocket holds a large-sized phone, keys, money clip, etc. (I tried it out). I think that the back shapes the booty so well due to the lack of back pockets – instead, it has “shaping seams.” The back is high, so no need to “pull your shirt down” as with some pants, if you bend over or squat down. Again – the drawstring actually really helps the fit, though it is hidden fully inside (the trousers have a single snap button – no belt loops).

They fit true to size, however, the “Regular” (there is no Tall) is 33″. I happen to have a 34″ inseam, and there isn’t a hem to take out on these pants. Worn low on the hip, they graze the top of my feet. I’m fine with that – but I wouldn’t wear them with a heel. Point of fact, my former “go to” trousers were about this length as well – it’s kinda hard to be over 6 feet, what can I tell you.

I did purchase another pair of pants that I plan to review: They have more standard pockets for a “hiking pant” but are also a breathable fabric that I think can work as a “work pant” too. I’ll let you know after they pass my “work then Crossfit” test 😉 In the meantime, I’m tempted to go right back out and buy another pair of these – yes, they really are that great! They also come in a dark grey color called “Grille,” in case you are looking for a pair of pants in that color instead of black.

Your Turn:

Do you have any item of clothing that you’d recommend to me as a “must have” piece for The Amazing Race? Yes, I’m serious – I figure the only way that I can make this dream come true is to be ready for it to come true. If you’re familiar with the program, you’re only allowed to bring a carry-on sized bag, so everything you bring needs to be easily washed, durable, fashionable, and mix-and-match. What comes to mind that you own??

 

 

Alison Armstrong from UnderstandingMen.com

Posted on by Sandy

aaToday, I received an email newsletter from UnderstandingMen.com. Many moons ago, I attended a number of Alison’s workshops, and in fact, back in 2008, I was honored to be the first person to interview Alison for a podcast!

I wanted to share a quote found in the newsletter, because it pretty much sums up the Fempowerment model!

“Women underestimate the power of femininity. We’ve been led to believe that it is fluff and frivolity. When women realize that their femininity has the innate ability to connect, profoundly nurture and inspire the best in others, we might finally embrace the source of our own magic.” — Alison Armstrong

Although some parts of the podcast are outdated (no more listener call-in line, for example!), HERE is the link to that “Coffee Chat” with Aaa2lison. You can also find all my past podcasts on iTunes by searching on the term Bond Girl in the iTunes Store, then scrolling down to the Podcasts section. The podcast is entitled Fempowerment: A Guide To Unleashing Your Inner Bond Girl and has a red background with a standing Bond Girl. On my iTunes (perhaps it’s just pandering to my ego…) it comes up first in the Podcast list for that search term.

Oh – and be forewarned, I’m working with BeingJamesBond.com now, and we will be crafting new podcasts that will “cross over” between both of our websites, coming soon!

 

 

Haters…and Stalking…

Posted on by Sandy

poleWay back in the Paleolithic Era, I agreed to be part of an article in the S.F. Chronicle called something like “different ways folks exercise.” I was doing a lot of vertical gymnastics back then (a/k/a pole dancing), and they were curious about that.

The photo at the left is the photo that they used. I thought it was fun, and still have a copy of the article somewhere. I thought it was fun, that is, until I accidentally went online, and met with The Haters.

The Haters are folks who make comments like “look at all that cellulite” and “she makes me throw up a little in my mouth.”

Just a minute or so ago, in sending someone the link to my first book (which I will update some day, swear), I saw that there were some “newer” reviews of my book. Since the book was published in 2007, I was curious to look.

Haters!

The bad part is that the hater reviews pull the reviews of my book down. With no newer reviews to “trump” them, they have high weight. (So, if you happen to read this blog, and happen to want to go review my book on Amazon, would’ja? (click here))

It also really wrecks my day. My friend Jen at Wine To Weightlifting wrote about this a while back (click here). I really felt her pain.

oldWhen I was a little kid (that’s me, front right), I was very shy, introverted, a bookworm. I wasn’t particularly socially aware, and definitely was super awkward socially. As I was always head and shoulders (literally!) taller than anyone in my class, I think this led to me believing that the quieter I was, the less I would be “seen.” (Thank goodness my father always poked me between the shoulder blades to “stand up straight,” so I didn’t get the terrible stoop that you see in a lot of very tall women.)

Once I got to college, I decided that enough was enough. I wanted to stop being so afraid. I was always afraid of doing something to “stand out” – when, at over 6 feet, Hell, I stood out anyway.

So I copied a dorm mate.

She was popular, but in a really nice way. She was sort of heavy, had lots of friends, was helpful, and made you laugh. She was easy going. I think that the statute of limitations on being a stalker has now lapsed, so I admit, I stalked her. It wasn’t so hard, because she wasn’t great at school, and so I offered to tutor her. I slowly changed what I wore, what I laughed at, and how I saw the world. I came to realize that everyone is pretty much self-obsessed – they’re not looking at you and waiting for you to foul up. They could care less about you – unless it’s about what you think about them!

I met up with her (through the genius of Facebook) decades later. She’s the same gal. She remarked at our lunch that she couldn’t figure out why “we weren’t better friends and didn’t hang out more” in college. Again, that statute of limitations thing being over, I admitted that I’d stalked her. Well, what I said was, “I think that you like me because I am you.”

I explained what I’d done, and she burst into tears. She said that after I went abroad, she left school and had “barely” graduated. She said she couldn’t figure out why someone “as smart as me” would want to copy someone “who could barely get by” like her. A lot of tears and a lot of hugs later, I think we both came away enriched and with a different perspective on who we were, oh so long ago.

But I still have that thin skin that I had as a young girl.

foodA while back, I was asked to be “staff” (a sous chef, actually) at a women’s retreat in Sayulita, Mexico. I thought that sounded great – especially as I could attend the retreat, and working would pay for my room! That is, until I was “interviewed” by the leader. She told me that the week-long retreat would be all about “Re-Becoming Yourself As A Child.” I remember so clearly telling her over a cup of coffee (about 10 days before the retreat!) that I did not WANT to “re-become” myself as a child. I told her the whole story – about who I used to be, about copying the woman at college – and, you know what? She actually didn’t believe it. I’d known this woman through other women’s and coaching venues, and she knew me as a gregarious, lighthearted, fun, accomplished leader with a ton of admiring friends and clients. She explained that if I was to be on the Team, I “had to” do the exercises, and that’s what it was going to be about.

I almost didn’t go.

Flash forward to the middle of the retreat – the other women are prancing around on the sand of the beach, flying paper airplanes and stringing daisies, leaping and skipping.

sayulitaI was sitting against a rock, reading a book, but watching them from afar.

That evening at the “Sharing” the leader basically “took me down.” She said that I wasn’t “playing by the rules” and was being “petulant.”

And I had an actual stomping foot, standing up, scaring-the-other-women fit about it. I explained to her that this was who I was as a child. That I had told her that I had re-invented myself, and that the person everyone “knew as me” was a fiction built up over time by me out of will power and spit. That the girl that everyone had seen was indeed who I had been – because it was not until college that I invented the person I was today.

After a lot of silence, and some “grim chin” looks from the leader (who was, I guess, processing that I had, in fact, told her this), one of the other (lovely) participants in the retreat piped up. She said, “Why don’t you do the exercises, as the child that the new you would have been, instead?”

So this is what I did. But the taste of who I had been, and “re-embodying” her (there was a lot of hypnosis, deep work, etc. involved in this retreat) remained like ashes in my mouth.

Just yesterday, a business partner and I faced an issue that we needed to investigate. I had found something through some legal sleuthing that was potentially worrisome to part of a business we’re incubating. She said, “let’s just call them.”

I couldn’t believe it – but that’s what we did. I am still the original little girl inside – wanting to know everything and have investigated everything before even potentially entering on a risky path. My friend? She just picked up the phone! (She also said, “Wow, I just learned something really big about you.”)

So what’s this post about? People often don’t come from where you think they do. And it’s often not some awful Oprah-esque backstory. Maybe it’s about the fact that you might be being “stalked” by someone right this second. And she’d be amazed that someone wouldn’t “want to be like you.” Or maybe this post’s about not hating on people. Just stop it. There’s enough of that crap going on out there – let’s all keep ourselves above the mire, shall we? Or maybe it’s just about trying to get someone to go post something nice about my book. Hmmmm. (That’s enough about me…what do you think about me? 😉 )

Your turn:

Have you ever used “fake it ’til you make it” in an area of your life?

Who have you emulated? Why? Or perhaps who have you avoided emulating? Why?

How do you deal with Haters? What tips could you share with us thin-skinned folk?

What would you tell your “little girl” self?

Recommitment…Day 1 ;-)

Posted on by Sandy

I’ve fallen off a lot of things recently. Blogging. “Other” exercise (than Crossfit). Amazing Race training. Watching what I eat.

I definitely have a “SQUIRREL!” mentality. I start focusing on something new – and drop the balls I’m juggling in favor of the new ones.

I’ve had more work than usual, and we have had a few vacations. I should be able to “jump right back in,” but I often have trouble doing that – especially when it comes to things like the dreaded “weight” watch.

I went to an energy healer a while back, and she said that part of the issue is that I’m an “old soul” in my body, and that my “soul” doesn’t want to “pay attention to” the body stuff. Who knows? One thing I do know is that until I started the dreaded March To Menopause, I never really had any issue with weight. I’d gain some, lose some, gain some, lose some, always in a general spread.

I’ve been WAY outside that “spread” (and spreading!) for at least a year now.

So – we’ll see how long this lasts – but I’m back logging what I’m up to. As I said in a previous post, we use Beyond The Whiteboard at my Crossfit box, and I’ve been logging in that. (Wish it linked in with other trackers that I like, like EveryMove.com). I’m charging my Fitbit and BodyMedia device. I’m plugging in my Garmin.

I’ve still got my eye on the Amazing Race. The plan is to send in two submissions – one with Moddie (like last time) and one with my friend Jamie (as I mentioned in the last blog post). I think one of the main problems with Moddie and my previous submission is that you couldn’t call us the “something” team. That seems to be a big part of TAR. Jamie and I are going to be going for basically #007Team as it were – He’d be “James” and I’d be “Solitaire.” I think it could be a hilarious video submission . . . the only problem being, if we’re picked, how to carry that off on the race! As I emailed to Jamie a few days ago, it’s one thing with The Goths, who were just wearing black the whole time – but how would #007Team do a backpack? Um, shoes? Hiking boots are not particularly Bond-Girlish! (We plan to discuss this in our podcasts – why not? – allows others to chime in with ideas, too!)

So, last blog post of the day, but just to say that – I’m recommitting. As such, it might be Day 330 (!!) since I started this, but it’s Day 1 of the Recommitment.

I’m thinking about doing a hike up to the Open Space across from our house and back. It’d be a nice start – and not immensely awful. I had promised myself I would do this at least once a week (especially after I quit working at the yoga studio). Of course, that fell off after like two times.

SQUIRREL!

Podcasts – coming soon!

Posted on by Sandy

My friend Jamie and I met on the Being James Bond forum. We’ve been corresponding off and on for a while, and I mentioned to him that I wanted to start podcasting again.

The podcasts that I’m most likely to listen to these days are “two person” podcasts, where the podcasters play off each other. I floated the idea of doing this with Jamie, and he thought it’d be a great idea!

We’re going back and forth with subjects, how to make this work, etc. Also, as “Head of Section” from Being James Bond is “on a mission,” we’re finding out whether he’d like us to cross-post over there, too.

What does that mean? A Bond Girl and James (well, Jamie) podcast should be coming to you some time soon!

 

This entry was posted in: Podcast

June 22 – Day 330 – Crossfit Open 14.1 redux

Posted on by Sandy

Day 330. Wow. That’s crazy.

Yesterday our Crossfit box did a 3-part WOD, the 2nd part of which was the workout we did in February for the Crossfit Open 14.1. If you care, HERE is my writeup about that experience.

The workout was a 10 minute AMRAP of 30 double unders and 15 25-kg (55 lb) power snatches.

In case you don’t know, an “AMRAP” is doing “as many repetitions as possible” of a set of exercises, in a time cap. “Double unders” are passing the jump rope under your feet 2x in one jump. And “power snatches” are getting a barbell from sitting on the floor to holding it up over your head, arms straight.

When I did this in February, I got the 30 double unders, which was a big accomplishment in the first place. But, though I could just barely clean the bar to my shoulders (lifting it up to your shoulders from the floor), I didn’t have what it took to push the bar up from my shoulders to above my head.

Yesterday, I had just as much trouble with the double unders as before. I’ve fallen off of practicing them for a number of reasons – more work, practicing other things (mainly squat-related), etc.

But the thing that made me inordinately happy was that I got the bar over my head 15 times. I even had enough time to do 5 more double unders – so I ended with a score of 50.

I couldn’t lift the bar straight over my head like everyone else in the box – they of course made it look like they were lifting a feather. (Average score was about 190). However, I did what would have been okay in Open 14.1 – I cleaned the bar, then “push pressed” it over my head.

It took a while, believe me. It’s not like I did them all in a row. But I did them!

We’ve been using a new software in the box called Beyond The Whiteboard. That’s another reason I stopped blogging so much – adding “one more thing” I have to log into to my day made other things fall to the wayside. The reason I like this software is that it keeps track of your maxes – so before the WOD, you can just pull up your app and see “where you have been” in whatever they are throwing at you that day. WAY easier than trying to track it how I was – here, in this blog, and on a spreadsheet.

So, I have seen improvement in various things, but this is the first time I can see what I’d call “marked” improvement in something. Part of the reason is that I haven’t been able to do much of the workouts at “Rx” (at the “prescribed” weights), so every time we do what’s called a “benchmark” workout (Fran, Murph, etc.) I’m doing it banded, or not squatting deep enough, or “whatever.” As such, it’s very hard to compare apples to apples in this area for me. As an example, when I do squat movements, I still have to squat down to something solid, because I fall over. I used to squat down to a medium box, then a shorter box, then (now) down to 2x25k + 1x10k plates. Or, I started box jumping literally just up onto the side of the gymnastics mat. Now, I can do 14″. (Lowest Rx ever for women is 20″.)

But in this case, I was able to compare an Rx workout to an Rx workout, 5 months later. February – couldn’t get the bar off my shoulders (and almost couldn’t clean it). July – got it up the 15 required times.

Now, I’m watching the Crossfit Games, Masters. We have an athlete at the Games (Pastor Bil, 63 years young), and it’s amazing to know someone there. I’m also cheering for another athlete, who is from my “online friend” Jennifer’s box. So I know two people! It’s very inspiring.

Since our vacation, I’ve “slacked” somewhat on the “working out, eating right” part of my life. I’ve also had a lot more work to do – which means sitting for hours in front of the computer (though the benefit is getting paid. Who-hoo!) Sure, I’m going to Crossfit 5x a week (well, except today – did I mention the Games?) and I’m trying as hard as I can. But I’m not doing “extra” at home like I used to. Stuff like that.

At the box, I still get really frustrated when folks who just started Crossfit pass me like I’m standing still. We have a couple gals in our box who are newbies, not all that much younger than I am, and I watch them bound up to 24″ box jumps or do tempo front squats with twice my weight, chatting like they have a feather on their shoulders. (HOW can these gals CHAT so much and lift???) I keep trying to just keep working at my hardest and best – and when things happen where I can really see how much better I am (like yesterday) it buoys my whole day!

 

 

Girls Gone WOD Podcast FIrst Birthday

Posted on by Sandy

ggwbloglogo

 

If you actually read my blog, you might want to skip this post 😉 This is really just a place to put some “time stamps” related to the Girls Gone WOD Podcast, as they asked folks to name “moments” from their first 49 episodes, for their 50th next week. Not like I’m going to sit here for 49 hours listening to GGW (um, I don’t THINK…) . . . Anyway, so that’s what this is post is. I’m going to post it and add to it, until I can’t stand the rabbit hole or until Joy and Claire post their episode where they asked for timed clips…whatever comes first LOL

Episode One – Intro to Joy and Claire: I actually really like Episode One – starting from the very beginning. I’d forgotten this Episode!!! It says “who Joy and Claire are” and why they Crossfit. It’s so funny to listen to this now – because I feel like “I know them.” Funny when I download it from their website (because my iTunes doesn’t load back that far), the podcast shows up as “Claire Hay – Claire Hay’s Album.” 😉 Special notes of interest:

*3:09 – the discussion about the slap koozy. Why is this important? Because only 3 minutes in and I had my first “uh-oh, TWO words I don’t know” moment (‘slap bracelet’ and ‘koozy’). I’m still waiting for the GGW “slap koozy.” Come on girls, get on that LOL

*4:55 – NEXT word I had NO idea what it referred to (“Globo gym”). Took me like 5 re-listens to figure out the word “Globo.” I was listening to GGW before starting Crossfit, and this is what made me realize that I better find a Crossfit lingo website LOL. (I did start Crossfit right around when they started – June – but then quit Crossfit FOREVER because of a bad coach. But then re-started in September of last year, which I have blogged about ad infinitum, especially in my last post – and I’ve never looked back)

*7:05 – “define drill team…” – Joy telling Claire she was on the dance team/cheerleader. 8:34 – Joy did competitive ballroom/competed in Vegas – this was the beginning of me thinking “is this woman me at 35???” I’m just jealous that she was a cheerleader because I was too shy in high school to do that, though I would have LOVED to. H being an advanced ballroom dancer made me take up ballroom – gotta get back to it actually. LOVED IT.

*9:00 – “Superbowl XXX Video Show/Diana Ross Half Time Show” – THIS IS WHERE I MADE MY MARK! I found this dang video and sent it to them. It took me like forever. But I found it.

*12:00 – “purple velvet Madrigal dress” – just the visual, Claire, just the visual is memorable….

*13:25 – the whole “don’t worry if you are new to Crossfit and you don’t understand our words”…and also that “Crossfit doesn’t get easier, you get better” – then “well…actually, Crossfit DOESN’T get easier, because they keep making it harder as you get better…” (How true is THAT)

*14:41 – OMG I FORGOT – Joy was still a VEGAN then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*19:00 – “I got lost and I wound up in Canada”….first best Joy laugh 😉 And the whole Vermont story – as my “kin” are from Vermont/New Hampshire/etc. this made me laugh OUT LOUD. And the wool factory.

*20:32 – “beards not in a sexy hipster beard way…in a ‘something might be living in your beard’ way…” LOL LOL again, you gotta have been to Vermont…

*21:41 – YEAH JOY – so WHERE ARE those ballroom dancing videos??? (And SO TRUE re the leader being the key to the whole enterprise…)

*26:00 – the whole frustrating/”it’s supposed to be easy” thing that Claire talks about and self-comparison. I think I went back and listened to this like 10 times when I was going through this at the first Crossfit I went to – and Joy saying “if you go to a gym like this, you just should leave” – never OCCURRED TO ME that I actually sort of could do that – watershed moment. That maybe another gym would be different…SERIOUSLY! This is a really important part, or was, for me.

*32:00 – “What is your biggest life lesson?” – I forgot this part! Good to re-listen to it 😉 Claire: “You don’t have to say everything you think.” Joy “Are you waiting to talk, or are you really listening?”

*37:05 – “Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react to it.”

*39:00 – Joy “Have you ever had a panic attack?” Claire: “Oh, I just had one on Monday.” Joy “A full blown panic attack?” Claire “Oh yeah. Yeah yeah.” LOL.

*40:00 – Joy not knowing what Fran is – this is funny because the latest Episode (49) she had no idea what Fran was, again. Hilarious since it’s basically the one Girl that “everyone knows” and Joy is like “um, which one is the one with the thrusters?” LOL

*42:00 – Joy “I really do enjoy a good thruster.” LOL

*43:00 – FIRST MEAN GIRLS QUOTE! (It took me another 10 Episodes or so to actually realize “Yup, am going to have to rent this dang movie”)

*47:20 – first little tiny “Bye-eee” from Claire.

Episode Two – Interview of TJ at “Old” TJ’s: – this one shows up as “Joy Parrish – Joy’s Album” – so funny. It’s the podcast interviewing TJ at TJ’s Crossfit and for sure sounds like being in a Cave. This is where they did their photo shoot – with their long hair 😉
*11:30 – wait is this “SuperFan Chris G” that you’re talking about – ? Funny Funny if it is. (You just say “Chris”)
*13:00 – I TOTALLY agree with TJ here where he says (as opposed to ‘Globo gyms”) that he knows EVERY SINGLE MEMBER and that he knows how they should do the WOD, etc. – that is SO TRUE about Crossfit and one of the things that I really, truly, appreciate and love (and hate!) about Crossfit.
*14:00 – Claire “When I try to get under a weight it’s like a baby deer on a frozen pond” TJ “Yup, Yup it is.” LOL!
*33:00 – reminder for J&C – here’s the talk about the difference between 24-Hour Fitness and Crossfit – and the floor example. This really is a great moment in the podcast. (But also HILARIOUS where apparently the guy next door said that “all these random people” came to help him and TJ goes “HEY, those were FOLKS THAT PAY ME to be here and they were helping you, and your employees weren’t even there.” 🙂 )
*26:07 – Claire’s first talk about yoga. (I am SO that person…)
*29:00 – TJ’s comments about “if you’re thinking about starting Crossfit, you need to look at some YouTube videos,” etc. – and that every gym is different – AGAIN this was a big deal for me because when I heard it, I was “quitting Crossfit forever” because of a bad experience. This made me think. (Thank GOD.) And as Joy says, a lot of folks basically think “Crossfit is like Starbucks” – this was a BIG part of this podcast for me, personally, because I never, ever imagined that it was going to be “different” at another box. I know that sounds so silly (now) but – WOW – SO IMPORTANT. At 31:00 Claire talks more about the whole “not liking the vibe, but liking the movements” – again – this was HUGE for me. It’s funny listening to it now, because of course now I’m at the “right” gym and so into it, but…wow…I had forgotten how much this MEANT to me in hearing it. Kudos to you J&C.
*32:00 – TJ talking about how Crossfit is often better for women than for men – totally agree with this – I like what he says and how he says it here.
*37:18 – funny TJ talking about how he lost the ability to do a muscle up, etc. when he first started and he was the worst Crossfit shape of his life – sounds a bit like what Claire is going through with starting doing her coaching now. 🙂
*47:00 – Claire re being a wilderness first responder, “But I can’t help you if you’re less than 2 hours away from definitive care” – and the story about the summit, the lady with the baby, the lady with her hair standing straight up, and Claire talking a MILE a minute….HIL-ar-I-ous. “It was like the Titanic going down, and we were all going for the lifeboats” and TJ saying “Yeah but you still tagged the summit…” First Claire CRAZY FAST story where you realize she could probably make a living reading the legal mumbo jumbo at the end of drug commercials….

EPISODE THREE – Body Image: Still Joy Parrish – Joy Parrish’s Album at the top – I wonder if that’s what these always say? (I am pulling them up from the GGW website because I can’t get anything on iTunes before Episode 5…(which, by the way, if I don’t GET to it because I pass out from too much GGW-ness, is a GREAT EPISODE with Claire doing the NASCAR thing at the Games with Christmas Abbott. So fab.)
*2:54 – Joy “…the front pockets go this way and my butt goes this way” (with no visual mind you) – one of my fav OMG ME TOO moments 😉
*5:45 – Joy: “Bring in the naps!”
*13:00 – Claire’s story about the whole Yukon trip and “I wasn’t afraid of bears, I was just afraid of being slow.” AMEN SISTAH. OMG. I also have panic attacks, and being last can trigger one in SUCH a big bad way. So the fact I am still doing Crossfit as the dead last one is kind of a miracle.
*14:10 – Joy freaks out that Claire had had breast implants 😉 (Claire: “I CLEARLY don’t have them any more LOL” – and then Joy “Oh, you guys, well, OMG, you know, like….some of my best friends have boobs…” LOL)
*22:00 – Claire trying on her wedding dress, re. bra size, gal at the shop saying “A double-A? Is that, like, a B?” O-M-G…..
*22:58 – Joy “My dream would be to wear a tube top that, like, stays up…” (I so feel your pain, girls…)
*23:10 – Joy “This is like the boobcast…we should get back to Crossfit…” LOL
*27:00 – the first “bulky” rant 😉
*29:45 – “if you CAN get bulky, you’re probably going to make money. And be famous.” LOL!!!
*30:00 – Joy re. not being “dainty” – “Yup, no daint in this body. This is a daint-free zone.” LOL.
*33:00 – Gwynyth Paltrow’s trainer regarding “A woman should never lift more than 3 pounds, you’ll get bulky” Joy “I could break her over my knee,” Claire “What, am I supposed to bring in my groceries one item at a time?” LOL.
*46:46 – ” ‘Oh look at that girl, she has great legs but look at all that cellulite.’ Said no guy ever.” “Guys are more like ‘Oh look! A girl! I LIKE them!” LOL This is also where Claire mentions the “thigh gap” – which I then had to go Google. 😉 “Men don’t look at a woman and say “Oh she’s so cute, her thighs don’t touch,” instead, they’re all “Look! A Girl!!”

 EPISODE FOUR – Panic Attacks and Meditating:  Oh Look! It says “Girls Gone WOD” at the top! 🙂 Way to go girls 😉
*7:47 – “My family just calls it being ‘high strung.'” Also re “Why do you care so much, why don’t you just forget about it” and Claire going “Oh, THANK you SO much, I never thought of that!” Pfffffft!!!!
*8:55 – oh CRAP this is the Joy/Scott/Pearl Jam/Wrigley Field story. THIS GAVE ME A PANIC ATTACK WHEN I HEARD IT THE FIRST TIME. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I’m going to SKIP THIS STORY!!!! Because I had a similar situation once, in England, at a Rolling Stones concert, because the gals that I was there with wouldn’t leave, and we were going to miss the train, and we had to go a LONG WAY home and were NOT in a good town (Liverpool), and I knew it, and trying to get them to leave, and….oh, SKIPPING….SO SKIPPING THIS STORY RIGHT NOW…..LA LA LA…..
*18:00 – Claire, “Don’t meditate unsupervised if you have anxiety. It’s horrible in there. I was a bull in a China cabinet…or wherever you keep your China….a bull in a thing full of China….I got in there and I did NOT want to be in there in my own mind…” Joy “So when I took you to yoga, did you freak out?” Claire: “I am so inflexible I can’t even do it….everyone is all ‘breathe into your pose’ and I can’t even do the thing, so for me, I”m still trying to get the pose when everyone is all ‘meditate into your pose’ and I’m all ‘I CAN’T REACH…MY LEG IS FALLING ASLEEP….’ The mindfulness part of yoga is lost on me…” OMG this whole section is just great. Claire “We had to draw in our mind, and I was using glitter crayons in a Little Mermaid book” Joy: “I was coloring out of the lines….” The whole “Caaaaaan’t Reeeeach” makes me laugh out loud EVERY time…
*21:00 – Joy psychologizing Claire – she gets her whole “psychologist voice” on – which for some reason, to me, is totally amusing.
*22:00 – Claire offers to get Joy a “therapy hat.” SO, did this happen? Then they discuss that Joy just got the Tinkerbell/Pat Benatar hair.
*23:01 – Claire “Can you tell me who Pat Benatar is?” Joy “I can’t believe you!” Claire “Well, what does he look like?” Joy “IT’S A GIRL…!!!”
*24:40 – Claire’s story about her hair, living on the couch…”My boss was eventually, like, ‘Oh, I thought you were doing it like on purpose…like John and Kat Plus 8?'” LOL
*30:00 – comments re “if guys are listening” and talking about periods, Claire: “Everybody pees, everybody poops, girls have periods. Get over it.” Didn’t you listen to the 6th grade Health Care episode?” LOL.
*43:00 – Claire talking about going to the Games (the next week after), “…and I’m going to just put it out there, I am SO going to meet Christmas Abbott.” Hilarious to hear this now – considering what not only happens in Episode 5 with the NASCAR wheel change thing, but then with C.A. being on the podcast (thanks Brandon!)
*44:00 – Claire, “So listen, Christmas, what up, I am SO going to meet you this weekend if you’re listening…” Funny Funny Funny.
*46:07 – “So, like 20 people ‘liked’ our Ryan Gosling post” (talking about how many listeners they may or may not have)
*46:30 – Claire: “I could so go for some Ryan Gosling boosting…”

EPISODE 5 – The Crossfit Games Episode. I love this one. This is the “NASCAR Wheel Change” episode. AND there was video, even! Thanks Brandon…