crossfit

Weekly Therapy: what do you want?

- Mel

the week:
I went to a wonderful Levo League event this week focused on goals and resolutions for 2015. With the help of a life coach, we did partner exercises similar to what I’m learning in my coaching class — using the 5-W Questions to help one another get to the root cause of our resolutions. For many of us it’s an emotion or feeling that is underlying, and well… MAN it is difficult to actively listen and figure out what to ask next. That said, I got a LOT out of the session, and I really put myself out there to be receptive to the process. It is difficult enough to leave the house to meet new people, but recently I’ve felt re-energized in my pursuits to own my weaknesses and face them (mine: social anxiety and looking foolish in front of strangers) and meet new people. Anyways… wow, this could easily be its own post.

Regardless, I left with one big personal takeaway from the emotional session, prompted by the discussion from the coach: BE MORE FUN.

That’s loaded, eh?

weekend:
I have Pippin tickets tonight, and that is complemented by the Gallery Crawl; I will probably eat all the fried things at Grit & Grace too, since they’re batter everything with tapioca flour. My last day at work and farewell party is Saturday… it’s bittersweet. I promise that I’m getting in a training run on Sunday though! OH yeah, and homework natch.

52 books, 52 weeks:
#4. Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck. There were some really good parts in this book about how to reframe your situation — especially when emotionally (over) charged — and lesson on how being the nicer person is better for everyone (but more-so yourself). Most of the wit felt forced, however, which left a lot of intended jokes not so funny. Also, that dating chapter, while partially rooted in sociology and science, made me visibly cringe; I felt those topics to be wholly unnecessary and, frankly, out of touch. But I am neither author or sociologist.

seven things, seven days:
1. My application to be a FitFluential Ambassador was accepted! WOO!
2. I was also asked to be a Sweat Pink Ambassador to their community too. Two amazing communities of which to be a part.
3. My favorite coach is leaving my CrossFit gym. I have the sads.
4. BOB SEGER! Life achievement seeing him in concert: unlocked.
5. I need to make a decision on car vs. bus for commuting to my new job. I first typed “car vs. bar” I’ll have you know. That’s a fun slip.
6. Did a little (bit too much) credit card damage this week, since I need office-appropriate clothes and shoes for my new job. It’s been fun trying to figure out what my Office Style is at this stage of my life.
7. Wow. A striking read on marriage, middle age, and happiness. {via Pacific Standard}

Weekly Therapy: back. back in the new year groove.

- Mel

the week:
Oh HIIII! Are you also still recovering from the holidays? Yeah, I think I’m still recovering from being on vacation the week before Christmast too. Anyway, it’s a new year, with a new car! Yeeeeep. Oh, and I’m also not drinking again this January, so bear with me.

weekend:
Getting in a couple CrossFit workouts and a small meet up to say goodbye to one of our coaches. Then, I’m going to attempt a Girls’ Night Out pending the progression of this cold.

We have an info meeting about travel team tryouts — can you believe this is already happening in two weeks?!

seven things, seven days:
1. Finally hit 10,000 steps for the first time on my Fitbit Flex. AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP. Freaked me right out when the thing started buzzing.
2. I received my first book for school — starts on Monday. Shit’s getting real.
3. I probably don’t need to vent here about the recent fraud alerts, right? But how frustrating right at the holidays.
4. Received the new Dan Savage book for Christmas, and I’m ready to dive into that. (But first, school.)
5. Beyond obsessed with this M.I.A. song. And my new car’s Sirius system. MUSIC THERAPY.
6. You know what happens when you skip laundry for two weeks? LAUNDRY MARATHON. hashtag: ugh.
7. From the Neurocritic: Men are map readers, women are intuitive, but bloggers are fast.

New running goals, new headphones.

- Mel

I need a workout playlist to keep myself motivated to run (hello Marathon relay training!) and endure through tough uncoached workout sessions (I’m drowning out the guys who won’t leave me alone to my weights and machines, for real). But boy do I have a real problem with earbuds. Forget the ones that come with an iPhone — they were definitely not designed with small ear canals in mind; no, not even you “redesigned” iPhone 5 ‘buds. The current pair I use for exercise fit into my ear (thank you, Five Below impulse purchase), but I need to wrap around my headband in order to keep located within my ears area. And then there’s the problem with WHERE DO I PUT ALL THESE WIRES?!

It’s all very #firstworldproblems.

I’ve been looking around for other options of headphones to purchase, especially ones that are wire-free and runner-friendly. Enter: Jaybird.

Jaybird creates state-of-the-art headphones for active lifestyles. The company has a variety of bluetooth headphones that are perfect for every sport and activity! Plus, they have GOOD quality audio, which helps me train away the nagging YOU WILL NEVER BE A RUNNER thoughts that run through my head. Who keeps saying that?!

BlueBuds are the smallest Bluetooth headphones in the world — with remarkable playtime — and are possibly the most progressive headphones available.

Some other sweet benefits:

  • BlueBuds come with multiple size ear buds for comfort AND an over/under-ear fit options. Over-ear lifts cord off the neck, liberating your workout.
  • Do you know about the relationship between white noise and headphones? All other headsets produce listener fatigue. Pure Sound features in these BlueBuds filter white noise out for a better listening experience.
  • BlueBuds have an 8-hour battery life and charge via micro USB.
  • All JayBird products have a lifetime sweat-proof guarantee. I won’t get into sweat issues. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you know.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPod Nano and Touch, iPad mini and Android models — basically any bluetooth-enabled stereo device.

Extreme athlete approved… Oh, hey CrossFit athletes:

I bet these would even be awesome for derby, pre-bout warmup too.

Voice prompts? You have my attention, Jenna. With voice prompts, getting to your first track is smooth and simple: put your headphones on, hold the power button and Jenna takes over saying “power on” then “headphones connected.” Push play and your music begins. I’m also digging the music and call controls to change tracks and volume without having to fumble with my iPhone through its armband case.

A special bonus for my 30-something workout warriors: Jaybird is giving away a pair of BlueBuds headphones every. single. day. Giveaway ends December 8, 2013; and one winner is selected daily. You can enter-to-win every day.

Christmas is coming! Wouldn’t these make the perfect gift idea for your fellow fitness enthusiasts! I know these BlueBuds are going on my wish list this year. But I’m definitely entering the daily contest too (Merry Christmas to me!).
30-something approved: BlueBuds retail at $169.95, available in storm white or midnight black, sold via the Jaybird website.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of JayBird.

Week(s) of Therapy: take some time for reflection and relaxation

- Mel

the week:
With 3 wins out of 4 games in our Division 1 tournament in Asheville (whew, tough games!), our derby travel season for 2013 comes to a close. Bittersweet, knowing that some skaters won’t be returning next season. This was really an amazing (and long) year of roller derby. So proud to be part of this team and league. But also so ready to give my body a rest.

Also, Asheville? What a strange, and beautiful place.

asheville mountains biltmore

The Biltmore estate is incredible, however.

photo 1 photo 3

weekend:
I dunno… something about a Duck.

seven things, seven days:
1. Painful loss of a friend who had some struggles in recent years. I hope now that he’s found some peace. But it’s so tragic, and I’m still in shock.
2. Home & Garden tour in our neighborhood was a success! What we’ve labored over outdoors (and that will soon be covered in fall leaves and then snow) is completed and shown to hundreds of nebby strangers. 🙂
3. I had several emails about my submitted resume and phone calls from recruiters while I was gone. GAH! I can’t believe it, all at once.
4. Love, love, LOVE my new New Balance Minimus cross trainers; they are so light and comfortable (even with a weird food injury right now). They are made with Vibram style outsole, but without the separated toe thing. Maybe there’s something behind this barefoot running…
5. Completed my month-long CrossFit fundamentals classes (and did my first WOD with the regular class)! I’m totally pumped about it (and kinda getting used to the wake-up-at-5am thing).
6. As someone particularly interested in human sexuality, this Kinsey reporter app has incredible data about sexual behaviors. (And you can add your own!)
7. Do sexy breast cancer campaigns demean women? Short answer: yep. {via psychology today}

Want more group therapy throughout the week? Follow 30-something Therapy on Facebook.

Weekly Therapy: rock me mama like a wagon wheel

- Mel

the week:
Do you do the unthinkable in the name of fitness? Like, waking up at 5am to go to a 6am Crossfit class? Two sessions in, and I am totally hooked (also, very sore). Also, also? I squatted with a bar for the first time in my life (many squats!).

weekend:
HOOTIE! Going to see Darius Rucker Friday night — my first time at Stage AE — AND we’re scheduled for the preshow meet-and-greet.

hootie

Then I’m on “assignment” for the Steel City Big Pour. And then it’s the infamous waffle brunch at Fathead’s the next morning; ah, the sweet nectar of KBS. And hopefully CBS. How did yet another beer week sneak into my schedule?!

Sunday also marks the Steelers home opener… if you’re into that kind of thing, Pittsburgh. 😉

seven things, seven days:
1. Two nights out this week with various neighbors. So much white wine.
2. We’re signed up for the home & garden tour (the latter portion; we’re definitely not ready to show the inside) in our neighborhood and were hosted to a wonderful dinner this week.
3. Adding to that, we’ve got a new plan for the garden — and one week to finish it. I feel like I’m on a home decorating reality show, for real.
4. Somebody in the neighborhood said they thought the gray trim on my house was primer. And now I can’t stop thinking about it.
5. I lost my D&G sunglasses at some point in the last two weeks. So mad. Not going to admit that the shopping therapy for a new pair made me feel any better (buyer’s remorse again).
6. No remorse over my latest Stitch Fix [affiliate link] though! Once again, I loved EVERYTHING in it.
7. Don’t Panic! But Psychology isn’t always a science … but it can be. {via Mind Hacks}