MY CROSSFIT EXPERIENCE AT FITNESS ACADEMY HK

with a fellow CrossFitter and Anthony,
one of the main inspirations
of the academy.

Being a mom can be compared to being a juggler, always putting up a smiling face for everybody no matter how much circumstance she's tossing up and juggling in the air as she fulfills what is expected of her. Besides the will to live up to the responsibility, and the huge love we have for our families, most especially the kids, it is important to keep a healthy body to literally be present and able.

Our society has a typical definition of a mom, they are mostly at home, doing the dishes, the bills and the kids. They are expected to sport the baseball mom hair, wear baggy pants and to just carry the laundry basket. People jump into conclusions that they are always preoccupied. The worst part is that, people tend to judge when mothers are considering their own time and/or working to be bad ones or lacking in becoming a mom. But it is important to preserve time for ourselves to keep us in fine balance and shape.

Last week was mother's day and I got the most heartfelt greetings coming from fellow moms that understand the depth of such label. I feel beyond "honoured" to belong to a worldwide club called "MOMS". But I do feel that it doesn't mean, we should lose consideration for ourselves.

I love being extraordinary. I believe I own one of the coolest jobs in the world but this comes with a price. Keeping yourself in shape and maintaining your skills is the name of the game. Besides having the looks and the whole package for an investment, you have to maintain a certain standard for yourself. You should keep yourself healthy and empowered from within. You should not just look good on the outside as the passion is the basis of it all. Otherwise, it's hard to go on being good-looking if it's all superficial. On top of that, aesthetically, we could be good looking but it's the "how we got there" that helps us sustain it. Meaning, anything you achieve in an instant matter usually doesn't last. Unlike if you had worked hard for it, you are more inclined to keeping it that way because you understand its value.

a BOX is what you call a CrossFit gym

FITNESS ACADEMY HK holds a ground for health buffs who choose to get committed with an extraordinary lifestyle. For many, they think dieting alone is the solution to owning a great body. But that's not usually the case. It comes with great effort of finding a suitable workout for you. And the idea is to eat accordingly to how you consume your energy. There goes a cliche, "you are what you eat" and there's nothing more fulfilling than applying this to our own selves. If you only take supplements to give you the necessary nutrients, where's the satisfaction in that? If you only take steroids and not have enough protein intake, then your muscles are a joke. If you only want to lose weight by doing crash diet, you're in for a suicide. So why not embrace a lifestyle that doesn't stop you from eating yet allows it to be burned efficiently? FITNESS ACADEMY HK suggests crossfit.

As people from Facebook saturates my posts regarding workouts, I got an ad regarding this incredible place. It offers 3 free crossfit sessions as for your own trials. All you have to do is sign in. So I did.

Now, the struggle is real. I've written ways on how to counter that. But undeniably, moms, being in their comfort zones of "just being moms" tend to choose staying so when fitness is being talked about. With all honesty, I had excuses of my own but I would love to write about this experience in pursuit of being an inspiration to all the moms out there.

At first, I thought it was going to be such an unbearable routine. As I researched thru what I should expect in a crossfit training, weightlifting, running even though it rains (Fitness Academy HK's own mantra) and kettle bells, it gave me cold feet the night before. I am probably obsessive compulsive when it comes to reproductive health that weightlifting may lead to prolapse in whichever part of my body that it prompted me to emailing the Fitness Academy HK crew that I'm a mom of a 1 year old (emphasis on the age since I want to be reconsidered in terms of healing up from giving birth, hahaha!). But for the sake of learning, I got up in the morning and went for it. I am well rested and I basically do the parade twice a day, I'm sure it's not that bad. Located in Shop D, King's View Court, 901-907 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. On my way, there, I continuously convinced myself that there's nothing to fear.

Getting to the box from my place is approximately an hour and a half. It was my first time to find the place. Apparently, my 10 minutes to spare in looking for it was not enough distance wise per se. Needless to say, I was late and I had missed good 10 minutes of warm up. And not having enough warm up is actually a big deal.

I was added as the last participant at the WOD board.

So, I got there and was on time for the WOD (Workout of the Day) being explained by the Coach. All that I read about CrossFit was coming to life in terms of the huge clock staring at me, personal board to mark your completed routines with, and boom, our names on the board and beside it would be the weights assigned as per kettle bell and the medicine ball for the wall ball shots. Hurmen, one of the HK Fitness Academy crew gave me a lighter one compared to everybody else's since I'm the only one who's a newbie. He wanted to test first if I could actually keep up.

The WOD that I did goes:

* Do as many reps as you can of the following in 15 minutes.

1. 20 Wall Ball Shots
2. 15 swings using an 8 KG kettlebell
3. 200m run outside

this marks 4 reps of the WOD that I made.

I was able to do 4 reps but I finished it around 17minutes. In all actuality, it should have been just counted as 3 but it was just the 200m run left so I just chose to finish the entire series. Some had paddled using the rowing machine instead of running. I asked why and one of them said, it's because they are part of a rowing club and they had asked if they could concentrate in making their upper body stronger for an upcoming race.

The good thing with Fitness Academy HK is that they will push your expectations to exceed what you thought you couldn't do. They surround you with alike minds establishing a sense of community that is committed to aiming for self improvement. They aid you by allowing you to get familiar with the training and then immersing you to a progressive intensity. They also make sure that you are safe and that you would know what to expect. They encourage full theoretical education before going further the introductory exercises. Whatever you fulfill, they would acknowledge and in the end, you gain friends and that amazing feeling that you were better than yesterday in terms of the exercise you were able to do and endure today.

One of the greatest benefits of exercise is the release of endorphins right after. I call it the natural glow. In line with this, you have that sense of empowerment and you get inspired all over again as you are reminded of the things you could do already that you didn't even imagine doing. I have never thought in my entire life that I would go for CrossFit. But, it surely was worth it to have another option for my daily exercise routine.

I admire these people for their dedication, determination and commitment to fitness.
Fitness Academy HK is the largest CrossFit facility in the Island East.

Visit the box for a free trial, have an amazing feel of its great energy and know the gentlemen who had started this last November. Fitness Academy HK believes that fitness is a lifestyle built in a community and I think that is the exact way of looking at it. Little steps in transforming your little habits could do wonders.

Now, it's your turn to do the unthinkable. 

Click here for you own free trial!

Additional information:

1. Wesley, one of the gentlemen that had put up Fitness Academy HK was very accommodating during the trial. He was carefully gauging what I can do and what I was having a challenge with. He made sure I was safe and made sure that I'm not pushing myself too much. He acknowledged me right after the training and gave me a two thumbs up that I can do CrossFit.

2. I instantly got so relaxed after I took a good hot shower right after the CrossFit trial and my mind was crying out for rest. Because of this, I forgot my make up kit at Fitness Academy HK. One of the guys whose name was Hurmen did me a favour by checking it out in the changing room and when he saw it was there, he had made sure that it is safe by letting me know I can just go back for it anytime. Same spot where I left it, untouched.

3. I was so tired that I forgot to leave the payment for the water available for purchase. They didn't pressure me nor judge regarding this one. I just made sure that I had paid it when I went back to get the make up kit and walked away with no judgement from them. Instead, they asked when I would want to come back again. They're all such gentlemen.

Related posts:

1. HOW TO BE CONSISTENT IN GOING TO THE GYM - Everytime I have a struggle within me if I should go to the gym or not, I always read this.

2. MAGIC OF SHOES - There's always a good pair that goes for every occasion. 

3. MOTHER'S DAY TRIBUTE - Here's to all the moms out there.

HOW TO BE CONSISTENT IN GOING TO THE GYM

There's a lot of articles that

state reasons why people should exercise.

There are also a lot of videos

that were made for people to follow when working out.

But I guess what lacks out there

are ways on how to stay committed with your exercise regime.

I am a mom of an 8 month old and I'm proud to say that I'm 1.5 kilos (4lbs more or less) away from my non-pregnant weight and still progressively losing the excess baggage that settled well in the abdominal area and my extremities during the process. OK, that may not have an impact so I'm going to lay it out there for the record "for the first time" of how extensive my weight gain had become. 

Well... it's just 50 lbs. all in all. Hahahahaha!!!! Wow! I said it!

I think you'd agree if I am not going to sound so bad if I had lost the other 46 lbs. in the same rate I gained it since I'm on my 8th month post partum. Probably on the 9th, or .... wait! let me rephrase that, "hoping and willing" by next month, I would lose the remaining 4 lbs. With the nature of my job, this will be done easy breezy. Nothing to worry about.

A lot in the industry I worked for (entertainment) had done probably what I have (going back to their non-pregnant weight), in just a matter of a month. No kidding... here's a video of a good friend of mine Hanedy Sala, 3 months after giving birth to her 1st child.

I'm pretty sure you were left in awe with that. Because besides being a magnificent dancer, you would just really ask over and over "For real? She's 3 months post partum while dancing like that?" But then with the 50lbs. I gained, please don't judge, I was carrying a half-Samoan baby... lol! I know some of you may say, "Regardless...". But like what I said, no judgements.

Anyhow, let me get to the point. It is always a tough call to get your ass up to exercise. Some who never had a baby experience the same dillemma. So multiply the feeling by 10, that's how a mama would feel. Recovering from carrying the baby for 9 months, giving birth and taking care of the baby are challenges alone so sometimes, mamas could get lazy. So how did I go about these challenges as I needed to trim down ASAP? Here's how:

1. REMEMBER THAT THIS IS NOT FOR ANYBODY ELSE BUT YOU.

The first in the list of the most powerful words I consider is the word "YOU". You are your biggest competition so before you start committing to a routine, regardless if it's about working out, eating clean or just getting off a vice, always go back to the main reason WHY you are doing this. It's to become a better you. This way, excuses, setbacks and distractions would be kept aside as much as you will.

2. DEVELOP A HABIT.

They say, if you want to develop a habit, do something consistently everyday for 30 days in the same way, during the same time and it would sink in to your system somehow. Well, guess what, it did for me. I would not be quoting anybody or describing somebody else's story, I will be speaking of my own experience instead.

At the beginning, it was truly SHIT. I tell you that. Coming from your laid back, serene maternity leave to right away embracing a physical activity was such a struggle. But then I chose to put it at the start of my day so that at least I could tell to myself, "I just have to do an hour and a half of this and I'm free to do whatever I want with the remaining time. So, as I go thru progressive exercise routines, (from Pilates to A LOT of stretching to  stepping to mini trampolines to jogging to cardio workouts, to yoga then to "INSANITY" workouts to running) that's all that I think about. It's all going to finish anyways and I'm free in the next 22 1/2 hours of the day. In the end, I always feel good every after work out session.

3. HAVE A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE.

"Be the girl you'd be looking at
because you know how to walk
that much number of work out
routines confidently."

Running with the unusual weight gain could be a bitch on the knees. And knowing that excess fat in the belly is just in the way as you aim to establish a pose while doing yoga is such a distraction. What's worse, no matter how you want to stay dedicated and focused, stress cramps you up and pushes you to give up. Stress in handling the baby at home (moms, I know they are bundles of joy but there are times that they really get in your nerves), stress brought about by the hormones, stress about not having time with the husband, or you are just plainly tired to name a few. Ultimately, frustration, and not stress, just pours on you when a toned, beautiful, ok, perhaps skinny, lovely young lady passes in front of you in the gym as you balance yourself on the gym ball.

As you complete your work out, you look in front of the mirror all sweaty and you tell yourself, she didn't even look half of how messy I am. You'd be restless in asking yourself, "Am I doing the wrong thing?", "Why are there no visible changes?".

My friend, stay positive by drilling in your mind and planting that hope. You should be able to convince yourself that it takes time. Everything takes time and if you are honest with how much effort you put to your routines, like not cheating and completing the 100's, you will reap it later on. In my case, I was thinking the whole time who gets paid to work out? I know very well there are people who pay others to be their personal trainers just to keep fit. But I have all the means to do so at the workplace. So instead of taking off time from home to keep fit, I do exercise during working hours. I believe that's a blessing in a blessing. I work to get fit and strong. We got a gym that I don't have to pay a membership to benefit from. So you see, it's in how you see things and how you acknowledge gifts in the ordinary days.

4. STAY INSPIRED.

You got up already, you had exerted effort in booking a session in the gym, you enrolled yourself in a ZUMBA class and you already are present, make sure to make the most out of it. Believe in the power of the present and believe that a day always ends up good when you decide to go to the gym. Again, this is based on my own personal experience.

I would also advice you to have a vision board. Don't aim for that skinny ass. Aim for a toned healthy body. Some of the celebrities that I look up to are:

a. INA RAYMUNDO - a Philippine celebrity, mother of 5 and had severe stretch marks on the abdomen. As of today, she proudly wears the stretchies. She ignores that and uses her time on investing on herself instead.

b. JENNIFER LOPEZ - I admire her ability to stay fair to herself by submitting to what her body was used to from the very beginning, PERFORMING. At the very moment she's giving this to herself, she's giving to the people what she's made for. She sets up trends, inspires artists, respects her culture and her craft. She makes sures that she delivers and she never settles for less.

c. MIRANDA KERR - who here never admired a Victoria's Secret angel? I mean, besides the lady boys, the VS angels belong under the category labeled "PERFECT"? And Miranda along with the rest who are now moms serve as an inspiration for me because somehow, no matter how perfect they could be, I'm sure they've handled some SHIT!

You can put up a list of your own or you can pin up a wardrobe style you've been wanting to try up by the mirror so that it'll serve as an inspiration.

5. FOLLOW IT UP.

Tomato, Cucumber
Avocado Salad

Don't expect massive results when you always give in to binge eating. There may be rough decisions to make as per food choice, food serving and how often you should eat. The usual advices like just eat what you need, have 6 small meals (or more) in a day and choose foods that are high in nutrients and just with the right amount of calories, all surround the idea of keeping an active metabolism. The feeling of being deprived of what you are used to having can be a pain. Just in case you couldn't find a reason to hold on to a strict diet, consider yourself as an investment that's why you are doing this. You see, once you develop the habit of nurturing yourself with healthy food, you will own a strong sense of wellness. Also, in doing this, no sense of guilt would creep in. From doing your exercise routine, you will need to replenish so don't be too harsh to yourself when coming up with the diet. Make sure that it suits the activities you do. Give your body what it needs. Have ample rest, get fed well. Eat clean.

This way, you'd see results probably double of what you would expect from somebody's who's just doing exercise alone. And when you do, you'd be more driven. You'd love to go to the gym more because besides being able to do what you couldn't before (holding that V-position for your abs longer than usual), you get to wear the clothes that you were longing to rock.


6. GET INFORMED OF ITS BENEFITS

7. KEEP ALLIES WHO HAVE THE SAME DRIVE AS YOU OR ARE EVEN MORE THAN DRIVEN.

Positive reinforcement brings out the best from a person but negative, unsolicited remarks trigger something inside us that may push you to running an extra lap. It pushes us to the limit, a kind of a motivational force that encourages us to do the impossible. It usually serves as the stronger source of motivation. But of course, you need to hear what really is the TRUTH. And the only ones whom you will allow to say it would be your friends. The trainer? I'm not so sure. If he/she is professional enough, then consider him/her a friend. Some could just really be gold diggers.

So, the main point....  do keep those who push you and support you. It would be great if they join you so that lazy days would be put into a minimum. It would be great to have a gym buddy. Just make sure you are in the same pace. You both don't want to end up in the Butcher's Club after a hard work out. Some encourage cheat days. Give this to yourself on a weekend for a breather because rewards also can drive you to endure a week's workout. Gym buddies serve as the people whom you would count on when you are stricken with the bed weather.

8. DRESS UP.

Dressing up is one of the fundamental ways on how to feel good about yourself. When you are able to put on your style, you can never go wrong with what you're motivated to accomplish. It goes the same with working out. Besides the fact that you are comfortable with your own sense of self, you become more driven because of the confidence dressing up brings. You'll be dealing with a lot of mirrors in the gym just to have the consistent feeling of getting convinced to continue achieving further.

As to my personal experience, I love a good pair of trainers/running shoes. I love running but I got to have the right shoes. It's hard to stay motivated when your body is in pain. Invest on good quality shoes, if you prefer cardio workouts. Some are manufactured light enough to reduce shock to the knees. Invest on colourful workout clothes if you prefer working out by doing Zumba, cycling and aerobics. Besides seeing yourself standout, it actually motivates you to standout in terms of performance. When you feel good, you do good. It just flows. Never settle for ill-fitted ones, most especially for the midrib bras. This way, you keep safety at bay. You don't want to expose private parts too as you do your handstand as your finishing challenge for your morning of yoga.

Below are examples of NIKE's newest design for their work out clothes for women.

9. KNOW THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP.

Set your priorities. Commit to them and know that you should never give up on yourself. Instead, think about the things that you should cut off. Excuses, distractions, laziness. If you know you are more likely the person who procrastinates, do something about it. Motivate yourself by having something to look forward to.

You have to realise that no trainer could help you, and no person can for that matter, if you don't help yourself. Start off disciplining yourself by saying "no" to people, things, situations that would not help you become a better you.

Listen. For me, I wasn't the person who had sweet tooth, I am not a fan of soft drinks nor juice. But I loved rice. So, it was truly a challenge to find a substitute for it. I also loved coffee so I just put minimum amount of sugar so that I could still enjoy it. I also made a decision that I would just eat according to how I would need the food. I am a parade dancer so, I cannot really eat that much of a hearty meal before and after because I may vomit in the end because of sympathetic impulses as my body is constantly at work. We also have short time allowance to eat and make the food get churned. I consider this as an occupational hazard. But there's always a possibility to go around any challenge by doing number 2, developing a habit. I managed to work up my schedule. In this way, my system utilises the food efficiently aiding a fast metabolism, therefore making everything I eat burned up.

Some may need to cut off ties with people who always say they can't accomplish something such as losing weight or bulking up. First, it's not healthy to keep people like this in your life. You cannot expect yourself to remain positive if you're surrounded with negative people. Situations like divorce, loss or bankruptcy may take more than a motivation but exercising could help out in time in boosting your self esteem as you take one day at a time.

10. EMBRACE WHAT YOU LOVE DOING.

Choose what makes you feel good and faithfully work around it. If you love dancing, it ain't easy when you truly do the moves since the core needs to work together with the mind's creativity. If you love doing circuit training, the body goes thru a lot of different kinds of stimulating workout and that's how you lose weight thru it. Due to a wide range of motion, the joints may undergo a lot of stress that you need to know how to avoid injuries. Learn how to listen to your body. In that way, you can progress with your training and you'll end up loving yourself for being able to do what you couldn't before. My target is to at least gain success with my pull ups. For now, it's more of a hanging and no pull ups but I'm not going to give up. If you think you can join the triathlon competition, train for it, go for it. There's no time but now and this is the youngest you can be. Set a deadline and accomplish the impossible. Either way, whether it's for sports, career or life itself, you'll benefit from the discipline you're going to gain from the process.

It's your turn. Complete my list by suggesting another way as to how to be consistent in going to the gym. You will be helping me out in return. Stay fit and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Health is wealth for real.

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