Biggest slacker

Thursday, January 21, 2010

That's me. The biggest slacker around. Nothing like a dunk tank and a new paleo challenge to get the creative juices flowing once again, though. But first, an explanation for my slacking ways:
About three-quarters of the way through the last Paleo Challenge, it stopped feeling like a challenge. I used Paleo Jen as my sort of therapist -- the place I'd mourn the loss of Golden Spoon or complain about another lunch of turkey meat, walnuts and avocado (my go-to for the days when I don't make time to cook.)
The problem is, eating paleo made me feel so good, and the food tasted so good, that it became a routine part of my life -- just like putting on my lulu pants before working out. I think that's why I stopped blogging before the challenge ended last time and why I didn't even feel compelled to report the results. Because the bigger results came in my mental growth, my inner strength and my overall sense of wellness. Winning (which, hoooray, I did!) was just a bonus. (Well, that and the really adorable blog Forrest wrote about me. He's opened his own CrossFit gym since I last wrote, but more on that later...)
It's been several months since the last challenge ended, but I haven't stopped eating Paleo. Don't get me wrong -- I'll occasionally indulge in a banana wonton from my new favorite Thai place, and I definitely still drink wine. But generally, I live a life that's free of rice and grains and sugar and dairy -- ingredients that contribute to the major diseases ailing most Americans (think heart attack, cancer, hypertension, diabetes.)

So why the hell am I blogging again? A simple answer: Peer pressure. But from the most amazing and inspiring women I've ever met.
Our little box at Orange Coast Crossfit has grown so much since I last wrote, and we've added some really solid, hardworking (and beautiful!) ladies. Something about CrossFit seems to attract the kind of person I want in my life. They're blogging about their experiences, excited about the challenge. And it feels really good to be a part of a group of ladies that are cheering each other on through this. Thus ... Paleo Jen is back.
SO ... the new paleo challenge is going to be done a little differently. Today, I'm headed to a dunk tank so someone can tell me how much of my body is fat compared to bones and guts and skin and MUSCLES! We're competing in teams, and the winning team will not only have to improve their physical appearance. Body fat and performance will also contribute.
So today, I'm starting the Paleo Challenge weighing 143 at night, 138.8 in the morning. I can do 10 pullups in a row and just completed my first girl WOD, Jackie, completely RX'd. My CrossFit total is 415. (205 deadlift, 145 back squat and 65 press).
Let the games begin. And go get 'em ladies!!!!

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