Cross Fit=Ouch!

Three visits last week and boy was I sore.  With every workout, legs are involved with exercises from squats to box jumps and many more.  I may be hurting a bit more because I normally don't (in my own workouts) lift my legs.  I leave the workout of my legs to running and biking but I am learning a painful lesson that I should have been involving my legs more in my workouts.

Several months ago I went to my wife's gym and attended for a trial week.  Her gym is called Orange Theory Fitness or OTF. OTF is a blend of cardio, weights and upbeat instructors that move you between different exercises for 60 minutes.  I enjoyed my workouts there and was able to take away some things that made my workouts better.  For instance, when I did cardio at OTF the instructors instructed us to increase the speed/incline to different levels.  I realized that in my workouts I would often just set the cardio equipment to one speed/incline and leave for the duration of my workout.  Now I work to keep my body guessing by changing the speed/incline.  My takeaway was something that makes me happier in my every day workouts!

I can already tell that I will be taking away some positive/good stuff from Cross Fit.  The different exercises are important because it keeps your body guessing (changing up your workouts)In addition to getting results, it has made me happy.  The encouragement from fellow classmates I do not get in my every day workouts and I really enjoy that.  On the other hand, I have experienced failure during my Cross Fit classes and in some cases (hand/wall stands/ pushing weight over my head) I feared I could hurt myself if I kept going.  There are some things that I won’t take to my own workouts.  But, with that said, I do enjoy my workouts at Cross Fit and will be incorporating some of the new exercises into my own workout.

A good investment is a roller for massaging out the sore legs; it hurts but helps.  I forgot to mention that I wear a Fit Bit.  Depending on how competitive you are and the people in your group, Fit Bit can help in increasing your activity; at least it does for me.  I have just under two weeks left of Cross Fit and five days of my cleanse; I have a ton more energy and feel great!

Cross Fitting

This month I decided to try out Cross Fit for several reasons.  I do have a Facebook account so if you’re like me you probably know several people who often post about their workout.  In other posts on FB and discussions I often hear that Cross Fit is cult like; that the members have drank the Kool-Aid.  With all the controversy surrounding Cross Fit I wanted to find out for myself.  Here are two articles on the topic:

• WebMD
• VPX Sports

One day of Cross Fit complete and I will tell you about it but, before I do, I think I should let you know where my opinion comes from....history/experience.  Apart from high-school sports my experience with working out had been off and on throughout my twenty's and early thirties (I'm 39 now).  From gym memberships to participating in triathlons to adventure races, I have always been active and continue to run or bike frequently and have included regular gym visits for almost three years. I am getting close to the fittest I have ever been and I still eat lots of dessert and drink lots of libations. I'd rather work out harder to enjoy those things!  My motto is sweat every day and you will feel happier and be healthier.

Because eating is obviously a passion of mine, I enjoy finding ways to make “healthyfood”taste good.  For example, my smoothie recipe has coconut water, yogurt, chia seed, flax seed, kale, protein powder, blueberries, banana and strawberries.  I do like kale, however; I add it to my smoothies because I don’t taste it and it gives me nutrients.  Grocery store visits are quick because I mostly walk the perimeter of the store for veggies, dairy and bread.  My attempt is to weed out processed foods; of course things like crackers, bread, oils etc. are difficult to eliminate.  I am also starting a 12-day cleanse to maximize my results; pills, drops and cutting alcohol, sugar and flour.

I went with a Cross Fit facility in downtown Denver for three reasons; price, they were offering a deal (Groupon/Livingsocial), proximity to my house and the friendliness of the owner.  The deal I bought includes unlimited visits for a month before 8:00 am (there is a 6:30am or7am class) and five “anytime” visits.  The early classes are “level-1” so they are instruction based; (with that said, I was very tired after class) and have other new-to-Cross Fit people.  I did check out a few other places and they offer a beginner 2-week certification that costs $120   I’m planning to attend three days per week during this month with some extra cardio (biking and running) in between.  

I will update again after a few more visits!

Cooking corned beef tongue and Paella

I cooked the beef tongue last night, shredded some Brussels sprouts and caramelized a whole bunch of onions; the latter of which I canned.  I made a really good Reuben sandwich with the tongue and recreated a Brussels sprout salad I had recently at a restaurant here in Denver.

Cooking corned beef tongue:

Rinse tongue well under cold water and 2 Tb. of pickling spice.  Fill a pot with enough water to cover and cook on stove top until it simmers.  Cover and place in a 300-degree oven for three hours, flip meat every hour to ensure even cooking.  Remove from oven and place tongue on cutting board for 10 minutes to cool.  Remove tongue cover by making an incision and peeling the cover off.  Slice, shred or dice to make your favorite beef recipes.  I also made hash with diced tongue, potatoes, peppers (hot and sweet), onions, herbs and spice all in a cast iron skillet with two fried eggs!  Holly even liked it!!

I will try to get the casing (taste buds) off in one piece and dry it for Scout next time

Sliced for a Ruben

I did cook Paella this weekend, which turned out really well.  I only took a couple pics but below is the recipe I followed with a few adjustments.  I omitted the lobster, water (I used stock; chicken I had previously canned and shrimp, made from the shells) and peas.  I added jalapeno, mussels and my home-canned tomatoes.  Right before I started to cook Holly reminded me we had a Paella pan; I didn't know there was such a thing.  Special notes: Instead of using a whole chicken like in the recipe I used 4 thighs/ legs.  I will try wings next time because my guest thought it was too much food with everything that is in it.  I used 1.5 cups of rice (recipe says 4) and by the time I had everything in this pan, it was full!   Good luck!  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-paella-recipe.html 

Mise en place for Paella

Paella pan

I start Cross Fit tomorrow-and will tackle it for the next 30 days.  Updates to come...