The past week has been a real tough week for me. I work in retail and the holiday season is probably the most stressful time of the year for retail. To add in family, home, bills, etc, it’s hard for me to sometimes just sit and enjoy life. To be in the moment.
I guess you can say I am an over-thinker. I’ll think about a problem until I snap. Ask Jeremy and I am sure he can tell you a few stories! Like so many athletes, I joined Crossfit OIB for the purpose of improving total health . . . But there’s also more to it than just that.
I usually work out before or after work, particularly on Mondays. Mondays are the worst because it’s my admin day. Which means I have schedules, management conversations, conference calls and sometimes even extra calls to present business when it has been tough a week. Before I joined CFOIB, I would go home after work and overthink my entire day. You could immediately see when work was on my brain; I would be in a horrible mood and it would even affect my eating habits. I guess you could say that my motto was I eat because I feel.
Now, I look forward to my Monday workouts. Going to the box after work helps me to turn off those worries, even if just for that single hour. I am able to turn off that “processor of a brain” and just focus on my workout, my form and my performance. All those conversations and stressful situations go away as soon as I walk into the box — it’s just me and my workout. All the of negative energy I carry home from work gets put into the workout to make me faster, stronger, better. So, not only am I working out for physical health but for my mental health as well.
Sure, it’s still a struggle to stay on the right path. Everyday I have choices (eating, training and stressful life choices) to make but I am relieved that I have CFOIB to get me through the week and keep me sane. I realize now that making time for myself . . . To be a better version of myself is good for me and everyone around me. My work team and family sees a difference in me emotionally and physically.
Thanks Coach K in helping me realize my potential and what I can achieve with a healthy lifestyle! – Marty G