2014

6 Tips So You Don't Ever Fall Out of Love With CrossFit

6 Tips So You Don't Ever Fall Out of Love With CrossFit
Lisa Scotto - CEO of Nutcase CrunchI have been an active CrossFit participant for many years. In fact over 5 years, which seems like forever considering that's longer than some of you have been out of college!  I started CrossFitting in Hoboken and have been to several gyms around the country.  A bit about me, I'm female, 38, never played sports growing up and I will never be a games athlete, I will never win an adventure race, I will never be the first to finish at my box.  Your probably saying " hold up, wait a minute" doesn't everyone want to be a games competitor, doesn't everyone want to win?"

You might be thinking, "Why? Why, Lisa, after working out at CrossFit for 5 years will you not be a competitor?  Why will you never be first?" The answer is because this is "just exercise" and exercise is something you have to do forever.  I ask you, does everyone want to be the CEO of a company? Does everyone want to go to the Olympics?

The first rule of crossfitPart of me wishes I started CrossFit when I was 21 and I was a games competitor, but I was too busy drinking and partying back then to be worried about my health. It wasn't until my late 20's that I needed to wrangle it in and make some tough decisions about my diet and working out.  And it wasn't until my early thirties that I was introduced to CrossFit.  I have consistently WOD'ed at my box until recently.  In the last little while I have noticed my motivation wane and my enthusiasm fade.  I used to be naturally motivated by the community and the results, but recently I have felt different... very different. I have felt that CrossFit was like a job, a job that maybe I wasn't so thrilled with anymore.  In fact, it was making me sad that after some WOD's I would cry and think to myself where are the endorphins, why are they not kicking in?

So I did some soul-searching AND some Google Searching, looking up the following phrases:

  • "Seeking  motivation at CrossFit"

  • "been CrossFitting for years, how to stay motivated"

  • "what happens when you fall out of love with CrossFit"


And up popped some resources, but not enough to really answer my dilemma.  So I decided to create a few tips for myself and anyone else that may be having these same feelings.

6 Things to remember so you can stay motivated and never fall out of love with CrossFit



  1. Whatever you do, don't stop going:  This is tough.  Why would you want to go on a date with someone you don't like...consider it more like a marriage (you are not going to easily give up on your soul-mate)  nor should you easily give up on yourself.  Go to the BOX and do the WOD.

  2. Scale back:  don't do the WOD RX for several days, master the movements.  This is completely opposite of what everyone else is doing, but tell your coach beforehand and take your time. Do it right.  There is a certain gratification in doing each movement with absolute perfection.  Go light and go fast. This will also get your confidence up.

  3. Because you may be feeling a bit down - do not let your eating habits fall off, too . We tend to rationalize, "well I skipped the gym, so I'll just eat this bad/junk/processed crap now to make me feel better", or "I'll have a glass  (or 2) of vino with dinner, alcohol is a depressant, folks!  Even if you can't get your ass to the box for the WOD...keep your diet dialed in.  Diet is 80% of the total package.

  4. Get an accountability partner: CrossFit inherently is more accountable than most other things in our lives - but find just one person at the gym (maybe someone who is of a similar age or mindset) and be accountable to them and ask them to hold you accountable - this is the same idea as a workout buddy.

  5. It's a lifelong journey: Remember that no matter what you are doing CrossFit for yourself, for the long haul, it is not a brief commitment,  it is a lifelong commitment and just like anything that lasts for more than a hot second, your feelings will change over time. Recognize this and move on.

  6. Don't lose sight of your why: Remain confident that getting in three or more workouts per week statistically puts you ahead of the game  - scaled WOD or not, it all counts, so don't be too hard on yourself!


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Nutcase Crunch Logo About Lisa:


Lisa Scotto's life is forever changed by the Paleo diet. After 14 years of working in corporate America, she was inspired to become an entrepreneur. In 2011, Lisa created Nutcase Crunch , a nut-based Paleo granola and cereal substitute. Her goal is to teach others about nutrition and the negative affects of the current Standard American Diet.  

Be sure to connect with Lisa on Twitter and Facebook too.
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