Burp... eeeee!

Photo Insert: With Kath - she helped me face the unknown.

I decided to face the unknown. But when in doubt, call upon a friend to go through it with you and also make sure the person who introduced it to you also shows up just for added motivation. I wanted to make sure I was not alone but I knew that even if I was I would still be alright. Yet comfort comes in many forms.

Thursday, 31st March 2011 @ RBRC: Melissa had been talking about cross fit for awhile. It sounded painful but she somehow painted this picture that it would be lots of fun because, I quote "we just have a good laugh" and it's free! I thought, it can't possibly be that bad. And hearing that Din and Fawwaz had also gone made me feel that if they could do it then so could I. So I made sure that Kath came along so that I wouldn't back out from making that choice to go.

When I arrived at the venue I was greeted by the sight of members who were attempting the March challenge. That's 50 burpees, 800m, flutter kicks of I'm not sure how many, 800m, 20 squat jumps and lastly another 400m. It looked really hard and I could not imagine me going through all that. I admired their enthusiasm, strength and stamina while I controlled my urge to run away. They were all doing their best to complete the challenge and also clock in their best times.

At 6pm the actual session started. Since Kath and I were new, one of the trainers took us to one side. There was 6 of us new that day. It was explained what we were about to engage in a high intensity exercise where it purposely pushes your heart rate, working the major parts of the body which is more effective for weight loss. The trainer showed us how to squat, we did push ups and finally we learned how to do a burpee which is a combination of a few moves. We only did a few. I cannot imagine how on earth someone could do 50 burpees! We did some sprinting and we ran around the track.

I could not gauge how fast I could or should run but I was proud of myself that I could complete that 400m track. Albeit slow, I would have not been able to have done that in the past! *pat on back*

We joined the whole group at the end. The non-beginners had to go through circuit training which did not look pleasant nor easy but the group did not say much and did what they had to do while the trainers gave them orders.

At the end, we had to do bear crawls around 4 corners and at each corner give 3 push ups. The trainer made it look so simple but when I did it, I think I was not a bear crawling. I was more like a monkey with my bum in the air and my feet and hands crawling on the ground. I finished it but I wanted to already faint.

Then the final part was several squats in 20 second periods. I decided the objective was not race against anyone, it was more of what I could do and to keep on reminding myself how far I have come with the weight loss. Sometimes the thoughts do not come easily...

Kath and I spoke how we felt about the whole session and whether we would come back. For me, I had said I wanted to come back but I will be realistic with my available time, it doesn't look likely at this stage. Overall I am thankful I had the chance to participate and experience the unknown!