Morning Guys,

So Angry!

Twice now I have missed logging my points before 9pm. Both days I had perfect points. UGH! So pissed! What a waste! I think both days I complained to anyone that would listen to me. Joke was on me because surely sick of my whining Dusty suggested "maybe that should be what your next blog is on as no doubt many others are experiencing the same frustrations."

As I sit to write this tho I am practically hitting my head agains the wall questioning why I got my knickers in a knot? Is this challenge for me or is it really about the points and the idea of winning. Nailed it. It is about me. I chose to take this on to create good habits in the kitchen and improve my performance in the gym. So I lost some points but my sugar cravings have subsided!  (Though for some reason I REALLY want a glass of wine right now, but that is another story to probably not to share on a public forum.)

Piss off scenario number 2.

No doubt most have you have seen me all taped up and smelling like I bathe in ICY HOT and that is because I have been battling a shoulder injury. Thankfully you can still squat, run and get some form of a workout on without that joint, but then last Saturday not even during my work out I ef'd up my neck and pinched some nerves. I am talking  vomit worthy pain for days. I tried to come in for a couple of days and get my 10 mins in on  the air dyne and the foam roller but by Tuesday I stopped myself and questioned who I was doing that for or better yet what I was doing this for?! It certainly wasn't for my well being and what really is the value of 2 points. So I decided that 100% rest in hopes to be better for the Open was far more valuable then 2 points, and more-so resting so that I can walk when I am older is priceless.

Back to you.

I have noticed in the gym and on the Facebook page that I am not the only one cursing this game, or losing my umph. Actually lies I am not losing my umph at all but I know some of you are. But team I honestly think the fun is just beginning! My experience: I am starting to feel the positive effects, my skin is glowing, my energy is up ,and if you can believe it I think this has actually been good for my wallet! I hear rumblings of how expensive it is to eat well but I actually find it more affordable because I am eating out less, preparing my lunches and Starbucks doesn't get 5+ dollars a day anymore.  The daily act of working out, mobilization and fish oil weren't new for me but this challenge has caused me to look at why I do those things and for me that has been a healthy study. Case in point I used to workout injured, addictions come in many forms friends. Where was I? Right! The fun is just beginning! Now that we have a grasp on the food we can start getting creative in the kitchen, maybe find a buddy and each prepare a meal and trade leftovers. Confidence is up, you have started to rock out this habits so what else should you add to the plate of awesomeness? Time to start training for your first 10k, waking up earlier (after 7hrs of sleep) to meditate, coming to gymnastics class. Point is now that you are locking and loading the WLC the "game" may be on cruise control and I think we all know the quote, "LIfe Begins at the end of your comfort zone."

Get after it.

Your team-mate

Jo

Hey guys My name is Zach, and I want to share with everyone out there a 1^st hand look at the experience I had during my first week at DogTown CrossFit. I’m 23 years old, and just moved to the Venice Area from Connecticut. My whole life I competed in sports, and recently graduated college with nothing really left to look forward to besides a life long membership to a typical boring gym listening to my Ipod (not fun). I knew I needed to find something physical to invest my spare time. My dad had recently joined CrossFit, and would constantly tell me good things about his experience, and recommend that I find a local Box and join.

4 months before moving to Los Angles I started CrossFit, and I loved it! I knew that when I made my journey to California that I wanted to continue the CrossFit ways, and made it a priority. I found DogTown CrossFit on Google, and decided to inquire about a membership, and their daily classes. I emailed Liz (one of the owners of DogTown) and she was extremely friendly, she told me to come in, and try it out to get a feel for what they offered. I took her up on her suggestion, and haven’t looked back since. The second I walked through the door I felt welcomed, all of the coaches were extremely friendly, and really set the tone for a great atmosphere. My first workout was Fran, if your familiar with CrossFit then you know what a pleasure Fran can be! Although the workouts are challenging your accompanied by a group of others who are doing the same, and lend much needed motivation to others when needed. Being new to the area and not knowing many people I was very happy to join a gym where talking to other members is promoted, and there is a real sense of community, which was a huge change from the typical gym experience where there is lack of motivation, everyone is walking around with there head phones in, and rarely do people come right up to you the first day and introduce themselves. I quickly realized that when I joined DogTown CrossFit I wasn’t merely joining a new gym, but I was signing up for the great community experience that you get along with it.

Many may doubt their lack of skills, and are reluctant to join CrossFit because they haven’t worked out in awhile, but at Dogtown they welcome new members of all levels. The coaches there understand that everyone may not be in top shape, but that’s why they’re there. They offer classes for all levels, and the coaches truly care about you improving in all aspects of your physical health. They don’t help you just get a workout in they insist that you improve your endurance, strength, stamina, power, speed, balance, agility, and coordination.

I decided to write this because I know that there are many out there debating weather or not to come check out Dogtown Crossfit. I wanted to share with everyone my experience so that hopefully you will feel more comfortable coming in for the first time, and know that although you are going to be working hard, you will be around great people, great music, and some pretty friendly dogs helping you every step of the way. DogTown CrossFit gave me something to look forward to everyday instead the same mundane routine of your typical gym experience. At Dogtown CrossFit you will meet great people, and you will get one of the best workouts of your life.

Dogtowners,

This week marks the start of the 2013 CrossFit Games season. For 5 weeks CrossFit HQ will announce 1 workout for athletes from all over the world to complete. After the completion of each workout, athletes can submit their score to see how they are ranked in Southern California and the world.

Dogtown CrossFit has athletes Val Voboril, Lindsey Valenzuela, and Ruth Horrell of New Zealand competing for an individual regional spot. We also have several members competing for a spot on the DogTown Team which will consist of 3 men and 3 women.

Workouts are announced by CrossFit HQ on every Wednesday. DogTown will host the open workouts Saturday mornings at the 8am advanced class. If you have registered to compete, and want your score validated, this is the time to attend. If you don’t care about validating your score, the regular classes will also do the workouts but scores will not be validated.

If you cannot make the Saturday morning workout at 8am, and want your score verified, please make arrangements with our coaches to set up a time before the deadline or you can video the workout for us to watch.

Furthermore, we are one big family and these individuals will be representing all of us. We encourage you to come in and cheer them on. If you have any questions please email me josh@dogtowncrossfit.com.

It's clobberin' time!

For more information you can also visit the Games site: http://games.crossfit.com/

Joshy G

1 week in 

So how is everyone feeling?! Like your whole life is literally a challenge or that you are ready to challenge your whole like and create some serious change?

Either or is good! Ebs and flows! Somedays will be easy and some days will truly be a test of your will, sanity and yes your self control. Somedays you will "own this" others you may want to roll up into the fetal position. The bad news, we are only one week in. The good news you have 60+ people to lean on for support and we are one week in, the great news the headaches are hopefully gone, you know what it takes to prepare for the days ahead and you have  a little more pep in your step. The exceptional news, a slip-up is okay! 

On the reflections page I read a lot about caving during the Oscars, drinks during the UFC fights, and goodness knows I didn't resist Lindsay's ridiculously awesome birthday cake sitting at the front desk last week (note, maybe we shouldn't leave such a temptation out for ll during a challenge, just a thought!). You have 5 points so that if you have to you can treat yourself to something special, you also have 5 points so that you don't blow your load and binge for a whole day- no joke I think losing all 5 points would be a challenge and would mean that you didn't try at all. The point of this game is to create good habits and get you thinking about what you put in your body, so play smart and if you absolutely can't resist the treats that someone brought to the office have a bite there is no need to take down a whole serving. Also, I have heard some chatter about people not wanting to say no to dinner invites, eating well should not be affecting your social life people! Get it together, every restaurant has meat, salad and vegetables? You don't need an excuse to lose a point about but if you insist because you it's a mental forgiveness thing  at least make it a good excuse like you had your tonsils out and all you could eat was j-e-l-l-o. One last rant, take it from me if you are going to lose a point make it quality. Like the cake Cathy Jarel made- quality, cupcakes from Ralph's meh not so much. 

Yes there is a winner to this whole thing but I feel quite confident in declaring that your gonna be a winner in your "whole life" if reach your goal, be it lost inches, faster workouts, lifting heavier, diminishing your meds, clearer skin etc etc etc. If it helps my goal is to get through all 60 days without throwing in the towel… and well if my max body weight movements (pull ups/T2B)improve significantly  then I may never stop eating clean….with the exception of an occasional trip to yogurtland. 

Your team-mate 

jo

Good Morning DogTowners,

TESTING NEXT WEEK

Whole Life Challenge Blog

If you are a friend of ours on Facebook, read the DogTown Blog, and/or in fact listen when the coaches are running through upcoming events in class, you should know by now that the Whole Life Challenge is upon us.

What is the WLC?

Simply put: The Whole Life Challenge is an 8 week accountability, clean eating & fitness challenge. In other words it is a lifestyle transformation resulting in the creation of good habits... not to mention a by-product of a smaller waistline and heavier squat... #win. Bonus we are all in it together as a community. Oh yeah, I almost forgot the best part! There are various prizes for various things...not that any of us are competitive with one another!

Here is the lowdown, the WLC is a 55 day long online/offline game amongst all the participating athletes in DogTown. I say online because each day you have the potential to earn 11 points (5 points for food, 2 points for working out, 2 points for mobilization, 1 point for supplements and 1 point for a lifestyle practice that rotates ever 2 weeks) and you have to log your points online daily by 9pm for EVERYONE to see. I say offline because well you actually have to actively participate, like in real life, this isn’t words with friends people.

I could go through the rules with a fine tooth comb with you, for example walking your dog doesn't count as a workout but let’s keep it real I am not a details girl (I mean have you seen my questionable squatting depth?!) so read through the rules here online: http://wholelifechallenge.com/wlc2013/affiliate/dogtowncrossfit, you're going there any ways to sign up!!!  If you are at all questioning even looking into, stop it, hover your mouse above and click it to win it.

Why do the WLC?

Isn't because I am doing it peer pressure enough? In all seriousness let me tell you in my own words why I am doing it in hopes that my story does in fact make you go “hmmmm, this chick is on to something.”  

No joke if you were to look at my bookshelf you would find a silly amount of books on nutrition. 2 shelves full from Practical Paleo, Crazy Sexy Diet, Skinny Bitch, South Beach Diet, The Zone, Atkins, and dare I date myself and admit to owning the whole Suzanne Somers Sommersize Series. I have tried everything! Vegetarian, juicing, vegan, paleo, high fat, no fat, food combining, measuring, if it was ever mentioned in Shape Magazine I likely tried it...for like a week or two..tops. Yes, I may have commitment issues. So when the coaches explained the game to a group of us asked who would be open to partaking in the WLC and blog about their experience it I knew without question this was a must for me. They had me at accountability. Being accountable to your community is going to be the game changer for me. You see in the WLC you are in an online group with all the participants from the gym so just like the whiteboard in the gym you can see who the other athletes are and how they are doing. This is far from anonymous and for me that is what truly makes me want to participate and confident that I can be successful because giving up on myself on a solo mission has been done before but giving up on you? Never.

So for me, for the gym, but most importantly for you let’s do this! I know you are up for the challenge and if any of you are wavering (ie. can vegetarians play? YES!) track me down if you have any questions I am pretty sure you know where to find me.

Go here to sign up: http://wholelifechallenge.com/wlc2013/affiliate/dogtowncrossfit

Your teammate Jo Hudson