I’m lucky enough to have a spouse who is my partner in all things – parenting, housekeeping, working - life. Even though I may be the more outspoken of the two of us (okay, I’m a LOT more outspoken), when it boils down to it we are equals and are unconditionally supportive.
He not only understands how I eat and why (and his Celiac requires him to be gluten-free) but he also follows a Real Food lifestyle and CrossFits. So I guess I have it pretty easy. He eats what I cook without raised eyebrows. We talk about how much squat clean thrusters suck over dinner. We walk the farmer’s market with our kids every week, teaching them where our food comes from.
On top of this wonderful man and support system at home, my extended family is also supportive of my lifestyle. Even when they don’t understand why I want to lift 140# over my head or have a goal of breaking a 1:45 500m row, they love me and that is enough to support my endeavors. They’ve seen the change from an unhappy obese woman to a strong, healthy one who strives to always improve. And that is enough for them.
Then I am blessed enough to walk into QCCF every day at 3 pm, daughter in tow, into a place where everyone just…gets it. We push hard, surpassing limits we thought we’d never reach when we first started. One of the most amazing feelings I have at CrossFit is cheering on someone new and watching that fire in their eyes, knowing how bad they want it, how hard they work for it. And even when they finish and crumple into a pile, they know they did it.
You’re all doing it.
You’re choosing your health, one WOD at a time, one trip to the supermarket at a time, one meal at a time.
Some of you may not have the support at home or in your family. Some of you have to defend every decision you make to the people in your lives. Some of you are so frustrated at the office when you explain for the 40th time where you’re eating beef jerky instead of the morning doughnuts or bagels. Some of you have had times where you want to give up.
Each time you say “No, thank you” to the office birthday cake, we are cheering you on just like we do as we run alongside you on a 400m run during a WOD. Each time you give into the cake, but get right back on track the next day, we cheer even louder.
Each time you explain yourself for the millionth time why you’re not eating bread or pasta, we’re there fist-bumping you like we do when you hit a PR on a lift.
Each time your pants fit better, or your look in the mirror and see someone younger and fitter looking back, we’re there high-fiving you.
Because you deserve to be the best you. And we believe in you.
Do you have a strong support system? How does this affect your success?
-AndreAnna
