A year ago I was living in another state. I was gearing up for my final semester of college and final semester with the people I had grown so close with over 4 years. A year ago I had just scratched the surface of crossfit. I was intimidated, considerably weaker, and shy but I knew I had found something great. A year ago I was blogging 5 times a week. I had the time and the passion and it felt right during that season.
And isn’t it funny how day to day nothing seems to change but today, a year later, I find myself in a totally different place, surrounded by completely new people, and filling my time with all new experiences and activities.
Today I’ve grown close with people who have changed me and opened me up to new perspectives and experiences. Today I’ve been crossfitting for over a year and have grown into a stronger more confident person in all aspects of my life because of it. And today I’ve put blogging on the back burner for a variety of reasons.
I’m not sure if I’m back for good, or back for a day, but I felt like writing today so I’m here. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how crossfit has changed me. If you think crossfit is a creepy cult that sucks people in… a) you’re kind of right and that’s fine and b) you can probably skip reading this post.
On the surface, I look like a different person; I’ve put on over 20lbs since May. That’s a lot of muscle and a good amount of body fat that I needed to gain. I feel confident and great about it; it’s helped me gain a lot of strength and I really feel comfortable now in clothes and in my skin like I never have before. The picture on the left is me last spring, a few months into crossfit and lifting. The photo on the right is me yesterday, about 10 months of squatting and eating later.
And under all of that, I’ve found something I deeply look forward to doing every single day. I’ve found people who are so like minded, driven, and inspiring to be around. I’ve found something that challenges me to new levels and scares me on a daily basis. I think everyone needs something in their lives that does all of those things for them.
I’d like to do some more posts about body image, crossfit, recipes, some photography projects I have been working on, traveling, and recaps of experiences and adventures. So I might be back for a while, or weekly, or never… I’m not sure how often, but I will write when I feel like it and I won’t when I don’t because this place should be an enjoyable outlet for me.
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So tell me, what has changed for you in a year?
A year ago I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown trying to make sense of this thing called life. I began working out as a means to handle my stress, and then fell in love with the art of strength training. One thing lead to another and I became a certified personal trainer and kettlebell instructor. Life took care of itself. MIraculously, and I thank God every day for that.
Great post sweetie! I know we chatted a bit this summer and I am so thankful for that <3 You are a beautiful person inside and out and I love your writing. I will be reading your blog whenever you post <3 Have an amazing day and be proud of everything you gained in all aspects of your life over the past year <3
A year ago, I was a mess. I was had a job that was making me miserable and depressed. I cried every morning on my way to work. I was in a relationship that was going absolutely nowhere. Eventually I realized things needed to change in my life. Fast forward to this year, I have a different job and moved to a new city. The dead end relationship is in my past and I’m finally happy. Things aren’t perfect, but I’m still ecstatic with the improvement.
you look amazing in both of those photos! i know body commentary is always a sensitive topic but you didn’t appear to be underweight in the first pic, did you have the desire to put on muscle or compete in crossfit games? things are changing very rapidly for me right now…i will be needing to find a new job, am house hunting and am seriously considering adopting a puppy! i think i’m also a lot wiser than i was a year ago
cheers to our ever changing journey!
I had the desire to gain a lot more strength and I knew putting on weight was necessary for that. I wasn’t necessarily underweight but for my frame I was thin and did not hold on to enough body fat. Good luck with your big life changes too
A year ago today I thought I knew my plans for the next year but it turns out I was lost. I ended up moving back home for the summer to figure things out and like you, I found Crossfit. I immediately fell in love and I haven’t stopped. I am pretty proud of my strength and numbers and it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come since that hot day in May. I don’t know where I would be (or what I would do and talk about 24/8) without Crossfit and I feel like it found me!
Wiii! A KatiePost!
Nice to hear from you! It sounds as if you are in a healthy blog state, letting the bloggin be a positive, enyojable thing for you! (Personally, I would la-la-love frequent updates with your beautiful pictures, though..)
My year has been kind of a long year. Trying to make this paleothing into a lifestyle (not just for losing weight) and tweaking it to fit my whole family. I haven’t yet tried CF, and I’m not totally sure it’s my thing, but it sounds sooo fun! The big thing for me this year is that I recently started working after a couple of years as a stay-at-hom-mum and I’m slooowly adapting to being a working girl
You look strong and stacked Katie! More importantly, you sound happy and fulfilled. Yay for reflecting on your acheivements!
you found great strength! inner and outer! I love that BOLDNESS
Great post!! You do what you gotta do! In the last year I’ve changed the way I eat (Paleo style). I workout more. AND I’m buying my first home (closing date less than a month)!!!
I am so glad I found your blog, even if you only come here every few months. Your story is so similar to mine. With that being said, I love my life, and I have CrossFit to thank for it. It’s completely changed everything for me. Follow the seasons and LIVE!
Well if this post does anything, it inspires me to do some squats because your legs look fantastic. A year ago, I was at a job I hated, a week away from being laid off and pretty content. I wouldn’t say the past year has been all progress, in fact, it might have been more of a backwards-process. But I feel like I learned SO much this year and I’m so grateful for it. Great post and thanks for making me think… and getting me to the gym tonight.
you’re such a strong and amazing person! you look great! so happy that you have found a happy-inner space
HUGS
I’m so happy for you!!! And I’m very glad you decided to continue blogging at least occasionally:)… I am especially looking forward to new posts about body image! By the way, I love squats, especially pistol squats, and sometimes I really wonder if there is something wrong in my head
Katie,
I’m glad to see you’re back, even if it’s for just one post. I went to college for 8 years to get two bachelor’s and now that I’m in the “real world” I seem to be experiencing everything a few years after my friends. The last year for me has been about really questioning what I want out of life. I don’t have a lot of answers yet, but I have the relief knowing that it’s ok to ask the questions.
I look forward to seeing more posts!
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