CrossFit can't be that great...oh, nevermind

So, I only meant to try CrossFit to be able to take part in the debates going on about it. I was a sceptic, but I wanted to give it a try. And after the second class I was already hooked. There's something epic about doing stuff you didn't think you could do (e.g. handstand push-ups) and that other people will never do in their lives. So, what I mean to say is: it's not a cult, it's a lifestyle. And it's not about being the best, but being better than before. And even though everybody is encouraging you and cheering you on, no one is gonna keep you from giving up, which means you have to get through it with sheer will power sometimes. It hurts, but you see improvements and development even after a few sessions. I was the last person I ever expected to say this, but CrossFit is amazing. I just sold my soul to a great box with a great trainer and I am totally happy about that decision. 

You're my favourite sin...

"So I salute you with both hands

It's unbearable pain, but time well spent

[...] You take all my problems, filter them up, then throw them all away

With the pleasure comes the pain that only you could bring...

You've been given all I have

When you come around, I seem to give in

In a fight I'll never win, cause all the while you're my favorite sin"

(Within Reason - My Favorite Sin)

The awkward moment when you hear a love song and all you can think of is: "that's exactly what MMA is to me!" 

So, after a month at Randori, training with the same Jits and MMA coach, who knows pretty well, what he's doing, I came to a decision. I'm almost 30 now. My prime time for competing is almost over, so when I came to Berlin, I already knew that it was either all in now or having a fun hobby on the side for the rest of my life. 

I'm not an 'a little bit'-kind of person. I'm either all in, or I'm out. Obsessed or not interested.

So, I had a talk with my trainer. Real talk. I told him, I wanted to go all the way. That I trusted him enough to get me where I need to be. And he said, he'd be there to do everything he can to do what it takes for me. He'd give me conditioning instructions and revise a nutrition plan. And while he's talking a lot and one could think that it's all just talk, he came through right away. Yesterday, I had my first conditioning circuit with our competitors. Our trainer invited some other people, too, to check out our basic fitness levels and well, torture us a little (he's doing the same training with us, so don't get me wrong, he's walking the talk). We did five rounds of pull-ups, push-ups, lunges, burpees and abs. It wasn't that bad then, but today, I'm SORE. On the other hand, he also told me that my fitness was solid, a good base to build on (because there's always room for improvement). So yeah, now it's all about nutrition, conditioning and training as regularly and often as possible. The life of an athlete. Fat me seven years ago would have never thought that I'd be enjoying this so much. Life is a funny thing, it never turns out the way you thought it would, and that's great. 

Feel the burn...

Handstand push - ups on a box. Good morning, shoulders. Ouchie. This CrossFit - thing is worse than I thought. And more fun. And it hurts more. And it's way more addictive. Having the time of my life right now with MMA, BJJ and CrossFit. I'm probably in way better shape at 30 than I've been at 20. :D

Others collect stamps...

..I collect bruises. But you know what has been a really stupid idea? Face- or rather foreheadplanting into the cage to literally save your neck. I didn't get choked, but now I'm growing a second head out of my forehead. :P
On the light side of things, my 51-year old coach twerked to 50 Cents Candy Shop today. We had a blast at training and I have to say, as much as I miss MMA Team 300, the team at Randori-Pro is probs the best thing that could happen to me at this stage (while MMA Team 300 was what I needed before).
I love training again.

Priorities

Life is a strange thing; it is a different experience for everyone and no two people take the same path through it. And why is that? Because people have different jobs, hobbies, friends, and priorities. I, for one, love exercising. I love fitness, sports, you name it. And because exercise and sports are important to me, I make time for those. I prioritise them. 

For a long time people have been asking me, why I am single or why I don't even try to change that. Well, for one, I'm happy as it is. I love my way the life it is and for me to compromise and change even parts of it, well, that'd need someone who's worth it. I haven't met anyone like that before. 

But the other thing I never fully understood myself is prioritising. On Saturday, I got talking with a guy about those things and he said something that's true for me, too. "Well, if I could go out and socialise or go to training, I'd always choose training. Which kind of takes a toll on my social life sometimes." And that's just it. If I get to choose between anything and training, I'll choose training. The type of training might change, but it's almost training. Which is why my life is different from those of many other people I know. Sometimes it's sleeping, too. But yeah, my life revolves mostly around exercise and sports. And you know what? I'm okay with that. I'm happy with it. Otherwise I'd change it.