Daily Prompt: The Excitement Never Ends
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about — butterflies-in-the-stomach, giggling, can’t-wait excited.
Well, recently I did something so far out of my normal realm I’m still not sure what came over me. Maybe I’m going through a little MLC of my own. Was I excited to jump into this venture head first? That would depend on your definition of “excited.” Did I have butterflies-in the-stomach? Um, it felt more like a flock of geese, but yes. Was there that giggling, can’t wait excited feeling? In my world there is always giggling, but in this case, it was the let’s just make fun of ourselves in order to survive kind of giggling, so yes, there was in fact lots of giggling.
I bet you’re on the edge of your seats wondering what the hell I’ve been keeping from you all……Drum Roll Please.
The answer is CrossFit (this is in red to signify the fires of hell I endure 
every time I attend class). If anyone is wondering “what the hell is CrossFit?” The official definition is: CrossFit is a strength and conditioning brand. CrossFit combines weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics. My definition is: CrossFit is a love/hate relationship that will push you to thoughts of self demise and euphoria in the same hour. CrossFit does not discriminate against any of your muscle groups, in fact, parts of your body will hurt that you weren’t even aware existed.
This all came to life after meeting a long-time friend for coffee. Maybe someone slipped something into our Lattes. My friend started telling me how she wanted to try CrossFit, which I never heard of and I shared that I wanted to try one of those Mud races….Muddrella to be exact, which she never heard of and this folks is how insanity was born. Two crazy ideas shacking up in the middle of a Starbucks produced a bundle of over zealous confidence that brought us to sign our lives away to a CrossFit facility.
You see, my dear friend and I are approaching milestone, or as I like to call them, “very special birthdays” soon. One of us (not me) isn’t venturing into this next chapter with the same vigor as someone else (me). You see, she confessed that this is the first Summer she hasn’t worn a bikini. Tragic, I know. She was looking for something challenging so she wouldn’t turn into “one of those hideous older people” as she so eloquently described it. She could never be hideous, but I knew exactly what she meant.
This conversation provoked me to do some math and I came to the horrific realization that this is my 21st year without wearing a bikini, along with my 5th year without wearing a bathing suit of any kind, so I think it’s safe to say that I was just a Christmas sweater away from a catastrophic level of hideous aging. YIKES! All I can say is … THANK GOD for whatever divine intervention led us to meet for coffee that day!
Yesterday we concluded our second full week of CrossFit and believe it or not we are both making significant strides. For starters we’re still alive! Everyone, including all of the young what the hell are you doing here with that amazing body guys and girls are very supportive of our endeavours. They encourage us, answer our questions and cheer us on one WOD (work-out of the day) at a time. It’s really nice having your own personal cheerleaders … a girl could get use to this love.
We are running, the actual verb form of running too, not the “I’m running to the store” adjective kind. We are also jumping rope. 
Do you have any idea what happens when middle-aged women run & jump rope? They begin to laugh out loud at the prospect of wearing a diaper and they actually start to justify it! Hey, Lisa Rinna wore one on the Red Carpet, she says so in the commercial!
We are lifting weights, dangling from gigantic rubber bands, contorting our bodies into positions we didn’t know were possible, but most of all we are having a great time….a very sore time, but a great time. No pain, no gain … right?
As of this morning I am 20.2 pounds lighter. Um, yes, she did include that .2. I am healthier, happier and more determined than ever to continue on this path of Non-Hideous aging. I think I feel a bumper sticker coming on…perhaps a t-shirt.
Honestly though, the best part of this whole journey has been spending time with my dear friend. We make each other laugh through our inadequacies while we celebrate our personal milestones, which to date include running without stopping and staying alive. Enjoy the Ride!
Life With The Top Down 
Excellent, funny, inspirational and sentimental all at the same time. Had me laughing and feeling as if I had been right there. Oh yea, I was. ANd actually, this author is the one making most of the strides! Keep it up and continue your path!
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Thanks “S”! Or shall I say “Just S” … your like Prince.
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I’d like to say this inspired me to run out and join the nearest fitness club. It won’t. My history with exercise is: Health scare, exercise. Slack off. Doctor’s visit, exercise. Lose interest. Female I’d like to attract, she turns me down or throws me out. I blog. Etc. I support you but right now I’m too tired.
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That’s ok Tom it seems we have the same History with exercise. I always get bored! But so far this insanity isn’t boring, but it may still cause me to go to the doctor for reassurance that my organs haven’t been misplaced during some of these maneuvers.
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I will work out vicariously through you! It sounds challenging and fun! Congrats on losing 20.2 pounds!!!!!
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That’s seems fair considering I ski and travel vicariously through you all the time.
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Congratulations! And I mean that sincerely even though I am envious and despondent at being one of those hideous old people who haven’t worn a bikini in — years! 😦 However, you are inspiring me to at least do slow motion exercises in a chair. 🙂
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Glad I can inspire! I actually thought of you at the gym because they had a treadmill with a desk attached and I remembered your post about that wonderful idea!
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after seeing some recent photos of myself, I too got on the exercise wagon….have dropped about 5 in the past two weeks – just walking. I always thought CrossFit was an exercise program for transvestites. Learn something new every day…
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Congrats on your success Cooper! Well, I would have thought that too if I watched some of the YouTube videos I’ve seen recently…hahahaha!
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[…] When Crazy Ideas Shack Up… | Life With The Top Down […]
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Wow – this is awesome!! Good for you both – and having fun along the way – couldn’t be better!!
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It really is wonderful….thank you!
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You go girl. 20.2 lbs lighter is a cause for celebration. I wish for you to “look so fine the fine folks call you fine.” Best wishes on your special birthday. BTG
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Hahaha! Thank you!
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Awesome – 20 pounds? go shopping for that bathing suit and pick up a bikini on the way!
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Thank you!
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Goodness! I hope not wearing a bikini doesn’t automatically classify you. Just like you I haven’t worn one since my 30s mostly because they just aren’t comfy. I haven’t really worn a swimsuit in many years. Cutoffs and tees work well at the beach and I don’t get sunburned in those secret places that you can’t rub. Congrats on 20.2 lbs. That is indeed a victory!
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Hahahaha! There are so many people walking around who should never be seen in a bikini and yet there they are strutting their stuff without a care. I’ve always been way too self conscious. I’m all for cutoffs and tees as well…they actually look better than most swim suits!
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congrats on this great accomplishment and lifestyle change for the better!
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Wow!! again, WOW! spell it backwards and it still is the same WOW!!! So impressed, great story. Enjoy yourself, so thrilled for you… makes my 8 lbs lost this summer not so impressive, as being one of those hideous old people!! DAF
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Wow is right DAF. Never in my life did I think I would be capable of doing any of this craziness. Congrats on the 8 pounds lost, especially over the Summer, that is awesome!
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hubby and I are trying. he has lost around 28 lbs, so my little 8 is not much.
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Congrats on the weight loss! Crossfit is a great fitness plan to get in shape as it utilizes different exercises and muscles. Weight training and cardio and flexibility. I still work out a lot and it’s the best way to keep the weight off. Keep up the good work and stick with it!
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You are so right and you know you were part of my inspiration to try this workout after reading your Mud race post. I can’t believe the changes I’ve seen in just 2 weeks, especially in the flexibility department. I have a long way to go, but I’m going! Thanks for your support.
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ciao! you just must not give up…congratulations.
thebestdressup
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Thank you! I’m trying very hard to keep going.
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First, let me say, you could have been rocking a bikini 20.2 lbs ago and the last 20 years! Second, go you! That is awesome! There’s nothing like feeling great in a new way and like you said, spending time with a great friend. Enjoy every minute!
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Thank you Jennifer! You are also one of my cheerleaders that always makes me feel good.
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The cheerleaders are a huge part of any successful plan. It is really hard with out them. Usually too hard and we give up.
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20 pounds…wow..that’s great…you must look amazing…no wonder you weren’t writing…your arms were too sore to even hit the keys.
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Good for you, Lisa! I’ve just embarked on my journey to toning through hula, the dance, not the hoops. The packaging okay, just needs to be wrapped tighter…on so many levels! xoxoM
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Wow, what an achievement! You go girl!
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Thanks Benze!
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So funny and so inspirational. Congrats on the weight loss and the laughs along the way. I’m truly in awe.
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Thank you Barb and thanks for stopping by.
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good for you.. I keep telling myself I am going to get moving but usually sit down until the urge goes away… seriously, I need to get moving. thanks for the motivation to do it.
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Did you lose 20.2 pounds in two weeks?!! I reread it twice because there is so much in there! Keep the insanity, I mean, crossfit going! You go, girl 🙂
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No the weight was over 5 weeks, however the inches that dropped by exercising is incredible. I always think of you doing the Insanity and know I’m not alone.
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Congratulations! I’ve always been a bit of a gym rat but Jack and I signed up at a new gym which gave us a few personal training sessions. Recently, Jack signed up for regular sessions and now I have too. I’m getting my ass kicked twice a week! But, I really enjoy it.
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Oh, I almost forgot! I nominated you for a Liebster award, see my latest post for details!
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WOW! Go Lisa!
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Wonderful post !!! I feel the same way. I still do Beach Body with Shaline Murphy and I do not go to the beach ! I have stepped it up a notch and yes the body does respond !
I will look into Cross Fit as I sprained my ankle doing Insanity : )
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It sounded a little like physical therapy there at first. Glad you’re having fun and losing weight. Cheers!
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Good for you!
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