Thursday, February 25, 2010

Weighty Matters and Party Fun

Last night I tossed the scale into the garbage can. I did it after the last class.

No more. No more stupid scales. No more weighing weekly so everyone can obsess over their weight.    Not only have  I come to find out that body impedance fat-testing scale can be off by as much as 10%, but you all are missing the point if that is the only thing you are concerned about.

I'm not talking about if you are severely overweight and need to lose body fat to be more healthy. That is another issue entirely. In that case, you should make losing body fat a primary concern. I am talking about letting a scale determine your self worth.

I've heard from many of you how "your clothes fit looser" or how you can "get into pants [you] haven't been able to get into for years". You've told me your friends and colleagues notice a change.

Isn't that enough? When a scale tells you you've only lost 2 lbs, when a few moment later you were happy and now you're disappointed, what does that say?

I say, screw the damned scale.

So until I purchase a pair of body fat calipers, we're going with a good old fashioned  tape measure--and only once a month. And we're only doing that to keep everybody on target, at least those who need to lose a substantial amount of body fat or for whom fat loss is their PRIMARY goal. Otherwise, you are more than welcome to weigh yourselves at home, and if you wish to purchase a body-fat scale like that one, they are easily found on the internet.

Here is a photo of Tanya Wagner. She won the CrossFit Games competition last year. At 5'6" and 145 pounds, she is not skinny. What she is is strong, powerful and able.  I'd take looking like her versus some skinny model-chick any day of the week.
Here is a photo of an Olympic Weightlifter. I'd bet money this woman weighs about 165 to170 pounds. I think she looks fantastic.


Here is a picture of Moe Kelsey who placed 3rd in the CrossFit Games last year (2nd from right). Look closely, he has a spare tire. Didn't seem to hurt him much. This dude is super fit!
If you are: 1)eating quality food, 2)eating <30g carbs/day as a woman or <50g carbs/day as a man, 3)burning off more calories than you take in, you WILL lose body fat. Be patient. You didn't put on the extra pounds overnight. You will not take them off overnight either.

If you are lying about how much you eat, drinking more than you eat, or eating more than you realize, you need to keep a food journal, so that you can get honest with yourself.

Now onto better things.

OUR 4TH BOOT CAMP GRADUATION PARTY IS UPON US!!! 
Come celebrate the accomplishments of your fellow CrossFitters who made it through their first six weeks of CrossFit. This has proven to be a super fun bash, and you are ALL invited and encouraged to attend. Bring your friends and family.


When:  Saturday, February 27 @ 7:30pm
Where: Shannon's house, 1306 N Avon St, Burbank, CA 91505.
Bring: Something Paleo to eat (meat, veggies, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, no sugar)
Do not bring (as someone beat you to it): Tri Tip, Paleo Chili, Ceviche, Fruit Bowl, Veggie Tray, Chinese Chicken w/plum sauce.  We need paleo treats, salads, veggies and more meat is always good.


BYOB. Prepare to have a BLAST!!! Come see what your fellow  CrossFitters look like when they're not sweaty, gross and moaning over burpees. ;)

WOD
"Kelly"
5X for time:
400 m sprint
30 box jumps (24" box)
30 wall balls (20# to 10'mark)

What are your thoughts on all of this?

8 comments:

  1. "KELLY" WREAKED SEVERE HAVOC THIS AM WITH ONLY ONE PERSON COMPLETING TO STANDARD AND ONLY HALF THE CLASS COMPLETING IN THE 45 MINUTES ALLOTTED.

    GUESS WE'VE UNCOVERED SOME STAMINA, STRENGTH AND SPEED WEAKNESSES, EH?

    *JULIO 37:18 WELL DONE! ONLY ONE TO *STANDARD AND COMPLETED.

    JONATHAN 37:18
    KEREN 39:06
    MARYANN 41:40
    DENISE 42:00
    *RYAN, *SEAN, JOEL, JOYCE, HEIDI AND TAMAR DNF

    WE'LL REVISIT KELLY IN SIX MONTH OR SO; BETCHA YOU'LL ALL DO A WHOLE LOT BETTER!

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  2. 8:30 AM RESULTS
    *GREG (NEW TOP DOG AT KELLY!)31:32
    JACQUE (SUBBED 50 SQTS W/20# BALL FOR WBS)38:54

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  3. I think you are damn right, I hate the scale anyway. I don't even weigh myself at home as long as my clothes are fitting looser then i don't care

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  4. did you really toss the scale? If so WOW

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  5. Great! I think % of body fat is a much better measure of health, anyway!

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  6. Ok i know what you are saying is true ,can you tell us when will you tape measure us next time .

    thanks
    ps it is very depresing that you feel u have lost more then what the scale shows

    ray

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  7. 3:30PM RESULTS
    AUTUMN 30:44
    VERO 43:21
    JORGE, LESLIE, GINA, CLAUDIA, MARIANN DNF--BUT GREAT EFFORTS!

    6:30PM RESULTS
    *BRET 49:20
    *CHARLES, LILY, KARINA, CHRISTY AND ROSA DNF--BUT EVERYONE DID REALLY VERY WELL.

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  8. I'll bring chicken wings and avocado dip for the party- Jenny

    ReplyDelete