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Working Out at 6am

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You must become unshakable in the belief that you are worthy of a big life” — Kristin Lohr

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX

Dave Castro reflects on Regionals Week 1. Mattie Rogers will be hanging out at the Central Regionals in Nashville Friday signing autographs and posing for photos at the 2Pood booth. Prepping for Atlantic Regionals, Amanda Deller hits some overhead squats with a 100 pound dumbbell. Mobility goals…can you do weighted cossack squats like Mia Akerlund? Introducing Pat Sherwood’s WOD Wall of Death. The Natural Grip reveals partnership with Reebok to provide grips for each athlete at the eight Regionals. Travis Williams and some of the MisFit crew will be hanging out at the California Regionals this Saturday and Sunday.

With Your Second Cup of Coffee…How Alyssa Ritchey transitioned from CrossFit Regionals to national weightlifting champion.

For mid-afternoon when you’re feeling that lunch lull…This truly is unbelievable.

REGIONALS REFLECTIONS

Patrick Vellner on Qualifying…“With this year’s regionals finish came a huge amount of relief for me. Leading up to the event I had some anxiety, in fact I’ve had it most of the year, because I was concerned that I was simply not good enough. No matter how hard I trained all year, I have been unable to escape a small feeling that I got lucky last year, and that I really don’t belong where I am…Anyways, one more regional down, and another ticket to the Games later I may not be an imposter after all, but the journey is just beginning.”

THINGS TO…

WATCH: Making of a Champion, Part 5

In the fifth episode in this documentary series following Mat Fraser training to repeat as champion of the CrossFit Games, Mat talks about embracing fear through his training and before heading onto the competition floor.
WATCH. 

HEAR: Freezing Foods 101

Not exactly the hottest topic on the planet but in all seriousness, have you ever considered how to make the most out of freezing food for later? Cassy Joy shares her tips in this episode of Fed and Fit.
TUNE IN.

EAT: Mexican Mocha Protein Frappe

If a Churro, protein and almond milk had a three-way love child this would be it. The secret ingredient is one scoop of SFH’s churro flavored whey protein, pair that with some almond milk and espresso and your afternoon is made.
TRY THAT.

CHALK UP AFFILIATES

Scott Kreft, the owner of CrossFit Edge in Shelby Charter Township, MI saved an athlete’s life after he went into cardiac arrest after finishing up a WOD. Scott called 911 and administered CPR to save his life.

CHALK UP READS

“How Weightlifting Taught One Woman to Trust Herself” by Reebok

“I want to lose weight.”

We’ve all heard people say it. Many of us have said it ourselves. When asked what motivates an individual to hit the gym, it’s a common response. But what if it wasn’t? When it comes to working out, why has it become so commonplace to focus on what we want to lose rather than what we want to gain?

“It’s tough to keep your mind focused,” says Olympic weightlifter Morghan King. Competing in a weight-class sport, King could easily default into the category above, and yet she believes it’s her laser focus on gains, not losses, that has propelled her to international success and ultimately helped her punch a ticket to Rio this past summer.

From the physical (muscle) to the mental (confidence), King breaks down three of the most important things she’s gained from all those hours spent in the gym.

“I’m a Night Owl. Here’s What I Learned from Working Out at 6am” by Gabrielle Kassel, BarBend

During the remaining four weeks at my first job out of college, I embarked on a little experiment otherwise known as “Morning CrossFit”. I had a new gig lined up that I was starting to get excited for, and had already begun counting down the days before I could pack up my cubicle and say “cya” to coworkers who hadn’t quite turned into friends. I figured, what’s a better time to put my routine on its head than in the final weeks before switching jobs and REALLY messing with my routine.

What I was hoping to accomplish was simple. After six months in a new city working my first “real” job, I still hadn’t made any friends interested in lifting heavy stuff. CrossFit felt like as good of a solution as any. But with the long days at my then-job, the 6am class was the only class that fit into my schedule. When I switched to my new gig and my hours changed drastically, I’d be able to attend the 6am, 8am, or even 12:30pm class… but I didn’t want to wait a month.

So, after 4 years of working out in the evening during college and 6 months working out in the evening post-grad, I turned my sweat-schedule on its head and prepared to get my pump on a full 12-14 hours earlier in my day than my body had been accustomed. Here’s how it went.

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