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Good morning! This is the Morning Chalk Up, your daily roundup of the fittest news in the CrossFit world.
Last week we explored the history of the kettlebell, where it came from and its introduction into the CrossFit world. As we mentioned before, we’re going to try and do a deep dive once a week. Today, we’re exploring body image and the role CrossFit and weightlifting are playing in shifting societies view of a woman’s body. Have a topic suggestion? Please email us!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I still struggled with an eating disorder when I went to regionals in 2014. The journey wasn’t easy, but I made it. After feeling like I would never regain control of my life, I made it to freedom. And, I hope that I can now inspire others to do the same.” – Alexis Johnson, CrossFit Games athlete
SAY WHAT?
WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?
The National Eating Disorders Association defines body image as “how you see yourself when you look in the mirror,” or more broadly your belief about your appearance, how you feel about your body weight, shape or size, and how a person feels inside their own body. By age 6, girls start to express concern about their own weight and 42% of 1st – 3rd grade girls want to be thinner.
SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
Society – by and large – tells us that skinny is beautiful. The average Miss America winner is 5’7″ and weighs 121 pounds with a BMI (body mass index) of 16.9, which is “underweight” according to he Worth Health Organization. But the average American woman is 5’4″ and weighs 165 pounds. We haven’t subconsciously, but literally told and taught our young girls to idolize and achieve a body that only 5% of women are naturally capable of – we’ve told them to be something different, that they weren’t good enough. 69% of American elementary school girls who read magazines say that the pictures influence their concept of the ideal body image.
WHAT’S CROSSFIT’S ROLE IN ALL OF THIS?
USA Olympic weightlifter Morghan King said it best: CrossFit and weightlifting are “changing the face of how we look at women and I think it’s beautiful to see this switch in society.” CrossFit HQ’s early recognition of this shift towards “strong is the new skinny” date back to four years ago this week with the release of “Beauty in Strength,” a video featuring Andrea Ager and Jackie Perez. Athletes’ focus was moving away from numbers on the scale and towards performance.
We asked five CrossFit athletes – Emily Bridgers, Carleen Mathews, Maddy Curley, Melissa Doss and Sarah Loogman – and 48KG Olympic Weightlifter Morghan King how CrossFit and weightlifting have changed their perception of a woman’s body and what would you tell the 16-year-old version of yourself.Here’s what they had to say.
To all you girls out there CrossFitting, weightlifting, playing sports or otherwise, our message to you is very simple – become the best version of who God made you to be. Never settle, never give up on your dreams, never let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough.
THE COMPETITION FLOOR
UPCOMING —
Today: Wodapalooza Online Qualifier for individuals starts
September 24: Cascade Classic (Seattle, WA)
September 24: Ava Will Win blood drive @ NCFit
October 15: The Crush Games
October 15: The MIA Weightlifting Classic (Miami, FL)
October 22: The Zombie Games (San Diego, CA)
October 24: Wodapalooza Online Qualifier for teams starts
October 30: Battle of the Beasts (Colchester, UK)
November 3: CrossFit Liftoff
November 20: CrossFit Invitational (Toronto, Canada)
WHAT THE ELITE ATHLETES ARE UP TO — Jared Enderton snatched 310 pounds. Happy Birthday Chyna Cho. Kelsey Kiel hits a 200 pound bench press PR. Cassidy Lance gives advice to those blessed with huge calves: “When life gives you huge calves you have to work on your arms twice as much.” Elijah Muhammad and Kari Pearce won the Swiss Alpine Battle, edging out CrossFit YAS’ Jamie Greene and Elliot Simmonds. Katrin Davidsdottir lays on a hammock and steals some Cape Code chips. Only a FEW SPOTS REMAINING to train with Josh Bridges, Dan Bailey and Rich Froning in Rome. Sara Sigmundsdottir practices ring handstand push-ups in the Icelandic sunset. Alexis Johnson’s transformation Tuesday is honestly a sight to behold, you will not recognize her.
CrossFit released the location and date of the upcoming CrossFit Invitational to be held in Toronto, Canada.
SPEED READ
IN 2 MINUTES —
Time is running out to get in on this IndieGoGo campaign for a Heavy Metal Rollerz, a new line of weighted mobility rollers for intense myofascial release.Rogue Fitness just completely remade their Echo Dog Sled – yeah it’s that funny looking thing sitting in the corner of your affiliate begging to be put in the game – and here’s a quick “making of” video. Now go bring it out of retirement. Is that polar bear doing synchronized burpees?
A Northern Kentucky Member in Need — A few months ago, Tamara was diagnosed with Leukemia. She works out at CrossFit the Tracks, which is also the home of Central Regionals athlete Melissa Doss. The Tracks has started a fund where 100% will go to support Leukemia patients. Their annual goal is $20,000 per year and it won’t just go to Tamara. Here are some of the details. if you’re looking to support, contact their staff on their Facebook page.
Glassman to Congress — “We need to stop government health officials from simultaneously working for soda and its proxies…You shouldn’t be able to work for Coke and NIH (National Institute of Health) at the same time.”
Correction…yesterday we mistakingly noted that CrossFit Monroe was located in Louisiana, they’re proudly from Monroe, Washington.
HEALTH, MOBILITY & MERCH
Fall officially starts tomorrow and Doughnuts and Deadlifts is out with theirOG Slouch Beanie to keep your head warm. Caffeine and Kilos is giving away a free hat with every order TOMORROW with code “200KTRUCKER.”
Kick start your fall, with PurePharma’s five food tips that will help you fight fatigue and keep your energy throughout the day. Stuck at a desk all day?Jason Khalipa demonstrates two movements you can perform at your desk.