“This Is What Hard Work Looks Like”

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX

WARNING: THIS IS LEGIT. The story of Industry of the Blind, a manufacturing plant based in Greensboro, NC, which is staffed by a mix of blind and sighted employees. They’ve been in business since 1933 and now sew uniforms for the U.S. Army, oh and did we mention, they also sew sandbags for Rogue Fitness. Yes, that sandbag you’re cursing and complaining about carrying was sewn by a blind person. Shut it and pick it up.

CHALK UP READS

“This Is What Hard Work Looks Like” by Lindsey Valenzuela

This is what pure fricken hard work looks like.

During my pregnancy is gained about 85 pounds, yeah yeah you read it right 85. It wasn’t because I was eating twinkles and donuts everyday, it was just the cards that was dealt and I was ok with that as long as my son was healthy and happy. Which he is.

The postpartum journey of losing weight has by far been THEE TOUGHEST part for me as an athlete and mentally. I never ever thought I would see my abs again, felt sad, and at times was depressed. I can now say I know what it’s like to be on a weight loss journey, what it takes to achieve it, and the amount of emotions one goes through.

No matter what kind of fitness journey you are on I’m here to tell you that it is fucking hard, it sucks at times, and often times you will want to give up. But don’t lose hope, you can do it!!!!!!!!! I want to thank everyone I reached out to that gave me emotional support and advice, my family, my close friends, and my husband for telling me I can do it and every once of confidence you gave me!!!!! Still a tiny ways to go, but I know with you all and my nutrition coaches I can do this!!!!

“My 6-Month CrossFit Transformation Isn’t What I Thought It’d Be” by POPSUGAR

I wasn’t going to write this post. I didn’t want to share these photos. I felt too embarrassed. But it was for that reason that I felt compelled to. You see, when I started my CrossFit journey to getting completely ripped, I was convinced that after six months, I’d have amazing transformation photos to share. But as you can see, I don’t.

I could have chosen to not share them, to wait a year, or however long it took to get the six-pack abs I’m working so hard toward, but I feel like these transformation photos are even more important to share than ones that are jaw-droppingly impressive. Because they show that losing weight and getting toned takes time, and probably more time than you want it to.

When progress doesn’t go as quickly as expected, it can be so damn frustrating. I actually quit CrossFit for a few days after three months.

Doing CrossFit for six months has taught me one unexpected lesson that I feel like I’ve been trying to learn my entire life. To love my body. To genuinely feel proud of what it can do, and to not poke and prod at it for what society tells me it’s supposed to look like.

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