CROSS-FIT #135 Value Judgement

Decisions that we make, all our decisions in our lives are all an extension of ourselves.
From the smallest to the biggest of decisions, these are all value judgements that we make.
When you choose to spend time with your loved ones and not spend that extra hours in OT.
You are choosing and valuing your loved ones over money and the need to always impress.

It's not that you have NO TIME. It's just that you choose and value things in life differently.
We all have 24 hours.
We all have the same amount of time and decisions we need to make.

Bringing it to Crossfit.
When you choose the 'better opportunity' over the happiness of others, you have made a value judgement as well. You have chosen 'Worldly gains' over the vision mapped out when we first began.
In the workout, our values shape the snap decisions and subconscious decisions as well.
Before a big lift, before a big wod.
Our mental state reflects our values at that very moment.
Whether we feel full of faith or fear is very reflective in our movements and it shows.
Our values will ultimately shape our lives and this is extremely crucial in making us better people.

If you choose to come back again and again despite failure.
You're simply valuing success over comfort.

What are we willing to die for?
Those are our values.
What are you willing to live with and stand by all the way till the end without wavering?
Those are our values.

Values aren't just for the individual but also for the organization.
Whatever company you're in, organization or even box you're in.
Every decision that it makes as a whole (Likely driven by the owner or head coach) is a reflection of values as well.
If you're sharp enough, you'll catch on to it.
if the box or gym you're training in seeks to make a difference instead of getting you comfortable
Then you know you're in the right place.

CROSS-fit #134 Be More

Being an athlete at Crossfit Singapore and a final year student at the National University of Singapore has given me great insights into the idea, business and meaning of fitness.
Currently, I'm embarked in a research project, studying the trends of Crossfit and how people view that.
In the course of my research, I've come across an article written by a fellow athlete at my box.
Exposing some very real perceptions of fitness, as well as beauty.
The link is here
In this article, he dabbles on the very nature fitness and what it means to people.
That coupled with whatever research I have done so far has brought me to this simple simple conclusion.

Alot of us, are sadly, superficial, insecure and downright monsters inside.
I've come to realize that people all want to, as the articles has said, be less.
In joining any fitness program, the aim for them is really, to lose weight.
To lose this, or that, shed some weight, not gain muscle and to basically, be less.
They all want to get 'hot' by losing some weight, fitting into that tiny thing called a dress.
It's all perception and advertising put into context.
Instead, I dare challenge you.
Any of you readers out there.
Even the men.
Look at the mirror and ask for more.

Ask for a whole lot more out of yourselves.
Not just in size or on the scales.
Let that be secondary.
Want to be stronger, faster, quicker.
Desire to lift more, live more.
(Guys, I'm not just talking about getting the biggest biceps, I'm referring to the man INSIDE of you)
We were all meant to reach for greater heights.
So don't shy away and say that being less, thinner, skinnier is better for you.
Aim to do / be more with your lives.

That being said, Christ came down and commissioned us to 'do greater things'.
So why, why are we focusing on what OTHERS are saying instead of actually DOING greater things?
Real beauty comes not from the outward appearance but what someone is on the inside.
Helping others in need, using your body and energy from your fitness to make this World a better place.
That, is real beauty.
Not the chopsticks that can barely carry her own child.
So take up that challenge for some time. Disregard what others are saying.
Be more.

CrossFit #133 Not everyday is a PR day

Yupp. Sorry to burst your bubble.
The fact that you're working your ass off everyday, doesn't mean you're gonna be making PRs everytime you decide you want to.
Yes, determination plays a part, planning plays a part.
but there're days you need to live by the motto, "Live to Fight another day".
What matters is that you win the war and not necessarily every battle isn't it?

People beat themselves up big time when they apparently don't make the lift.
They hate themselves for it.
I'd rather have the attitude of coming back stronger the next time.
It's not just a failed lift, it's also about how you react from it.

You can learn from your mistakes.
Every failure, can be attributed to a reason.
Wait, I take that back.
Every failure, can be attributed to several reasons.
If you look deep down, there may be reasons you never knew why you failed.
On the surface, it could be your technique which has flaws. Often the case for beginners.
Come closer, look deeper, you'll realize that the athletes mobility might have caused it.
Now go even deeper, perhaps there were distractions, a thousand and one things floating in the mind.
This is just a lifting analogy but you can imagine what problems cause your failures.
Don't just think, "Oh I didn't put in enough time in studying"
Did you work smart?
Was it productive and conducive.
Be critical about our lives.


So instead of making sure you win every single day.
You need these failures.
You need them to dig deep and find out why you've had troubles.