Looking Back, Looking ahead

What have you accomplished this year? This month? Today?

It is vitally important to have goals and to take action daily towards achieving those goals. But it is also important to see how far you've come so that you can both see what is and is not working. As the saying goes, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

How are your results? What changes do you need to make? What have you achieved?

I want to know:

What accomplishment are you most proud of from the past year?

Post to comments!

Meet Lisa Bender Thiel

I thought it would be fun to get to know some of our female coaches here at Crossfit Central. Over the next few weeks I will be spotlighting the amazing women who train/nurture/yell at/laugh with us. Now, on to.......

Lisa Bender Thiel

How were you introduced to Crossfit?

While working in corporate wellness at Dell computers, one of the trainers I worked with started Crossfitting - In May of 2005 he took me to a UTB and introduced me to CrossFit and CrossFit Central! BTW - that UTB had about 8 people in attendance including Carey, Jeremy, Kris and Zach! The first benchmark CrossFit workout I remember is "Angie" with Carey Kepler. She and I were still just dabbling in "CrossFit" and training for tri's - we ran 7 miles after the WOD and I ended up with swollen, stiff arms due to dehydration (and 100 band pull ups!). That is when I learned to respect CrossFit WOD's and appreciate the intensity of the programs. I've been hooked ever since.

Favorite WOD/lift:

Grace/ Power Clean

Favorite Zone/Paleo Meal:

2 egg whites, 1 whole egg, olive oil, spinach, mushrooms, and a touch of feta cheese scrambled together with a side of fresh berries.

Although I hear you can ZONE a soy latte with a couple almonds and that sounds pretty good too :)

Favorite cheat meal:

I have a pretty big sweet tooth! So, just add a dessert to a paleo/zone meal and I'll be happy!

I have always wanted to learn to speak Spanish via a few months in South America!

1 word people use to describe me: Magnetic

Outside of the gym I like to hike, camp, water ski, hang out in coffee shops, trail run, visit the mountains!

Lisa and Jeremy were recently married in October!

Something nobody knows about me or would be surprised to know about me: I was home schooled and grew up on a self- sustained farm until 12yrs old. wow!

Favorite place to eat in Austin: Whole Foods - or Zocolo

Song that gets me pumped up for a workout: Tina Turner's "simply the best" - I've been listening to that song for motivation since my junior high volleyball days. The team use to listen to that song before every game from 7th grade all the way thru Senior year in High School.

Proudest accomplishment:overcoming 10 yrs of anerexia/bulimia - Finally finding my physical self and loving it!

Best piece of advice anyone’s ever given you:

"You need to leave and come back when you know what you're talking about" - Dr. Steve Olson, Duke Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgeon.

This was in response to a 'sales call' I made as an inexperienced 23yr old while doing medical device sales in N.C. - It taught me the importance of professionalism, knowledge of product/service, and preparation! It also tested the thickness of my skin :)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living in Austin, traveling the US to help conduct seminars/teaching workshops for some combination of fitness, business, and personal development. I will still be active and competitive in CrossFit (even if it's competing with myself!).

Lisa wears many hats at Crossfit Central- she runs two Relentless Bootcamps at Jack & Adam's, is a Lead Coach at our satellite Run-Tex location, heads up the LIVESTRONG corporate wellness program, and leads the Crossfit Central Endurance programs with Carey.

To find out more about Lisa, visit her Blog!

Tis the Season...

You definitely don't want to miss the

Crossfit Women's Christmas Party

Friday Dec. 4

7-10pm

1503 W. 9th #101

(on the corner of 9th & Highland)

Mark your calendar NOW and stay tuned for more details!!!

Consistent Effort

"If you make more progress than you thought you would, don't compensate by slowing down. You're doing great, so raise your expectations even higher and keep going strong.

If you fail to make as much progress as you had planned, don't get discouraged. Remind yourself of why you're making the effort, and re-commit to getting it done.

Consistent, purposeful effort will reliably bring the results you seek. On some days you'll move faster than on other days, yet every day you'll keep going forward.

Never forget that there is great power in small actions that are repeated again and again. Though the path may be long and winding and uneven, by continuing to put one foot in front of the other, you'll reach your destination.

Celebrate the small victories and learn from the small defeats. Then, keep on moving steadily toward the goal you've chosen.

Put the power of consistent effort to work. And each day, you'll bring new value to life."

-- Ralph Marston

From: www.GreatDay.com

Don't miss the Supplement Meeting today at 12:15pm and again at 7pm at Crossfit Central.

Start thinking about your goals for the upcoming months. Thursday evening will be CFWomen Goal Setting at 7pm.

Have a fabulous day!!!

The "New Normal"

Guilty. Caught on film. You can see what I've been up to. I have been out of town visiting family and attending my cousin's wedding- sorry I've been a little MIA!

I have also had a glimpse into Christmas Future. See, this is my first holiday season of eating clean/Zone/Paleo. After the past 5 days of being on "vacation" i.e. "out- of- the- usual -routine- and -away -from- my- own -kitchen", I got a reality check. If I don't plan and mentally prepare myself, I will be a bloated mess come January 1, my performance will suffer, and I will just feel like crap!

It's sooooo easy to just say "one piece of cake won't hurt me." Don't get me wrong, I do believe in moderation, and I do believe you can have your cake, so to speak. But it definitely takes a huge amount of willpower and planning ahead. I don't have a very good relationship with Willpower...

It was also hard to be "the weird one" eating weird things and not eating "normal" things. It really is a New Normal (thanks Erika- you have a real way with words!) I was super excited to eat this for breakfast (leftovers from the night before):

I think my brother almost barfed when he saw me eating brussel sprouts for breakfast....But to me, that's my "New Normal!"

Is this your first holiday season of living a more healthy lifestyle? How do you plan on resisting temptation?

What is your "New Normal?!"

Meet Jen Cardella

I thought it would be fun to get to know some of our female coaches here at Crossfit Central. Over the next few weeks I will be spotlighting the amazing women who train/nurture/yell at/laugh with us. Now, on to.......

Jen Cardella

How were you introduced to Crossfit?

I was first introduced to crossfit while working overseas. It looked crazy...and I was tired of running marathon after marathon...so I tried it. I was hooked after the first week. I started at Crossfit Central as soon as I got back to the U.S.

Favorite WOD/lift:

Diane, Heavy Front Squat

Favorite Zone/Paleo Meal:

Steak salad with bell pepper, avocado, and baby tomatoes

Favorite cheat meal:

pineapple wrapped in prosciutto, dark chocolate, and wine

I have always wanted to be a pistol instructor

1 word people use to describe me: loyal

Outside of the gym I like to play with my dogs, visit my grandparents in New Braunfels, work in my yard, and run

Favorite place to eat in Austin: Buenos Aires Cafe

Song that gets me pumped up for a workout: Anything by Beastie Boys

Something nobody really knows about me or would be surprised to know: I have 5 younger brothers and sisters- all are or will be taller than me.

Best piece of advice anyone’s ever given you: Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and be honest.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living in Italy with my husband....sipping wine and crossfitting

You can find Jen coaching indoor Women's Only classes at our Burnet location. Jen is also available for Personal Training and Nutritional Counseling. She is a great motivator who will push you to new heights- always with an encouraging smile.

Jen was part of the Crossfit Central Affiliate Team at the 2009 Crossfit Games. Check out this video from the Games, and to learn more about Jen, visit her blog.

Games - 1st affiliate WOD from CrossFit Central on Vimeo.

5 hrs. 20 min.

"LILA" from CrossFit Central on Vimeo.

Did you know that first time moms are in labor an average of 15 hours? Yusuf's wife gave birth in record time! Congratulations on a beautiful baby girl. In honor of Yusuf's new addition, Big Mike concocted "Lila"- the above video is of the Coaches taking on the workout.

This week at Crossfit Central there will be a Nutrition Level 1 Meeting on Tuesday at 12:15pm and again at 7pm. This is open to all Crossfit Central clients and is a great way to get on track- especially with the holidays coming up :)

This coming Saturday is our monthly UTB free workout as well as the Indoor Benchmark Challenge Finale. Has your Fran time improved?!