CrossFit is results and data driven, with many areas to track and gauge our progress. When you are putting in hard work daily, it is fun to see your improvements, and results come quickly when modifying and attending consistently.
There are so many improvements as you go through training that it can often be overwhelming. There are improvements in workout times, weight lifted, skills completed, reps performed, and range of motion, among others.
We can often get very into our numbers, data, and what we are accomplishing, as it’s a super exciting to see and experience. It’s also so much fun that we pretty much tell everyone in the world about it :). Have you ever met someone who does CrossFit that didn’t tell you about it immediately?
But, sometimes we can get a little too into it.
It’s insanely impressive to see elite level athletes performing what seems to be impossible, especially when some may be performing them right next to you.
Although these feats may be impressive, the most important thing to remember is your fitness and workouts DO NOT DEFINE YOU.
Just because someone may have lifted heavier, or finished a workout faster, has no bearing on their character or yours. Don’t read into it any more than it should be. Remember, it’s a workout, not a status symbol.
This being said, a workout should NEVER ruin your day.
I have had this exact talk with many people over the years. It’s always important to circle back to, as we can often get away from it.
Our lives are filled with enough stress and headache as it is, the last thing we need is to add unnecessary stress to the gym as well. The purpose of our training is to improve our lives for the long term, and make it the best hour of our day. Don’t let it deviate far from there, because this leads to burnout and elevated cortisol levels, neither of which move us in the right direction.
The best advice is, don’t overthink it, it’s just a workout. You will have good days and bad days. If you come in with the right approach, you will get the most out of it, especially for the long term.
Pat Sherwood, a CrossFit OG and Headquarters employee put it perfectly years ago:
“The goal is just to get fit, make it the best hour of your day, stay safe, turn up the music, high five some people and blow off some steam. So remember that. Relax. Have fun. Workout!”