Losing
Have you ever lost a game or a competition?
How did it make you feel?
There is a big chance that you felt disappointed or worse, but what if I would tell you don’t have to? How?
Keep your example in mind and let me tell you about the time I joined the CrossFit games…
It was in February 2019 and I think I started CrossFit 6 months before that. I had just spent a month back home in the Netherlands. With cheese, lots and lots of cheese and no workouts. Definitely not in the best shape…
CrossFit
Back in Taipei, I rejoined my classes at BaKeSi, a box with the best coaches and the most fun members around. They told me about the CrossFit games and convinced me to join. Although I didn’t want to, I was obviously in the worse shape ever, I did it anyway.
Yup, I already started to regret it 5 minutes into the first workout 😉
Let me spare you all the details and struggles during the workouts and let’s focus on the thoughts before and after the workouts.
On Friday they would release the workout for that week and you had the option to go for the RX version (for the pros, definitely not me) and the scaled version.
On Monday I would give it my best shot and because I had a few days to think about it, I was genuinely excited to get started. I made sure to think about the best approach for a rooky like me, so I would be able to at least finish the workout 😉
All that excitement already brought me so much joy and happiness, that it was worth all the pain and exhaustion I knew was to come. In the end, it was only a 10 – 15 minutes workout. Probably over before you know it, right?
Yes, the workouts were HARD! I think they are designed to push your limits and set at least one new PR. During the workouts you give it your all and when your coach calls a “no rep” your reaction may not be your finest.
Me getting ready for my PR during a class.
Curious if I made it? Keep on reading!
Pushing YOUR limits
Afterwards, I couldn’t believe I did it and it was already over.
The best thing was to enter your score into the CrossFit app so you could compare it with the others. Super proud of having a score at all, I would enter it first thing when I got home. The score overview was hilarious, me being there at the bottom all the time. But it did not bother me, I was proud of participating and pushing my limits every single week. Happy thoughts!
Every workout you give it your all and you surprise yourself of what you are capable of.
The whole competition was not with others, it was with myself.
Looking back
During these few weeks, I achieved more than I normally would in months.
What helped? A positive mindset, the incredible CrossFit community at BaKeSi and that awesome feeling afterwards. Pushing yourself and trying new things can bring you so much joy and happiness!
And yes, I ended up being last but I did not lose at all. I have won on so many different levels. Winning isn’t always about comparing yourself with others, it’s about how you take on new challenges and nail them!
Now, let’s go back to your example. How was the whole experience for you?
Important things that you have to keep in mind are:
- you tried!
- you gave it your all!
- you did not give up!
- you pushed your own limits!
- you achieved something !
- you were excited!
- you kicked ass !
These are all things you can be very proud of!
Now tell me, does it still feel like losing to you?
Or did you secretly nailed your own experience as well?
NAILED IT
For those who wondered if I nailed my PR
Yes, I did! I lifted 135 lbs 3 times.
So wonderful people, whenever you lose, think about all the things you gained as well.
There is great pride in victories, no matter how small!
If you would like to join my journey in sharing happiness, make sure to follow my Facebook page “Happy Things in Life” or my Instagram “happythings.inlife“.
I am just getting started and will try to share a bit of happiness every day.
Wishing you all a very happy day,
Claudia