Push hard. And when you think you can’t push anymore, push harder. Britney Holmberg in “The Fight.”

The “F-Bomb”

Not a Swear Word to Us!

No, no, no . . . not that F-bomb you might hear flying out of my mouth at CrossFit Altitude. I’m referring to “The Fight.” (Did you really think I’d write an entire article on a curse word? Sheeesh!)

The fight I’m referring to is the mental game of this sport: the excuses, the doubt, and the insecurities that can arise when we work out. We watch endless motivational videos and post CrossFit-inspired photos and quotes on our Facebook walls to get pumped for the next day of training. We come in, put on our CrossFit clothes, gear-up with wrist wraps, lifting belts, and a little book of hopes and dreams. We put our shakes in the fridge, check out the whiteboard, and decide whether the programming is good enough (or too hard) for us . . . to take on. We chit-chat with our CrossFit buddies about CrossFit stuff as we warm up and do a dance with the PVC pipe.

And after a couple trips to the washroom, we’re ready to roll, bursting with the intention of CRUSHING THIS WOD: 3-2-1 GO! We start off fast, strong, and hard. But then it creeps in, that voice inside our head: My knee is bugging me. This is too many reps. My hands are split open. I can’t do anymore. And perhaps the worst, “That’s about 15 reps; that’s close enough to the target.”

No video or quote, no coaching tip, piece of equipment, or gear will quiet that voice inside your head. To become an elite athlete you must adopt the mind of an elite athlete. Getting fit requires the right attitude. Stay focused. Count your reps loud and clear and just move—one rep at a time—with strength and confidence. If you fail, try again. If it hurts, welcome to CrossFit.  If you’re injured, change a movement before the WOD. Listen to your body.

Push hard. And when you think you can’t push anymore, push harder.

In competition, you’ll face countless “no reps,” “unfair judging,” and mistakes. Train your mind to realize that this, too, is part of any sport. Use your anger and energy in your next workout; accept that your movements might not have been up to par, and give them no reason to doubt your score.

Use “the fight” in your daily life. There will always be traffic, nagging bosses, noisy children, and household chores. It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself, but if you apply the mental strength that you gain doing CrossFit, you may find that life gets a bit easier, too.

Train your mind to drop the excuses. Come in, work hard, and leave ready to take on the next challenge, whether it’s in the gym or at home; be grateful for the opportunity to do so. In this way, you’ll not only reach a higher level of fitness, but your full life potential as well.