Like Salt in the Wound

No pain. No gain.

I kinda hate that saying. I feel like it scares the bejesus outta people.

I don't know if you willingly put yourself through physical PAIN, but I know it's not on the top of my list. (says the girl who goes to Crossfit "for fun").

But seriously, I see that as work. I'm working towards a healthy body that can achieve my goals (and lets face it, sometimes just beat the guys at stuff).

When I think of pain I think of physical pain like a broken leg, torn ACL, and in my case this week- blisters (& a bruised collar bone, which I'll have to save for another blog).

See, I actually love exercise in a sick twisted way. I love pushing my body to do things that my mind says "are you serious?" and then actually achieving it. Such a sense of accomplishment.
So, when the workout includes 14 rounds of 5 pull ups.....of course I'm gonna try to do the pull ups (or in most of the rounds, kip-ups) without any assistance. I'm gonna do what the "boys" are doing. (excluding one of the guys in my class that used a band....sorry bro).

Well, walking away from that workout I felt awesome. I actually beat the 19 year old guy in the class that always is done & has time to shower before the rest of us even finish. (if he could learn to jump a rope he woulda beatin me.....all brawn & no brains).

Anyway, back to my original thought; as soon as I jumped down from the pull up bar I felt awesome. Until 2 seconds later when I realized I had ripped off the skin from my palm & thumb.
But hey, I did gymnastics as a child....I know what a ripped blister feels like.....it really hurts!!

So, whatever. A few pieces of skin was worth beating that guy.

Fast forward to the very next day. I go into Crossfit thinking "surely, we won't be doing anything where we have to grip since we did all that yesterday!"

And surprise! Today we have "Toes to Bar" in the workout. (You hang from the bar and bring your toes to the bar.....clever name, I know.) I kinda whined for a second & even say the same guy that I had beaten (are you getting how much I'm basking in the ONE time I will ever beat him?) & showed him my hands. His were fine. They were rough & callused....used to the abuse.


Welp, I'm already here & I've been planning to workout all day so suck it up sista.

By the end of the workout, I was hanging on literally by my finger tips.
I could barely steer the car home. My hands hurt. Duh! What did I think was going to happen?

Sensing a good blog topic coming on, I snapped a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. 

I searched the internet for some sort of quick remedy to fix these tears cuz I not only enjoy working out, BUT I train people all day which means showing them how to do things. I need to be able to grip.

Alas, no quick fixes. Instead, I had to soak my hands in a bowl of salt water for 10 minutes. Yep. That's all I need to say about that.

I woke up in the morning & my hands were pretty tender, but much better than right afterwards.

Today, I can already take a shower without wincing & even do the dishes (which I must add that having blisters all over your hands is a great way to get out of cleaning & cooking....sorry Trav).

I'm not telling you this because I survived some devastating accident or this pain was so significant that I needed to share it. Yea, right.

As I soaked my hands in that frickin salt, I just thought about you guys. My clients. Possibly future clients. Anyone on this crazy fitness journey.


When you start out it's painful & raw. You doubt that you can even hang on. When that first workout is over, it hurts (especially if you're training with me). You would much rather get a "quick fix" than dunk your hands in the bucket of salt & get back on the bar. (so many metaphors, are you still following me?)
But each time you pick yourself up & go back to the gym, you get stronger.
Those calluses build up.
Your grip is tighter & you don't let go as easily.