The months leading up to this 21 day challenge I was in a funk. 9/29 was my 1 year CrossFit anniversary, it also marked 5 weeks since my knee surgery, I had that, ‘I don’t give F#$! what I’m eating’ behavior and state of mind. I was making those pitty-party-type excuses, telling myself; ‘I can’t really do any of the workouts because of my knee, so why bother’. Needless to say, getting back to eating clean and getting my whiny ass to the gym was exactly what I needed.
Eating Paleo is obviously terrific, I know how to to eat clean and certainly feel great when I do. Most of all, it’s a mind game for me and I like regaining control of my sweet sugary vices. I have a “guilty pleasure” relationship with sweets, when I choose to eat that donut or cookie, I feel no pleasure, just the guilt after. Honestly, it all comes down to making it a priority to maintain my commitment to eating clean once the challenge ends. Needless to say, off challenge my diet much like the rest of me, is a constant work in progress. I definitely realize I can’t stress about a number on a scale (I really can’t because I threw my scale away) but I can stay focused on being in control of my diet, and I am SO much happier when I do. The challenge of working out 17 of 21 days with my knee post op, turned out to be remarkably empowering. Like I said before, I was a year out from starting CrossFit and for various reasons, I just wasn’t where I hoped or maybe unrealistically expected, where I thought would be. When you go from being fit in your youth, to an out of shape adult, to then finally walking into that first on ramp class, you optimistically envision the skinnier, stronger, healthier, happier person you will be a year later… You don’t foresee your pity-party self dealing with injury or slipping back to bad diet habits, but best laid plans don’t always pan out and life itself at times, has a way of getting in the way.
As the challenge went on and I got to the gym every day, I didn’t let my knee be an excuse, I kept at it, my knee got better and I did too. I realized I felt a feeling I forgot, in my own grey haired-40 year old-with scars kind of way, I felt like an athlete again. Don’t misconstrue, I am not doing the workouts Rx, not crushing PRs, I’m not competing in any comps any time soon (if ever), I was just putting in the work each day and walked out of the gym feeling stronger than I did when I walked in… and in my own way, I felt like an athlete again.
Setbacks and struggles are bound to happen but that’s when I think of why I started, and recognize that tomorrow is a new day, another opportunity be better. For me, the challenge was and is a reset button, a re-commitment to treat myself better, and make my health a priority again. The 21 Day Challenge was a realization that I am constant work in progress but to be better, I have to put in the work.
✌ Kate Mantz 
Have a great Monday!