Run: Response Short Review

So this review is a little different in that I have never worn these shorts.  They are boys shorts.  A few of the men in my life do wear them and I will relay what they say about them.

These shorts fit nicely.  They are the appropriate length. They make your butt look good. They are light weight.  All plusses.

One big minus:
They get giant holes in the liner.  Lululemon is great about replacing them but I have taken back 4 pairs now because this has happened and it is happening again to the latest pair.

Big fail:
2 out of 5 stars

Lululemon Breath of Fire Bra

Damn it Lululemon!  You screwed up your bra.  

*Let me add the disclaimer that I say this as a CrossFitter and a runner.  I have no clue if this screws up the bra for yoga people.*

This is the Breath of Fire Bra.  I know, it looks just like the lift and separate bra but with a better clasp,

but its not.
 

They screwed it up in 2 ways:
 
*They made it a pushup.  Sure my boobs look bigger in the gym, but I do not care if my boobs look bigger in the gym.  I care that they stay in my bra while doing a snatch.  The push up aspect makes it so your boobs pop out when doing various exercises, like burpees or snatches or thruster.  I am constantly adjusting.  Not good!
*They changed the sizing.  It is now a 2-4-6-8 sizing.  Annoying to say the least.

I would not recommend this bra if you plan on doing anything active in it.  If you want to just sit around and look cute, go for it.

A few reviews

Over the new week or so I am going to try to review a few different items.  First up: sports bras.  I have  tried a tun of different sports bras over the years.  You would think it does not matter that much but it does.

I personally prefer the bras that come in actual bra sizes to the S- M- L.  The fit better... much better.

In the interest of full discloser and so you understand what my issues are I am going to tell you my bra size.  I am a 32d.  If you know nothing about bra sizes then let me explain what that means.  That means that I am 28 inches around my rib cage.  For some odd reason here in America we add 4 to that number and then you have the actual bra band size.  The D part is the cup size.  Next you measure over your actual boobs.  For every inch that you are bigger than your band size you go up a letter.  Yes, I use to work in a lingerie store.    

Now that you understand how a bra sizing works you can see why someone with a 32d and someone with a 32a should not be wearing the same size.  Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens when you go with the S-M-L sizing.

I have recently seen the 0-2-4-6 sizing as well.  That is only marginally better than a S-M-L sizing.

So, the first bra up is the Lululemon Lift and separate bra.

I love this bra.  

*First of all it comes in actual sizes.  Which is awesome.  

*It is flattering. Not a huge issue but so rare that it is worth mentioning

*Like the name says, it separates.  This is nice for sweating issues.  It just keeps you cooler.

*You stay in place.  It is comfortable running and you do not pop out while doing burpees.  Awesome.

What I would change:

* The buckle is a little uncomfortable.  Maybe put a protective piece of fabric under it like real bras have at the hook area.  I think if I ran a marathon in it I might get a strawberry at the hook site.  (This has happened to me with another bra.)

* I would make the straps adjustable.  

Over all I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

I would definitely buy it again.

A chat with my oldest friend

My oldest friend, I mean the one I have had the longest, just moved less than 2 miles away from me.  Her new house is literally on my way home from CF.  I stopped by to say hi a couple of days ago.  I have talked about her in the past.  She is my fearless friend.  She is the one that convinced me to jump off the high dive at 5 years old.  She is awesome.

I had thought it was funny in the past that the fearless one out of the two of us had gravitated towards yoga, where as I, CrossFit.  But it make sense to me now.  I needed something to make me stronger and more fearless where as she just wanted something peaceful.

We both agreed that no matter how bad of a mood we are in and how much we just want to sit on the couch, once we get up and go to our respective gyms and actually start teaching, we are glad that we did.  It makes your day a lot better.

Tonight was one of those days.  I was tired and just wanted to stay home. Within 6 minutes my mood took a drastic turn.  I know that it was 6 min because it was during the warm-up.  2 min of regular jumping rope.  1 min left foot jumping. 1 min right foot jumping. 1 min double under attempts.... this is when it happened. Kristine got her first double under, and then her second.  She was so happy she ran over and gave me a big hug.

Kristine is one of those people that you can't help but love.  She tries so hard in everything she does and has made crazy progress.  In the matter of months she has taken control of her life and has turned her health completely around.  Seriously people, do you know how long it took me to get a double under?  A LONG FREAKIN TIME!

She and a lot of my boot campers inspire me to be a better coach and a better athlete.

Nothing what so ever to do with CrossFit

I have met 2 of these dogs in the last month.

I really want one.  I even have a name for it if it is a boy- Perseus.  I will call him Persy for short.
Rich says no because he will become this:

Just in case you are wondering, that is 135lbs of dog.  For some reason, Rich thinks my dog should not out weigh me by 20lbs.  BUT he is pure love and helpful, just look!

I think I have a much better chance getting the super expensive yet much smaller viking dog.

Look at how fierce he is:

Just keep trying.

The other day I over heard one of CFD's peeps saying: "I have just decided to give up on ever getting a pull-up."  She was not talking to me but I jumped into the conversation anyway.  I asked her if she had an injury.  The answer - no.  It was just not happening.  I told her that it took me a very long time to get a pull-up and a lot of work but I can do them now.  So, do not give up.

CrossFit is like a lot of things in life, it takes a great deal of work and dedication to get better.  I would love to be one of those people that it comes naturally to, but I am not.  I honestly do not think that anyone is.  Those girls that you see coming into the gym and getting a muscle-up with in a few months of starting... gymnasts.  What does that mean?  It means that they have been working on it their entire life.

When someone says "It just comes naturally to them" they are dismissing the fact that they have been working on that since they were 3 years old.  It is hard work but it is worth it.  That feeling of accomplishment you get when you do something you thought would never happen is amazing.

The other night one of my boot campers dead lifted 400 lbs.  His form was beautiful.  His face showed me that he did not think that was ever going to happen.  But it did.

Now what?

Every now and again it is a good idea to mix things up a little.  Today is one of those days.  The boys and I have agreed to try something new.  I am not going to lie, Wendler has been good for me.  All my Olympic lifts went up and my body fat has dropped.  I now weigh in at a whopping 117 lbs.  If you are not keeping track, I have dropped 21 lbs in the last year and a half.  

The first and biggest drop in my weight / fat came with diet.  The 4 hour body worked well for me but you have to find something that works well for you.  That being said, my gains (or drops as the case may be) petered out after a while.  I stayed in the same place for a while.  I only started to make progress again when I started working out with Tripp and Jack.  I am sure Wendler had something to do with it but I think it was more about the boys that I work out with.  They hold me accountable and push me to do more.  

I think I am actually okay with my body right now.  It is a strange place to be.  I have spent so much of my life hating my body.  I am not saying I love the way I look.  I doubt I will ever be one of those girls.  I am okay with it now, though.  I no longer cringe when I see a camera aimed at me.  So now what?.... Muscle up