Wades Army 2015 @ Crossfit South Bend

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[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][image type="none" float="none" info="none" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" src="9847"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_raw_html] 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 [/vc_raw_html][gap size=".5em"][promo image="9844"]WADE’S ARMY MISSION WADE’S ARMY is enlisting Power Athletes from around the world to join in the fight against Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of pediatric cancer developing in the nerve tissues. Our objective is to bring the fight against this form of deadly disease and remember Wade DeBruin and his battle. We lost him at the age of two and our goal is to fund research and bring support to the brave child and families affected by this fatal pediatric cancer. Throughout 2014, Wade’s Army will be campaigning throughout several different channels and promotions in an effort to spread Neuroblastoma awareness to a large audience. Wednesday, November 12th, 2014 all of Wade’s Army’s efforts will lead up to our third annual Wade’s Day. This will include a workout dedicated to Wade DeBruin and his fight against Neuroblastoma hosted by Power Athlete. Spread the word about brave Wade, enlist in Wade’s Army and our fundraising efforts! Donations go along way, but helping spread the awareness of Neuroblastoma and recruiting more to the cause will help us reach our goal![/promo][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][promo image="9838"]THE WORKOUT "Wade" Complete 5 rounds for time: 50 lbs One Arm DB Power Snatch – 11 reps 50 lbs One Arm DB Thrusters – 12 reps Pull Ups w/ the 50 lbs DB – 11 reps *You can alternate hands as needed during the workout to complete total reps. WORKOUT DATE ALL CLASS TIMES ON: Thursday, November 12th, 2015[/promo][promo image="9849"]DONATING TO CFSB's PAGE Click here to donate to the Crossfit South Bend fundraiser Page[/promo][promo image="9841"]GETTING A SHIRT To get your shirt it time for Wade’s workout make your $30 donation and claim (http://wadesarmy.org/claim/) your shirt by October 8th. The claiming of the shirt is very important, a lot of people missed this step and didn't get their shirt last year. I will take a screen shot of the email I receive to claim the shirt. Last year we raised over $3,000 and were the top fundraising team, lets beat last year.[/promo][promo image="9850"]CREATE YOUR OWN DONATION PAGE - BUT DON'T FORGET TO JOIN OUR TEAM! Click here to head to the Wade's Army fundraising site to create your own fundraising page - just don't forget to join our team![/promo][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Programming Week 10 TESTING WEEK – Monday 8.24.15 – Sunday 8.30.15

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[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][accordion][accordion_item title="New Stuff at CFSB"]Stories: Nikki's Story - Stronger than I had imagined. Classes: Mobility Schedule Classes - Click here to remind yourself - Open Gym Schedule and Rules Starting CrossFit - September Fundamentals Begins Sept 1 - Registration Here Events- Free CrossFit South Bend Grocery Store Tour at Whole Foods August 25th -STUDENT WELCOME WEEK! FREE Student Welcome Week August 31st – September 6th Click for Details BIG EVENTS: WADES ARMY: Have you gotten your Wade's uniform yet? Don't forget: Fundraising for Wade's Army has begun and we have a big goal to reach! Go to the CFSB page:  https://www.classy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=54411
Join the team and make a donation of $30 to claim your Wade's Army uniform in time for the event. They're available for a limited time only - so get in on it early. And stay tuned as we give you more ways you can join the fight and support the cause.
[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Results from last Testing Week - Check your old numbers"]Results from last Testing Week - Check your old numbers results friday results monday results thursday results tuesday results wednesday[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Monday 8.24.15"]Monday 8.24.15 Test 1 - Upper Body Pull Relative Strength RETEST 1 Single Max Reps Unbroken Strict Pull Up
  Test 2 - Strength RETEST 20 Minutes to Find Squat 1RM/5RM Rest 5 Min Max Effort Reps @85% of 1RM 90% of 5RM (Muscle Fiber Test)   Test 3 - Grip Strength RETEST 5 Rounds 1 Min to do 30 KB Swings 1 Min Rest     Notes: Test 1: Warm up as needed, stay on that bar until you can absolutely pull no longer. Don't bring your knees up, don't kick, don't hump. Make sure you get your chin over the bar without reaching (keep a neutral head position) and make sure you extend all the way down in the hang. Test2: Over the last few weeks we have went over plenty of percentage work, working up to 90, then the next week up to 92.5-95, you should be able to figure your first attempt off of this. Get your math done ahead of time so you aren't wasting 5 minutes of your 20 minutes doing barbell math. Everyone has a different lifestyle, you can't always expect to PR, but if you have been attending regularly over the last 9 weeks, get after it. Oh, and if we see any sketchy spotting or not asking for a spot, expect to do some writing on the chalkboard Test 3: Prep your hands ahead of time, if you tend to rip, you should have your hands taped up already, middle of the workout is not the time to start taping. Oh, and bring your own damn tape. Choose an intelligent weight and get in there and stay connected to the KB as long as you can. Used a 70 last time and got all of your rounds? Use two 55lb Kbs.  
[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Tuesday 8.25.15"]Tuesday 8.25.15 Test 1: Overhead Stability and Strength Max Effort Handstand Hold Option (1) Hanstand Hold Option (2) Hold on with feet on 30" Box Test 2: Strength RETEST 20 Minutes to Find Push Press 1RM/3RM Rest 5 Min Max Effort Reps @85% of 1RM 87.5% of 5RM (Muscle Fiber Test) Test 3: Endurance and Ability to tolerate pain Death by 10m   Notes: Test 1: There will be 2 different options for this scaling (look up) Know your limitations, when you all kick up, it shouldn't look like this. Make sure to keep a good midline position overhead, stretch your wrists out beforehand. Test2 & 2.5: It is no accident that the handstand hold was done prior to this, its to prep for the stability and midline control to prime the push press. Push Press After that we will be hitting up a certain style of muscle fiber test to see how many reps you can get out of a high percentage of your max.  If you want to know more about this google hatfield muscle fiber test. Our test doesn't have the luxury of waiting 15 minutes between the lift and the test, so you are seeing a short turnover between them, lets see how fast your battery recharges between a max lift and a max rep scenario. Test 3: A few things Make sure you pace yourself and pay attention to the time on the clock and know when to kick it into high gear. Change direction off of opposite legs each time Make sure you are counting YOUR OWN REPS, don't assume the person next to you has an accurate count, I guarantee you most of you will forget at one point Once you barely make it, even if you feel like you won't finish the next round, sack up and go for partial reps.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Wednesday 8.26.15"]Wednesday 8.26.15 Test 1: Explosiveness 8 Min to find Max Height Box Jump Test 2: Power RETEST 20 Min to find Power Clean 1RM/3RM Hang Power Clean Test 3 Percentage Based Metcon Tester Every 30 seconds Perform 2 Power Cleans @ 75% 1RM/ 80% 3RM 1 Ball Slam *** every round increase by 1 ball slam until you are unable to complete the work load. Score is total reps and power cleans count towards the reps     Notes: Test1: You must land above parallel on the box. The reason being to reinforce max vertical displacement, along with priming the power clean landing. We are looking to test the power in your initial hip extension, NOT your ability to tuck your knees under in a self fellating (also, not a word) position. There is a time and a place for the tucking variation, just not today. Another point, this is the second time I've referenced going down yourself on the blog...if anyone is keeping count. I've also linked my favorite video explosion for reference. And...again, be mindful and know you limitations, I don't want any stitched up shins today. Test 2: Open up the night before with some nice couch stretching, I want you to be able to really take advantage of that full extension. This will also help with the Box Jump. but.. Lets talk Don't make stupid jumps with percentages. Don't let your ego get in the way. Some of this stuff applies here, but this is pertaining to a Olympic Weightlifting Comp, this is a bit different. I am just saying, I'd better see percentages written out on your board. Notice he uses a 100kg opener so it makes your percentage work there pretty easy. Test 3: Move smooth back and forth, again, this one is a death by, so PAY ATTENTION TO THE CLOCK. You'll get punished for not transitioning fast enough, and moving the bar slow. Oh, and that ball slam you just did that you didn't catch? it didn't count. Even the last rep.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Thursday 8.27.15"]Thursday 8.27.15 Test 1 & 1.5 Strength and Muscle Fiber Test RETEST 20 Minutes to Find Bench Press 1RM/5RM Rest 5 Min Max Effort Reps 85% of 1RM 90% of 5RM (Muscle Fiber Test) Test 2 Upper Body Endurance RETEST 10 Min AMRAP 10 Ring Rows 10 Deficit Push Ups     Notes: Test 1 and 1.5: You can typically use the same kind of scheme here that you use for your squats in regards to warm up percentages. Make sure you have a spotter, AGAIN. We prefer a handoff for safety reasons, make sure to practice this during the lighter weights to get into a groove with your partners. Also, don't touch the bar unless you A. are sure the lifter will not get the rep B. the lifter is in danger remember, once you touch the bar, you have made the athletes lift not count. None of this, It's all you bro Now lets hit the bench Test 2: Retest from last time - if you have your reps and scaling, dig it up. If not, set in to get a benchmark going. We have been working on ring rows for quite a few weeks, hopefully we can see some good carryover into this workout. Know your abilities and come in with a game plan of how you are going to break the reps up. This workout is hitting a lot of small muscle movers and fatigue very quickly, so have a back up plan.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Friday 8.28.15"]Friday 8.28.15 Test 1 : Trunk Stability/Endurance/Willpower Max Weighted Pillar Test 2: Strength RETEST 20 Minutes to Find Deadlift 1RM/5RM Test 3:  Speed RETEST Max Effort 400m Run Notes: Test 1: Place a 45lb plate on the upper back, and have a 45lb plate under neath the individuals quads. Must maintain a flat back, and hands may not touch each other. You are done when one of the following scenarios occurs (1) muscle fatigue sets in (2) if quads come in contact with plate (3) you get one warning on a movement fault, a 2nd movement fault results in the termination on the hold. Don't give up on this because "you got bored" or it started to get "kinda hard" I want you shaking down there when you are about to fail. Maybe not like this...But that is the best google result I got from "Twerking in plank position" Then I blacked out, and woke up an hour later and cleared my internet history. Test 2: Hopefully the pillar test got your trunk primed up for that tension you'll want to create through the midline during the deadlift. Check your ego, our coaches are clever.  They know when you should call it, whether you are rounding because of your body awareness, strength, mobility, any of those...you are rounding none the less and should call it. They aren't out to get you, they are there to keep you as safe as possible. Very often its not a cueing issue, meaning if we see you consistently rounding it may not be a magical cue that is the fix, it could represent a few weeks of mobility work, so ask a coach and we will help you out. Percentages warming up may be a little different with this, T-nation has some pretty good guidance with this here.The typical general overview is less volume, you don't want to smoke your CNS prior to the attempt. Test 3: You get one shot. We will do some good dynamic warm up work prior, if you feel like you need a bit more work to warm up, ask to go in a last heat and get in your work. If you have a history of hamstring issues, BE CAREFUL.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Saturday 8.29.15"]Saturday 8.29.15 13.3 12 min AMRAP 150 Wallballs 20#/10', 14#/9' 90 Double Unders 30 Muscle Ups Note: For the Wall Balls - use a weight you have some good control over, that you can squat to depth, and can hit your target. Keep yourself honest with the count. You'll feel like this afterwards. For the Doubles - If you can do doubles, you are grinding doubles. If you are scaling, its 270 singles. No in between today or custom scaling. For the Muscle Ups - You are either doing muscle ups, or you are doing chest to bar pull ups. Come in with a gameplan of how you want to break up your wall balls, this is what makes the difference in the wod.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Sunday 8.30.15"]Sunday 8.30.15 13.1 Proceed through the sequence below completing as many reps as possible in 17 minutes of: 40 Bar over Burpees 75 pound Snatch, 30 reps 30 Bar over Burpees 135 pound Snatch, 30 reps 20 Bar over Burpees 165 pound Snatch, 30 reps 10 Bar over Burpees 210 pound Snatch, as many reps as possible Note: If you cannot perform the listed weights, we will hit up percentages. The Snatch series will work this way.. 75/45 or  35% of your 1rm 135/75 or 60% of your 1rm 165/100 or 75% of your 1rm 210/120 or 90% of your 1rm[/accordion_item][/accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]

September CrossFit Fundamentals Registration is up!

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[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][text_output]Interested in our Fundamentals Course? Our  Fundamentals Course is always right around the corner! Interested in signing up for TWO FREE WEEKS! Click here to do it. Want some Details? Scroll down to check out the schedule or any other details you may want to know about. [/text_output][accordion][accordion_item title="What is the monthly Fundamentals schedule?"]2015 Fundamentals Start Dates:  Our Fundamentals program begins on a Tuesday each month, and runs 12 classes in succession. The start date for each month is listed below.
September Fundamentals: Tuesday, September 1st
October Fundamentals: Tuesday, September 29th
November Fundamentals: Tuesday, October 27th
December Fundamentals: Tuesday, December 1st (exception: 3 weeks long due to holidays)
Class Times:
Tuesday 8:30am OR 7:00pm Thursday 8:30am OR 7:00pm Saturday 9:00am THAT SCHEDULE DOESN'T WORK FOR ME! You may want to check out our Accelerated Fundamentals Course then!​ Which you can check out by clicking right here![/accordion_item][accordion_item title="I don't want to wait, I want to start tomorrow!"] If you don't want to wait to start until our next scheduled Fundamentals, and you'd like to start the Fundamentals RIGHT NOW! We also offer an Accelerated Fundamentals, which you can check out by clicking right here! With that you get 6 personal training session to get you ready for class, along with 3 free weeks of CrossFit afterwards! The sessions are scheduled at your convenience. [/accordion_item][accordion_item title="I'd like to sit down and chat with you a bit first, I have questions! "]Want to sit down and discuss your goals and how we plan to meet them? Easy, click here to schedule a Free No Sweat intro During the No Sweat Intro we will meet for a private 20 minute chat about your goals, and what CrossFit South Bend can do to help you achieve those goals. No pressure, no obligation. Just a chance to see if CrossFit South Bend is a good fit for you.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="But I'll be missing a few classes"] If you will be missing a Fundamentals class, no worries, we can do some make up work to catch you up. Try not to miss as many as you can though because each one builds on the prior class. But if you have to, just email Brandon@crossfitsouthbend.com and we will get it organized for a makeup during the Fundamentals. We usually allow up to 2 missed sessions, if you are going to be missing 3 or more, you may want to consider an Accelerated Fundamentals here. [/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Signing Up for a membership"] The first two weeks of each month are free! We want people to give CrossFit a good honest try before they decide whether or not it is for them. After that first two weeks if you decide CrossFit is for you, you can sign up and continue out the rest of the month. You can find out prices right here [/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Want to sign up and already know how to perform CrossFit?"]
Already well versed in the Olympic lifts, power lifts, gymnastics, and CrossFit movements?
[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Questions about anything"]If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask any of us! Our office and inboxes are always open! You can also check out our website for more info about our programs, prices, programming, and schedule at www.crossfitsouthbend.com  Other than that, we will expect to see you in here on your start date! Click here to email us if you have any other questions. [/accordion_item][/accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Nikki’s Story – Stronger than I had imagined

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[vc_row padding_top="0px" padding_bottom="0px"][vc_column fade_animation_offset="45px" width="1/1"][image type="none" float="none" info="none" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" src="12748"][text_output]

I had always been curious about crossfit but was always too afraid to give it a try. I was getting bored with taking classes at my regular gym, saw an offer for a free 2 weeks fundamentals class at CFSB and thought that I'd give it a try.

The first time I walked in, I thought  I'd made a mistake by coming..lol!! It was pretty intimidating.

The Fundamentals Coach Robby Gustin was very knowledgable, patient and encouraging. He gently pushed me. I started to realize that I was much stronger than I had ever imagined. Four months in and I got a 300# 1rm pr. That was a pretty amazing feeling.

Right now I just want to continue to get better, stronger and stay healthy.

My favorite crossfit memory has to be of one of the WOD's when we had to do like 30 push presses and run the turf 15 times down and back. Well, by the time I was about to start my last round, the next class was about to start. I was completely ready to call it quits, Brandon said, "come on, I'm going to run with you." Brandon ran with me while people from the 4:15 and 5:30 class cheered me on until I finished. This is when I fell in love with the crossfit community!! I've never experienced anything like it.

[/text_output][button target="blank" href="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/start-here/" title="" info_content="" lightbox_caption="" id="" class="" style=""]Click here to get two free weeks of our next fundamentals![/button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Programming Week 9 of 9 – Monday 8.17.15 – Sunday 8.22.15

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[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][accordion][accordion_item title="Things coming soon at CrossFit South Bend"]Things coming soon at CrossFit South Bend This isn't really a thing coming soon, but its an interesting video.- Wisdom Classes-Mobility Class: Upcoming Weekly Mobility Schedule through July Classes-August Fundamentals Begins Tuesday August 4th! Details here Events- Free CrossFit South Bend Grocery Store Tour at Whole Foods Stories- Katie B's Story News-There will be no more childcare as of August 15th. On a related note, Parents come get your toys! BRING A FRIEND DAY- Whole Foods Bring a Friend Day – August 22nd -STUDENT WELCOME WEEK! FREE Student Welcome Week August 31st – September 6th Click for Details[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Monday 8.17.15"]Monday 8.17.15 A. 15-20 minutes to find your heaviest weight of the complex. Take 3-5 sets to get there. Lower Body Primal Mash Up 4 DB Front Squats + 4 Lunges + 4 Step Ups + 4 Reverse Lunges + 4 DB Front Squats B. 12 Min AMRAP Max Effort Handstand Push Ups 200m every time that you break Notes: This Primal mashup can be hard to wrap your head around, just ghost through it a few times without any dumbbells to get a nice groove going. TRY just try,as much as you can, to not use your back leg to assist in the step ups. Handstand push ups in a workout?! I can do like...3, lets RX THIS! No.Stop. You can kip them, you can strict them, but once you get fatigued and your reps are falling below 5's, its time to move it back to the scaling behind it. I don't want you flailing to get up, and then not having enough strength to control the descent, thus ramming your neck into the ground, don't break your neck, or your arms, or your legs...I know some of you are accident prone... Your scaling options for this workout are... HSPU Scaling Options (1) HSPU (2) Toes on a Box (3) Push Ups If you get the the point where you cannot handle your current scaling, step back a bit during the workout, don't run 200m, get back in and grind out one painful handstand push up. If you can't hit 5s, move back. You know what else I hate?! Watching someone perform incline push ups on the HSPU on a box scaling. make sure to push your head through like this.    
[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Tuesday 8.18.15"]Tuesday 8.18.15 5 Rounds 5 Plate Pushes 10 Pull Ups 15 Alternating Sandbag Shouldering 60/40lbs Note: The distance for the plate pushes...well, you don't need to know about that, you'll find out when you get in. The pull ups can be kipped. If you don't know how to kip, we will be throwing in some skill work here and there during class when it comes around. Want to accelerate the process? Get some 30 minute skill sessions and we will crush it. Go heavy on the sandbag shouldering, just deal with it. [/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Wednesday 8.19.15"]Wednesday 8.19.15 A. 3x Max Ring Rows at the low Rep Progression B. 4 minutes Jump Rope (Singles) 1 minute rest 4 minutes Rowing for calories 1 minute rest 4 minutes Sled Drag 1-2 45lb plates @25 yard trips 1 minute rest 4 minutes No Push Up Burpees Notes: You know the drill with the low rep progression, keep tracking this and moving along. As for the workout, try to find a pace you can consistently work at, I want some smooth long cardio on this one. Scoring this one...how about total repetitions? just add em up, add em alllllll up.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Thursday 8.20.15"]Thursday 8.20.15 A. Squat, Base this off of a 1RM weight, for those within the last two months of completing Fundamentals - work up to a heavy 5 50% x4 60% x4 70% x2 80% x1 85% x1 90% x1 92.5-95% x1 B. 8 Rounds of 30sec to Perform Pro Shuttle (5yd.10yd.5yd) Max Ball Slams with remaining time Rest 15 seconds between rounds Note: We will be hitting a 1rm this coming week, so use these percentages and make sure you don't have any fails, you can't always feel amazing in the gym, but with that being said, even if you are feeling great at 95%, pull the reins and get ready to plan out next weeks PR attempt. For the workout, this is always a little funny to watch, because you'll be alternating the side you are facing at the top of each round. You may not get it now, but you'll figure it out...[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Friday 8.21.15"]Friday 8.21.15 A. 15 minutes to work to a Overhead Squat 2RM B. 15.12.9 Single Arm DB Row (each arm) Chin Ups C. Extra Credit 4 Rounds 1 minute on, 1 minute off Max Banded Tricep Extension Note: Iffffff your overhead mobility sucks, I'd like to perhaps see some Snatch Push Presses, if even that is pretty shoddy, lets go ahead and work to a Front Squat 2rm. Don't push it if you don't have the mobility to do so. For the workout today, Its kind of a bicep burner, if you have to switch weights mid workout, go ahead and do so, but if you want to stick to a nice heavy weight the whole time you are going to have to rest a bit. And who doesn't like some Friday jacked street work? Lets even out those biceps with some tricep extensions - so drink some power thirst  get your favorite body building fanny pack. Make your sleeves explode off of your shirt.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Saturday 8.22.15"]Saturday 8.22.15 WHOLE FOODS BAFD   I will post this wod very soon, how convenient though? you might as well plan  your grocery shopping for this day as well, you know...since we will be there anyway.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Sunday 8.23.15"]Sunday 8.23.15 "Randy" 75 Snatches at 75/55[/accordion_item][/accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Katie B. – My First Whole 30 at Crossfit South Bend

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[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][image type="none" float="none" info="none" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" src="12599"][image type="none" float="none" info="none" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" src="12600"][image type="none" float="none" link="true" info="none" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" src="12737" href="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/nutrition-prices/"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][text_output]I decided to give the Whole 30 a shot after trying to exercise and diet on my own and not getting the results I wanted.  I had my fourth child and the weight wasn't coming off as easily as with the first 3. I was starting to get very frustrated.  I was skeptical that the Whole30 would work because I was limiting my calories and exercising regularly and it wasn't working, why should something that allows me to eat as much as I needed to be full as well as eat potatoes, and bacon give me the results I so desperately wanted.  Boy was I wrong! Although implementing parts of the Whole30 were more difficult than I had anticipated, others were not.  I thought I could never live without my flavored creamer in my coffee but I do not need it anymore.  It took some doing but I found a coffee that I enjoyed without it and haven't looked back.  Even my husband didn't think I could give the creamer up! Finding Whole30 approved condiments was something I thought would be difficult but it was really easy. If I couldn't find it, I either tried to make it or we did without. I did struggle with giving up sugar entirely because I have a major sweet tooth.  I came up with ways around it and am finding I don't miss sugar so much anymore. The cooking is another thing I struggled with at first.  I was so used to using prepped and processed foods that I stayed away from a lot of recipes that required a lot of ingredients.  I broke down and tried many of them and found they were worth the work involved.  I still know that if I am short on time, I need to have easy prep recipes and there are plenty of them!  I also found myself being more willing to use herbs and spices I haven't used in the past and enjoying them. The Whole30 has given more energy, a better mood, and less stomach upset. I am able to button the jeans I wore before getting pregnant with my fourth child, I can't wear them comfortably yet but I am pleased! I wasn't able to even pull them on before the Whole30. I am getting into a routine with meal planning and prepping as well as being more informed about what really is healthy food and what I thought was healthy food.  I am slowly transitioning my children to a Whole30 way of eating and they are coming around and starting to ask for fruits and veggies as snacks instead of candy, cookies, and chips. After the Whole30 is complete, I am hoping to continue to eat healthy, natural foods the majority of the time.  I want to continue to lose the baby weight and get stronger.  I really, really want to be able to have a dessert at a special occasion and say, "that was tasty but I don't like the way I feel, I think I will wait until the next birthday, wedding, or holiday to eat something similar." I want to instill in my family what healthy eating really looks like and when it is okay to deviate from that. Through the Whole30, I have realized that I am a very emotional eater and what I choose to eat is very much causing me to struggle not only with weight but mood issues, and fatigue. Through participating in the Whole30 I learned to recognize this about myself and I found some other way to handle the stress; crossfit (my newfound passion!), going for a walk, playing with my kids or dogs, reading, and maybe even eating a piece of fruit. I am feeling happier, healthier and more energetic than I have for a long time! And my family is noticing it! Katie Braaksma[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Toys Toys Toys

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Hey there Parents! Now that Childcare is coming to a close as of August 15th, we are clearing out the childcare room. If you brought toys that you want back, please come get them this week up until the 15th. If not, the remainder of the toys will be donated to either the homeless shelter or St Vincent Depaul. Thanks Parents!