Swedish CrossFit trainer John Hermiz says to get mentally tougher, you have to stick to your plan—in or out of the gym.
My first encounter with CrossFit was about two years ago. It was dramatic, ugly and changed my naive self-image of being in shape.
Soon after the workout started, I was in complete shock. My heart was racing. I thought, “What the hell is happening?” and “I can’t finish this workout.” I believed these thoughts, and subsequently my emotional state was affected.
I was terrified, stressed and anxious. Of course, that didn’t help much. Because I was in a group, quitting wasn’t an option, so I saw the damn thing through in a near-death experience. Then I crawled into the fetal position, where I stayed for another 10 minutes.
My ego was bruised. How could I consider myself fit when I couldn’t handle a workout like that? I decided to change my ways and have since followed a CrossFit regimen that has done wonders for my physique. Interestingly enough, there has been a side effect to my changed exercise routine, as well. CrossFit—in combination with techniques I learned while studying to become a psychologist at Stockholm University—has developed mental toughness.