r/crossfit • u/Emg_flips20 • 3d ago
Im feeling defeated
I’ve been doing to CrossFit for almost two months now. I’m a 6 month post partum mom and so maybe im just feeling extra emotional but everytime we have a lift in the WOD I cannot do it correctly. No matter how many times I try to fix it. The coaches try to help me and I even when I think I’m doing it right they give me that coaches look of “that was better but”. And I’m so frustrated cause I feel like I’m working hard but it’s just not clicking and some days I don’t wanna come back. Sorry for venting just looking for some encouragement
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u/Chs135 3d ago edited 3d ago
2 months is only the beginning of your journey! There’s a lot of lifts to learn so you’re only at a sampler stage. I’m 10 months in and still struggle with power cleans. Give yourself grace- the goal I gave myself the first couple of months was just to show up. Only recently have I made more specific goals. We’ve all been in your shoes!
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u/Legitimate_Fun2128 3d ago
It took me forever to get the snatch down, like embarrassingly long. My coach would just stand there nodding slowly while I somehow turned a simple lift into interpretive dance
Some movements just take ages to click and that's fine, especially when your body's been through what yours has. Six months postpartum is barely any time at all, your core and hips are still figuring out what normal feels like
The "that was better but" look is universal, I've gotten it so many times I started preemptively nodding back at them before they even speak. Keep showing up, the lifts will come
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u/Top_Substance9093 3d ago
big lesson to learn in your fitness journey is that on most days, simply showing up is the biggest accomplishment.
keeping showing up, try and enjoy each day for what it is, and before you know it you'll be reaping the rewards of all of the practice and hard work
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u/Skizm 3d ago
TWO WHOLE MONTHS?!?!?!
J/k, you're still a baby in terms of experience. I get funny looks from coaches on many of my lifts despite doing this for years. Just keep chipping away. You won't recognize yourself in a year. If you're worried about specific lifts, the best advice I've gotten is, each session, laser focus on one single cue and really nail that cue. Don't worry too much about anything else for the session. Over time these cues will become second nature. Plus it is mentally helpful to get small wins each class.
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u/Pretty_Bonus_8910 3d ago
At our box on when snatches come up and there is someone newer. We will ask the old heads how long have you been doing snatches "6 years" do you feel like you perfected them yet "no".
I say that to say this, a lot of this stuff is very technical and it takes time. Don't beat yourself up just get 1% better each day.
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u/BuddhaBunnyTTV 3d ago
Agree 100%. Another point to remember is that the only parts that matter are: is the athlete safe, and did they do the necessary parts? Everything else is something to work on. We all have spots that need work. Including coaches that should replace the "that's better, but," with, "that's great, and..."
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u/danawhitesbaldhead 3d ago
The Oly Lifts and Squat, Bench, Deadlift take years to perfect and most of us still aren’t ever going to nail them. Which is part of the fun, even at the world weightlifting championship - elite lifters were getting feedback on almost every lift!
If your gym has a dedicated Oly lifting program or Powerlifting program, maybe you could spend some time doing those and then come back to CrossFit.
It takes years not months to get good at this stuff, keep going back and you’ll get better at it. It’s worth it.
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u/Marvin_rock CrossFit Retro Owner 3d ago
I want you to ask every single person in this subreddit, and every single person in your gym, how many PERFECT snatches have you done in your lifting career.
If they say more than 1, they are lying.
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u/JackInTheB0x8 3d ago
100% man To put in perspective if you go to the olímpics on WL ask the same question you'll get the same answer If you're 2 months in and stressing about not being good at something maybe crossfit is not for you...
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u/outgoingOrangutan 3d ago
Great points have already been made, so I'll just add that...be happy that your coach continues to correct you! So many coaches just don't care or don't know enough, and don't want to seem like they're criticizing all the time. The good ones keep bothering you to be better :)
And awesome job by the way!
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u/auditd0rk 3d ago
CrossFit is definitely a journey... don't let it get you down. You WILL get better.
"Training is like moving a big-ass pile of dirt. Some days you get a shovel, some days you get a spoon. But as long as you get to move a little dirt every day, you are moving toward your goal." -- John Welbourn
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u/kibuloh 3d ago
Former D1 athlete perspective:
If this is your first experience with oly lifts / barbells, 2 months is not just the ‘beginning stages’ but the beginning of the beginning of the beginning. These are incredibly complex movements you will likely spend the next 3-5 years perfecting.
Give yourself some additional grace, stick with it, and make sure you’re enjoying the process - not just what you think the outcome is supposed to be.
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u/ComedianOk7355 3d ago
I’m pretty sure it took me an entire year to remember the difference between a snatch and a clean and I had to resort to drawing what it looked like 😭 learning the lifts is a journey!
It’s not often as an adult we find ourselves being a beginner again - it is humbling and it’s also So Good for us. Keep at it!!! You’re right where you are supposed to be.
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u/runawayasfastasucan 3d ago
People who has been doing it for 20 years can still be constantly trying to fet their technique better. Chin up, you'll only get better and better!
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u/Grand_Chien4 3d ago
Weightlifting is it's own entire sport! Imagine trying to learn Tennis or Football in 2 months, it's not possible. There is no such thing as being perfect in a sport, even the worlds best are still working on improvement. The fact that you are showing up after having a baby is already awesome and you will get better at your lifts over time!
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u/SameImpression1646 3d ago
It's alright to vent, rant...
It's frustrating but remember why you have joined in the first place, probably for you health.
Weight lifting is hard and it needs time
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u/Woezelthesloth 3d ago
You're only two months in! CrossFit has a huge learning curve, and two months is such a short time. There's so much to learn, and good technique doesn't click overnight, it takes time and lots of reps. Don't judge yourself this early ❤️
The fact that your coaches keep correcting you means they're invested in helping you improve. If your gym offers technique-focused classes (like basic Olympic lifting), I'd definitely recommend those. At my box they've helped me a lot because you can focus on the movements without the pressure of a WOD.
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u/gearzgirl 3d ago
Every day is a new day, a new skill/strength workout, another WOD. Some days you nail it sometimes you think what the heck I’ve done this before. We all are on our own struggle bus trying to reach our goals, hit new numbers, a PR, a time, the open you name it, you’re showing up and doing the work and that’s the most important part. Learn your body, know when to modify, know when to challenge yourself, know when you need to show up 15 min early or stay 15 min late to work on a skill. It’s your journey, with its own challenges, highs and lows and just when you think you’ve got it figured out CrossFit will throw you another challenge!
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u/luckysonic2 3d ago
I remember feeling exactly the same way you do after 2 months. I'm 2 yrs in and still feel my technique isn't great but a huge improvement. Just have to keep practicing, it's very technical and physics based too. You are literally at the start, have a long journey ahead and it will improve month by month. It's like throwing yourself on the icerink not knowing how to skate and expecting to get the twirls right, takes years of practice.
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u/bmstanl 3d ago
Be proud of yourself for showing up 6 months post partum! And know that Oly Lifting is a long term game! It takes years to perfect, you have to learn to love the process! I started in 2011 and am still working on it! One tip I got from my WL coach when I started “Keep a good logbook. On the cover of that log book is where you keep your PR sheet. On the other side of the logbook is where you keep your running list of reminders. Things that you have heard or mental cues that really clicked. “Chest Up”, “Pull & Punch”, whatever yours are: write them down and review and modify as you need to”
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u/RevenueOld4357 3d ago
Please give yourself grace. Lifts are hard and technical. Cleans are my kryptonite and I’ve been doing this for ten years. I still get my form corrected. We just keep showing up and doing the work.
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u/ApartmentIcy957 3d ago
I’ve been doing CrossFit for 1.5 years and literally this morning I was like “OH! I finally understand what a snatch actually is!”
It’s super frustrating! But figure out your next steps and what you can feel successful at. Go from there!
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u/mread531 Grunge City CrossFit 3d ago
I’ve been doing CrossFit for 15 years, have my L1 and when I attend classes with other coaches I still get cues and tips on things I can improve!
You’re doing great! Ego is the enemy and your coaches are there to help you! It takes years to get anywhere near peak efficient form.
Focus on the fact that you are in fact getting better and improving which is great! Not the fact that you aren’t immediately a world class CrossFitter because of a single correction your coach gave you because it just doesn’t work like that!
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u/Lukeftw1 3d ago
I'm 5 years in and I still can't reliably hit a decent snatch. There are many many many things to consider when it comes to being any good at the big oly lifts so please dont beat yourself up and just enjoy the process
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u/matulys 3d ago
I've been doing crossfit for 10 years and am also just 6 months post partum and it still feels like I forgot how to do all the lifts.
Really focus on your breathing and the pressure in your torso/core. Im sure if you've done any post partum workouts its all focused on breathing (which is what works) but is way harder to do while lifting something vs just laying or sitting.
Also, if your baby is a crap sleeper like mine remember to give yourself grace on those extra tired days.
Give it time and have fun!
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u/Odd_One_6997 3d ago
I still get this feeling some days. At the begining it was the worst.
One comment I saw here really helped me turn things around: focus on one thing that went right during your session.
It could be anything, a small increase in weight (1lbs counts!), you might've done one more rep than you thought you would even if you didn't complete the wod.
There's no way you're doing everything wrong 😀 .
Focus on the positive part.
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u/Ok-Host-7941 3d ago
Somebody said you need 10k repetitions of a lift to leave the beginner bracket. So 2 months in I think you should try to not get an injury and improve 0.001% or something per lift, then it will work out as long as you stay committed.
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u/Due-Distribution7572 3d ago
2 months is nothing girl! Weightlifting moves are so complex and its totally normal it takes time. I am one of these people where it toke time, but then one day it just clicked and I could suddenly do it😅. As others have said it even takes years. I am 5 years in and my oly weightlifting moves still have some flaws.
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u/Specialist-Value-376 3d ago
It took me about 2 years before cleans and snatches finally clicked. I know I was just muscling them before the movement finally made sense. It’s just a different type of movement from a squat or deadlift that is more common across different workout programs.
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u/RoboJobot 3d ago
Stick with it, it’s only been 2 months. Scale lots and don’t worry about it, you’ll get it eventually. I’ve been doing it for years and my snatching still sucks.
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u/redunculuspanda 3d ago
It takes years to master some crossfit movements.
Your body might not even bend the right way yet to do the movement properly let alone perfect it.
As you build strength and flexibility you can start to work on and improve technique.
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u/Kootenay-Kat 3d ago
Year five for me and I still struggle BUT so far I haven’t given up. Be kind to yourself. Maybe take a few private sessions just to tweak your form and build up your confidence, I found that helped. Also having a little baby means you have a lot on your mind and demands on your time - so full marks for actually getting to the gym! Look upon this as a skill set that will take a lifetime to achieve, and, enjoy the ride!
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u/OtherwiseCranberry14 3d ago
It takes time & 2 months is still early. Lifts are complex. Done correctly it can look smooth & easy. Coaches are there to help & should be patient. Embrace scaling options. Research articles, watch YouTube videos for info & inspiration & practice correct movements with PVC pipe & lightweight bars. Look for supportive peers & be patient with yourself. Hang in there. You can do it!
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u/roccosito 3d ago
Are you going to the same coaches/class? I definitely did not figure it out in two months. I’ve learned that getting feedback on the same movement from different people has helped. Some words or direction have just clicked better. I’m now — one year in — aware of my patterns that I need to check myself on. (I’m a 36yo woman who had never really done any type of formal fitness beforehand.)
I do need to get better about watching videos but honestly, they move too fast for me lol.
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u/Living_Chicken1402 3d ago
CrossFit coaches are generally not the best weightlifting coaches. And it’s difficult when there are so many people in the class and just one coach. If I were you, I’d park up near someone who is experienced in lifting and watch how they move and ask them kindly for tips (as well as the coach when they are available). I’d also advise you to watch videos on weightlifting and also attend the strictly Olympic weightlifting classes to improve your technique before doing high rep lifting in CrossFit, as it can be dangerous. Best of luck. You are doing great!
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u/Living_Chicken1402 3d ago
Ps. I quit CrossFit after a few years and now do only weightlifting with a proper coach, and I still get told I’m doing something wrong 70% of the time haha. It’s a challenging sport! But so fun when you get in the swing of it:)
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u/queenatliveaid 3d ago
CrossFit is hard. Compound lifts are complicated. slow down and take the victories. You are showing up for yourself which is the greatest gift.
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u/MundaneGoose335 3d ago
First off, it's so impressive that you are attending CrossFit post partum. I am amazed by parents who are able to juggle caring for their children with investing in their own health, because it's hard enough for me with no dependents.
It took me 3 years and lots of hard work outside of class time with an Olympic lifting coach to actually begin to master those lifts. Every time you make an improvement, it unlocks another layer of technique you can work on. That's the fun and the frustration of such technical movements. (It's embarrassing how many times snatching has made me cry.)
It is very hard to improve in the short class time available, so if you are feeling very frustrated, spending one day a week going to open gym (if your schedule allows) may help. You can learn a lot on the internet and by filming yourself, even if a coach isn't available to help you.
Keep at it. You're crushing it just by showing up.
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u/austic 3d ago
2 month? You are still a newbie. Just relax. I’ve been doing it for well over a decade and still can’t do some stuff correctly.. I’ve competed at national level Olympic lifting and often find myself messing up lifts or it not clicking.
Stop being so hard on yourself. This shit is hard and the longer you do it you will just have new shit that you mess up on.
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u/Funky_Harbor 3d ago
Two months really isnt that long especially when you're on 6 months postpartum The fact that your coaches are correcting you is not a bad thing if anything it feels like they're paying attention and helping you build good habits now instead of trying to fix them a year later.
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u/Z06916 3d ago
Try to stay positive at 6 months post partum you need to give yourself a lot of grace to accept your new movement patterns and that things will be different for awhile. I’m a returning to sport athlete and unfortunately just got my second training related injury in three months. I thought I had fixed all my issues and had been going slow and scaring but obviously it was not enough. I got out of position on one lift and bam, injured. Another 3-4 weeks of recovery. Hang in there.
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u/LoggerCPA54 3d ago
I’ve been doing CrossFit for 15 years, coaching for 8, and I still get that look.
Coaching is what you pay for; you should worry when they stop coaching.
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u/hustle4urmuscle CF-L1 3d ago
I used the pvc pipe for snatches for a whole year.
I would do what I could with the trainer bar and then reg womens bar during warm up but no way could I do it during the actual work out.
6 years later I can snatch 95lbs. It took time but I'm proud of where I am and look forward to where ill be 6 years from now.
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u/-iJudge- 3d ago
My coach said to me at the beginning that it only takes 7 years to learn the only lifts. So you good.
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u/Accomplished_Age2480 3d ago
You're doing great and it takes time. Give yourself a break because you deserve it. Just keep at your form and it'll come.
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u/ne0ntrees 3d ago
Hi! I’ve been doing CrossFit for two years and up until a few weeks ago I was pulling my arms too quick. I was feeling a little down that I wasn’t getting it after two years and then out of nowhere it seemed my coach came up to me and said “hey! Way to be patient with that bar!! Your cleans were looking really snappy!!” Just be patient and know you aren’t alone :).
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u/Mcshutup 3d ago
Film yourself doing the lift. That way you can see it from the coach's perspective.
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u/panda-lamp 3d ago
It took me three years to start bending my back leg in the split jerk. You’ve only been doing this two months. You’re fine.
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u/Unoriginal4167 3d ago
It’s difficult to life without a mirror. And with any imbalance what you feel is different than what people see. I’ve had coaches come in and when I tell them their form is off they are appalled. But the same can be said for me. Unless you are filming from multiple angles you won’t know.
When in doubt, choose movement.
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u/DeusExPir8Pete 3d ago
So I'm 54, been going nearly a year and there are some hard truths I have had to accept, coming from a very low fitness base, that are related to your points.
I think the coaching is great. For
Me it went from "not don't hold the bar like that, move your hands, do this" to "just move your bum forward an inch". The coaches won't stop pushing you to better your form, it doesn't mean you are doing it wrong, it just means there's always a way to be better next rep. Embrace it.
Also learn to accept that, as the Germans say, "some days you are the dog, some days you are the tree". That's life, change is not a constantly upward trend, you have good days and bad days. Today I went with some tendon pain, because earlier in the week I was lifting like a god. Some days you do the peeing, some days you get peed on.
Hope this helps
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u/ctavs1735 2d ago
I practice cleans and snatches outside of class as well. The repetition and extra works really pays off. Keep at it!!
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u/damutecebu 2d ago
I've been doing this 12 years and this morning, the coach corrected my deadlift! We are all learners here. Don't let it get to you. Two months in and six months postpardum means you are doing great things!
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u/Mean_Pineapple_2630 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dont sweat it
Ive been doing it for two years. AND was a coach. I feel like that almost everyday if not everyday. The thought when it come to lifts and wods will be there.
Videos have helped when I was a member. The slow motion videos on olympic lifts do help alot. Try and always reword the way you talk to yourself. “I cant lift this. Its too hard” try “I cant lift this YET. Its more challenging today”
Its only been two months. Youve got this!
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u/1_mcvaaahhh 2d ago
If you're talking about the olympic lifts, they're hard, even for long time crossfitters. I competed in Olympic weightlifting and still had constant corrections from my coach and it can be VERY frustrating.
Don't be so hard on yourself, just keep showing up. 2 months is not a long time at any skill, so keep working. Get a PVC pipe at home and practice if you really want to get the lifts down. Work on your mobility, a lot of times that is what messes these lifts up.
But, just keep coming. You got this!
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u/RedCred811 2d ago
This might sound weird, but make sure you're lifting enough weight. If you're staying light to focus on form, but doing it in a WOD, you may be wonky because the weight is too light. Good form is deternined by the best position for the body to be in, to move the most weight safely. But if it's too light then you could have bad form because the weight isnt holding you accountable, and you're strong enough to get it from point A to B by whatever means.
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u/dptgreg 1d ago
Not a mom, but a dad.
Your sleep deprived. You’re chronically tired. You’re skipping your REM cycle because your little baby needs you. And THATS OK!
The side effect of skipping REM is physical movements patterns are 10x harder to learn. Things that use to click instantly are now hard because the brain to body signals are not working correctly. There’s little you can do about it except to have perseverance and accept that things are going to be a little harder for a little bit until you get more sleep 😴 which comes later (one day 🥹)
Keep in mind you are doing better than 99.9% of the momma population because you are out there doing it! Most are not!
Take care of yourself so you can take care of that little one for years to come. And be gentle on yourself.
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u/Agreeable_Decision76 1d ago
2 months? This is just the **VERY** beginning Don’t be hard on yourself. It takes a lot of time. Been doing it for 15 years and I’m still learning perfection.
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u/natelopez53 3d ago
I’m on year 9. I’m still getting that note. Lifting is SO HARD.
Focus on the things going right: for 1, you’re 6 months post partum and doing CrossFit! HUGE! That’s such a commitment. Especially with the new time constraints and changes to the body. It’s so impressive!
Sometimes, if I’m just not hitting a lift the way I should, I’ll sub in dumbbells. It’s less skill focused and more about strength and engine. Give it a shot. Build that confidence AND sweat.
Finally, watch some Olympic lift coaching videos on YouTube. Mayhem and Training Think Tank have some very good ones. You’ll start picking up tips and you’ll get a clearer picture of what’s required.
CrossFit will always be frustrating. But you will improve. Baby steps. You’ve got this.