It’s Giveaway time!
I recently tried 18 Rabbits granola bars and love them. 18 Rabbits was started in Dallas, and is now produced in San Francisco. I picked up two flavors at Central Market–the Haute Diggity Date, and Cheeky Cherry Chocolate. They produce two granolas and five varieties of bars. Their bars are wheat free and certified kosher. They all have about 220 calories, 10 g fat, and 4 g protein. Their ingredient lists are short, and the bars are sweetened with maple syrup and honey.
For this giveaway, 18 Rabbits will give the winner a sample pack of their 5 granola bars.
**To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me that 18 Rabbits is something you’d like to try. You must also become a fan of 18 Rabbits on Facebook to enter, and for a bonus entry, follow them on Twitter @18rabbits and leave a separate comment telling me that you did.
You have until Friday to enter, and I’ll announce the winner on Monday morning. Good luck!
How to get started with Crossfit:
I have been doing CrossFit for about one year as a cross-training and strength building addition to my exercise routine. It’s different than working out one on one with a trainer, and it’s different than running for miles and miles. It is hard to explain the intensity of a CrossFit class, and I think many people are intimidated to start. So I’ve put together a little “How to get started” list and hope you’ll read along if you’re interested!
Please note that I am far from an expert and sometimes I am the slowest in my class. But I keep going back to work on it!
About: CrossFit is about “specializing in not specializing.” This means that you do a variety of movements and learn different skills and no class is ever the same. WODs (workout of the day) range from 7 minutes to 40 minutes, usually averaging around 20. Each class lasts about one hour, and the time not spent doing the WOD is warming up, warming down, stretching, and working on a skill (pullups, weight lifting, running, etc.) Every gym is different, this is based on the one I go to. There are also no machines except a rower. All movements are done with body weight, medicine balls, bar bells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and elastic bands. It’s not a boot camp, but you might leave with dirt on your hands and knees.
How should you start: Look into a gym close to you and see how they structure beginners. Usually there is a one-time class to learn the basics and assess your skills, or there is a multi-class “ramp up” series to learn the basics spread over time.
What should you expect: You should definitely give it some time to enjoy. Sometimes I still don’t enjoy it, and sometimes I don’t want to go back! There is an adjustment period at the beginning because you’ve probably never had a workout like this or worked this hard. It can leave you out of breath, beat up, cut up (sometimes!), sore for days, and tired. All in a short amount of time. I’ve been called slow and a light weight, and there’s definitely a mental game involved!
Why is it so great?
CrossFit makes you strong on the inside and the outside: On the outside you gain muscle. Like serious muscle. You’ll lift more than you ever thought you could. That’s why it’s scary in the beginning. You are stronger than you think you are! You have a baseline when you start, and you keep adding to it. On the inside, you get tough. You talk to yourself and tell yourself that you are strong. This class is not for sissies. You must want to be there. And when you finish a terrible (or great) workout, you feel so proud and accomplished.
It makes you competitive: At our gym, scores are published the next day to show where you fall compared to everyone else that did the workout. You don’t want to be the slowest or lift the lowest weight. It pushes you.
It makes you work hard: You want to get better, you want to be faster, lift more.The people you go to class with are friendly and encouraging. Everyone suffers together and helps out. It’s fun to be part of a group like that.
Bottom line–you do CrossFit for strength, for a great workout, and to challenge yourself every time you go. You have to be ON, and you can’t hide. Don’t be scared! Find a good gym and trust the instructor. You must commit, and you can’t just drop in and think it’s going to work.
I’ve heard a lot about the 18 Rabbits bars and have actually seen them sold in the Bloomingdale’s on Lexington and 59th St here in NYC. I would love to try the Cheeky Cherry Chocolate
5 flavas?! Sweetened w/ honey? The name “hot diggity date” alone makes me want to try:)
I would love to try them!
I actually already follow them on twitter…so yay!
I tried 18 rabbits for the first time in O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. I LOVED my Cherry Chocolate bar, but haven’t been back through to try another flavor and can’t seem to find them anywhere in Central Illinois where I live. I don’t tweet, so I can’t double enter. But I like what I tasted!
Oh yeah, also following them on Twitter:)
Marci,
Great post about getting started with CrossFit.
We really enjoy how you’re helping to spread the word of what CrossFit can do, and wanted to encourage you to visit our site, http://www.crossfitstory.com. We’re telling the story of what Crossfit is through people’s stories of triumph, change, or just new experiences. We would be honored if you’d consider writing your story for the site and helping to spread the word even more.
Keep on keepin on, and we hope to see a story from you at some point!
Yours in Crossfit,
The Crossfit Story Guys
I would love to try 18 Rabbits. I’m always up to try new things like nutrition bars. Good luck with CrossFit!
I’ve never heard of 18 rabbits granola bars until I read your blog, Marci. I did some additional research after reading this and that would definitely be something that I’d like to try. I’m always looking for a healthy snack at work that actually tastes good!
I’ve never tried 18 rabbits, but I would love to! I haven’t seen them here in Houston, or else I would have bought some already
I’ve tried 18 rabbits before and love them, but no stores in my area supply them
I am a fan on Facebook, that’s how I found your blog!
yay and welcome!
I follow 18 Rabbits on twitter as well!
I loved the haute diggity date and would LOVE to try some more!
Im a fannn:)
I just tried 18 Rabbits granola for the first time – incredible! Would love to try their bars too!
I’ve had a couple of their granola bars, but since they don’t sell them in my area, I can’t try the other two…. but they are SO DELICOUS. I’d LOVE to win. Yum yum yum
I follow them on twitter… my handle is memmalo.
i’ve tried 18 rabbits once before, the haute diggity date flavor, but i’d LOVE to try more!
and i’m already a facebook fan! that’s how i found your blog! :]
I’m always up for trying new bars! They look yummy
I love bars and 18 rabbits sounds so delicious!!
I follow 18rabbits on twitter!!