I do not go church or practice religion personally, but I have friends that do and I from what I understand, they take a great deal of comfort, satisfaction and community from doing so, and I’m glad for them. It’s not something we discuss on the reg, mind you; it’s not my thing, and while I’m happy to hear about it if they want to share a highlight or a tidbit, for the most part I’m cool just knowing that they’ve got something that’s positive in their life, without, you know, daily updates.
I would assume that this is the same way they feel about my Crossfit/Triathloning/Paleo Eating/What-have-you-ing. At least, I try to remind myself that when I feel the urge to preach the Gospel, as it were, to those who are not part of that world. I take an enormous amount of personal satisfaction from my lifestyle – hell, sometimes the most fulfilling social part of my day is at the Crossfit gym – but I’m taking care to remind myself that the fulfillment I get from this is not something that I need to discuss, in detail, all the time. (Well what the hell are you doing with a blog, then, Liz? Fair question, fair question.)
In other words, I’m trying to limit my fitness douchery, and thinking about it context of religion is helpful for that. The satisfaction I get from this lifestyle is not from convincing others it’s the right way to live, but by just living it for myself.
(Of course, having said that: this is my blog and the reading of it, as I understand, is entirely optional, so it’s highly likely that if I ever actually do a muscle up or end up running again, you can count on the fact that I’ll be rambling on about it in this space for quite a while. )
InnerTeub 
What a great analogy!
A blog is the perfect place for all the CrossFit talk, so you don’t let it come out willy-nilly. as in, “Thanks for my latte, local barista, oh you notice that I’m sweaty? Yeah, it’s because I just Rx’d a WOD.” Similarly, I try to limit my yoga douchery to the appropriate venues as well.
I think about it a lot like religion too – so I try to always approach it as, “This is my problem: this is what worked for me. Maybe it will work for you? If not…what DID work for you?” So that, you know, if someone hates running or almonds they can maybe tell me what they DO like? Then I feel less Unwelcome Zealot and more Chatty Waitress 😉
Excellent analogy. It definitely comes from a good place (this makes me feel awesome and happy! i care about you, and want you to feel awesome and happy, too!), but I have to remind myself that no one wants to hear it, unless they’ve specifically ASKED.
That said? Your blog is YOUR BLOG. I read it because I like you and want to know how things are going and what makes you tick. I don’t think anyone likes to read a one-note blog (even if it’s about weddings, omg stop me), but you don’t strike me as a one-note type of person. 🙂 Bring on your ups and downs, in whatever quarter of your life, and I will cheer and empathize accordingly.
[…] wrote a great post about Religion and CrossFit. Well, more specifically, how the discussion of both subjects are similar. Most people who include […]
This is such a great post and a great way to think about it. I am admittedly petrified of Crossfit (so hard and painful!) but I have been intrigued by how many people adore it. They don’t like it, they ADORE it.
I do think there’s a difference between evangelizing and sharing the joy you’re living. (I mean, genuine joy, not contrived-for-a-lifestyle-blog douchey pseudo joy.) When it’s shared as genuine joy and contentment, it’s basically infectious and I’m always willing and eager to hear/read that.