Friday, May 10 2013
There are many success stories that I could share after training Crossfit for 5 years now. The best success stories come from the mouths that made it happen. I am the kind of guy that wants you to get your butt into the gym and leave it at that. I like to read and share some new stuff with everyone that reads the blog. Ok, I try to inspire at times, but I am not the success story guy that’s for sure. Not that I don’t love that stuff and super excited for people getting the results they are wanting. It's just not my think plus Graham is so much better at it, and that’s fine by me.
So, when Rick texted me last night about Jennifer’s post on Facebook being a great post for the web page I couldn't have agreed more. As I said it’s best to hear it from the person that made it happen. True, the community of Crossfit has helped. And we all share in your success as the community that helped down the right path. But, Jennifer you made it happen. You NOW you have the tools, the will and the drive to keep moving forward. You are a true inspiration. Great job Jennifer... keep it up!
I have struggled with my weight since I graduated from high school. When I went off to college, not only did I gain the dreaded “freshman 15,” but it just kept going and going. I have tried everything from Jenny Craig to Weight Watchers to diet pills. I would never exercise, just hope that the method I was using would be the magic key. Of course, it wasn’t. I would have short term success, but before long, would get bored and gain back any weight (plus some) that I had lost. I finally just gave up. I thought that I could just be “fat and happy.” Three years ago, without any history of problems and without any explanation, my blood pressure skyrocketed and I ended up in the emergency room. I was put on blood pressure medication. I decided then to try and get healthy. However, I would “diet” for awhile, lose a few pounds, but would ultimately end up back to my sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle.
I had watched athletes doing CrossFit while my daughter was at her dance classes (a box shared space with her dance studio). I had done some research on their website. I had always thought to myself, there is no way I would ever be able to do any of that! I have always considered myself to be very “unathletic.” Although I ran cross country and track in high school, I was not very good at it. There was no way I was going to be able to lift weights, throw tractor tires, and run! I can’t do CrossFit.
In the summer of 2012, I knew that I had reached a breaking point. I was sick of being disgusted when I looked at pictures of myself. My then 8 year old son, innocently, would occasionally say I couldn’t do something because I was “too fat.” And the scale was inching frighteningly close to a number that I never wanted to see. I had to do something to get healthy.
I heard about the boot camp that Kelli was holding at the park in West Milton two mornings a week. I decided to give this a try. I struggled with the cardio portions of the workout. I had problems using a 10 pound d ball, swinging a light kettle bell, and doing 10 burpees. However, I left the workout feeling good about myself and liking the pain I was in from the physical exertion.
I knew Rick and Kelli and had talked to them about CrossFit. I was also good friends with Dave and Abby Collins, both of whom had been involved with CrossFit for several years. After encouragement from Abby and at the conclusion of the boot camp, I decided to take the plunge into CrossFit. I began my Elements class in August of 2012. After a few weeks of CrossFit, I decided at this time to change my eating habits as well and started the Paleo “diet”. While I tried to adhere it, I can say that I wasn’t even 80/20 with it. I was shocked at how much I noticed very quickly, even without the 100% Paleo, a change in how I felt and how I performed. Kelli has commented to me more than once – “remember how hard this was this past summer at the park?” I can’t agree more.
I know it sounds cliché, but switching to Paleo has caused lots of positive lifestyle changes. I find myself saying “I can’t eat that.” But realize that I should be saying “I don’t want to eat that.” The actions I have taken over the last 9 months are not just a diet for me. They are a lifestyle change.
It seems like I am getting compliments every day on my weight loss and how I look. What a great ego booster! And what a great opportunity to tout the positives to CrossFit and Infinity! And there is nothing better to make you certain that you are doing the right thing and to give you self-confidence. My clothes are getting looser and looser. This past weekend I decided to clean out my closet. I was happy to get rid of every item of clothing that had an “x” behind the size, that was plus size, or that was “woman.” I was shocked to try on some of my old size 18W clothing and see how huge it was! In fact, it brought me to tears. I have gone from a size 18W or a 1X to a size 10. Oh, and my doctor is weaning me off of my blood pressure medication! And I know that I still need to lose more and tone more.
Joining CrossFit and changing my eating habits have been two of the best decisions in my life! I’m pretty sure I have become addicted to CrossFit. In the nine months that I have been doing this, there hasn’t been a single day that I have dreaded coming to the gym or tried to find an excuse not to workout. In fact, I do everything I can to be sure I make it to Infinity three days a week and am very disappointed if I miss a day. Anyone who has been around me since I started there has heard me say “I hate running.” Now, on my days off from the gym, I have been going out and voluntarily running. A few weeks ago, I ran my first 5k!
The support and encouragement from everyone at the gym has been amazing. I have never once felt intimidated. I am proud of the callouses on my hands and the bruises on my shins. I am in awe that I can clean and jerk, do pull-ups, etc. And without Ken, Graham, Rick, Matt, Sandy, and Heather, and every member of Infinity cheering me on and helping me out, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Friday WOD
Strength: Squat Clean
6 x 3 @ 70% 1RM
Then...
AMRAP 15 min.
600m Run
15 Deadlifts 3/4 BW
10 Pull Ups
Bonus Mutant Do each element unbroken, you may rest in between but for mutant credit once you start a set it must be finished before resting. DL must be touch and go, can’t stop on the run or come off the pullup bar until all reps are complete. Manage your rests in between wisely. If you successfully complete the challenge recdord an Unbroken by your name.
mWOD
Pre WOD - Banded Air Squats, PNF Hamm's, Roll out Lat's
Post WOD - Roll out needed areas cool down 1000 row
Competitor • Advanced • Intermediate • Foundational
Scale to your own ability level
