What can I say about CrossFit other than it has changed me in so many ways. CrossFit has challenged me physically, emotionally and mentally.
In the early 90’s I realized I needed to start doing something to stay in shape, so I started running. I liked running and it was challenging at first. Then I started running into injury after injury. After several marathons, I developed a hip and foot injury that kept me from running for some time. So through injury recovery, I discovered Yoga! Yoga was even more fun than running and it was challenging. It also helped relieve my running ailments. My yoga practice took off strong. I really started to strengthen my muscles and even learned how to stand on my head. But to reach my ideal weight goal, I felt I needed both running and practicing yoga. So there goes two hours out of the day! I continued this routine for years, but my body stayed the same.
When I moved to Rockwall in 2005, I could only find one health club that offered child care and was convenient so I joined. I hate health clubs, but I needed to do something to stay in shape. I hired a trainer and spent hundreds of dollars, probably more, but this is all I’m willing to admit! Having a trainer was the only way I was going to go to the gym. I needed someone to tell me what to do. This routine worked for a while and I did get back in to shape after having my son. It just wasn’t enough. I still had to train at the gym and run a lot to be happy with myself. So I would get up early in the morning and run and then head to the gym to weight train.
In 2008 a yoga studio opened up in Rockwall, I was saved! I love yoga. I joined the first day they opened. This yoga style was very different than the power yoga I practiced before; it was the same routine every time! I can’t believe I did this routine six days a week for over a year! So now I ran, went to yoga and then weight trained, because I had prepaid for personal training sessions. This makes me tired just typing it. Something had to give. So I quit the gym. I continued running and the yoga class. This worked for me for a while, but I was tired all the time.
Last year my schedule had to change. I didn’t have the hours of free time required to run and practice yoga, so I started researching my options. I remembered CrossFit was just around the corner from my house, so I looked at the schedule online and saw there was a morning class that I could manage. Several people had tried to introduce me to CrossFit, but I snobbed it because I pictured this horrifying boot camp; I hate boot camp! At the time a good friend of mine was a CrossFitter so I gave her a call to ask about it. It sounded intense. I felt I had no choice, given my schedule, so I decided to give it a try.
I had no idea what I was getting into at the time, which was probably a good thing. After a couple of the elements classes, I remember saying to myself after an eight minute workout, “Is this it??? I’m going to have to run before these workouts to get my cardio in.” Holy *&^! was I wrong! So this is where my challenge began. Every class was a different workout! I couldn’t wait to see what the next one would be. I felt awesome after a couple of weeks. I started challenging myself everyday to change my band resistance and lift heavier weight. And the best part about it is I get everything I need in a workout in less than an hour! I love this!
I joined CrossFit in July ’09 and I rarely miss a workout.I cannot imagine myself doing another 90 minute yoga routine or pounding the pavement for hours ever again. I owe my life to CrossFit right now. I’m 16 days into the Paleo Challenge, processed food and alcohol free, and it feels amazing! Thanks to all the CrossFit trainers and members who challenge and inspire me to be the best I can be!
