Written by Tom Brown, of Caddo Mills, TX
December 2010
I have never been involved with sports or been interested in athletics. I was a member of a gym in the early 90s and went occasionally to swim or get in the hot tub.
I met my then girlfriend Jackie in 1998. I also met her two daughters Amy and Jami. They were both coaching gymnastics, and were very athletic. They were always working out. My thoughts at the time were “These girls are obsessed”! They tried to get me involved in some activities, and I just laughed and smoked more cigarettes. I did quit the cigarettes in august 2003.
In 2008 I got married to Jackie and had my yearly physical. My doctor put me on Diovan for high blood pressure and told me I needed to lose 40lbs. He told me I was at risk for Diabetes (which runs in my family). My father had just had a heart attack and 2 stints put in. So I decided to start working out with Amy and her husband, Asa. They had a small setup in the garage. I saw some improvement but not a lot of weight loss.
Amy and Asa talked me into doing a free work out at CrossFit Rockwall. It was Labor Day 2009, and they were playing Hooverball at the park. I twisted my knee, and was laid up and not able to work out for a little while. I found that I missed the workouts. It really surprised me that I felt this way. Jackie and I both attended another free workout in June 2010 and decided to join CrossFit Rockwall.
I participated in the “Eat Real” challenge weighing 213 pounds and my waist measuring in at 42 inches. Forty days later I am now 205 pounds and my waist is 39 inches. My recovery time after a workout is 2 to 3 minutes now instead of 8 to 10. I feel better, more alert, and my stress level is down. My blood pressure in now normal and I no longer take medication.
I am thankful for the CrossFit Rockwall staff, Amy, Jami, and Asa for being “obsessed”! If not for you guys I would still be sitting on my couch with a bag of chips, and a coke!
