Before I joined FitCity in January of 2016, I had no clue what CrossFit even was. My husband joined in 2015, he was so excited about it and would always want me to join him. Being too weary of the idea at the time, I pushed it off for a while. By the end of the year, he was prepping to be deployed for Afghanistan and I needed a new change in routine to keep going while he was away. I came to a class with my husband while I was still trying to decide if I wanted to do this. It was the first time I had even been to the location let alone, being inside. I had never seen a CrossFit gym, so I was very intimidated when I walked in a saw weights, pull up bars, all the open space in the middle. I was just so nervous to do whatever was in store for the day. Warm ups and basic stretching were nice and easy, then it was time to set up for the actual workout: Death by Wall balls. While it wasn’t an ideal first CrossFit workout to me back then, I’m able to look back and laugh at how horrible I thought it was and be proud of how far I’ve come since then. I gave it a shot and have been addicted ever since!
My original goals were all running base because that’s mainly all I did before CrossFit. I wanted to have more endurance during races above all else but I also wanted to improve my pace. The endurance was improving within months of joining and my first race of that year was in February. By the time race day came along, just 7 weeks after starting CF, I was able to run 1 mile straight without walking or having asthma issues. My goals now are still similar for running, but I’ve also been working towards executing my first muscle up. I’ve noticed I’m more excited to get up and go to the gym and I’m more determined to try something new. Physically, I’m definitely stronger than I used to be. Bodyweight workouts (pull ups, push ups, etc.) were the absolute hardest thing for me but as time went on, it became easier and now I prefer some of those over others.
I’m proud of all of my weightlifting accomplishments and PRs but I am most proud of my back squat. It took several months for me to not just increase the weight, but to finally get passed using the bar pad while increasing the weight. One day, we were doing heavy sets of back squats so I had decided to work up to 95 lbs. Unfortunately, I got stuck under the bar in the squat position and couldn’t roll it off my shoulders, so someone had to come push it off of me.
For the next couple months, I stayed light on the weights because I didn’t want a repeat of what happened last time. With the practice, support and guidance from my coaches, I got over the fear and tried it again. I was later able to reach my body weight for the back squat and have been going strong ever since.
Give each and every workout/skill/weightlifting a chance. Even if you don’t think you can, a coach or even a workout partner will push you and prove you wrong. Plus this box is such a tight niche family and getting together with others outside of class can almost always create fun and possibly hilarious moments. Events such as the CF Open/Friday Night Lights, the Weeki Wachee kayak trips, and the White Elephant Christmas parties are just a few of the examples. For me, the first social activity as a gym member was the CrossFit Open. There were teams to keep friendly competition between everyone and after the workout a designated team would bring food for everyone to enjoy and mingle. It was a great way for someone who just joined to meet others from other class times and see the diversity and different levels of abilities throughout the box.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I have 2 brothers and 1 sister, but I didn’t meet them until I was 27.
Recent Comments