FITNESS IS FREEDOM

 

A few years ago, a friend of mine, Ann, told me about CrossFit. She was opening up a Box in Ohio and thought it would be a good fit for me. Due to various reasons, I was not able to check it out. Looking back, I should have. It’s changed me for the better and it’s given me back my life.

 

I was always an active person. I grew up playing soccer and volleyball. I co-founded the women’s rugby team at UNC Charlotte. I went off to law school and started running. That being said, I have always struggled with my weight and body image. Looking back at my high school pictures, I remember feeling overweight and inadequate when they were taken. With 20 years of life between now and those pictures, I see a strong, healthy young woman. Hindsight is 20/20. Why? Because I turned into what I had thought I was: overweight, weak and unhealthy.

 

After law school, I had my first major sports injury that will affect me for the rest of my life. I broke my right leg playing soccer. Since then, I have recurring blood clots so I will be on lifetime blood thinners. Because of the residual weakness and swelling, I also have patella tendonitis. To add to the fun, I also have plantar fasciitis. With all of that, my weight climbed and my physical abilities went downhill.  But I tried. I walked my way across the finish line of 2 full Marathons and got halfway through another. I have also “ran” 5k’s, 5 milers and 10 mile races. I say “ran” because I’m more thunder than lightning. I’m SLOW! I kept pushing but nothing was working in regards to my health and my weight.  I was losing the battle and my weight was affecting my health and my mobility.

 

My roommate Sydny (or “Murphy” as everyone else knows her!) found a Groupon for Silver Star CrossFit and asked if I wanted to join her. At this point, I had taken the prior 6 months off of anything other than walking due to my knee issues. I knew it was going to be a challenge but I was willing to try it. She and I went to our first class in early January 2014. I won’t lie. It was tough. But I kept coming back. I knew even before the Groupon expired that I wanted in. I knew this was going to be something I could hold onto and work with. I was hopeful it would “work”.

 

And it has!

 

The workouts are hard but make sense. You are able to scale for your abilities and only competed against yourself.  The atmosphere is friendly and very supportive. I have worked my way up to 3-4 times a week on a consistent basis. When I am out due to work or health issues, I miss it terribly. My coaches and others will ask where I’ve been when I get back to the Box.

 

Craig was my Foundations coach and Josh is my main coach. Even with my limitations, they were very good about giving modification options in order for me to obtain my goals. This is very important for anyone with medical issues or even a brand new athlete.  They still are, even though my limitations are dwindling. I trust all of my coaches implicitly. With their backgrounds, they are able to work with all levels of physical abilities.

 

Over this past year, I have been slowly regaining my life back. When I first started, I semi-jokingly said that my main goal “is to be able to push mow my yard and not feel like I’m dying.” Guess what? My mowing time went from 1:30 with two breaks (and being one step from death!) to 45 minutes with no breaks and the energy to do more!  Overall, I’m down about 20-25 pounds and 2-3 sizes. I have miles to go before I reach my weight and other fitness goals but I am confident that with Silver Star CrossFit’s help, they are well within my reach. The best part? Knowing that my coaches and all of my other Box-mates will be there cheering me on. Just remember: Today you are closer to the person you were always meant to become. Keep pushing my friends!