I came June 4th to the free workout. I knew instantly this was something I was going to love coming to. I signed up to come to the free first class and came back the next evening for another class. The months following I had to increase my membership bc I ran out of days !

I started at 200 lbs even in June. Im 5’8”. I wasn’t happy with how I looked or felt. And I stopped participating in pictures. 
As of today (4/15) I’m 150. This is goal. (I think) With hopes to focus on weightlifting in the next few months.

8 months to reach 50lbs. ! Size 14/16–> size 6. I made very small goals. And didn’t make a strict timeline to pressure myself. I just reached a small goal and then set a new one, usually month by month. I knew if I made an overall timeline then I’d be mad at myself for not losing enough in a certain amount of time.

Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and even had some members invite me to stay at open gyms with them. I’ve been helped by all the coaches to get form down and even by other members who have been coming much longer than me!

I’ve noticed my energy level is just continuing to rise. A year ago I was exhausted and would want to lay on the couch the entire day following a 3/4 day stretch at the hospital. I just recently did 10 days with only one day break and still wanted to go workout on my day off. I never would have been able to do that. Not to mention my patience and energy level with my kids has improved. I make CrossFit my me time and l if either of my boys complain about going to CrossFit in the mornings, I remind them the rest of the day is about them and it’s okay for mom to have an hour to take care of herself!

Diet wise- I told anyone who asked- it’s not a “diet” but just how I’m eating now. first thing I did was cut out fast food and pop, including my addiction to mnt dew. I didn’t start counting calories /macros until several months in when I got a baseline maintenance calories from the body scanner. I stopped using canola oils/vegetable oils (when possible) and only use tallow or olive oil. I read the ingredients on the food I’m buying. I try to buy the “least processed” I can, with the most real ingredients I can. I stay away from anything with added sugar. I’m not 100% but I try my best.

Instead of eating out, I switched to cooking primarily at home. And I watched my portions, and when I started tracking calories/macros I weighed all my food to get a feel for true servings sizes. I refused to only eat salads, so I focused on fish, chicken, turkey, and sometimes beef, I put cottage cheese in everything, I eat a lot of eggs, fruits, and veggies. I did significantly decrease carbs- BUT have learned that it’s not the carbs, it’s the type of carb. So I eat rice, quinoa, and carb balance/fiber wraps, protein pitas, and oats. I don’t eat many processed buns with foods, bc those feel empty to me now, wasted calories. And when we had family gatherings where I knew it was going to be only pizza or no healthier options- I just brought enough of something healthy to share with everyone as a side. Salads, charcuterie, or healthy side options like cooked veggies. And I’ve noticed my kids will eat a lot more of these foods than I thought they would. So I’m trying to create and show them healthy habits! Snacks include pork rinds, cottage cheese, guacamole, string cheese, turkey meat sticks, nuts, fruits, or protein smoothies, and Greek yogurt.

with CrossFit –

One big thing for me is that I use to have lower back pain. All the time. I blamed an epidural. I now see it was lack of back and core muscles. That pain is completely gone!

Never in my life have I been able to climb a rope. I now can!

Running became fun and I worked up to 8 miles at a time. I’ve gotten some really good advice from other members on running with goals to do a long distance race this fall.

First real push up. Ever 

Weightlifting become fun. I use to hate it. But now the days with weightlifting are my favorite. I hated it because I didn’t understand how to do it, that’s what I love about coming to onerous. Every workout and every lift is broken down and explained. No one wants to see anyone hurt and all the coaches help with form. And I don’t have to think. I walk in, the workout and equipment is ready, and I workout. AND it’s different every time. At a regular gym I get nervous and don’t even know where to start- and I definitely never lifted weights on my own.