- What was life like before you became a member?
I’m a Reference Librarian so I sit in front of a computer most of the day. I had recently moved closer to the area. Before that I was driving over 90 miles a day. It didn’t give me much time to work out. I had reached my heaviest weight ever at 226 lbs.
- At the time you enrolled, were you already exercising? What was your previous background in fitness?
I grew up on a dairy farm so I spent summers in the fields carrying bales of hay around, so I was quite active. My father loved sports, so we were always involved or going to a sporting event. In high school, I ran track and played golf. I was a mid-distance runner and would run the 800 and 800 relay. I continued exercising while in college but by the time I finished grad school, I was mostly sedentary. I had joined different fitness clubs in the years after college but never kept up with them. I would get bored doing the same exercises every week. I lost a lot of weight working with a trainer but once I had finished that program, I put the weight back on.
- What originally prompted you to seek us out?
A colleague of mine had joined CrossFit at a different box and was telling me how much I would love it. I made a New Year’s Resolution to get active and all these exercise programs popped up on Facebook. Keystone CrossFit was having a 6-week challenge and I signed up but then forgot I had entered my name. I got an email from this guy Tim, about picking a time for an appointment.
I remember walking through the doors and looking around. The set up and environment was so different than any fitness studio I had ever been in. I was so nervous.
- What was your goal when you originally signed up?
I was hoping to win the challenge but really wanted to lose weight. Those first six weeks, I lost 14 pounds! After the challenge was over, I continued with my membership. I was a slow learner, spending most of my time in the 6:30 am classes. It gave me time to learn the movements and get into a routine.
5. What have you liked best about working with us?
The support! I was so afraid of some of the Olympic Lifts! For the members who have spent time with me the last 3+ years, you may remember the terrified look on my face. I would spend a lot of time watching others lift before getting the confidence to try them myself. The coaches and members helped me break through my gym shell.
6. What are you most proud of achieving since you started?
This is a hard question for me to answer, but I’m most proud of the muscle strength I’ve developed. A friend once gave me a keychain that said, “strong is beautiful” and I’m so proud of the strength that I have; physically and mentally.
7. With everything that you have accomplished, has your view of yourself changed?
I believe confidence grows as you grow. I’ve opened up more in the years since I’ve joined. I’m not as quiet as I was, and it’s helped my management style at work as well.
8. What would you say to anyone else who might be dealing with any similar struggles you did?
Take it one day at a time. I had to work my way up to where I am now. It wasn’t a fast process. Keystone CrossFit helped to change my outlook and confidence, but I’ve only recently noticed the change in myself. Give yourself time because it may take some of us longer than others.
9. Do you have any special moments/memories?
Hitting any PR for me is a moment but especially PRs involving my upper body. Just recently hitting 100# was so exciting. It’s taken me a long time to develop upper body strength. It’s a slow process but one that I’m working on.
10. What is your favorite movement/lift?
I love cleans and deadlifts. There is something about them that I just enjoy. I recently PR’d my deadlift at 245lbs! I was thrilled. As for my cleans, I’ve been working on my technique and see the improvement in my lifts.
