- What was life like before you became a member?
Before I joined the Bootcamp program I was stuck in a rut. I did a lot of walking, mostly everyday to work. But when my office moved close to home, I felt I didn’t get the exercise I used to and needed to do something about it.
2. At the time you enrolled, were you already exercising? What was your previous background in fitness?
I didn’t have any real structured exercise program. Walking was my main source of physical activity. On and off over the years I would attend a local gym and work on cardio and strength training but it became very routine and boring.
3. What originally prompted you to seek us out?
I was talking with Tim and he told me when the next Bootcamp session was starting and it worked perfectly into my schedule right after tax season. I knew it was just what I needed to get some motivation back in my life.
4. What was your goal when you originally signed up?
My goal first and foremost was to lose weight and become a healthier person. Building my strength back up to when I was younger was a close second.
5. What have you liked best about working with us?
The community is great. The coaches always have great tips and are accommodating when a segment needs to be modified because of an injury or weakness. But I can’t say enough about the people I have met here and became friends with over the years. Everyone is always great at motivating you to do your best and achieve more than you thought you could. It’s like you have an extended family.
6. What are you most proud of achieving since you started?
I think when I set a new PR or RX a workout that you were not able to do before are the two greatest feelings. What else can be more motivating and satisfying than achieving something you never thought would be possible.
7. With everything that you have accomplished, has your view of yourself changed?
I feel so much better about myself. I never thought I would be lifting the weight that I do at this age. I feel so much more stamina than I have had in the past. I feel the stresses of life seem to just disappear for an hour when you are at Keystone focusing on your workout.
8. What would you say to anyone else who might be dealing with any similar struggles you did?
I would tell them that you just need to jump in and try a few classes. Before you know it you will be hooked like I am. If you don’t ever give something a chance you will never know if it is for you. The first step on a new journey is the hardest.
9. Do you have any special moments/memories?
There are so many great memories to even begin to list. But I have to say that I love the competitions that I have been involved in . I think that when you are out there competing against your fellow members, it pushes you to do things that were totally outside of what you thought were possible and achieve things that you never did before. A close second are the football games we have had over the years. I just have so much fun playing.
10. What is your favorite movement/lift?
I would say my favorite lift has got to be the back squat. But I think a close second is the dumbbell snatch. Two years ago, during one of the competitions I remember there was a dumbbell snatch ladder as one of the events. The ladder went up to 75lbs and I remember thinking if I get 60lbs I will be happy with myself, because I never did that much weight before. But as my partner and I continued up the ladder and past that weight, the energy from everyone in attendance cheering you on is probably the only reason that we made it through the entire ladder. It was such an incredible feeling.
I would be remiss if I did not say that three years ago when I had a stroke, the doctor told me that doing CrossFit probably saved my life.