In december of 2010, I was in pretty poor shape. I had been complaining about it for some time and my wife was getting pretty tired of hearing about it. I stepped on the scale and was shocked to see 206#!!! Yes 206! I am only 5’7″ and did not need to have that weight and 37/38″ waist. I was 38 at the time and saw where I was headed. It wasn’t pretty.
I started running in the office gym and set my sights on the Chase Corporate Challenge in May 2011. By that april I had shed about 15-17lbs and felt great, but was very very bored. I am not a runner, yet this was all I was doing. I grew up an athlete playing baseball, wrestling, football etc, competing…..It took everything I had to not quit.
June 6, 2011 is my D-Day…..that was the day I walked into my first CrossFit facility. CrossFit Rise in Schaumburg (I worked out there at the time). I was humbled quickly with my lack of strength, lack of flexibility (still fighting that one) and lack of discipline. I couldn’t do 2 pullups….kip or no kip!!!
By September I had shed 20-22 lbs and had put on muscle. I still had to scale everything, but was not bored. I set a goal to try to lose 40# by 40…40lbs by my 40th birthday in march, doing it right. I had hit a rythem, a pace and craving for what we do every week and was hooked, completely. Pass the kool-aid.
I joined CFC in December 2011, when I started a new job in the loop. I did my homework and spoke to people who spoke highly of the community and the level of coaching there. Everyday since I walked in, I have been impressed with what you, and your coaches do with us!! Everyone is noticed, coached, trained, even ribbed from time to time regardless of how long someone has been there. Regarless of what my day had been like, that is my time! My time to work on me, have fun, compete and get my a$$ kicked!
I hit my goal in february, 7 weeks ahead of schedule and am the best I have ever been. I can do things I couldn’t do just 10 yrs ago, even in high school!! I am continuing to see gains and I know I am progressing and truly “Better Than Yesterday”! When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is hit the iphone to see what the workout is…. even on my off days!
Just this week I hit a workout named “Helen” @ 10:13 and was pissed!!! Why, that is a good time. Because, I know I have this sub 10!!!I can rip 30+ pullups unbroken, I have doubleunders now and have even achieved a muscle up or two!!! I have lost 40 lbs and 6″ off of my waist. I have put on muscle and developed flexibility that enabled me to go play paseball for a week with some Cubs Legends!! (pics attached!). Never could have done that a couple short years ago!!!!
Writing this has made me reflect on how far I have come, and where I want to go!
(May’12)