A great friend and former roller derby teammate (that’s a post for another day) told me I needed to look into CrossFit because I’d really love it. I’d been a little bored since quitting derby: a step aerobics class doesn’t quite compare to be knocked around by other women on skates.
I dutifully googled “CrossFit Austin” and lots of results popped up! I chose one, clicked some links and looked at some schedules. Then I chose another link to see about different days/times but the two sites looked totally different. Wait, wasn’t this a chain? I clicked around the websites but I didn’t “get it” – my frame of mind was a traditional gym and nothing about CrossFit really falls into that mold. I got confused and mentally set it aside.
A few weeks later I was again whining about lame gym classes, and my girlfriend directed me (again) to check out CrossFit. I left work early one day and stopped by the one near my house: CrossFit Central. I was lucky enough to come on a day when all the coaches were working out: it was awe-inspiring. I saw beautiful, powerful women lifting some serious weight and having a great time! It’s a pretty simple concept: the workout is posted on the website each morning, you just show up and do it with your class. The coaches are there the entire time to instruct and motivate. I signed up that day for three classes a week.
After my first few I worried I’d made a mistake. Let me remind you that I’m 40 years old, in a class with people mostly in their 20s or early 30s. That alone was intimidating. Then there’s the CrossFit-specific lingo, like “WOD” (Work Out of the Day) or “AMRAP” (As Many Rounds As Possible). And finally there was the enthusiasm: CrossFitters LOVE CrossFit. I was wondering if I’d stumbled into a cult.
I kept at it half-heartedly for the first month, sometimes only making it once a week. Work was stressful, I was remodeling my kitchen, AND going through a breakup. CrossFit was just one more thing on my list of reasons to feel like a failure: I couldn’t match the number of reps other CrossFitters did and I couldn’t do the prescribed weight on anything.
I kept waiting for someone to tell me I didn’t belong there, but no one ever did. In fact it was the opposite: everyone was unfailingly supportive and encouraging. Not just the coaches, but the other people in my class who were virtual strangers. At around 6 weeks I had a revelation: I’m not competing with anyone else in the class, I’m just competing with me. I know that sounds hokey but it’s true.
I now understand the enthusiasm I saw when I started the classes, because I feel it too. I’ve signed up for an additional Saturday morning class, and I’m always looking for more that work with my schedule. I still can’t do the prescribed weights or as many reps as others in class but that’s okay, I’m working towards it. Someday I WILL do an unassisted pull-up! My class coaches, David DeLeon and John Del Peral, are very knowledgeable and great motivators: they challenge you to challenge yourself. They keep me honest when I try to go too light or take my time, so I’ve learned I’m capable of more than I thought!
In four months I’ve lost approximately 10 pounds and dropped my body fat by 4%, while gaining muscle and noticeable definition. I’ve received unsolicited compliments on my arms and I think I might actually see the beginnings of abs. More importantly the workouts have actually improved my form on fundamental activities of daily living, like lifting heavy things.
I don’t think it will ever get easier, but I’m okay with that now because it isn’t supposed to: if it’s easy I’m not doing it right! If you’re bored with your workout routine and want to challenge yourself I can’t say enough positive things about this program. Give yourself six weeks and you’ll be hooked too!
Photographs by CrossFit Central
Wendy,
Thank you for your kind words! You may not know, but I think you had another revelation yesterday during deadlifts! You are a strong woman and can do things far greater than you think. Keep up the excellent work!
Coach David de Leon
Wendy – it’s a blast working out with you and the Nighttime Ninjas! So, so glad you stuck with it – our class wouldn’t be the same without you. Congrats on your success so far… you look fantastic!
Wendy, this is a great read as you wrote exactly how I felt when i started! It has been a great pleasure meeting you. Thanks for the encouraging words said as I am struggling during the WODs.
Thanks for reading, Jake! We’re all struggling right there with you! 😉 I still look forward to the day I can do Rx on anything! You’re looking great during the WODs, even if you don’t feel like it!
It was a pleasure to meet you and I’m glad we had a chance to chat, albeit sporadically while sucking wind, tonight at the endurance WOD. You have such a bright personality and I look forward to more workouts and, dare I say, competitions in the future!
I love the blog!
-Jo