I grew up on Long Island and came to Maryland for college at Loyola. I have stayed here ever since. I was a teacher for 9 years and now just finished my first year as a school counselor, along with working with clients in a private setting. I was always active in sports growing up and even in college. As I started working after graduation, fitness was put on the back burner. I recently started running again in November. I broke my foot in March and that is what got me started with Cross Fit. My brother encouraged me to give it a try and I have loved every minute of it, even if I sometimes whine!
Before CrossFit I was running and swimming, but was not weight training. I had lost about 40 pounds, but knew I wasn’t gaining much muscle. I wanted to begin incorporating weight training, but I was not confident in my abilities to keep this going on my own and was looking for help. I looked into a trainer, but realized that wasn’t what I wanted. My brother does CrossFit and told me to give it a try. At first, the idea seemed overwhelming and not at all like something I would feel comfortable doing. However, once I went, I knew it was perfect.
Since doing CrossFit, I can tell I am getting stronger and leaner. I am able to see the increase in what I can lift and the speed in which I can complete workouts. I am in such better shape and it is obvious. While I have not lost much more weight, I have lost inches and pants sizes. I can physically see the muscles shaping in my body and even have a distinct collar bone again! I have more energy, confidence, and strength. I absolutely love CrossFit, the coaches, and the environment. It keeps me motivated to keep working hard and has become a lifestyle for me instead of a just another fad. The coaches adapt every workout to your abilities and don’t make you feel like you are working any less than the next person. Even with my broken foot they have figured out how to accommodate my needs and continue to push me without causing further injury. I couldn’t have asked for a better transition into a workout regimen. and am confident it is something I can sustain.
The people closest to me would describe me as loyal, passionate, trustworthy, and caring . I was always the “mom” of the friend’s group. They would also say that I am sarcastic and witty.
When I was first encouraged to try Cross Fit, I was intimidated. I thought it was going to be a lot of overly muscular people yelling in a gym, grunting, and banging weights around. I had no idea what it actually was. Cross Fit is so much more. It has become a community for me. Everyone cheers each other on, is supportive, pushes each other to lift a little more and push a little harder. It brought me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to push myself and let my guard down a bit. I have noticed differences in the weights I can lift and the exercises I can complete. It has been a positive push and I can see a physical difference as well. I have found an activity that doesn’t make me dread working out. I look forward to the classes and the interactions with the people and coaches. Cross Fit has become a way of life, not just a fad that is going to pass or something I am going to get tired of.
I am not the adventurous type of person, but the craziest thing I have ever done is go white water rafting in Wyoming. It was an incredible experience and something I would love to do again.
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