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The Non- Athletic Crossfitter
You don't have to be better than everybody else, you just have to be better than you ever thought you couild be. ~ Ken Venturi, US Open Golf Champion
My coach is going to cringe when he sees the title of this article. Even from day one, Coach John referred to all us in the "on ramp class" as athletes. Excuse me, sir, you must be mistaken, because in middle school I tried to weasel my way out of gym class, in high school I took yearbook, not sports. I have never played in a in a summer softball/ volleyball league, even for fun. Yet, John was insistent, "in here, you're a athlete". Yikes, I had better learn quick what he means because I am just your average, 30something year old, overweight woman. I had never heard of Crossfit, I had never loaded a barbell in my life ( to me 'clips' meant something you put in your hair!) and now, an entire year later, I have embraced this crazy Crossfit will never be the same.
The past twelve months has been simply indescribable, and even though I am a pretty good writer, explaining the experience on paper is as challenging as any Wod. But Let's start with some of my personal stats ( people are always asking about these numbers). Some are impressive. Some will mean little to you, but they are significant to me. Some is numerical data, and some is intangible. Because not all improvements can be weighed and measures. Changes may happen on a physical level first, yet it blends into mental and emotional fitness and soon they are all intertwined with all areas growing and changing.
| Year | June 2008 | May 2011 | May 2012 |
| Exercise | Began female only gym. 30 min. 3days per week circuit training | Started CrossFit Fast Factory | Year at CrossFit 5 classes per week |
| Level of Activity | Low | Medium | High |
| Weight | 300 lbs | 240 lbs | 174 |
| Body Fat | 49% | 42% | 28% |
| Pant Size | 28 | 22 | 12 |
| Fuel Intake | Frozen Pizza | Chicken, veggies and brown rice | Paleo 80/20 |
| Engergy Level | Needs nap daily | Weekend Naps | No Naps |
| Push Press | NA | 3lbs Dumb bells | 100 lbs PR |
| Tough Mudder | NA | NA | YES!!! |
| Jumping Rope | NA | Single Unders | Double Unders |
| Box Jumps | NA | 12 inch step ups | 20 in box |
| Confidence | Mostly faked it | Minimal, but improving | Growing more every day |
| Social Life | Few Close Friends | Few More Close Friends | Entire CrossfitFactory!!!! |
June 4 2011 - Weight 240 lbs
April 28, 2012 weight 180 lbs
June 1st, 2012 - weight 174lbs
I am proof that Crossfit is for the average "Joe" or in my case, the average Mary Jo. Crossfit is for everybody, and we have everyone at The CrossFitFast Factory. We have the seventeen year old high school student, the former military man, the grandmother, the college kid was lifting weights in the garage, the new mom who wants to shape up, husbands and wives, mothers and daughters. Members can be at opposite ends of a wide spectrum socially but each WOD brings us all together, regardless of age, ability, gender, or profession. We are all bonded by the sweat and energy, sometimes fear, sometime failures and of course, our successes.
In my year at Crossfit I have also noted some other 'contradictions' , which are hard to explain but hold just as true. Such as, how I fell in love with Crossfit immediately, yet most Wods send a complete panic though me. How I spend only a hour per workout with these people, and yet they know me in a way that even my best friend does not. How I can be bursting with pride over a new personal record, and yet I can feel like complete idiot when trying to learning a new skill.
How welcoming and familiar our gym feels, and yet I am continually being pushed outside my comfort zone.
How I have been taught a tremendous amount of information about safe movements, fitness, nutrition and yet I crave to learn more.
How I have achieved many incredible successes, and yet only because I have endured struggle and failure.
And finally, how I have never considered myself a athlete, and yet I am a Crossfitter.
Well, perhaps, I may have to make an addendum to that last one.
So to the Coaching Staff and my fellow Crossfit Friends, Thank you for the unconditional support, and tolerating all my ups and downs, the occasional tossed jump rope, and swear words. This past year has been a truly amazing experience, and I cant wait to see what the next year will bring, for all of us!
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Magee
Crossfit Athlete!!!!
Tag(s): Success Stories
