In high school, I was interested in sports, but I was mediocre at best. After high school, I was given a few years of bad advice by ill informed physicians and I avoided structured exercise altogether. Each one of them said "Exercise will only make you lose weight" or "Follow the most unhealthy diet you can - that'll make you gain weight."
In 2011, 104 pounds on my 5'7"frame was pretty sad. They were right - I did need to gain weight. They were wrong - I didn't need to avoid exercise or eat everything in sight. In fact, I so desperately needed regular exercise and clean eating. If you've ever suffered from GI dysfunction, you know the importance of maintaining both of those things.
Fast forward to March 2013. Following some strict guidelines, I picked up a pair of dumbbells and did my very first strength training workout. I was barely 21, and I couldn't even curl 8 pound dumbbells 10 times. I tried to squat the bar and couldn't stand back up. I did one push-up and was sore for three days. You get the picture. It was at that moment that I realized the consequences of the "abuse" my body had been through in the past 3 years. I was supposed to be the example, but my some of my patients were able to do more. I needed a change. Bad. Right then. No, 5 minutes ago.
Shortly after this time, I moved to Charlotte to pursue my Master's Degree. This was the perfect time to really delve into a lifestyle change. Over the two years that I was in Charlotte, I put on FIFTEEN pounds. Some of that was the gym, a lot of that was food. Most of it was healthy weight, some of it was not. In spite of that, I found a new confidence and glow. I found that some things were working, but I knew little about strength training programs so I got frustrated a lot. My body composition changed the most it has (thus far) while I was in Charlotte. I personally think I got really lucky because heaven knows I didn't know what I was doing. I refused to give up.
After (almost) two years in Charlotte, I was fortunate enough to be hired full-time where my heart had been the whole time - Southeastern Health, in Lumberton, NC. It's at this place my life changed in 2012 and I'm excited to be back. About the time I started back full-time, the facility I work for opened a brand new CrossFit box (CrossFit QFE).
Now, refer back to the first sentence of this post - I'm no athlete. Picture a baby giraffe and you've got it pretty close. Hearing that we were opening a CrossFit box was pretty terrifying for me . "I can't do that," I thought. "That's for people in really good shape," I kept telling myself. The confidence that I had gained living in Charlotte was not showing up when I thought about CrossFit. On April 11, I showed up to our "soft opening" and was convinced to try the WOD (workout of the day). I reluctantly agreed. After the 20 minute team WOD, a new love was born.
I'm now 5 weeks into a regular routine at CrossFit QFE. I can honestly say it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Whatever you've heard about CrossFit, you can forget about it here. Do I do every move perfectly? Nope. That's why we have coaches. Are there days when I don't want to go? Yep. That's the beauty of community. There hasn't been a day yet where I left without a quality workout, new knowledge and tons of encouragement from the staff. If you're in the Robeson County area, you're cheating yourself by not checking this place out. They want you to succeed.
I may never be an athlete. But how will I know if I never try? I do know I'm happier and healthier than I've ever been. The sky's the limit when it comes to fitness. You decide where your fitness journey takes you. I can guarantee you this - the only workout you'll regret is the one you didn't do. Start moving today!
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