Workout of the Day:
Snatch
3-3-3-3-3
and then,
As many rounds as possible in 12 minutes of:
10 x One-Arm DB Power Snatch (5 each arm)
10 x Walking Lunge with DB Overhead
10 x Knees to Elbows
How CrossFit Changed My Life
Written by Invictus member Courtney “Boozebag” Johnson
This April marks a year since I started CrossFit, and a year since my life has done a complete turnaround. Most people know my nickname is “Boozebag.” Most people don’t know how closely that name reflected my life. I am in the bar and restaurant industry, and lived the life of someone in that industry. I went to bed most nights between 2 and 3 a.m. I would sleep until noon or so, and then without much motivation to do anything else with my day, I would typically lay on the couch until about 4 when I would have to get up and go to work. After work I would have a glass of wine, and then another, and another. I would go through nearly a bottle of wine a day, mostly due to boredom. That was a typical day for me before CrossFit. Sad, I know. When I look back now, I wonder how much longer my life would or could have continued like that if I had not become involved with CrossFit.
My sister Lindsey, who has always been into fitness, started CrossFit in December 2007 and loved it. I used to hear her and other Crossfitters talk about “Fran” or “Helen” and had no clue what they were talking about. She talked about getting me to do CrossFit for a long time before I actually took the leap; I was too intimidated and scared to even try. I started coming once a week. My body was too sore to come anymore than that. Initially, I was too intimidated to attend group sessions. Even though I had played sports growing up, I hadn’t done anything for three years. I avoided the gym because I was too embarrassed about how out of shape I was. Nonetheless, I began setting my alarm to make it to the noon CrossFit group session (sad that it required an alarm – a lot has changed). As I began to get more into CrossFit, my life began to change in other ways as well. I started drinking and going out less, my diet improved a little, and I suddenly had more energy throughout the day.
After a while I worked up the guts to attend the 9:00 a.m. group, but only if my sister was there. It took months before I could attend a class without my sister; I didn’t have enough confidence to do it without her. As time went on I began to lose weight, and get in shape. My diet continued to improve, as did my outlook on life. Spending the day inside on my couch was no longer an option. I wanted in on what life had to offer me. CrossFit changed me, not just on the outside but on the inside as well.
Since April of last year, I have lost 20 lbs., two pant sizes, and gained muscles I didn’t know existed. A friend of mine was visiting recently while I was whipping up some delicious Mmmm Good breakfast treats, and out of nowhere she looked at me and said, “Did you ever think in a million years that you would look like this?” My answer was simple, “no.” I had always dreamed I would, but it had been so long that it seemed unlikely to come true. More importantly, I have gained a life that I hope to continue for many years to come. CrossFit got me off the couch and forced me to look at what my life had become, and I wanted more. It motivated me to make better choices about everything in my life.
I have also met amazing friends through CrossFit. Without the support of the wonderful people at CrossFit, especially the amazing ladies of the 9:30 class (and Joe), I would not be where I am today. These people are not just great friends and supporters, but also some of the most genuine individuals I have ever met. I started CrossFit wanting to get a workout and lose some weight, and what I gained was a new and improved life. CrossFit is so much more to me than a workout; it is a way of life, and a community that I have grown to love. It has given me strength – of both body and mind. It has given me confidence and motivation to live my life to its fullest.
It’s hard to believe where I was a year ago, and I hope to never go back there, but with CrossFit and the support of those around me I know I never will. I am a different person than I was a year ago, a better person. CrossFit helped me become the person I always strived to be. And in Michele Vieux’s words, that deserves a double Whoot!
