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!
Tags: Testimonials
So Inspirational……I just may cry. Good Job Boozebag keep setting that bar higher and higher!
Could not have said it better, Courtney! Love seeing you kick ass and take names.
My sister is a badass… I’m nervous.
I’m so proud of you Court!! I remember the very first day when Rachel was teaching you to squat and you were so sore and tired.
You’ve come so far it’s amazing and inspiring to watch. I get so much more out of a workout when you’re around to kick my ass, and you do now! I miss working out with you so much. Those are some of my favorite times. Keep up the good work, I’m so proud. I miss you and love you.
It’s also nice to know that you can still be counted on for the occasional glass of wine though.
Great article Courtney! You have come a long way and are an inspiration to everyone around you. Keep up the awesome work! Double whoot squared!
Courtney, great article. Thank you for sharing your story. It is a true inspiration to hear the shift that you have made in your life. You are putting up some big numbers and are insanely strong. Love that you seem to have such great balance on working hard and enjoying life. You are a beautiful, strong woman. Keep it up.
Amazing article, Courtney!! Very inspiring (and I got a little misty while reading)!
Holly
Cynergy CrossFit – Hanson, MA
Well said, Courtney! It’s awesome to hear the stories behind great CrossFitters. Every morning we see a very fit and confident woman, and it’s motivating to hear about the fears and habits you have overcome to get there. Good work!
Courtney! What a lovely lady you’re becoming. So big and strong and pretty and nice.
You, Rachel and Lindsey were my intro to Crossfit girls who showed me that we can work hard and get strong while laughing our asses off. I loved our noon classes and hanging out afterwards.
The name “Boozebag” has to be officially retired. How about “Funbag?”
Courtney,
I totally appreciate you sharing your story. Your journey is a great teaching tool for all CrossFitters and anyone else who is looking to make a lasting mental and physical change.
You are a shining example of how a people can truly ‘will’ themsleves to improve their quality of life and overall health.
Jillianne is always telling me how she loves working out with you and appreciates your desire to continue to get better. Keep it up Court!
~BC
I’m so happy that you shared your story! Reminds me of a saying I keep repeating to myself as I start to commit to Crossfit: Where will you be in a year if you start TODAY!
You are proof that it’s a road well worth traveling!
Congratulations.
this is such an inspirational story Courtney.. the hardest thing to realize in life is that we might have to change as a person… and you took that challenge and totally succeeded.. that says a lot about you as a person. great job
great blog entry; hits close to home. I wish I could have started the crossfit lifestyle as a kid(crossfit kids is such a great program), maybe I could look like mark today if I had… This blog makes me wish my brothers were in the area so I could help motivate them, my older brother lost 40lbs because he couldn’t stand having a younger brother that could woop him. I don’t think anything can rival with Sibling competition/motivation.
Excellent post Courtney! It’s such a unique and great thing how CrossFit really gets in your blood and changes you into a better person, and you’re the perfect example of that.
Hey Courtney,
Great article. Lindsey told me to check it out, and I actually posted a link to it on my Facebook page (hope you don’t mind) so that others could see it too. Hopefully I’ll get to workout with you one of these days when you come and visit your sister (who misses you very much, by the way).
Chip Moore
Cynergy CF – Hanson, MA
First, that’s a nice story, Courtney. I still drink my wine, but I can see how pushing yourself to train every day makes drinking too much way less attractive. Keep up the hard work.
Next, Ryan and I debated with CJ about Bikram yoga. CJ said it invokes too much spinal flexion. I disagree. I’ve attended more than 30 Bikram classes and the flexion movements, particularly the front bends (or “uttanasana”) come from the hips, not the back. Here is sample instruction on that very movement:
Type of pose: Forward bend
Benefits: Stretches and lengthens the hamstrings
Instructions:
1. From Urdhva Hastasana, swan dive the arms out to the side while folding forward.
2. Make sure the fold come from the hips, deepening the hip creases, and not from the back.
Now I grant you that some crummy yoga studios let people pop out their disks by not teaching the folding at the hips, but I don’t recall any Bikram instructors letting that slip by without a correction.
Finally, WOD
3-3-3-3-3 100- 105# (20# better than last time I did them). Slow to the initial jump.
5 1/3 Rds – 10 1-arm db power snatches (35#); 10 walking lunges with 25# db OH; 10 knees to elbows.
Cheers.
That’s an awsome testimony, Courtney! I just assumed you were always fit and beautiful. I know most of us can say CrossFit has changed our lives in some way..I’m very thankful to be part of this great community.
and to CJ’s point about football and the need for spinal extension not flexion, here is a link to some shots of Tony Parrish hitting the Bikram stylie…looks pretty badassed to me.
http://www.bikramyogasimsbury.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44%3Atony-parrish-nfl&catid=2%3Astudio-information&Itemid=27
[...] Posted in Workout Of The Day | 17 Comments » [...]
Great story Courtney!! You are an inspiration and a huge motivation to many…..and you look fabulous!!
Thanks for sharing, not everyone has the courage to do that. I always wondered about the nick “boozebag” who would of guessed that. You look great! very fit!
Court- Thanks for the honorable mention. I remember when you started and your dedication and consistency has paid off. You are now performing at great levels and we all can tell that you are proud of your achivements (as you should be). One of the things that is so great about crossfit and the community surrounding it is; your story is told by countless individuals many of whom are invictus members. Keep up the STRONG WORK. One more thing I do believe now for sure your new nickname should be ” Happy Hour”
Great work Courtney! What a fantastic testimony for crossfit, determination and how it can change lifestyles.
awesome courtney, i miss you guys at the 930 class.. will be back soon, you inspired me
Great testimony Courtney! I’m glad to hear another motivating and inspiring story… Keep up the hard work girl…
Thank you so much for all the wonderful responses to the post. It is not just crossfit that has changed me, but all the wonderful people I have meet through crossfit. Everyone at Invictus has their own inspiring story that constantly pushes me to do better. I wanted to share my story to help inspire some of the newcomers or those still wondering about crossfit. We all have to start somewhere, some roads are more difficult than others, but if you keep pushing yourself anything is possible!
Oh and by the way Cynthia…why does my new nickname have to have the word bag in it? We need something better…
Courtland, I would be happy to debate this point. I propose a point/counter-point on the blog next week. I feel pretty comfortable with my position. I am happy to point to both academic sources discussing spinal flexion in yoga, and to attend a session with you and tally the number of times the positions (which might indeed suggest that you “fold at the hips”) result in lumbar flexion.
My point about football, or any contact sport, referred to a neutral spine versus a flexed spine – not spinal extension. And Tony Parrish is a badass (Bikram or not), but I could find countless photos of badass athletes drinking beer and smoking – it still doesn’t mean it’s good for their athletic development.
Cause “bag” is funny… hehe!
If mom knew how to post I’m sure she would have, she called and woke me up to tell me that she was “getting misty” as Holly put it. Check out all my Cynergy peeps posting for you! Your a national success!!!
You better bring your A game when you come here to visit, which has to be soon or I’ll cry again, you’ve got a reputation to uphold.
love you Court.
CJ,
Re: Bikram, sure I am willing to do a point/counter-point on that question. I am not a huge proponent of Bikram for everyone, I can only say what I have felt and noticed from the times that I have tried it. I have never been trained in yoga instruction and have been to some studios that seemed more interested in chanting and feeling the vibe rather than working, or keeping people safe.
I never felt the slightest back problem from a Bikram workout, though I do remember one time when I overstretched the hamstrings and it took about 3 days to resume normal walking. On the whole, again anecdotal stuff only, I recall that after a couple of Bikram sessions and day of rest, my range of motion seemed greater and I felt more flexible. I never took before/after measurements or had a trainer like Calvin do an analysis of angles to see whether this was actually true.
Recall that Ryan and I were talking about how Bikram made you us better (not like smoking or drinking do!) and I don’t think we claimed it made our performance better.
One issue we should take on is the injury rate of the type you mentioned among Bikram practitioners. How to get that data is another matter.
Let’s roll to Bikram together anytime you want, but you must promise to wear your kettleball revealing shorts.
correction: Brian (heavy ink) not Ryan.