In the short amount of time that I have been Cross-Fitting, I have found benefits of the sport to be far beyond the athletic gains. In my life, healthy living has been a priority for years. Fitness has been part of my daily routine. From gym memberships to yoga classes to home workouts, I have involved myself in exercise of all varieties. Nothing has been like CrossFit. The intensity, the variety, the support, the overwhelming desire to do better and push yourself past your limits has never been present in any of my past fitness regiments. CrossFit has challenged me physically and mentally. Being scared sick of what is to come for my body each WOD or that the barbell will just fall on me because “there is no way I can lift that much above my head successfully,” CrossFit challenges my confidence, drive, and ability to beat my own self doubt. Each day provides a new challenge and opportunity to see that someone is always better, and someone is always worse, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be your best... Pressure off.
At the same time, CrossFit brings together an amazing community of people who are all in the same boat. No one is the hero, and no one judges. Just like you, they all see someone that is better and someone that is worse, and although you are the one in control of your workouts and goals, you all feel a common goal and understanding. Everyone starts somewhere, and the community is there to support you in reaching PR’s and making progress. The encouragement and motivation from your fellow Cross-Fitters gives you strength, and keeps you coming back. It’s a team. When you are part of a box, you are part of a team, and that is what makes CrossFit CrossFit.
When I began in fitness, it was because I wanted to look different. My goal was to be thin. That means treadmills, ellipticals, light weights, and low calories. Needless to say, your confidence level doesn’t tend to rise when you are doing the same things week after week and the only way to gage if it is working is whether or not your thighs have a gap between them… ugh. Body image is a struggle for many women, and men. You gain confidence when you test what your body is capable of and do things you never thought you could. That confidence replaces a lot of the negative image we tend to give ourselves. I no longer walk into a room and compare myself to everyone else there, I no longer feel inadequate in my appearance because I don’t look like “so and so.” Everyone is different and like I said above, CrossFit brings that to your attention. When you walk into a room full of fit people and think “o my word what am I doing here,” and then you see them all on the ground struggling for their lives at the end of the WOD, you realize it’s an individual journey and you cannot compare yourself to the person next to you. You don’t have to compete with them, you only have to compete with yourself. Again… pressure off.
If you asked me why I am a CrossFitter, I would answer your question with another question, why wouldn’t I be a CrossFitter? The concept and movements of the sport are efficient and realistic. It makes sense. There is a rhyme and a reason to each movement, and they physically have a place in life. The physical and intellectual gains I have made in such a short amount of time have made me stronger, confident, and less focused on perfection, body image, and the fear of failure. CrossFit helps people live healthier and be fit but furthermore, it’s helps people feel confident, live happier and reach their goals. Today I am doing things I never imagined I would. I’ve said words like “I could never do that” about things that I am doing 3 to four times a week. I can’t imagine where I will be a year or two from now. If you take the steps to reach a goal, no matter how many, you will get there. Anyone can do it. CrossFit does not discriminate against age, gender, athletic ability, appearance, etc. CrossFit teaches people how to build themselves up, and strive to get better. There are no limits.
At the same time, CrossFit brings together an amazing community of people who are all in the same boat. No one is the hero, and no one judges. Just like you, they all see someone that is better and someone that is worse, and although you are the one in control of your workouts and goals, you all feel a common goal and understanding. Everyone starts somewhere, and the community is there to support you in reaching PR’s and making progress. The encouragement and motivation from your fellow Cross-Fitters gives you strength, and keeps you coming back. It’s a team. When you are part of a box, you are part of a team, and that is what makes CrossFit CrossFit.
When I began in fitness, it was because I wanted to look different. My goal was to be thin. That means treadmills, ellipticals, light weights, and low calories. Needless to say, your confidence level doesn’t tend to rise when you are doing the same things week after week and the only way to gage if it is working is whether or not your thighs have a gap between them… ugh. Body image is a struggle for many women, and men. You gain confidence when you test what your body is capable of and do things you never thought you could. That confidence replaces a lot of the negative image we tend to give ourselves. I no longer walk into a room and compare myself to everyone else there, I no longer feel inadequate in my appearance because I don’t look like “so and so.” Everyone is different and like I said above, CrossFit brings that to your attention. When you walk into a room full of fit people and think “o my word what am I doing here,” and then you see them all on the ground struggling for their lives at the end of the WOD, you realize it’s an individual journey and you cannot compare yourself to the person next to you. You don’t have to compete with them, you only have to compete with yourself. Again… pressure off.
If you asked me why I am a CrossFitter, I would answer your question with another question, why wouldn’t I be a CrossFitter? The concept and movements of the sport are efficient and realistic. It makes sense. There is a rhyme and a reason to each movement, and they physically have a place in life. The physical and intellectual gains I have made in such a short amount of time have made me stronger, confident, and less focused on perfection, body image, and the fear of failure. CrossFit helps people live healthier and be fit but furthermore, it’s helps people feel confident, live happier and reach their goals. Today I am doing things I never imagined I would. I’ve said words like “I could never do that” about things that I am doing 3 to four times a week. I can’t imagine where I will be a year or two from now. If you take the steps to reach a goal, no matter how many, you will get there. Anyone can do it. CrossFit does not discriminate against age, gender, athletic ability, appearance, etc. CrossFit teaches people how to build themselves up, and strive to get better. There are no limits.
Awesome read!
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