Transformation Tuesday: Michelle the "Competition Queen"

Todays "Transformation Tuesday" comes from our Macombie of the month Michelle! Michelle has participated in 10 CrossFit competitions in 2014 and plans on competing even more in 2015. She is the "Competition Queen" and is not afraid to jump in and give it her all amongst local CrossFitters. Here is what she has to say about what she loves about competing, and how it has helped her grow:

The best part about competing is the feeling of accomplishment when you’re done, the feeling of community you get from all the different CrossFit families that come out to support everyone, and seeing that no matter your age, gender, weight, or athletic ability, you will be cheered on until you are done.

I have learned a lot from competing, about myself and others, and you’re never going to know how you’ll do if you don’t try. Don’t be afraid of failure, failure motivates you to keep pushing and working harder. Failure forces you to set the bar higher.

For as long as I can remember I have always loved to compete; from bumper bowling as a toddler, to all the sports I played through school, to where I am now. Competing can be very stressful; you will have good days and bad days. Every competition is different and some will push you to your limits, but that is the best part; being pushed to your limit, overcoming it, and setting PR’s. The time on the clock and the place on the leader board mean nothing if you didn't give 110%. Being first is always an awesome accomplishment, but giving everything you had and finishing means more than first place. When you walk off that floor there should be no doubt in your mind that you left every ounce of effort you had out there. 

-Michelle

We are proud of Michelle's fearlessness and hard work. She always gives it her all and never settles for less than her best.

Here is a list of all the competitions she participated in last year:

1-Underdog Competition w/Larry, Sarah, & Ben

2-Spring Fling w/Larry

3-Double Trouble Throwdown w/Sarah

 4-Bad Boy Breakout Games w/Larry

5-CFM 10 Skills Challenge w/Andrew W.

6-Clash of the Monsters II (Individual)

7-Wodtober Games w/Larry

8-Skunkbear Games (Individual)

9-Tank Tops & Booty Shorts w/Sarah

10-Compete with a Cougar/Wod with a Sugar Daddy w/Larry

Great Work Michelle!

 

If you have a transformation story please send it to crossfitmacomb@gmail.com. We want to celebrate your transformation with you and feature you on "Transformation Tuesday." :-)

Transformation Tuesday: Rene

Guest Post from Rene:

I started CrossFit Macomb at my max body weight of 265# (not a PR I was proud of). I knew I had to do something because I was miserable, unhealthy, and disappointed in myself. I found CrossFit online while searching for gyms between my work and home. I had never heard of CrossFit or a box or WODs or RX or PR or Fran or Murph. I walked in knowing no one. Mitch’s face was my first welcome. He ran me through the warm up and began class. My initial thoughts went something like this: “I’m too old for this. I’m too fat for this. I’m too weak for this.” On my third visit I almost didn’t walk in. I watched gladiator after gladiator walk into the box, and I felt completely out of my league. Some voice from within shouted at me until I got out of my car and faced the white board. I’ve never thought about quitting since then. Over the next few visits I admired the sheer power and strength of the CrossFit gang- never thinking I would ever be able to complete a WOD prescribed. I eventually got there. I eventually got on the leader board. I eventually learned that although comparing myself to other people inspired me to push harder, I was the only comparison that mattered.

 My body type has never fit into anyone’s standards of thin. I’ve struggled with body image issues for as long as I can remember. It has been my life’s Achilles heel. I’ve lost myself a few times in the effects of it. Having children perpetuated the self-loathing of my body. I completely let go of taking care of myself. And I had easy excuses, excuses people couldn’t argue with, “I work fulltime, I have two little kids, my husband works afternoons, and it’s hard…” I stopped eating right, engaged in no kind of physical activity, and so I grew overweight and unhealthy. I felt every pound of the 265# on my body. I couldn’t walk a flight of stairs without losing my breath. I couldn’t give my girls piggy back rides without losing my breath. Finally, I was ready to face my demons. CrossFit hasn’t just helped me lose weight, it has guided me into loving my body. I can honestly say that I have never loved my body before. I do now, because I’m strong. My body can do things at almost 40 that it couldn’t have done 10 years ago. I’ll never, ever be what society thinks is thin-but I’m healthy and strong and a great role model for my daughters! The entire community at CrossFit Macomb has helped transform my physical body while healing my emotional perception of my body. Before and after pictures have always inspired me. This is my before and during picture-I can feel the suffocating misery on the left and the love that resonates from me on the right!        

If you have a transformation story please send it to crossfitmacomb@gmail.com. We want to celebrate your transformation with you and feature you on "Transformation Tuesday." :-)

Transformation Tuesday: Toni McFarlen

Transformation Tuesday from Toni:
 

Last summer I stood up in a friend’s wedding.  I was forced to look at pictures of myself after the wedding…I took one look at myself in the bridesmaid’s dress and knew I had to make a change. I was going to a "regular" gym, but not seeing any results.  A year ago, I walked into Crossfit Macomb overweight, tired, crabby, disgusted with myself, and discouraged that I would ever be fit again.  It was a decision that changed me forever.  A year later, I have lost 25 pounds and dropped 5 pants sizes. I love the way I look now and can’t wait to have my picture taken! I owe it all to Crossfit Macomb.   

AFTER

BEFORE

The weight loss in only one aspect of what CFM has done for me.  I am empowered by the skills, strength, and ability I have developed here under the caring, informed instruction of the CFM trainers.  I am TOUGH!  And can do things I never thought possible!  I am stronger, physically and mentally, than I have ever been.

The people at CFM are not "the people from my gym," they are my Crossfit Family!  I love going to CFM...I immediately feel good as soon as I walk in the door. I love the friendships I have made. One of the best feelings I’ve experienced lately was at the BBQ I host every summer, as  I looked around my backyard and saw all of my CFM friends laughing together.  I can’t wait for more good times, both in and out of the box!

-Toni McFarlen

If you have a transformation story please send it to crossfitmacomb@gmail.com. We want to celebrate your transformation with you and feature you on a "Transformation Tuesday." :-)

CFM Transformations: Share Your Story

There are so many awesome transformations within our CFM community. So many of you have made some amazing improvements since entering CrossFit Macomb, and we want to celebrate and share your testimonials!

We all know that CrossFit changes us in so many ways. Maybe you lost weight, or you have built a more muscular structure. Maybe your idea of fitness has changed or you have a new outlook on health. Maybe your have cleaned up your diet and feel better than ever or simply have had a complete attitude adjustment since starting CrossFit. Maybe it’s a combination of a bunch of things. Your transformation is not limited to physical changes; we want to hear it, whatever it may be.

Sharing your story may not only help you reflect on how far you have come, but it is an opportunity to help someone else in his or her journey. You may never know how, but your experiences and testimony can be just the encouragement for a fellow CFM athlete, or someone who has never tried CrossFit and is looking for a change. It is also a great way to encourage yourself to keep going and working hard. When you see what you can accomplish, it drives you to want more and keep improving.

Image from "thefunnyplanet.com"

If you would like to share a transformation story, please email it to crossfitmacomb@gmail.com. If you can, we would love some before and after pictures, or even some of your favorite CrossFit pictures. We would like to feature these in our “Transformation Tuesday” series as well as the “Transformation Board” at CFM. We know you all have something to share! We see improvements in you everyday; just look at the PR board! We can’t wait to hear your story. :-)