WHY DID YOU START CROSSFITTING OR FITNESSING?
CrossFit began for me in Dec 2013 after an all inclusive trip to Cancun, yes all you can eat and drink, when I returned home and was getting ready to go back to work. I bent over to tie my shoes and I was out of breath. I remember thinking how miserable I was going to be if I continued down the path I was on and what it could lead to if I didn’t make a change. Just then I remembered a conversation with my 2 oldest kids about this new fitness thing they were doing and their comments about how they thought I would enjoy it. It just so happened that Crossfit Bettendorf was running a special for $50.00 for the onramp class, a process of two weeks with regular classes after that. I signed up and started in January of 2014. I was 260 plus lbs. and the last one in the door after every run we did. During EMOM’s where you had to do 2-3 Burpees every minute while trying to finish the WOD I would quit doing burpees so I could finish the WOD. Yes, only 2-3 Burpees every min kicked my butt. At the start of this journey I was also on 5 different medications for High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Acid Reflux and Allergies. During that first year I lost 55 lbs and with the help of my doctor got off all 5 medications over the next 2 years. The rest is history with lots more to come, I hope!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING OUT AND WHY DO YOU CONTINUE?
The energy I get from competing as well as the satisfaction of the accomplishment. I continue because I want to chase my grandkids and great grandkids around the yard, swing them when they are little like a kettlebell on what they call the “grandpa swing” and not just have them sit on my knee. I would love to go to the games one day as a masters athlete. I don’t mind kicking the butts of younger athletes also! Competitive, not me…
HOW HAS YOUR FITNESS OR YOUR ACTIVE LIVE IMPACTED YOUR LIFE BEYOND INSIDE OF THE GYM?
My favorite thing to hear is, “You’re how old, no way?” CrossFit has allowed me to stay healthy so I can still enjoy life at its fullest on my own terms.
IF YOU NEVER HAD TO DO ONE EXERCISE MOVEMENT AGAIN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Running
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING PART OF OUR FITFAM?
We have a community of encouragement, caring about one another and fun doing challenging things together. I have and you will make new friends that have like minds. Accountability is so important and we help each other with that. The coaching staff is exceptional and so helpful, all you have to do is be there, participate and you will accomplish great things!
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