How I overcame the fitness stereotypes and entered the ‘cult’ by Allison McGee
Before Crossfit I was one of those people, you know, those people that make fun of it, think you are crazy for the intensity of the workouts coupled with the heavy weight and as a female I was very concerned with becoming too bulky. Now, I’m one of them. I’m in the cult. One of the minorities that eats clean, lifts heavy, squats low (knees behind toes, of course) and sweats during a workout, and I have muscles but don’t look like a man.
As athletes in class we complain about how hard the WOD (workout of the day) is going to be and get butterflies when the 3-2-1 countdown starts. We also encourage each other along the way because we know everyone is digging as deep as they can and pushing through the pain and frustration and we do this, for fun!? Yes it’s fun, and hard and encouraging and rewarding and life changing. As a coach I see so many different athletes in many different stages of life and it is a privilege to coach them and encourage them and see them become healthier, fitter and as a result look better and feel better.
Personally, as I look back on my Crossfit journey after 2 years I started seeing what I could accomplish for myself. It has been more about my confidence, ability and overall outlook on life more than it has been about my personal PR’s. I am no longer scared to do more things because heck, I do Crossfit, I can do (insert insane suggestion here). I love not having to compare myself with others and being able to see my journey and the accomplishments I’ve made and continue to be able to make. I love that the only person I really compete with is myself. Now, as a result, 2 years later I’ve lost 3 inches from each thigh, 1 1/2 from my butt (yeah squats!), 6 1/2 from my waste, 1 1/2 from my chest, 1/2 from each arm and 1/2 from each calf and 23 pounds of fat. I can also lift double my body weight off the ground, pull myself up to a bar without help, balance on one arm for a handstand, run farther, squat lower, and push up more than I ever thought I would be able to.
Also since starting I am sore more days than I’m not, I’ve done a triathlon, lived through a GORUCK and developed a love for Lululemon Athletica. I’ve also gained more self confidence, a healthier competition with myself, a better way of eating and I’ve gained a new family. I push myself harder and farther than I ever imagined I would be capable of. I also became a coach because of the sense that this thing called Crossfit makes. I love encouraging people to eat, lift, run and live better and seeing my clients change their lives and feel like they are now just able to do things they were in their teens. As I begin preparing to start Crossfit Kids at Mercer-Island CrossFit I am so thrilled that the youth of today are able to begin this at such a young age and continue making their lives better and benefitting in ways I wasn’t aware of until a few years ago. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to do for a living something that you are excited and passionate about and I can’t wait to see the how the kids grow, learn and challenge themselves and continue talking about the positive steps Crossfit is making in the fitness world.
Author
Allison McGee
Allison@MecerIslandCrossFit.com
www.MercerIslandCrossFit.com
