Couch to CrossFit: A Journey to Health

Fitness and I have a long and cheap history. To be honest, I’ve never really loved working out. Starting way back when, in middle and high school I only joined athletics because my friends did, and even then I never made it beyond the bench, which quite frankly could not have bothered me less. I was painfully awkward, and the thought of having stands full of people stare at me was pure torture. It was then that I devised the story that “Some people are athletic and some people (i.e. me) are just not.”

Since then I’ve halfheartedly started and (quickly quit) numerous gyms, countless classes, and a handful of at-home programs. (If I’m being 100% honest, mostly starting because it was a good excuse to go shopping for cute athleisure clothes.) I’ve been that girl who vows every January 1st, for it to be my year to get in shape! And around every January 20th or so, I would give myself my first out to miss a class or skip the gym (and never return.)

A few years ago my husband decided to give CrossFit a try. Though he fell into the “People who are athletic” category in my head, he had not worked out in a very long time and was pretty out of shape. The first two weeks he returned from class looking near death- I gave him one more week at best, but to my surprise and admiration, he endured. After only a few weeks, I saw something change in him- both physically and mentally. I was so proud of him for taking the step toward better health, but I honestly thought he was nuts. The workouts he described sounded like my worst nightmare. Plus, I had heard about these “CrossFit Cults.” Weren’t they a bunch of meathead dudes and buff women who were obsessed with bizarre and borderline sadistic workouts? I enjoyed poking fun at him, but was actually pretty amazed at the physical and mental changes I saw happening to him before my eyes.

I remained in awe of what CrossFit had done for him and after awhile my interest in trying it for myself piqued, but the stories I told myself held me back. My inner mean girl had a field day. “They call themselves athletes- you are not athletic.” “They work out in a group- you hate people looking at you.” “You are slow. You are not strong. You do not have mental endurance. Do not embarrass yourself.”  

Eventually, a girlfriend shared her CrossFit success story with me and encouraged me to give it a try. Our gym offered a Pump 30/ Burn 30 class, which felt a little more approachable to me, so I went with her to two trial classes, and the rest is history. In my 6 months of membership, the results I’ve gained have been incredible. I’ve seen physical, mental, and emotional changes within myself that I didn’t think were possible in such a short time. Yep- I drank the Kool-Aid and it is AWESOME. I want to shout it from the rooftops that anyone who has the slightest interest in trying it- GO FOR IT! I recently chatted with my coach and friend Athan Schindler, MS, CSCS to get his insight about why the Kool-Aid is so addicting.

STT: When I asked my Instagram community to tell me some myths or perceptions they had about CF someone said “When someone starts CrossFit that’s all they ever talk about.” I laughed at that because maybe it’s a little true?? A huge part of why I have fallen in love with CF has been the community. It seems to be true of most CF gyms that the community is pretty tight knit. What is it about the ideals of CF that brings people together in a way that differs from a traditional gym?

AS: “Yeah, rule #1 of CrossFit- tell everybody that you CrossFit and never stop talking about it! Not that many people are super committed to their health and their fitness, and among those who are, there’s an even smaller percentage of people who will CrossFit. It’s challenging! Each time you show up for training you go through something hard, and because of the group fitness format you’re going through that with other people. You bond through the adversity. Those connections are hard to break…often times even if someone leaves the gym for whatever reason those relationships often live on.”

STT: Many people, like myself, have a very specific and biased narrative they’ve told themselves about health and fitness for a long time that prevents them from stepping outside of their comfort zone to try something new. It took me a long time to find the courage to set foot in the gym. What advice do you have for someone who is intimidated to try CF or thinks they’re not cut out for it?

AS: “It’s understandably intimidating- but you are capable of doing amazing things. Just because you’ve never done something before doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Believe in yourself that you CAN do this. Think about it like this- if someone else has done this before, so can you. If thousands of people have done this before, you are certainly capable of doing it. Stop thinking of it as hard. Watching your loved one fight cancer is hard. Losing a limb in a combat situation is hard. Going through a divorce is hard. Coming in for an hour out of your day, getting a little sweaty, lifting some weights, and running around really isn’t that hard. It’s something people build up to be hard, maybe because they don’t want to be seen as weak, but that’s just a mental hurdle. Remember, there are plenty of non-super human people are doing this with success. You can too.”

STT: One myth I believed that has been busted for me is that CF is only for super in-shape people. I’ve seen people of all shapes, sizes and ages in the gym working at different levels. Is CF for everyone? If so, why?

AS: “Yes. Everyone can do CrossFit. This is one of the most frustrating myths. People say “I’d love to try CrossFit, but I need to get in shape first.” That’s absolutely not true, and actually it’s the opposite. CrossFit is meant to get people up to a well rounded level of fitness, regardless of their ability level. What people see from the outside looking in, may be someone who has been doing it for awhile. They see a very well balanced athlete who can do a lot of things with their body, who looks very fit. But that isn’t where you’re supposed to come in, that’s where you end up. My favorite type of person to come in is the person who has never worked out in their life. They are the perfect candidate. We scale things and modify them of course, but it’s so much fun to see people have the enjoyment and excitement of doing things with their body that they never thought they were capable of doing.”

In my 6 months of membership, the results I’ve gained have been incredible. I’ve seen changes within myself that I didn’t think were possible in such a short time. The physical results of being stronger, having more endurance, losing inches, etc. have been amazing, but what has surprised and delighted me the most, is the amount of mental and emotional growth I’ve experienced. I’ve found a new confidence in myself, a new outlet for zapping my anxiety, and something that I truly look forward to every day. If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I’ve been doing a lot of emotional work through therapy and personal development, etc. My dedication to physical well-being through CrossFit has allowed the tools I’ve learned to click and come into actualization in all aspects of my life. It’s pretty surreal to watch myself come into the person I’ve wanted to be for so long.

If you are curious about it, I encourage you to do some research, find a box near you, and give it a try. All you have to do is get through the front door, the rest will take care of itself. If I can do it- you can do it!

4 Ways to Get Through the Front Door:

Take a Chance on Yourself

Schedule a day to go and just show up! If you have a buddy you can workout with, even better, but the best way to get started is to sign up for a class and go! Most gyms will offer a free trial class or two. I was so nervous those first couple of times. I walked through the door literally having not really worked out in over a year. Like Athan said, if you can get yourself through the door, the coaches and community will take care of the rest!

Get out of your head about it

Yes, you are working out in a group, but no one is judging you, or probably even paying attention to you for that matter (other than the coaches, because it’s their job to make sure you’re working safely.) There are likely only two things everyone is thinking about during the WOD (workout of the day)- their own form, and the clock! While you’re there, think inside the box- literally. Keep your thoughts focused on your movements and staying in motion.

Keep Showing Up

Did I almost die those first few weeks? Yes. Did I love every minute of it? No. Did I continue to have limiting beliefs about what I was capable of? Yes, for awhile. But I kept showing up. It doesn’t get easier. It’s challenging every.single.time. But that’s the best part.

Embrace Your FitFam

For me, the best part of CrossFit is the camaraderie and mutual support. You can exercise ANYWHERE. But in the words of Athan, joining a box means joining a community of people that are “uncommon among uncommon,” aka crazy enough to show up every day to do something hard and sweat their asses off alongside you. Make a point to become a true member by getting to know your fellow CrossFitters. Arrive a few minutes early and chat with the members that are already there warming up, offer encouraging words to others during the WOD and respond to people’s encouragement by working harder!

To learn more about my box, CrossFit Strive, click here.