Why I CrossFit by Marjorie Greene (Trainer in Training)
Marianne demonstrates our newest move...The Penguin!
Why I Crossfit:
I started Crossfit close to 4 years ago after seeing a friend who looked fantastic from Crossfitting. I asked her, “what are you doing and what are you training for?” She smiled and replied, “I Crossfit and I am just training for life.” Completely inspired, I jumped on the Crossfit bandwagon. Luckily, my dear friend Kerrie who had a long history of weightlifting, allowed me to train with her and I learned all about Crossfit. During the first 6 months, it was so hard! My body hurt so much. Climbing stairs, sitting down, and lifting my arms were so painful that I asked myself repeatedly, “why am I doing this?” Growing up, in high school, and in college, I always played sports or was very active, but as a married adult with 3 children my activity level had slowed down. I was really out of shape and the WOD’s were reminding me daily. Because I like a challenge and like to push myself to succeed, I enjoyed the new challenge of Crossfit, so I stuck with it and made it an important part of my day.
Kerrie and I did WOD’s regularly at a local big gym. We did WOD’s on vacations. We did WOD’s at our kids softball tournaments. We did WOD’s at the beach. We did WOD’s at tiny hotel gyms (not easy or enjoyable). We did WOD’s at Crossfit gyms in other cities. We also worked on running (really hard for me). I bought a road bike and started cycling with Kerrie. We watched many WOD videos on our iphones and read exercise descriptions to figure out the WOD for the day. We did WOD’s with our husbands and our children.
Repeatedly, more times than I can possibly count, we were asked the same question that I had asked her, “what are you doing and what are you training for?” We gave the same answer with a smile, “We are crossfitting and we are just training for life.” People would constantly stop and watch us. They would talk about us, as if we couldn’t hear them. Interrupt our WOD’s to ask us questions, which was most annoying, not the questions just the interruptions. It is always obvious to other people that Crossfit is different and it brings much better results, so people become very curious, just like I once was.
Because of Crossfit, I am doing things I never thought I would be doing. I occasionally take time out from Crossfit to train and compete in 5K’s, 10K’s, trail running races, cycling events (with Kerrie of course), and triathlons (I love to swim, bike, and run). My husband Perry crossfits too, and it has saved his lower back. My kids love it that their parents are active and can play with them, run, bike, swim, play sports, throw balls, and do all the fun things that kids love to do with their Moms and Dads. Not only do I cheer my kids on at their sports and games, my kids cheer me on in my sports and events. Being active with my children makes for a great family life.
I also have a very best friend through Crossfit, my friend Kerrie. We have laughed, cried, and argued during our exercise adventures together. We have also competed with one another, inspired one another, and been proud of one another through all of it. You see good friends are found through Crossfit and training for life.
Now that I have been Crossfitting for close to 4 years, I have made some big gains. I look pretty darn good for a lady with 3 children (ages 14, 12, and 8). I don’t worry about my weight or what I might look like in a bathing suit, which is pretty cool. In the beginning, I couldn’t do one pull up without a band, but now I can do some very nice pull ups. I can do many of the WOD’s prescribed weights for women, which I am happy about. But, those are the things that aren’t that important to me.
I Crossfit because I am training for life and hopefully I have a lot of it left. I want my life to be full of everything I can squeeze into the time I have been given. I hope to continue on so that one day I can be just as active with my grandchildren as I am with my children. That is why I Crossfit.
I am also excited because Kerrie is going to start WODing with us at Crossfit on the Move Alpharetta. 3-2-1-Go!
By the way, click on the link below to view a WOD that will get you inspired. It’s been around for a while, but it’s a favorite. I still can’t do those muscle ups, but it’s my new goal for 2012. I love the girl at the end. She is crying at the finish, but she didn’t give up.
http://videosift.com/video/
Wow, I feel special Marge but girl you are strong, dedicated, fit, and an awesome friend! Marge will be an incredible Crossfit Trainer she will have no mercy if she learned anything from me:) LOL.
Marjorie, you are going to inspire many, MANY moms, who have put themselves in the very back of the line, to get up and get out and put themselves first. I loved reading your story! You are going to be an awesome Crossfit trainer!!