Wow, what can I say? 2012 has been an amazing year. I hit my 30 pound lost mark, lost 4 pant sizes and so many other milestones. It has been one year since I first stepped foot into River Region CrossFit (RRCF). If you remember my story, I started CrossFit as an overweight couch potato weighing in over 200 pounds. When I first contacted Josh Carter, my now coach at RRCF, I was at rock bottom and on the edge of giving up. It is difficult not to become emotional while talking about my journey because I NEVER thought it could be done. You can ask most anyone who has known me for a long time; I’m notorious for starting something and not finishing it: Atkins Diet, LA Weight Loss, Planet Fitness, Jazzercise…the list goes on.
There is something about CrossFit that grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go; well, that is if you allow it to totally consume you. If you give it a chance and actually try – and I mean try with all your body, mind and soul – you can do it and you’ll have nothing but benefits to reap from it. In one year, I have formed new friendships, gained confidence in myself and learned to love myself again. For years, I disliked the person I had become: depressed, emotional and afraid. It took courage that sometimes…I just did not have in order to put myself together and interact with friends. I never felt like I truly fit in – I was always the “fat” girl. There were sometimes I didn’t go to get-together’s or parties because I felt horrible about myself: my clothes didn’t fit right or I was just anxious to be around others. Everything about me was out of sorts, which resulted in eating more and doing less. When I look back at pictures, I can’t believe “that Stephanie,” the one who ate uncontrollably and had little self-worth had gotten so out of control.
Since 2006, I have let each year pass with wants and wishes of losing weight. Each summer, I would tell myself – this is it – this time next year, I’ll be comfortable in my bathing suit. Each year passed and more weight was packed on and before I knew it, my size 18 pants were too small. When I contacted Josh 12 months ago, I was serious about changing my life, but there was always this voice in my head telling me, “you can’t do it – you always give up and what makes you think things will be different this time?” River Region CrossFit is what is different this time: the coaches, friends, atmosphere, community…that’s what is different.
Now, here I am, a CrossFitter. I may not be the best CrossFitter and lift the most weight, but I am doing far more than I ever done. Every single day, week, month – there’s an improvement or a new milestone. Rikki Rogers said, “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming things you once thought you couldn’t.” And for me, the year of 2012 has been about overcoming things I couldn’t before. For 2013, I want to expand on my goals and set new personal records.
But yes, I wear crazy looking shoes and I don’t go one day without mentioning something CrossFit. My Facebook page is filled with CrossFit this and CrossFit that. My ears are on auto-tune…it feels like I can hear “CrossFit” from a mile away and when I hear it, my heart starts beating and my pulse speeds up. I get super excited. Even if it isn’t my conversation and I don’t know the people, I want to join the conversation if it’s geared around CrossFit. Yep, you can say I’m addicted.
For me, CrossFit is more than just lifting weight. CrossFit has been the avenue for me to find myself and learn to love myself again. I have gained confidence and self-worth. RRCF is true to its’ slogan – it is the baddest box in the River Region and does redefine fitness.
I have the most amazing coaches: Joshua Carter, Wesley Hodges, Larry Geddings, Stephen Roy, Chris Bailey, Bucky Stephens and I cannot forget Mandy and Jake Baker, and Chandler Merrill. Each and every single one of these coaches have taught me something – a technique, the need to believe in myself, commit to the movement and more. They have seen me nervous, irritated, ticked off, upset and crying like a baby. Not once, have they stopped believing in me.
Now to the even better stuff, my personal records and max weights!
- November 12, 2012, Push Jerk: 105 pounds from 55 pounds on May 9, 2012
- November 12, 2012, Deadlift: 200 pounds from 65 pounds on January 26, 2012
Personal Records:
- November 27, 2012, Back Squat: 115 pounds from 55 pounds on February 23, 2012
- December 15, 2012, Front Squat: 105 pounds from 75 pounds on April 17, 2012
- Grace at 75 pounds, completed in 5 minutes and 20 seconds
- 20 inch box jumps
- 55 pound snatch
- 55 pound overhead squat
- 5k run (without stopping) in 40:13 compared to not being able to run 400 meters without stopping one year ago.
- June 2012: Competed in Embrace the Gauntlet, a Garage Games CrossFit Competition
Weight Lost: 33 pounds
Inches Lost:
- Upper Arm: 2.5 inches
- Bust: 5 inches
- Waist: 3.7 inches
- Hips: 5.8 inches
- Thighs: 3 inches
- Calves: 0.5 inches
- Ankles: 0.5 inches
Total Lost: 21 inches
December 2012
200 pound Deadlift
November 2012
2011 vs 2012!!!!
October 2012 vs October 2011
2012 5k on left vs 2011 5k on right
October 2012
October 2012
Barbells for Boobs, Grace scaled @ 75 pounds. Completed in 5 min 20 sec.
July 2012
My coach, Wes, and me.
20 inch box jump.
June 2012
Clean and Jerks @ Embrace the Gauntlet
The video that started it all – I had to “chalk my hands” for courage to jump that 20 inch box!
Wow – times have changed…
Oh and crazy shoes, see?!?!?!
Fletch’s shoes.
Thank you to all my coaches, family, friends and ichalkit followers – thank you for the motivation, inspiration and encouragement. It has been such a great year. I can’t wait to see what great things will happen in 2013!!!
i chalk it 