I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my life but saw it reach its worse 2 years ago before my son’s wedding in Oct 2010. I wasn’t able to garden, one of my favorite pastimes for more than 40min without taking a 15min break and never for more than 4 1/2 hrs. I tried every diet known to man and joined gyms, walked and spinned myself to death without any results; mostly because I gave up when nothing changed, except my weight which kept going up. But then my grandson was born in Oct 2013 and I knew I needed to do something.

I saw pictures of a dear friend on Facebook with a stop- traffic bikini body that she got from doing CrossFit for a year. She spoke with such passion about it. I looked CrossFit up online and said, “No way, I can’t do that, I’m almost 54yrs old. I hate exercising.” Meanwhile, my heart was saying, “I wish I could do that. I WANT to do that.” With my friend’s encouragement, I decided to try an Intro class in a popular box in Indy, but did not have a good experience. I was fatter, slower and so much more out of shape than everyone there, not to mention older and I felt embarrassed. Then one day I saw a video of a woman who started CrossFit at 61yrs old. I summoned the courage to try CrossFit again, this time at a place closer to my home that was newer. (Sometimes if at first you don’t succeed, you put your big girl panties on and try again.)So I called CrossFit Hud and agreed to meet with Hanley, the owner and trainer.

Hanley met me at the door of CrossFit Hud with a big, welcoming smile and a hard reality check. “You know Monica, this is going to be hard.” I told him I wasn’t afraid to work hard. I had a new grandson I wanted to have energy to play with and a dream trip to Italy coming up in 5 ½ months that I wanted to look good for. Hanley promised me two things. First, I was going to have to work hard and eat right to see results and second, he would scale the workout so I wouldn’t get hurt and I could be successful. OK, I thought, I’ll try, so I went 4 times a week. The first 2 ½ months I can honestly say that every muscle hurt every day, but I left my workouts feeling exhilarated. I knew I had the best workout I’ve ever had. The other people in the box were so supportive of every attempt I made. In the beginning I couldn’t do a push up, a pull up or run more than 25 meters before I would have to walk. I remember once running and everyone else was done. As I was coming up on the last 50meters, I was so tired and discouraged. I looked up and here came all the guys in my class, running out to meet me and run the last 50meters with me! I just broke out in a big smile because they were so encouraging. I didn’t feel alone, or embarrassed, I felt accepted. It’s the one thing about CrossFit I love the most; it’s the camaraderie. Everyone is always pulling for you no matter if you are lifting 400lbs or 40. It doesn’t matter!! We are a family and we all want each other to be the best.

Each workout was hard, but strangely, felt…right. I was told “your mental attitude is half the battle” and I realized one day how true that was. Instead of complaining about doing burpees (I HATE doing burpees), I just sucked it up and gave it a CAN DO attitude. When I would think I couldn’t get through a workout or get frustrated because I couldn’t do the things others could do, Hanley would say to me, “Baby Steps, Monica. Baby Steps. You’ll get there.”

Well it’s been 12 months now and I can garden 8 hrs straight without any problems, and tote 25lb mulch and dirt bags like they’re nothing. I can run 1600m without stopping and deadlift over 200lbs! I’ve lost 40lbs, dropped three clothing sizes and I feel better than I ever have in my 54yrs. I’ve returned from my trip to Italy where I was able to walk 130 very steep steps without batting an eye and walk all day long sightseeing without huffing and puffing. I enjoyed the food, the wine and mostly my husband’s company who told me how beautiful I looked! And for once in a very long time, I felt beautiful.

I plan on staying with CrossFit and being the oldest person in my box for a very long time. Elyse, our newest trainer told me once that someday, I might be the inspiration for someone new to CrossFit and I hope she is right. I never thought I could do this but even today when the workout is hard, and I’m dripping with sweat, I remember what Hanley said, “Baby steps, Monica. Baby steps.” Hanley, how do I thank you enough?!!