I joined CrossFit Central in 2017. I was still teaching first grade at that time. (I am now retired). I had Coach Carey’s nephew that year in my class. His mother, Kelly, is Carey’s sister and she of course works out at the gym. During a parent conference at school, Kelly encouraged me to try a workout. I was skeptical, since what I had heard that the CrossFit program was intense. My daughter has been doing CrossFit for ten years and I had been intimidated watching what she could do. She too kept telling me to at least try it. Kelly kept asking me to try it, so I woke up one day that summer and decided to try the 9:15am women’s class. The workout (which turned out to be Cindy) was difficult, but I made it! I was proud of myself for at least trying. Carey and the group convinced me to come back and that is where my fun and adventure began!

In 2014 I was going through chemo and radiation for cancer. My doctor encouraged me to be as active as possible as I went through the treatments. I had to push myself on the days after a treatment, but I did at least walk a mile a day. I also managed to teach first grade and only missed 12 days that school year. I actually was doing well physically considering what I was going through. The radiologist was amazed that I was doing so well. After being declared Cancer Free, I knew how important it was to be not only active, but to have my bones and muscles as strong as they could be. Emotionally I had my good days and bad days. I really struggled with a low self-esteem, which is why I thought I could not do CrossFit workouts. Please know that I did have a lot of support from first God, family and so many dear friends. There still however was something missing. Mentally I did struggle with low self-esteem, other than that teaching was going well and I was even learning the new technology (and still am!)

When I look back at this past year, I need to be honest with you. Accountability is so vital if you want to succeed. Events changed and I no longer have a personal trainer, sooo…I went backwards. I was not careful with good nutritional habits. I gained 3 pounds. I did not stop my membership however and continued with workouts. After great news from the Oncologist I decided that I worked too hard to get to a good point of losing more than 30 pounds and feeling so much better all over that I was not going to let it all go. I found an accountability partner, my daughter, so we check in daily briefly to see what we ate and what workout or physical activity we accomplished. I am now back on track. I do have to say that Carey and the coaches at CrossFit are so encouraging, not judgmental, and so willing to help you stay focused. I cannot express how important the CrossFit community is. This is another major reason I stayed with the program despite the setback.

After beating cancer, Liz lost over 30 lbs

I have seen major changes in myself. My self-esteem is so much better. I am willing to try new things, even the gymnastics part of CrossFit. I never had considered myself an athlete, so when Carey called me an athlete, I cannot express the joy I felt and was ready to do even more. I am now taking online courses, substitute teaching and learning some new technology. I am much happier and feel so much better. All my doctor visits in the past year have been great. My BMI is now at 25, the doctors are happy with my weight, but I want to lose 10 more pounds so I can go down a size!!!

My motivation to keep coming back comes from the CrossFit Community. My fellow athletes are so much fun to be around. They have always encouraged me and helped me with so many of the workouts. Carey makes it so much fun, yet she and all the coaches are always checking for proper form and giving advice on what works best for me. Looking in the mirror and buying clothes in smaller sizes is such motivation also. Sometimes I will look at the WOD ahead of time, thinking I cannot do the moves, and then when I actually finish the WOD I am so excited! Do I finish every workout, no, but I am getting closer. I am even learning to run a little faster. Not bad for a 68-year-old.

In March when the first lockdown began CrossFit Central helped me and others make it through. Carey began with words of encouragement, to stay active and practice good nutritional habits. One piece of advice she gave and I still do to this day, is to keep a daily log of what I did that day. Today was day 193 since I began this log. I keep track of my daily devotions, Bible Reading, online German class and yes 10,000 steps a day, practice balance. Weekly I try to do 2 zoom workouts and at least one day of “meet me at the mat with Carey.” Carey was very quick to set up Zoom workouts which kept me connected to coaches and the CrossFit community. This has turned out to be essential in my overall wellbeing.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am that God has led me to CrossGit, given me healing and strength. Most of all I am so thankful to the coaches at CrossFit Central.