Testimonials

Cookie Beck

I started Weight Watchers in January 2011 when one of my mentors challenged me to do something that I was afraid to do.  I was in my mid-30’s and weighed 350 pounds.  I was taking 2 blood pressure medications and had been diagnosed as diabetic.  I knew I was addicted to food and had to do something if I wanted to live to see 40.  I lost 120 pounds on WW, but the only exercise I was getting was walking.  I really wanted to do something else but couldn’t find anything I could get excited about.  In September of 2013, I met Nathan Wade at a party.  He’d also lost 120 pounds and had done it at CrossFit.  I went online and read his testimonial.  If he’d done it at his heaviest, I thought surely I could do it.  Three days later, I joined CrossFit for myself.

I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a child and I’ve never been remotely athletic.  I had no idea what burpees or wall-balls were, had never in my life lifted with a barbell, and couldn’t jump rope.  Running was something I would only consider doing if I was being chased.  I remember walking across the street to the gym on my first day and seeing them in there grunting, lifting, and doing pull-ups and thinking “Oh no, what have I done?  These are not my people.”  I have enjoyed every minute of learning exactly how wrong I was that day.

I committed to going to class at least 3 times a week for 3 months, and by the time I got to my third month, I knew there was no going back.  As hard as it was, it was nothing compared to how it made me feel when it was over and I could say I’d done it.  I’ve been at CrossFit for over 6 months, and I am stronger and more confident than I’ve ever been.  I still have to scale workouts down but no one has ever made me feel like I’m any less valuable than the fittest person there.  The support and encouragement I’ve received from the coaches and my fellow CrossFitters has humbled me.  They are a fantastic group, and I’m proud to call them “my people”.

One of the best side-effects of CrossFit for me has been becoming mentally stronger.  I’ve walked into the gym and thought “I can’t do that.” and I’ve been proven wrong every single time.  I have learned how to push through a little pain to get the desired effect.  I am more confident now than I ever have been, and that has changed my life and how I live it.  I’m more open to new experiences because I know what it’s like to be afraid and do it anyway.  If that isn’t enough, I’ve lost over 30 pounds since I joined CrossFit and taken off 22 inches.  I still have another 30 pounds to lose to get to my goal weight, but I am confident that I will get there.

I just want to tell anyone wondering if they should join CrossFit that it really doesn’t matter if you aren’t in shape.  Come as you are and start where you can.  You are capable