A few days ago, I asked Tori if she’d give me a little bit about her thoughts on CrossFit. Let’s just say she gave me more than a little; she gave me her story. This is why Tori is a Strong Figure athlete: she’s worked hard, she’s passionate, and she’s an inspiration to so many. Read Tori’s story!
Wow, how has CrossFit changed me? Well, since I started CrossFit in June, I started eating a lot better. This was a main struggle of mine because I live by myself so pasta and anything quick was a go-to for me. We had a heart check at work on March 27th just for everyone to get a better understanding of their bodies and on that day they measured our waist from our belly button around. Since that day I have measured my waist as a reference of my progress. I was 35″ on March 27th and as of this morning, December 11th, I am 29″. CrossFit changed my body not only through working out hard, lifting and cardio, but also through making the right food choices. When I saw the progress I was making it was easier for me to make the right decisions when it came to food. CrossFit not only changed my body because of eating right and the hard work put in at the gym, but it also boosted my self-confidence and my overall outlook on life. The gym was always a stress reliever for me but now it is something fun to go to and enjoy with a community of people. I love that everyone in the gym is there to get a workout in and work their butts off for it. They are determined to do their best and push through any amount of pain. You do not always get that going to a gym by yourself. Doing CrossFit with others has the community feel and the loudest cheers are for the last person finishing.
My favorite thing about CrossFit is the way it pushes me past my limits. I have never been a cardio person or someone to go that extra step when I am so worn out and I just want to stop. Knowing there is a goal and I need to meet that goal as fast as I can, makes me push past my limits. Most of the workouts leave me on my back by the end. What other feeling would you want after a workout? No matter if it takes me 5 minutes or 30 minutes, I know I pushed past my limits and got in a great workout. The atmosphere with loud music, loud cheers, everyone pushing and praising just makes me love CrossFit even more. Everyone is pushing past their limits–not just you.
Another favorite of mine is when someone PR’s (sets a new personal record) in a lift, WOD (workout of the day), body-weight exercise, or whatever it may be. The feeling that they get and the excitement they own carries over to everyone else in the gym. What a great Feeling!
If I were to give advise to someone just starting CrossFit, it would have to be “try it!” There is no real way to describe it except through experience. Everything is scaled to what you can do. If you work hard results will come!
Tori is a Level 1 Certified CrossFit Athlete. Check out her video of her most recent lifts in an Olympic Lifting Competition!
What would you like to ask Tori? Please leave all comments and questions below for Tori to respond!