Sarah
A Passion for Fitness
What were you doing for fitness before CrossFit?
I used to run a lot. I loved to run half-marathons and even crossed off a bucket-list item by running a marathon in 2011. I was slow and steady and didn’t really push myself too hard with running, so I was always looking to do more with my fitness.
Why did you start CrossFit?
I had heard about CrossFit and how different it was and was really interested. I was totally bored of running and ready for something new. I also heard there was a gymnastics component which was really exciting to me since I used to be a gymnast as a kid. Also, Bryan joined Crossfit Sausalito and said he really liked it, so I was in!
Tell us about your first couple of months.
The first couple of months were really fun! I was inspired by all the strong women in the box and was excited to work toward getting stronger. I found that I was even stronger than I thought and had a body awareness that I hadn’t tapped into for a long time.
Tell us about getting ready for your wedding!
Bryan and I had a blast getting ready for the wedding. We worked out 3x per week with our regular membership and then hired Meghan for some additional training. She got us super jacked and ready to look our best on the big day! We ate pretty much a Paleo diet (with wine), and the clean diet helped us lean up.
What changes have you made to your nutrition?
I’ve experimented a lot in the last year to find the perfect balance to fit my lifestyle and also to give me the proper fuel to make bigger gains at the gym. I would say the easiest way to go would be to eat clean, minimize processed foods and generally eating a Paleo or primal diet. It will pretty much work for anyone if you stick with it for more than a few weeks. For me, I found that counting macros and eating a specific diet of carbs, protein, and fats gave me the quickest and most significant improvements in the gym. It takes some getting used to to get it right, but when you hit your targets daily, you will see huge changes in the gym, not to mention inches on your body, which is super exciting too. Food prep is critical. You HAVE to take the time and plan out your week; it makes all the difference. The good choices are already made for you then, and it limits the bad choices when you’re tired and don’t have time or energy to make anything.
Tell us about the changes you’ve seen and results you’ve had.
I’m loving the changes! I’m getting stronger every time I go to class, and I’ve tightened up my nutrition so I know what works for me and what doesn’t. I have also discovered a passion for fitness and technique that I never knew I had.
What’s your favorite part about CrossFit?
Oh, man, where do I start?! When I first started I used to look at the Rx workouts and think, “I won’t ever lift that heavy.” I think the most exciting thing about CrossFit is surprising yourself with what your body can do. One of my favorite things about CrossFit is that you can always get better; you can always do more. I love trying to master the technique of lifts. The technical lifts (snatch, clean & jerk) are some of my favorites because once you’re able to master the feel of it it gets easier and easier to throw up the weight. And above all I love this community!! CrossFit Sausalito has brought so many amazing people into our life here and we are so grateful to be part of the family 🙂
What advice would you give to a brand new athlete thinking about starting CrossFit?
Do it! No matter what your fitness level is, you can complete these workouts. They are designed to challenge any athlete no matter what your age or weight. With that said, listen to your body! While you are learning the lifts, keep it light until you’ve nailed the technique. Ask for a coach to look at your lifts before you move up on weight to make sure you’ve got it down. Lastly, have fun with this awesome community!!