We have a ton of members at CFH and each person has their own unique story to tell. Corryn W. from the 5:30am classes is an amazing example of how far consistency and hard work can get you in less than one year’s time. Not only has Corryn been consistent in her workouts, she has dialed into her nutrition which is the “secret sauce” in achieving your fitness-related goals. Corryn participated in the Fresh Start Challenge a year ago, and more recently the Eat Clean Challenge. During both Challenges she experienced some amazing progress in just 6 weeks time, and in the time between the two has held herself accountable for both eating clean and working out. Her story is one that could inspire anyone from a brand new athlete to someone who’s been on the CrossFit train for years.
On the left, Corryn one year ago. One the right, Corryn today.
Tell us a little bit about how and why you started CrossFit?
I started CrossFit last May in the Fresh Start Challenge after seeing my friend Nicole post something about it on Facebook. I was feeling so out of shape and downright terrible, I knew I had to do something drastic. So I went out on a limb and signed up!
What was the hardest part about beginning CrossFit?
I was almost too intimidated to even sign up for an appointment! When I actually went in to talk to Geo the group was just finishing a workout and I had this overwhelming feeling that my out of shape self definitely didn’t belong there. Looking back it feels silly because everyone is so welcoming to beginners, but it was really scary at the time. I was also so terribly out of shape I thought I might not even make it through the first day’s warm up. That very first workout felt like it took an hour (even if it was only like 10 minutes) and I couldn’t believe I had to get up and do it all again the next morning.
What were your initial goals when you started?
I think initially I had the general goal to lose weight and be more in shape, but as I got more into CrossFit my goals started to change and adapt to more specific things. I wanted to be able to get low in a squat, I wanted to be able to get my elbows high in a front rack, and eventually I wanted to be able to lift heavy and put on muscle (16 year old me would cringe at the thought of this)
Do you have any advice for people who are looking to get into a consistent workout routine, but might be having a difficult time establishing the routine?
Personally, I couldn’t allow myself the opportunity to skip a day. Not that I would go every single day but if I told myself I was going, I HAD to go. If I skipped one day then I know I would keep making up excuses again and again and lose my routine. You can always scale or go lighter than normal if you need to, but I think just getting your body to the gym for how ever many days a week is important in establishing a routine. Another is to make friends! Have people who hold you accountable. Sometimes just telling someone you’ll be there the next day is enough to motivate you to go (I’m 100% willing to be anyone’s gym buddy if they need it!) One of the good parts about going at 5:30 am is that your brain is too tired to realize what’s happening until you’re already at the gym 🙂
If you could give one piece of advice to yourself one year ago, what would it be?
I would really want to say, “you can do so much more than you think you are capable of.” Mostly I would want to be able to show myself how strong, mentally and physically, I had the potential to be. I was always a really timid quiet person who was full of self doubt. But something about doing CrossFit has changed my entire mentality. I don’t think about things I can’t do anymore, I think about the ways I am going to do them. I think looking at workouts and saying to myself “Holy crap there’s no way I can physically do this” and afterwards realizing that I did do it, really conditions your mind to power through and solve problems instead of giving up. I was definitely a “giver upper” a year ago but now I think I’m much more confident in what I can do and I wish I could’ve seen that sooner.
You’ve accomplished a lot in the last year, what are your future goals?
Well I’m doing my first individual competition at the end of April which is a huge goal of mine! I’ve done a couple in house team competitions and I love the atmosphere so I’m super excited but also ridiculously nervous. Right now I’m taking it a day at a time, slowly inching my way towards Rx in the daily WODs with the hopes of eventually participating in more competitions. Putting on more muscle and bringing my body fat down would be nice, but I’m finally in a place where I believe what my body can do is much more important than what it looks like.
What have you used to help motivate yourself to stay on track when life gets busy?
I think the biggest thing is that I don’t think of going to CrossFit as a “chore” or something I have to do. I genuinely enjoy being there (regardless of what I say during the workout) and I look forward to going in the mornings. It’s the thing that helps keep me sane when my schedule gets crazy, if that makes sense. I love the atmosphere, I love the people there, and I love the way it makes me feel and that’s what helps me keep going. Same thing for nutrition, I know how terrible I will feel if I eat badly and for the most part that keeps me on track. I also know that I have to meal prep or my whole entire day just falls apart, pretty much the less I have to think about on the spot the less I worry about.
We can all take a page out of Corryn’s book. Get yourself to the gym even on days you might not feel like, set specific and tangible goals for yourself, and adopt a positive mindset. We can’t wait to see where this next year takes you, Corryn!