Doug Warren

I just wanted you to know what your work and your classes have done for me. In January of 2008 I tipped the scales at 210 lbs, I did not like how I felt or how I looked. I was getting old and fat and I looked and felt the part. I started trying to run, work out on the Free-motion machines, etc., the same type of things everyone does. By September I had decided to run the 1/2 Marathon in March as a goal. With all that effort over 8 months I had lost only 10 lbs and could run maybe 3 to 5 miles at a stretch. My knees hurt, my back hurt and I could was getting very discouraged about getting in shape, I just didn’t see any progress.

I started working out with you, Dr. Ben and Dave in September or October of 2008. Your classes certainly kicked my butt the first few months. I could not even finish some of the workouts! If you remember, I had to do “incline pulls” instead of pull-ups, could barely hold a plank for 20 seconds, 10 push-ups was a lot for me. But the variety of the workouts, your encouragement and the support from Dave and Dr. Ben kept me coming back.

Since I started CrossCore I have dropped 22 lbs (I’m currently 178 lbs) and have lost 2-1/2″ in my waist. The last time I measured I had 18% body fat (wish I knew what percentage I started with). My In-Laws and some of the parents at my boys school have asked Jennifer (privately) if I am “okay” since I have lost so much weight. I can honestly say I have NEVER been in this good of shape in my life, not in High School, not in the military, ever. I feel better, I have a lot more energy and a lot fewer aches and pains (discounting the occasional muscle soreness from a benchmark workout). I am 48 years old and I work out with guys who are almost half my age and while I don’t beat them, yet, I do hold my own.

So I just want to thank you for your efforts and your enthusiasm. I guess you could say I have drunk the CrossCore “Kool-Aid” and am a real believer. Keep pushing me and keep adding weight to the bar. I promise I’ll learn the double-under.

By the way, my 1/2 marathon time was more than 2 minutes faster than my previous time, 7 years earlier.

Joy Gregory

My name is Joy Gregory and this is a very special year in my life. This year I turned the big 5-0!!!!! on January 22 and on June 20, my first daughter was married. I decided in October of 2008 to get myself emotionally and physically ready for both big events coming up in 2009. I had always been an avid walker, but due to a battle with breast cancer and the ongoing meds that I had to take, I had virtually stopped walking and gained quite a bit of weight. I praise God for the miracle of being cancer free for the past 8 years and am so thankful that He gave me my health back!

As I looked toward turning 50 and realizing that time, cancer, lack of hormones and slowed- down metabolism was playing havoc on my health and weight, I found an unexpected blessing, Lindsey McDuffie. I started personal training with Lindsey three days a week, and never knew I would look forward to the grueling, yet personally gratifying work out she would put me through. With her encouragement, understanding, and expertise in personal training for any body type and nutritional teaching of the proper foods to eat and how to prepare them, I have now lost 66 pounds. This has been the best birthday present I could have ever given myself. I feel better than I have in years. I have boundless energy and my family and friends say I look like my younger self of many years ago. And as a side note, I was able to wear a beautiful dress at my daughter’s wedding that was 4 sizes smaller than I had anticipated!

With God and Lindsey’s help I can truly say I am really looking forward to what the decade of my fifty’s has to hold. I’m not over the hill; I’m ready to jog up Mt. Everest!!!!!

Christa Yandell

I can tell you immediately without extra thought how CrossFit has changed things for me…attitude about eating healthier, being in great cardiovascular condition, going down from size 10 to size 6 in 3 1/2 months, and definitely, how you get out of something what you put into it.

I started working out with you in June 2009.  I came 2 days per week for 3 1/2 months.  School started back and our business required more of me so I couldn’t make as much time as I’d liked to keep coming.  I did fine working out periodically by myself; but it didn’t take long before I began to notice the difference in not having a regular and very diverse routine.  Needless to say, it will be my first priority in the New Year.  I began to see my body changing back (not that it was bad) just not as healthly and fit as I’d felt before I quit a regular workout!  It will be a challenge with my schedule at times…but I am determined to make it work!  I love the way I breathe, feel, sleep, and eat when I am committed to a regular workout with you!  Thanks for your encouragement and patience…as you know being Number 1 on the board was not my goal!  See you in January!

Gretchen Cassetty

I’ve never worked out so hard before in my life, and I’ve never had such results before in my life.  I have muscles that actually show, better endurance, more strength, more energy and am more toned.  I love (and need) the accountability of the classes.  I love the friends I have made who encourage me so much.  I love Lindsey who is hard on me, but not too hard.  She knows just how far to push me.  All this keeps me coming back for the pain.  Oh, it hurts so good!

Jason Strickland

The beginning:

I have been working out most of my life and have always been involved in athletics. Over the last few years I have allowed my weight…and my overall conditioning level to get away from me so to speak. Before I started the CrossFit workout, I would see the group working out every Tuesday and Thursday morning while I played basketball. I would think to myself what kind of workout are these people doing and does it work. While continuing to play basketball 3 days a week and workout with weights 1-3 days a week with no real goal in mind, I noticed what I was doing was not working. All I was doing was maintaining my current weight or staying status quo.

After speaking to Jason Cline about the class, he convinced me to try it out (I think just so he would get ½ off his fees for the month) so I went and spoke to Lindsey and asked her when I could try a class out she responded, “how about tomorrow morning!”

The Workout:

So the following morning, I showed up for class and since that day I have been hooked. The best part of the workout for me is knowing without a doubt I got a good workout after every class as demonstrated by my sweat drenched shirt and the unmistakable feeling of wanting to throw up after 70% of the workouts. The other 30% of the workouts simply leave me sweating and unable to use whatever body part we happened to work that day. Seriously, I love the competitive… yet supportive…atmosphere of CrossFit. Lindsey is not one of those people that tell you that you are doing a good job when you’re not… but rather she makes corrections in your form and is supportive in a real world manner. The typical workout for me is as follows: Walk into the class start the dynamic workout (which could have been considered a workout for me before CrossFit)…and wait with abated breath while Lindsey writes the day’s workout on the board while my mind is thinking (oh no… 5 rounds for time of…not burpees and 400 meter anything is badJ). As Lindsey writes the workout of the Day (WOD), all I am thinking about is how do I keep from throwing up and then she tells everyone “get into your position and go”. After the haze clears, I have finished yet another CrossFit workout.

Why Keep Coming Back:

If I had to pick one thing that keeps me coming back….I would have to say it is the fact that  I have been coming two days a week since November and I do not think I have repeated the same workout yet. I also like keeping the WOD journal so I can see if I am making progress on pull-ups, push-ups or whatever movement we completed that day. The workout allows you to compete against others or simply against the clock or a combination …whichever motivates you. Lastly, over the Christmas holiday I had people ask me what I was doing because they had noticed I had lost some weight and although I knew the workout was working for me, it is nice when others notice.

I would tell anyone who is considering trying CrossFit to take the leap. If your current workout isn’t giving you the results you are looking for, then try CrossFit. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.

Angela DiBrito

I have always been a “worker-outer.” I enjoy exercising — even the soreness that can result is a reward to me. However, when I became a wife, then a mom, started homeschooling our children, keeping the house and everything else that takes time – I grew frustrated with finding/making time to workout and went through “phases” of belonging to a gym, working out at home, buying expensive machines for the house, and doing nothing at all (never a good choice, btw). One of the greatest things in discovering CrossFit is that it doesn’t have to take all day or even an hour or even 45 minutes to perform a worthwhile workout. It is amazing to me what can be accomplished in 15-20 minutes during a CrossFit session. It is an exceptional bonus for me that CrossFit is a family activity.

Over the last few months, I have accomplished things I never thought possible! I used to absolutely detest running — in any form — truly! It’s still not my favorite activity, but I am excited that I can run longer distances than ever before. Each morning, I look forward to seeing all of our CrossFit buds and the encouraging atmosphere they all provide. I could not do everything I attempt if it weren’t for hearing “you got this–piece of cake,” “just one more,” “don’t give up” from the CrossFit “Cheerleaders”!

Of course, the real treasure is you, Lindsey. I appreciate your honesty, encouragement, belief in us, ability to push us to the limits you know are possible (when we have serious doubts). You are a bright light that shines for Christ — He’s in everything you do and that’s obvious. I never in a million years thought I would not want to eat a piece of bread, drink a glass of milk, dig into some garlic mashed potatoes! But, because you cared enough to share what you’ve learned about nutrition through your journey, I am surprising myself (to Max’s utter despair)! I have truly never felt healthier, stronger, more energetic.

You and our fellow CrossFitters will be sorely missed when we leave for Arizona. You could never, ever be replaced–we can only pray to find an “acceptable” CrossFit gym there

Love you, Lindsey.

Shelby Shackleford

Crossfit family,

I am new to the program. I got started because I was at a point in my life where for the first time, I was really doing nothing as far as exercise goes. I was always very athletic and competitive, but I found out real quick that when you don’t use it, you lose it! This is the hardest thing I’ve done since college ball. (That was a loooong time ago. I just turned 46.)  I have not been consistent due to work, family, and any other excuse I can come up with, but just by coming a couple of  times a week, I had more energy, slept better, and just felt proud of myself!

My new year’s resolution is to get back into it and be consistent, eat right, and to work out on my own at home. I pray that I will stick to it. I’d appreciate your prayers too!

Kathy Smith

As I think back on August of 2009 when I first made up my mind to start being healthier It was the best decision that I have ever made. Six years ago when I had heart by pass surgery my life changed so much, I knew that I had to exercise and watch ny diet. I started out doing everything that the Dr. wanted me to do and then I slacked off. But when I found Crossfit and Lindsey McDuffie things changed.  When I first started I couldn’t run one lap, now that is in the past and now I can run more laps than I ever thought I could and my stamina is getting better and better.  I may come in last but thats ok, because now I have the desire and the want to. When I did a deadlift of 143# I was so proud of what I accomplished( that was a big one for me) I just wanted to tell everyone.  The ladies that I work out with have also been such an inspiration to me, they encourage me every step of the way, if they see me struggle they stand there are run with  me and tell me that I can do it, I thank them for that.  They will never know what that means to me.  I look forward to my workout and really do miss it if I can’t go. It is so much a part of my life and I am so glad that August 09 was a turning point in my life.  The friendships that I have made have been such a blessing to me and I thank God for that everyday. Thank you Lindsey for encouraging me and helping me become better, stronger and healthier. Your the greatest.

Angela McCorkle

When I joined Crossfit, my plan was to get in better shape and build muscle.  I wasn’t really concerned about my diet…I watched my fat grams and ate what I thought was a low fat diet.  A week after I started working out in the box, I heard Lindsey talking about the Paleo diet.  She invited me to attend a nutrition seminar that she was giving and I decided to check it out.  I was blown away at the information I got from that seminar and was excited about learning to eat healthy.  This was the first time I learned what eating healthy really meant.  A few weeks later, an 8 week nutrition challenge was announced and I decided to sign up.  I asked a lot of questions and learned in that challenge how to eat clean and how to zone out my portions.  Not only did I lose weight, I felt better than I had in a long time and had a lot more energy.  After that challenge, I continued to eat Paleo/Zone but I added back the chocolate that I loved and missed so much!  I found out that my chocolate was o.k. as long as I kept it in moderation.  However, this will always be a challenge for me because I do love it! I feel better when I don’t eat it and I know it’s best for me not to.  However…it is unrealistic for me to never eat it. This is just another thing I’ve learned by being a part of the challenge.  When Lindsey announced the Whole Life Challenge, I didn’t hesitate to sign up.  I decided I was going to challenge myself to give up my chocolate addiction for the challenge in the hopes that I would be able to overcome it.  Sounds stupid but it’s something I wanted to do for me.  I’m super competitive and I wanted to win…pure and simple.  I wanted to win so I could get the prize…free Crossfit.  Little did I realize that the prize was something completely different.  I found myself stronger and faster in workouts, feeling better than ever and getting more sleep than I ever had.  Why?  Because I had to in order to get the points.  After the first few weeks, I stopped caring so much about the points and focusing more on creating a lifestyle from the challenge that would work for me once the challenge was over.  Let’s be honest…never cheating?  Good luck with that!  It’s life and I knew that having the occasional cheat not only kept me from going crazy, it made me realize that it’s possible to have a cheat and still be able to get back on the right path the next day.  A big thanks to Lindsey and Monica for giving me the tools to make a healthy lifestyle for myself.  My prayer is that I can continue to teach my family and friends what I’ve learned and help them be healthier too.  Angela

Kristy Griner

I first met Lindsey in May 2009. I was 264 pounds, suffering from depression, plantar facitis, and Fibralmyalgia. I was an athlete trapped in a chubby girls body. I was desperate for change and desperate for motivation. Working out with Lindsey was the hardest thing I had ever done. I played in my head what I used to do, such as run ½ marathons, weight train, and bike ride. I thought I would never accomplish that again.

Lindsey’s Crossfit workouts were challenging, but I kept coming back for more. I slowly started to see improvements in my workouts and my body. Lindsey constantly encouraged me. Lindsey believed in me, when I did not believe in myself.

Over the past 9 months I have met amazing people, beat my depression, eased my Fibralmyalgia pain, started training for a ½ Marathon and lost weight. Most of all, I gained my self confidence back and can honestly say I love myself again.

Through healthy eating, Crossfit workouts 3 days a week, and staying active I have went from a size 24 to a size 18. I was 46% body fat when I started and I am currently 36% body fat now. I currently weigh 215 pounds and am only 30 pounds to my personal goal. With Crossfit and healthy eating, I am able to safely lose a consistent amount of weight each week and keep it off. The sky is the limit for me, thanks to Lindsey.

Cari Garrett

Below is Cari Garrett’s explanation of what CrossFit and specifically, CrossFit Hendersonville, has meant to her and what it has given her over the past year.  Enjoy…

I’ve had a couple people ask me this question lately and it’s a little frustrating because I have no idea how to put into words all that Crossfit has given me over the past year. I know that no matter what I say, there will still be a hundred more things that I will think of as soon as I finish. I could talk about the obvious, like being more fit-duh! I could rave about going down a few sizes in my jeans or having more “tank top ready” arms. I could talk about how much more energy I have and how even my skin is better. All great things and all true things but they are not the most valuable things I have gotten out of Crossfit. The things I treasure most are things like being more mentally tough. I have always felt weak in body and mind. Always terrible at handling stress, giving up way too easily, having an “I can’t do that” attitude. Crossfit has pushed my physical limits but it has pushed me mentally even harder. Halfway through a workout, when my mind starts telling me I can’t move one more step, but I do it anyway–that translates into my everyday life when difficulties get me down, when I think the stress is gonna do me in, when I think “I’m never gonna get over this obstacle in my life”, I remember those tortuous WOD moments and I know that I CAN keep going and that I’m stronger than I think I am! AND, that carries over into my relationship with God. I’ve always beaten myself up at my inconsistencies and my lack of discipline. Crossfit has taught me to be more disciplined, to make the better choices whether it’s choices in my eating habits or choices to spend time in His Word and in prayer. The Crossfit community has encouraged me whether it’s to push through a workout or push through a spiritual truth that may be more difficult to grasp. They cheer me on when I succeed in a skill but the fact that they cheer me on in the spiritual benchmarks is truly a treasure. So, I guess I have learned that the physical benefit of Crossfit is only the beginning. Let’s call it the icing on the cake (that I will not eat, of course! HAAHAA!) Well, I’m gonna wrap it up because I’ve already thought of 3 more things I could put on here. Hope that answers your question!

PALEO/ZONE TESTIMONIALS:

Hey Lindsey,

This is about what the Paleo Diet has done for me.  I have lost a total of 37 pounds from my peak of 210lbs since I started working out with you.  I worked out from September 2008 until the August 2009 time frame without major modification to my diet.  I got stronger, I could do more of the workouts but I wasn’t really progressing very fast.  Even though I was still eating my old way I managed to lose 22 pounds through CrossFit and a Triathlon training program.  It wasn’t until I got serious about my diet that the changes really starting showing up.

You talked about Paleo and “eating clean” and I decided to just give it a shot, see what happens.  I started Paleo during the first challenge you held.  I really got serious, logging the foods I ate, shopping differently, cutting out bread, pasta, legumes and sugar completely.  Keep in mind, I really like biscuits with sorghum syrup , I like peanuts (especially salty, boiled peanuts) and sugar was in almost everything.  It’s really eye opening when you write down everything you eat.  I had no idea how much salt and sugar I was eating everyday.

I lost another 15 pounds during that time period.  Within those 2 months my appearance changed drastically.  That’s when people started asking what was going on.  I had lost weight before just through the workouts but the Paleo diet really started leaning me out.  My shape changed.  It was after the first Paleo Challenge that I had to go buy new pants.  I lost 2-1/2″ in the waist.  I’m wearing the size I wore as a Freshman in College almost 30 years ago!  The second Paleo/Zone challenge made even more difference.  That’s when I had to start buying “slim-fit” shirts and even went down a size in some cases.  My maximum lifts went up in almost every lift we measured and my endurance has really taken off.  As for appearance, It’s more of a 4-pack but I am closer to having those “six-pack”-abs than I have ever been in my life.  I have more definition and, more importantly, strength than I had in High School.  I’ve been through 2 Paleo Challenges and the results are still showing up.  My strength has improved, my endurance has improved and my speed on the runs has improved.

I haven’t lost anymore weight though I am working out harder and running more.  I seem to be at my correct weight.   The biggest difference I notice is when I do eat “non-paleo” for a day or two I can feel my strength fade, my energy fades, my concentration fades and I just don’t feel right.  It’s almost like I am coming down with something, I feel run-down.

I may not be the strictest “Paleo man”, I still like raw honey and a biscuit now and then.  But I consciously choose lunch spots and snacks with the choices and the results (positive and negative) in mind now.   It’s really not difficult to maintain the diet, it just takes a little thought and changing of habits.  If I can find a “before” picture I’ll send it to you.  Not sure I have one but I’ll risk the embarrassment if it helps someone else out.

If I am being completely honest, my initial reasons for training with Lindsey were very selfish and vain.  I didn’t care one thing about being healthy…. I just wanted to get rid of cellulite and look decent in my bathing suit.  I had told myself at the beginning of 2009 that I would start running and working out while the girls were in Mother’s Day Out, but after 3 months, I realized I was killing myself and seeing no results.  So, after begging my husband, I decided to call Lindsey and see if she could just help me get there before the summer.

I was so sore after that first day I thought I might die!  But, I stuck with it and actually saw definition in my arms within about 2 weeks.   (Score!)  After training for about six weeks, I just mentioned to Lindsey that I was frustrated b/c my legs and stomach weren’t toning up like I wanted them to.

Now, let me just stop here and say that I was realistic in my expectations about my belly.  I had had two babies 14 months apart, so I bought into the lie that you can never have your pre-baby body back.  But, my legs….Well, they just needed to stop being so flabby!  Especially if I was doing all these squats and lunges and kettlebells!

Lindsey suggested that I come to her seminar on Zoning By God.  She told me that if I followed the plan, she was sure that I would see results.  So hesitantly, I went, and it has changed my life!

First off, I dropped 10 – 15 pounds in the first 2 weeks.  (I didn’t weigh myself before I started, so I am not exactly sure.)  And the best part was that I didn’t have to starve myself or deny myself any of my favorite foods to do it!!  What I loved about Zoning, was that it allowed me to eat a lot of food, several times a day.  And, if I wanted dessert every now and then, I could have it!

As I continued Zoning and working out, I saw my body transform and I gained a confidence that I had never had before.  For the first time in my life, I could stand in front of the mirror and not hate what I saw staring back at me!  But it wasn’t all about being “skinny.”  It was about being strong and knowing what I had accomplished that week in the gym.

As the year went on, Lindsey encouraged me to try Paleo.  I’ll have to tell you that I thought she was nuts living without bread and pasta, and for sure without dairy!  Before we started, Billy and I drank almost 2 gallons of milk/wk and oh, how I love ice cream!  But, as I got into it, it became easier each week to do without all the sugar and bad carbs.  (This is not to say that I still don’t love a little dessert every once in a while!)

Taking the Paleo challenge has helped me be more aware of what I am putting into my body. I look at my parents, who have not lived the healthiest lifestyle and have several health and auto-immune issues that they struggle with, and I know that I don’t want to be miserable when I am in my sixties!   Eating Paleo has done wonders for my health. I have been anemic for as long as I can remember and when I recently had blood work done for a yearly checkup, everything came back within normal levels.  Before I started with Lindsey, I wasn’t sleeping well, I had major issues with the muscles in my back and neck, and had major digestive issues.  Since training with Lindsey and eating a mostly Paleo diet, I am sleeping well, have more energy, no longer have digestion issues, and for the most part, my neck and back feel great.  I have noticed that when I stray from the Paleo regimen, my workouts suffer, my digestion issues return, and I feel sluggish and irritable.

I would encourage you to at least try Zoning but to also “endure” Paleo

Jessica Shelton

I started working out with Lindsey in April 09.  I was attracted to the CrossFit method mostly because it was a short workout that would fit into my schedule.  It didn’t take long to become addicted to the workouts — they were exhilarating!  I noticed that I had more energy, was growing stronger and feeling more fit overall.  The first time you offered an eating challenge, I made a half-hearted attempt to subscribe.  Boy was I surprised when my half-hearted attempt made an impact.  So, by the time your first Paleo challenge came around, I was ready to jump in.

Now, I have to mention that besides the motivation I was feeling from the results of my half-hearted attempt, I had also been looking for a healthy eating program that I could live with forever.  I hate the word diet, because it seems so temporary.  My motivators were weight loss, a bout with breast cancer that I was hoping not to repeat, and my family.  I know that what I do impacts my family, so if I’m making poppy seed chicken and potatoes for dinner as opposed to chicken and vegetable stir fry — I’m not passing on the habits to them that I truly desire – or that God truly desires for that matter.

I don’t exactly have the joyful cooperation of all family members, but it does get easier as time goes on and they quit expecting me to revert back to old habits  I don’t exactly never eat things that are bad for me either (just ask Max, for our date tonight, we had popcorn at the movies and shared a burger and fries – but don’t tell Lindsey).  The difference is, now that my body is used to being fed good, nutritious food — when I eat something contrary to that, I really feel terrible (like right now and then tomorrow morning during workout – but don’t tell Lindsey).  Feeling terrible helps me get right back on board the next day.

I did not begin to lose weight while training with Lindsey until I changed my eating habits — which was a bit frustrating!  I have never been one to stick with a “diet,” so I am quite surprised that I’m still going strong.  I really do not feel like I’m cheating myself out of anything, since there are so many healthy options and recipes.  Today, I made s’mores cookies and they were delicious!

The biggest factors for me in all of this were:  I was ready to be committed to make a permanent change in my eating habits and I was ready to give it all over to the Lord.  Much prayer and effort goes into my attempts at treating my body as His temple.  We are a very busy “on the go” kind of family and it hasn’t been easy transitioning from easy and convenient meals to well planned healthy ones.  But it has been worth it.  I would encourage everyone to give the Paleo way of life a try — it is easier than you think and your body will love you for it.  By the way, I’ve lost 18 pounds, 4% body fat (the last time I checked in Nov) and have gone down 2 jeans sizes!  All the glory goes to God – Who is capable of such things in my life since I am so weak on my own! 8 pounds, 4% body fat (the last time I checked in Nov) and have gone down 2 jeans sizes!  All the glory goes to God – Who is capable of such things in my life since I am so weak on my own!

Ranie Jones

Whenever I’m asked about Crossfit, my answer is always the same, “It has changed my life”.  I have always thought of myself as physically fit, as I have been dancing since the age of 5.  Dancing was always enough, so I thought to keep me fit, but I also did some weight lifting and cardio in addition when I went to college and while I danced professionally.  My motto, in recent years became:  “I workout so I can eat whatever I want”, UNTIL I JOINED CROSSFIT.  As I got older I found that I wasn’t getting the results that I wanted, so I decided to join Crossfit in August of last year.  I joined to get more out of my workouts, and I wasn’t really interested in the nutrition portion of it.  I thought I knew enough to do ok in that area, and I did get results, I became stronger.   Then the nutrition challenge over the holidays came, and I thought “no way, that’s when I eat ALL the things I love”.  But, I was ready to try one after the first of the year, so I knew when January rolled around I would do it.  I was highly motivated because we had a cruise scheduled for March, and I wanted to wear a two-piece bathing suit, and not just wear one, but feel good in one.    So, I met with Lauren and learned about all the foods I love and how bad they are for me.  I love bread, pasta and all things carbohydrate.  I remember literally grieving that night over all that I had learned.  But, I did what I could do.  I ate the foods on the list that I could eat, and I learned to love a lot of new foods I had never tried before.  I was very focused and I’m very competitive too, so I really wanted to win the nutrition challenge, so I stuck to it.  It didn’t take long and I noticed I felt so much better in my workouts.  I felt stronger and I had so much more stamina.  After getting through the first few weeks, it became so much easier.  I had to find what worked for me and my schedule, and Lauren and Lindsey helped me so much.  I texted them quite often, and they were always there for me with answers and encouragement.  I couldn’t believe that I ended up winning the nutrition challenge, but even if I hadn’t, I accomplished my goal and I felt great in my two-piece last week on my cruise, and it is now a way of life for me.  And, it just keeps getting better today, March 28, 2011, I did my first unassisted pull-up, that has been my goal since day 1 of Crossfit.  So, to accomplish that is so gratifying.  I’m am so grateful to have Crossfit, and I can’t say enough about the people, we truly are a family who care about each other.  God bless you all!

Nutrition Challenge:

Trey Pettis

Winner of Winter Challenge ’10

When I started your class I weighed a whopping 221.5 lbs this was an all time high for me. I felt awfaul… hated putting my jeans on because they would squeeze into the fat that was oozing out the top of them. I was not looking forward to the summer time looking like a whale someone could harpoon and spend the next year eating….Then with virtually no change in my diet but taking your class 2 days a week I lost 7 lbs in about 6 weeks. At the beginning of the paleo challange I weighed 214.5 lbs and after approximately 6 weeks of eating paleo (the best I could) and taking your class 3 days a week, I now weigh 194 lbs!!!!! I lost another 20.5 lbs. So since starting your class I have lost 27.5 lbs, which I am embarassed to admit because I can’t believe I let myself get to the point where I needed to loose 27.5 lbs. I now have to where a belt to hold my jeans up, yes the same ones that oozed fat out of them because without it I look like one of those silly kids with there pants half way down there butt….So I think that the Cross fit program is great and the paleo way of eating is a good way not to diet but to live your life….(most of the time anyway, I need my ice cream and cookies now and then) Finally, not only have I had these results but I have had a great time getting to them and I thoroughly enjoy the classes and get excited coming to them every mon, wed and friday……..

-Trey

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Ben Fouts

Top 5 Winter Challenge ’10

My story is simple. In January of 2008 I weighed 227 pounds and relatively active, physically. My right knee ached most of the time, and we were considering surgery. I began CrossFit that month, and within a couple of weeks lost five pounds. I continued CrossFit three times a week and played basketball two days each week, but my weight stayed the same and my knee continued to be enflamed.

In August, I was introduced to Daniel Fast, a twenty-one day partial fast that consisted of eating fruits and vegetables only and drinking water. By the end of that experience I lost sixteen pounds and weighed 206 pounds. A week later in September, I entered the Paleo challenge early that month and by mid-October I had lost another fifteen pounds and weighed 191. Since that time I have fluctuated between 189 and 192 pounds. Also, the inflammation in my knee has subsided very significantly, and my trousers are loose at 34 (where they were tight at 39’s a year ago. My life has changed dramatically.

-Ben

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Yvette Willis

Winner of Spring Challenge ’10

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Steve Cooper

Winner of Spring Challenge ’10/Winner of Fall Challenge ’10

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