Fitspiration – How CrossFit Saved One Woman’s Life

This past week has been a whirlwind of blessings and encouragement. Mine and Ben’s CrossFit box opened on Monday, and instead of feeling fearful of failure or even a smidgen of stress, I’ve been consumed with complete, impenetrable peace! It’s amazing how “praying on the armor” each day truly does shield us from the flaming darts of the enemy. I know myself too well than to think I’m maintaining equanimity without supernatural assistance! 

This is me without the armor of God each day!

It’s encouraging emails, texts, tweets, Facebook posts, and testimonials like the one below that the Lord uses to pump my spirit full of endorphins. I know very well that it isn’t me  (with my Radio-TV-Film degree!) that’s helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle and become the fittest they can be… it’s Christ in me. 

 ” … by the grace of God I am what I am …” – 1st Corinthians 15:10

CrossFit has been a blessing to me in many ways, but for space’s sake, here’s just one example: it’s given me a genuine joy for rigorous physical activity! I remember having this haunting thought while doing hamstring curls in the weight room about two years ago: Will I be doing “Legs'” Monday, “Chest and Tri’s” Wednesday, and “Back and Bi’s” Friday for the rest of my life?!

Only 23, and working out was growing stale. Even training clients in the globo gym was becoming boring! CrossFit has infused immeasurable amounts of fun into fitness for me, as well as for the ladies I coach. 

One of our athletes at CrossFit 925 was once a major skeptic. Now, as you’ll read, she’s a major addict! 🙂 I thank God for her and each of the women He’s brought into our garage, and now our box. There are no accidents or coincidences. 

Merrily (on left), myself, and new CrossFitter, Holly!

Stay fit, stay faithful ~<3 Di

 

“I had pretty much given up hope.  My husband and I started on diets in November 2011…he lost nearly 80 pounds, while I struggled to lose 25.  After having a gym membership for 3 years and not gaining much progress in losing weight, getting strong or getting healthy, I was thinking that I’d probably die in my 50s.  I was 49 years old and 75 pounds overweight, I couldn’t climb stairs, my back was in constant pain, my knees hurt, I hated getting dressed in the morning because nothing fit, and I hated to look in the mirror.

Then my miracle happened. I laughed when a friend invited me to CrossFit 925.  CrossFit?  That’s for skinny fit young girls.  I’m too fat and too old.  I’ll die!  But my friend encouraged me to give it a try. My first day at CrossFit 925, I couldn’t even do one sit-up.  My heart was racing after an easy warmup.  But then before I knew it, the workout was over.  I was confused.

Merrily's favorite exercise: kettlebell swings!

The classes at my gym lasted an hour or more.  How could this CrossFit stuff really work?  I committed to trying it a second time.  The encouragement from Coach Diana was amazing.  The friendships that immediately formed with the other women kept me coming back.  It’s been two months since that first day.  My energy level is through the roof.  I attend CrossFit 925 four times per week.  I’m totally hooked. I don’t think there’s much that can keep me away! Last Monday I did 90 sit-ups!! I can back-squat 120 pounds. I’m doing things I never dreamed I could do…in just two months time!

I’m down one pants size.  I can wear a sleeveless shirt for the first time in years. I have no pain in my back or my knees.  I still have a ways to go into fitting into my size 9 jeans (that’s been sitting in my closet for 18 years!)  For the first time since I can remember, I have hope.  And I have assurance that I will reach my goal.   CrossFit 925 has saved my life.

2 thoughts on “Fitspiration – How CrossFit Saved One Woman’s Life

Comments are closed.