Most of you know Charlie as a member and coach at CrossFit GVA, but what you may not know is just how far she’s come. Charlie recently shared with us the main reason she got started with CrossFit.
When did you start doing CrossFit?
I was about to turn 36 and start a new year as an overweight woman. My daughter kept asking me why I wouldn’t carry her, why I wouldn’t run with her, and—most embarrassingly—why I was bigger than the other moms.
I had spent my entire adult life weighing between 110 and 120 kg, and my health was suffering as a result. Something had to change! I tried several gyms, did trendy workouts, and followed numerous diets, but nothing worked. I would lose a little weight only to gain it back every time. I needed something different that could change my lifestyle once and for all.
Why CrossFit?
While I was searching the Internet for different ideas that might help me, I came across CrossFit. What those people were doing with their bodies was simply incredible, but I thought it was completely out of reach for someone like me. That is, until the day I stumbled upon a video of a WOD where members of all skill levels were participating at the same time and in the same way. At that moment, I decided I was going to give it a try and signed up for a one-month trial.
Now, I’m not going to lie to you. What followed was probably one of the hardest and most painful months of my life. Not only did I go from being completely sedentary to working out four times a week, but I also started tracking my food intake. Some nights, I couldn’t move because of muscle soreness, and I felt a constant peckish hunger, but to keep me motivated, every time I arrived at the box, I was greeted with smiles and words of encouragement, which helped me tremendously.
How did your first experience go?
At first, I was terrified at the thought of joining the regular classes. When the workouts were written on the board, I would stare at the coach, completely confused about what I was supposed to do, what equipment to bring, and what weights to use. But with the help of my fellow CrossFitters and the support of the coaches, I quickly began to understand the movements. I also quickly realized that no one was watching my performance and no one was judging me. On the contrary, they were all encouraging and motivating, and I didn’t need to hide by standing at the back of the class. By focusing on my workout without worrying about what others thought, I saw results and made progress quickly. Every day, I learned something new or tried something different.
What happened after the first month?
I realized that if I really wanted this to work, I had to commit. So I signed up for a year. That was the beginning of the new me! Not only did I start losing weight, but I also began to enjoy the physical and mental challenge of the workouts. After four months, a coach told me about the Open. I thought he was crazy to ask me to compete in a global competition, but he eventually managed to convince me. I’m so glad I did it now. I saw it through to the end. I may have been last at the box, but looking at the global rankings, I wasn’t even in the bottom 40%. It was still quite an achievement after just four months of CrossFit. That’s when I realized I could accomplish feats I’d previously thought impossible.
After 8 months, I was definitely “hooked” on CrossFit. I started doing an internship at the box to try to learn as much as I could. A year later, the head coach told me I was ready. So I signed up and passed my CrossFit Level 1 certification. After that, I was able to lead a class for a small group under the supervision of a coach while continuing to work on my own fitness at the same time.
What kind of progress have you made?
I’ve been doing CrossFit for over 2 years and have already lost more than 40 kg. Now I can run, jump, and toss my 6-year-old daughter around as if she weighed nothing. My quality of life has improved more than I could have ever imagined. I’ve learned so much about myself—both physically and mentally. I’ve learned to push myself, step outside my comfort zone, and find that place where the magic happens.
CrossFit is for everyone, regardless of your age or fitness level. It can and will be adapted to your abilities. All you have to do is commit to attending classes regularly. You don’t have to set a personal record every class—just give it your all each time, and you’ll see that you’ll be rewarded very quickly.
