Here are a few member stories telling how
CrossFit Clackamas changed their lives
Bob
After spending years in corporate gyms with very little to show for my efforts, a friend suggested I try CrossFit Clackamas. When I looked at the website, I found every excuse to stay away: it’s too far, it’s too expensive, it’s too hard and I’m too out of shape! The truth is I was intimidated by the workouts and afraid to look stupid in front of people. So I stayed at my old gym, on and off, doing the same hamster routine as everyone else and getting the same results as everyone else. At 46 years old, 5′ 10″ and 226 pounds with 30% body fat, I knew something had to change so I made the call to Jason and scheduled my first workout. I haven’t looked back [cont'd from front page] (well, yes I have only to remind myself how thankful I am that I left my old gym). When I first arrived at Crossfit Clackamas, several things struck me: I realized how different it was (and I wondered if I could do it), and how everyone was encouraging, helpful, friendly, and motivated. Another thing I noticed was that I was working harder than I ever did at my old gym and, because Jason tailored the exercises for my fitness level, I could complete the workouts. The results? Two months into CrossFit and I’m down 20 pounds and 8% body fat while putting on 9 pounds of muscle. I still can’t do all the exercises as prescribed but I’m making progress every day. My old gym was five minutes from my house and now I drive twenty minutes each way and consider the extra 15 minutes as time I didn’t waste in my old gym. As for the expense? I consider all the money I wasted year after year on a treadmill and firmly believe that this is the best investment I can make in my future. As for being too hard, well, it is too hard but that’s the fun part! If you’re tired of doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results, come work out with us at CrossFit Clackamas. It’s changing my life and I know it can change yours as well.
**UPDATE** As of November, 2009 Bob’s body weight is down 20lbs, his lean body mass is up 12lbs (which means he’s lost a total of 32lbs), body fat down 11%, and he’s lost 6 inches off his waist. Way to go Bob!!
Deb
This is my story about what brought me to CrossFit Clackamas and why it was one of the best decisions I think I have ever made.
About a year ago I had noticed that my body was starting to betray me; things like scoping out the nearest restroom just in case I had to make a mad dash, my feet hurt, my knees hurt, by back hurt, my shoulders hurt you get the idea. I just didn’t feel like getting off the couch any more. Normal things seemed to require too much effort, like cooking dinner or walking the dog. I wanted to keep up with my grown kids and my new little granddaughters but found it harder and harder. I didn’t like feeling that way at all. [cont'd from front page] After several visits, my doctor said, “you’re getting older but you are a healthy pre-menopausal woman in her fifties”. (OK just for the record I was almost fifty, not fifty yet) In my head I didn’t feel that much different than I did 5-10 years ago, but my body refused to do what I was asking it to do. (I think now one of the problems was, I was asking) So I made this leap of faith to take control of my body, health, and diet. I wanted “me” back. I needed to do something and now. I had heard about this “CrossFit place” but didn’t want to join a typical fitness club. My wonderful daughter-in-law, Christy, started telling me about CrossFit. I was thinking…hmm, sounds like just what I need. I told her I was afraid. Would I be sore? Maybe. Would I be out of my comfort zone? Maybe. Ok, so what did I have to lose? Being healthy was the most important goal to me, and so what if I was a little sore. I seemed to be sore now not doing anything at all, and if I was out of my comfort zone, oh well. I had way more to gain then loose. I decide to go!
First I was greeted by Jason the trainer. We talked about why I was there, what I was looking for, and would this work for me. I was impressed with how much he cared about my goals for being healthy and my diet. I was also pleased at how different it was from other places I had visited and was glad there was someone there to walk me through everything. I wasn’t left to figure it out on my own. Not like a “Fitness club” at all. Jason had me start slow. He knew my concerns about my knees, feet, back, etc. Now that I think about it, he didn’t seem surprised at all. He must have heard it once or twice before. I started modified work outs with things I could do, but with a little edge (making my muscles work like they were made to). Everyone there, people I didn’t know, were encouraging me. Several shared their stories with me and they used to be new, too. They made me feel comfortable; it is a wonderful community of shared common goals. Jason would introduce everyone by name. I don’t know how he remembered all those names (perk of being a CrossFitter, I thought). I started out three times a week, and as I got used to it I went four times a week. The workouts are only 20 minutes, if that. He was right about all the advice he gave me and I starting going as much as I could. I even went twice in one day with my husband. If you would have told me a year ago, or even six months ago, I would be doing this I wouldn’t have believed you.
My quality of life is so much better I can’t even begin to express every aspect of it, but here are some of the results I experienced:
I started noticing my clothes were getting bigger, or rather me getting leaner. I wasn’t really looking for weight loss, but I must confess the smaller waist and hips were a bonus. I wasn’t going to complain. Now I only need 7 hours of sleep and feel great. No more aches and pains in the morning. I don’t need to scope out the closest restroom any more. This was a big deal to me. (Women over fifty that have had a few children will know exactly what I am talking about.) I can function all day without a nap! Getting off the couch or walking the dog seems effortless to me now. I have wonderful sense of strength, well being, and empowerment that I hadn’t anticipated. My doctor predicted that I would be diabetic by fifty (not even close). I asked my husband what he thought the biggest difference in me was and said almost immediately, “you are so much happier and laugh a lot.” (He is a huge support to me). I am still fifty. That hasn’t changed, but the way I feel about my health has. Now I know that my body will do what I tell it to do. This is only six weeks into CrossFit. I can’t imagine what a year will be like, or five, ten or even twenty. I know that this is a lifelong pattern for me. It has to be because I don’t want to go back to being the old me. I like the new me. I’m Healthier, Happier, and Stronger.
Oh yea if you’re younger than fifty start now, if you’re older than fifty start now no matter where you are in life, if your health is really important to you, and I mean really important, then this will work for you. You’ll love it and make it part of your life.
**1/10/2010** Changes inside and out. It’s been just four months with CFC and I have dropped 21 pounds and lost at least 4 inches. I started out in very snug size 16 jean and now in size 12 on my way to 10. (Was in XL shirt now in a M-S) Can feel my rib cage, hip bones, and muscles, thought they were lost forever. I feel awesome and it just gets better and better! Lifting weights and learning dozens of things I never thought I’d be able to do. Some personal notes to share too: had two lumps (hip and leg) that just recently disappeared (best description is, they just melted away). Was able to get off several maintenance medications that I have been on for years. Gained self discipline, and confidence which I know is from the work outs (because I didn’t have it before I started CFC). It’s nice that it rolls into the rest of my life, diet, fitness, work, home, and family. I say this to just about every woman I meet, “if there is only one healthy thing you do for yourself, CrossFit should be it!”
Jimmy
“I have a weak upper body due to genetics” “The only way to diet is to starve and eat stuff that tastes like crap” “I don’t have the time to get in good shape” “All Gyms suck” “Working out is easy” -Jimmy Dorsey, June 2009
Let me backup a bit… I have been in fairly OK shape for most of my life until the last few years as I became a father (and a realtor) and stepped away from a lot of activity. When I came to CrossFit I could not do a pull-up to save my life or do 5 real pushups in a row. I was 30 lbs overweight and yes pathetically out of shape.
[cont'd from front page]This first thing I experience that this is not a typical gym. Nothing is done alone yet the only person I am there to compete with is myself. Everyone encourages me to finish strong while a trainer educates me on every move and times me. I appreciated the fact that I was told WHY I should lift or move a certain way and how that will affect my performance and not just my muscle size. My trainers have NEVER focused on looks but on fitness. I am completely stoked that my shoulders are getting bigger but better than that I can do pull ups!!! And before I could do a pull up they had me jump and before I could do 20 pushups they just asked me to get on the floor and stand up again. There is a simple progression they custom fit that ANYONE can do, every day until you can do the workout in a timely manner prescribed.
I have also appreciated the training and accountability on nutrition and how that affects my performance and weight. It is extremely simple but absolutely contrary to what the rest of our culture is telling us about weight loss. I don’t know if I will live to be 120, only time will tell, but I can tell you I have lost 24 lbs. I can do 100 pull-ups, 150 pushups, 200 sit-ups and 250 squats in one workout… I generally work out between 7 and 20 minutes per day 3-4 times a week.
“I can diet without going hungry and I love what I am eating” “If I have 15 minutes 3-4 times a week I can be in the best shape of my life” “Genetics does not determine my upper body strength but hard work does!” “Only one gym doesn’t suck and I enjoy being a part of it” “working out is hell” -Jimmy Dorsey, Today
Christy
What originally brought me to Crossfit Clackamas was one thing and one thing only: to get skinny, however, what has kept me at Crossfit Clackamas has been so much more than that! I have learned how to lead a healthier life, how to do effective and fun workouts, and through my new knowledge and passion have even learned to cook (quite an accomplishment for the girl who lived off microwave dinners and cereal)! My goal has now changed from being skinny to being healthy, two things that I used to believe were one in the same. [cont'd from front page]
I have struggled with my weight for a long time and I have gained and lost weight more times than I can count or care to admit. This unhealthy pattern got repetitive and extremely depressing very quickly. I needed to do something, but not another temporary fix, what I needed was a change, a new way of living, and that is exactly what I got as soon as I started working out with Jason at Crossfit Clackamas. Since starting here I have gained strength, endurance, and confidence…but I have lost too… I started out at about a size 14 and am now currently in size 9, I took several inches off my wedding gown for my August ‘09 wedding and got into shorts and a bathing suit for the first time in over 5 years! In losing weight the healthy way for the first time, I realized that slimming down was just a bonus to being healthy, rather than focusing on “skinny” I now focus on “healthy” and the rest seems to fall into place.
The workouts here are like nothing I had ever done at a “normal” gym, they are faster, harder, and much more effective. I get pushed to a limit here that I never could have reached on my own and have done workouts that once seemed impossible. Looking back at my time spent at various gyms, I realize how much time was wasted, and what little progress I made and it makes me sad that it’s time I will never get back.
The family and community feeling I get here has become so important to me. I have made friends here, and am inspired by these new friends daily. I always have someone to workout with, to encourage and inspire me to finish even the toughest workouts. It is worlds away from the self conscience and weird feelings of not knowing anyone, or feeling like you’re being watched and judged at your typical gym.
Crossfit Clackamas has got me in shape physically, but has also taught me about proper nutrition. I know now that without that piece of the puzzle, full fitness doesn’t happen. They have developed an amazing website for members to utilize for health tips, guidelines and cooking recipes (which are delicious by the way!). This has been a HUGE help to me, because as I mentioned before I could not cook! In learning how to make these recipes, I have developed a skill for cooking, I enjoy it now, and have even come up with my own healthy recipes. The nutrition help available here is a huge bonus (and again not something you typically get at a “normal” gym). I am lucky to have someone teach me not just what to eat, but WHY I should eat it and why it works with and for my body. I have seen first hand that proper nutrition (or lack there of) can either make or break you in your fitness goals. The support and guidance I receive regarding my diet is one of the best parts of Crossfit Clackamas!
I recommend that EVERYONE come experience Crossfit Clackamas, there is absolutely nothing to lose! You may come in for weight loss like I did, but find that there is so much more being offered here. I feel now like I am a “fit” person, I am active, always moving, and ready to take on a new challenge. I don’t feel or look like the same girl who originally walked in here and anyone who is willing to try can feel these same wonderful changes!
Joy
When some friends of mine told me I should join CrossFit I was very skeptical. A gym where people work out in groups with free weights sounded really intimidating but they finally convinced me to come. It wasn’t at all what I thought it would be, everyone was really friendly and encouraging and Jason breaks down every exercise step by step so learning was simple. The gym was full of normal people in all different stages of fitness so being an out of shape mom was no big deal. [cont'd from front page]I love that the structure is so different from the typical gym. I don’t feel like I’m wasting hours on a treadmill and weight machines because the workouts are fast and challenging. Joining CrossFit has proved to be one of the best decisions for me; I’ve lost 24 pounds of fat in four months and still losing. I recommend this gym to anyone seeking a change for a healthier lifestyle, it really is for everyone.
And a few more words from some folks who have experienced
first hand what it’s like to train at CrossFit Clackamas.
“As an intern, I have developed a love and appreciation for what CrossFit
has to offer, and Jason elevates the experience to a new level.
CrossFit is going to re-define the fitness industry.” - Jeromie
“For years I’ve spent 2 hours a day five days a week
following advice of trainers at a national chain gym.
Now I’m spending 30 minutes a day five days a week,
and in a few months I’ve gotten thinner, stronger and
my cardio levels are higher than ever. Jason has
taught me how to lift safely and efficiently. CrossFit
has not only gotten me in the best shape of my life
but it also saves me time and gives me more time with
my family.” - Scott
