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Success Stories

Michele Paikin

I have always been athletic.  I swam competitively in high school and went to the “globo gym” 5-6 times a week in college.  I recall spending an hour on the treadmill/elliptical and then another 45 minutes on the weight machines every day.  Wow, have things changed!

I’ve also had a competitive itch for as long as I can remember.  I like to challenge myself and try new things.  My first big challenge was running a half marathon in 2010.  I had never run more than 3 miles before.  Two years later I made a bet with my boss to run a full marathon.  My boss ended up dropping out before the race, but I trained to the finish.  I ran 26.2 miles in under 5 hours.  That was a huge accomplishment for me!  After the marathon I thought to myself, “what’s next?” I just couldn’t go back to the “globo gym!”

Two of my friends were members of CFEV and begged me to try a free Saturday class with them.  Being the “all in” type of person that I am, I skipped the free class and signed up for Foundations instead.  I was immediately hooked.  This was in July of 2012.

Like anyone else starting CrossFit I had a fear that I was in over my head.  I was unsure of what I had signed up for.  Jessica Law (JLaw) was the trainer my first day of foundations. After going over the first set of movements I did my very first WOD.  The WOD was 5 rounds: 250 meter row and 10 burpees.  I was hooked! I know it’s hard to believe that rowing and burpees could get anyone hooked, but I was.  I think it was a combination of getting my butt kicked by a 5 minute workout that felt like it should have been over 30 and feeling invited into a new community by JLaw.  I felt comfortable at CFEV by the end of my very first day.

I joined the gym as soon as foundations was complete and couldn’t wait to start the daily WODs.  I was told to start slow, but I just don’t work like that.  CrossFit was like an addiction from the start.  My first week I went Monday through Friday and have been going 5-6 days a week ever since.  Being the “newbie” anywhere can be intimidating, but I’ve never felt that way at CFEV.  All of the trainers are very inviting and make a point to learn everyone’s names.  Over time they even know what weight you should be pushing yourself to achieve.

Like most females, I always tried the newest fad in diets and my weight has fluctuated ever since college.  When I started CrossFit I also made the switch to paleo. I figured if I’m doing one I may as well do the other.  I wasn’t 100% strict, but I ate paleo about 80% of the time.

In the beginning of 2013 CFEV held a paleo challenge so I decided to sign up.  Once again, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Signing up for the paleo challege was the best decision I’ve made since starting CrossFit!  On the first day of the challenge we had a potluck and I made about 20 new friends instantly.  I didn’t expect to be as challenged as I was since I had already been paleo for over six months.  I was surprised to see exactly how much of a difference being 100% strict for six weeks makes.

The participants had three benchmark WODs to do during week one and week six.  I shed almost 2 minutes off of each workout and close to 5 minutes off another!  I didn’t lose much weight according to the scale, but I did lose over 11 inches!  I was already a winner in my head, but I actually ended up being a winner!! I came in second place out of all the girls who participated in the paleo challenge!

Crossfit and CFEV have completely changed my life.  Not only am I accomplishing goals monthly, but sometimes even daily!!  My first CrossFit goal was to be able to do one strict pull-up by the end of 2012.  I was told by the trainers that if I practice before and after class, eventually I would be able to do it.  I took the advice I was given and achieved my first pull-up in December.  Now I can do kipping pull-ups and have graduated from using an assistance band for all WODs.

Another goal was to break a 200# deadlift. I went to the gym one Saturday with two friends with 200# on my mind, but I wasn’t 100% convinced I would get it.  When I lifted the 205# bar the girls started screaming!  The encouragement and motivation I received from my friends and other members is an inspiration in itself to set and achieve new goals daily.

I gave up my membership to the “globo gym” I was a part of 2 months ago and can officially say I have joined “the cult.”  I don’t see CrossFit as a cult though.  I see CFEV as my family, literally.  I’m from the east coast so my family isn’t always accessible, but the friends I have made at CFEV have taken their place when necessary.

I look forward to the daily WODs at CFEV and I have never once dreaded the box.  Well, maybe I dreaded it a little when we have to do Fran, but deep down I was excited to see if I could break my time!  July will be my year anniversary at CFEV and I can’t wait to see what goals I will attain by next year.  Maybe I’ll even get my first muscle up!

 

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