First and foremost I would like to thank all of you for your interest in my CrossFit experiment. The feedback I have received has been personally motivating and helped me stay accountable to my goals.

My Confession

As most of you who follow this blog know, I have been involved in team sports and weight lifting for some time. Even with years of previous experience, before showing up to my first CrossFit class I was intimidated. It was hard to step out of my comfort zone, and try something completely new. A flood of what ifs, buts, and excuses began to creep into my mind…Thankfully, the staff and other members made the experience comfortable from day one and my initial fear of the unknown quickly became a thing of the past.

The Good

• CrossFit has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I have found areas that need improving.
• Training in the morning has allowed more time after work to decompress and spend time with loved ones.
• I have significantly increased my cardiovascular endurance in a fun(ish) way.
• The community aspect of training in small groups has been motivating when workouts get tough.

The Bad

• I was sore consistently for an entire month. The first two weeks were rough. Really rough.
• Weighted movements should not be performed at the expense of proper technique. While this was said before and during each workout it seemed to go out the window when people became fatigued.

The Tale of the Scales

Prior to January 31, 2015 I was consistently weight training three times per week. My diet followed a loose framework of lower carbohydrate, moderate fat, moderate protein intake to equal approximately 2500 calories/day.

January 31, 2015
Body Weight 207lbs
Blood Pressure 130/90mmHg (Prehypertensive)
Body Mass Index 29 (30+ considered obese)
Waist Line 35inches
Body Fat Percentage ~25% (25%+ considered obese)

I have been consistently “CrossFitting” (is that a word?) for the past month three times per week never more, rarely less with no change to my diet.

March 1, 2015
Body Weight 195lbs
Blood Pressure 120/80mmHg (Normotensive)
Body Mass Index 27 (Overweight)
Waist Line 33inches
Body Fat Percentage ~20% (Average)

Results after one Month

Body Weight down 12lbs
Blood Pressure down 10mmHg
Body Mass Index down 2 points
Waist Line down 2 inches
Body fat percentage down 5 percent

 

Reflecting on 30 days of CrossFit

Not surprisingly the workouts have been quite challenging, humbling really. I am very pleased with the experiment from a health as well as fitness standpoint. While I still have plenty of room to improve I look forward to training Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. CrossFit has been a positive change of pace that I plan on staying with so long as I am continuing to make progress and enjoy myself.

 

Thank you all for your input and please leave your thoughts or questions at the bottom of the blog in the comments section.

 

*Disclaimer- I wholeheartedly support the choice to increase your activity levels if you are ready to make a change, and I hope this blog series motivates many more people to make that same choice. However, it is important to note that you may have some limitations concerning what type(s) of exercise you can do based on current or past health issues. You should always consult with your physician prior to starting a new exercise program to ensure you are healthy enough to meet the increased demands placed on your body.