#gloup2017

psa: this post is not sponsored, there are no links, there is no reward for me, this is my honest review and experience from when I started going to the gym.

I was really big on sports in middle school, I had a lot of fun spending time with friends, but even though for two hours after school I’d exercise, I continued to struggle with my fluctuating weight and self-image issues. That was when someone recommended CrossFit for me.

Honestly, it’s made so much of a difference. I feel healthy and happy in my own skin, and my summer job requires a lot of manual labor that I used to be incapable of doing, and now I can lift above and beyond what I imagined. I feel more comfortable in my own skin-and I’m not saying that being overweight is ugly, but it had gotten to a point where I felt unhealthy, and the stigma where I was from was all about thinner girls living better lives, and I began some weight loss regimes that led to an eating disorder. I’ve been clean of that kind of thing for a year now, and I couldn't feel better.

A common misconception about CrossFit is that it’s all about bodybuilding and steroids and competitions. This couldn’t be more wrong. I was just a high schooler who wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin, and to not feel winded just from running up the stairs. 

A great CrossFit trainer is one who listens to your aspirations and programs a workout just for you. You don't need to share your scores or take performance enhancing drugs. The steroid culture in CrossFit is so known because famous and competitive athletes on national television can use them to enhance their performance, and this is seen by a lot of the public eye. I’ve become very involved in the CrossFit community over the years, and I’ve only met a few on steroids-and all of them were competitive athletes. 

When I first started, I was nervous that people were judging me and my lack of athletic skill, but I realized that many of them had the same goal I did-to feel comfortable in their own skin, to be able to carry their kids and teach them how to ride their bikes-it went on. No one was judgmental. No one was rude, in fact, people cheered me on from the sidelines. The community of CrossFit is incredibly close. People have gym friends and they connect to other gyms and it’s just a huge network of supportive people, and some of my best friends I’ve met through the gym.

Don’t get me wrong, the first month was really hard-I was sore, working out was hard, but it made so much of a difference. Within the first month, I lost 7 pounds, and within the first year, I lost 30, and I found myself at a healthy body weight. The more you work out, the easier it gets, and the more results you see. I’ve never felt more happy and more capable. 

hahah this got long, I’ll make a part 2 if y’all have any questions. Ask me by reflagging if you do! I have messages turned off right now because my anxiety makes it overwhelming, but I’ll respond to reblogs and make a Q&A.