The best hour of the day

A lot can happen in two and a half years. It seems like a really short space of time, and I suppose in the grand scheme of things, it is. I signed up to CrossFit Cirencester two and a half years ago, with a crippling eating disorder after a life long battle with body dysmorphia, anorexia and bulimia. I wanted so badly to change my life, and move my focus away from this unhealthy relationship with over exercising and eating too little to nourish my body, for the sake of my children… I couldn’t pinpoint the exact date or the exact time that my mindset changed… It felt like the most natural progression in the world…. I stopped wanting to lose weight, and instead wanted to feel strong. I stopped wanting to count calories, and instead wanted to start counting pbs. I stopped restricting calories because I NEEDED them to feel strong. I wanted to work on learning new skills in the gym and this new found desire seeped into every other aspect of life. The strength it gave me, became a lifelong mindset. I started looking to seek to better myself in every other area of life… From relationships, to motherhood, to friendships, to work. It gave me the confidence to do things in life that I never would’ve previously dreamt of. If you told me two years ago, that I would be competing in competitions with my best friends across the world, I never would’ve believed you… but THAT’S what CrossFit Cirencester does; It gives you the power to believe in yourself. Even in those moments that you stop believing in yourself. ESPECIALLY in those moments that you stop believing in yourself.

My journey with CrossFit Cirencester started a little over 2 years ago, when my family & I relocated to UK. Having not exercised for about a year and being at the heaviest I had ever been (14.5 stones) I needed to get back on track. Walking in to a new place can be intimidating, specially when you are so self conscious & dealing with anxiety. I was greeted with smiles & felt as I was part of the team from the start. I had found my community! As my anxiety was getting under control, I was slowly getting my confidence back. I then started to focus on my nutrition & focus on my performance. I wanted to become better! I did it! CFC believed in me and helped me believe in myself. I have now started coaching & continue to learn for myself & the amazing athletes that have been so kind and patient with me through my coaching journey. I often hear “CrossFit isn’t for me.” People always get intimidated by the word CrossFit. The truth is, CrossFit isn’t all about lifting weights, it’s about functional movements performed in your day to day life like squatting, pushing, pulling etc. About becoming better; stronger (physically and mentally) to perform simple daily tasks. It’s about overcoming fears, achieving new goals and understanding that you are capable of a lot more than you think you are. Finding a community & making friends. I had always admired athletes who competed. Always wanted to have the experience, but always thought “it wasn’t for me or I wasn’t strong enough”. I have lost 4 stones (and counting), I have done my 1st competition, I have become a coach. I am so thankful to CFC for all the support & for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

I have NEVER been sporty…I still find it strange when people find that surprising! I never found a sport I enjoyed, or was good at, and so whilst I was at school, I just wrote exercise off, it wasn’t for me…and I really didn’t feel like I was missing anything in my life… After a series of challenging life events, as a mum of 2 and aged 35, I decided to sign up for a ‘challenge,’ to try keep me focussed and in a positive frame of mind. Despite only having run 5kms a couple of times in my life, I signed up for a half marathon. I didn’t enjoy it much, but I felt really proud of my achievement. It was the first time in my life that I had felt fit. So, I started going to the gym. And then I decided to give CrossFit a try. Slowly but surely, CrossFit Cirencester has become an integral part of my life, I now can’t imagine life without exercise - I still find that extraordinary! I have made some lovely friends, it’s a really wonderful community. The coaches at CrossFit Cirencester have a clever knack of meeting you where you are at and gently pushing you to achieve the best you can! I am the fittest I have ever been and have achieved more than I ever could have imagined, competing in the Hyrox World Championships earlier this year. If you are wondering whether you should give it a go? I would recommend CrossFit Cirencester to pretty much everyone, whatever age and whatever level of fitness, you won’t regret it.