We see success stories every day at CrossFit Maximus, whether it be a new personal record (PR) on an Olympic Lift, a 10 second improvement on someone’s Fran time, or somebody losing weight after the most recent “Paleo Challenge.” Chris Whicker is an example of someone that has found success after trying just about everything else out there. In a world of fad diets, and “meat market” Globo Gyms, it’s hard to find a fitness program that works and isn’t a hassle to figure out and apply. All it takes is a little hard work, and eating the correct things. This is what Chris had to say about his new found love of CrossFit:
“After a divorce in 2008, I found myself over weight, out of shape and extremely depressed over how far I had let myself go. Being over weight was nothing new to me I’ve always been the bigger guy but never in my life had I ever been at 310 pounds. I guess you could say I was sick and disappointed in myself for ever letting my weight get the best of me. So at that point, I made the choice that I was going to lose weight and do it the right way no matter how long it took me. No fad diets, pills, magic drinks or potions. I also knew I had to get my ass back in the gym. I started doing weight watchers counting my points like I was supposed to and doing my workouts; chest one day, back, arms, biceps and triceps followed by a 30 minute jog. I made progress slowly losing weight, like I wanted, but I still felt like something with missing. I also got back into MMA, Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It boosted my weight loss progress and improved my over all conditioning but I still didn’t get the progress that I wanted. In 2009 while watching TV I saw a commercial for this place in Lexington that showed people flipping tires and doing some crazy stuff for workouts, this place was called CrossFit. I said to myself I wish I could do that but I’m way to far out of shape to ever do anything like that and with my bad knee and bad back I would end up just hurting myself. After watching that commercial all I thought about what how bad I wish I could do that and how I wish it were closer even though it was only 20 minute commute from Berea. So I continued my workouts, and followed Weight Watchers™ for the rest of the year. I dropped about 30 pounds and I was able to tie my shoes and walk up the stairs without losing my breath. However, I still didn’t feel like I was where I wanted to be. Desperate to be in better shape I tried P90X™. After a week of P90X™, I gave up. Damn was it hard, and I somehow injured myself doing it, not really sure what part or exercise I did to re injure my back but I blamed it on bad form and poor instructions from the DVD. After taking a month off of exercising I gained 10 pounds back. I was so confused on what was going on, even though I wasn’t exercising, I continued to count my points but I somehow gained weight.
In January 2010, I finally made the decision to make that 20 minute drive to Lexington and seek out that place that was doing those crazy workouts, that place was CrossFit. The intro was damn near the death of me, but I kept coming back for more. It was hard, but WOW how impressed I was with the facility itself and the staff at CrossFit Maximus. They didn’t judge me on how out of shape I was, or how over weight I had become. They made me feel comfortable and always offered advice anytime I asked, they even remembered my name! After a month of CrossFit, I lost 15 pounds and I could tell my body was changing, how my overall strength and conditioning had drastically improved from just one month of the program! Then the Paleo challenge was announced. “Paleo?”, I said to my self, “what the hell is Paleo?” So I googled it and started to do some research. After signing up for the Paleo challenge and following the new way of eating, the first week was pure hell for me, no sugar or soda was the hardest for me to change. Even on Weight Watchers™ I was allowed to have sugar and soda as long as I counted the points. But, on my 4th week of Paleo after my workout I just felt the big difference on how I felt, and after my workouts while at work, I felt strong and full of energy. WOW did I really feel this way??!! Was it really the diet I asked myself or was it my workouts? It was both, I was slowly getting into shape and I could feel it in my body.
30 pounds later, and at presently 248 pounds, I’m in the best shape of my life and I have nothing but more progress to make which I know ill do with the help of CrossFit and the wonderful staff and CrossFit community. Ill never go back to the way I use to work out or the way I use to eat. I can’t say enough about CrossFit, trainers or the people I’ve met here. I can’t thank the people enough here for changing my life. Thanks”
Chris Whicker
CrossFit birthday 1/07/2010
