Member Success, Dawn Damm!

How long have you been doing CrossFit?
I have been doing CrossFit for almost three years now. Some friends introduced me to Brand X and I brought my son Matthew in to try out the CrossFit kids class. I watched as the adult class began directly afterward and I noticed how the trainer carefully explained what the class would be doing for their workout. I thought to myself, I want to try that. Our family did our two week trial and we have been members ever since. I love that it is something that we can do as a family.

Was there a moment, or maybe a WOD (or its aftermath), when you realized you understood what CrossFit was about?
I can’t say I had a moment or even an overnight realization and appreciation for CrossFit. It just came over time. CrossFit is such a unique fitness program. It is about intensity, camaraderie, competition and pushing yourself beyond what you think you can do. It’s functional and makes you better at life. And it is just plain old fun. That’s what brings me back for more.

How has CrossFit impacted your life outside the box?
CrossFit has impacted my life significantly. Before starting CrossFit I had not exercised in years. I had gained 35 pounds and went up to a size 12 since I was married and I was completely out of shape. The first WOD of the first five was so hard for me and that was just running 200 meters and 10 squats for 3 rounds. Now I can actually run a 5K without stopping and get a barbell with weight on it off the ground. Before CrossFit I had never even touched a barbell. I’m not even sure if I knew what one was. I am in better shape now at 37 years old than I have ever been in my life. I am much stronger and have much more endurance. CrossFit has been the only fitness program that I have ever stuck with. I had tried other gyms and running on my own in the past but it never lasted. Everything in life seems easier after CrossFit. If you can push yourself through a WOD, you can push yourself through many other things in life. I am so thankful God has brought CrossFit into my life.

Do you monitor your diet? If so, when did you begin to look at nutrition as part of your training? Could you describe a typical training meal and a typical cheat meal?
My diet has taken a major transformation since I started CrossFit. I loved pasta dishes, didn’t care much for meat and was addicted to sugar. When we first started CrossFit, we cleaned out our pantry and fridge of snacks, sweets, pasta and rice. We replaced it with meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. I did well for a while but fell back into some bad habits and started to gain weight and body fat despite working out the same. It was then that I realized that nutrition had to be the base of my fitness or I would never get the results I wanted in performance and in the numbers on the scale. I recently signed up for the Lifestyle and Fitness Challenge at Brand X this past February and now I am back on track. I have lost 10 pounds and 7% body fat in 7 weeks and feel better than I have in a long time. I have more energy and I have been able to bring more intensity to my workouts.


Do you ever get discouraged or burned out? How do you overcome that?
I do get discouraged at times especially when I am not even close to doing a WOD as rx’d. But I just tell myself to walk in that gym and do what the trainers tell me to do and do my best. I look at where I was and how far I’ve come. That is the beauty of CrossFit…..you are never done….you can always improve something…..lift a heavier weight….get more reps….get a faster time. The only easy day was yesterday.


Who in the CrossFit community inspires you and why?
I would have to say the people that inspire me the most are the women and men that I work out with everyday; everyone from our elite athletes to the newbie walking in the door. We all encourage each other and push each other through the workouts. I couldn’t do what I do without them. All of the trainer’s at Brand X inspire me too. They are so helpful and keep us all on track. They encourage us and help us to reach our goals. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazing “family” at Brand X.

Which pr—for a WOD or lift—are you most proud of and why?
Right now I am most proud of my kipping pull-ups just because it took me so long to get just one. After working at it for a while, it finally happened this past fall. At the beginning of 2011 I set a goal to get 10 kipping pull-ups in a row and I reached that in early March. Now I am able to do kipping pull-ups in the workouts and it is such a great feeling.

---

Congratulations on all your amazing achievements ... More tomorrow !

Congratulations Dawn. Hard work is noticed, but more importantly it's earned.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.