Lia P

A year and a half ago I met the trainer for Crossfit West Sacramento, Rick Larson. He helped me start my rehabilitation on a painful knee which surgery was supposed to help, but did not. I was extremely limited as to what movements I could do and my balance was very bad as I had many bumps and bruises to account for that. My limited movement set me up to gain a lot of weight, along with depression, more than normal alcohol intake and pain pills. I was 49 and was beginning to accept that this was my lot in life.

Rick started me on a program that slowly increased my mobility and unknown to me, he had a future in mind that had me doing things I never thought I could do as long as I stayed consistent. That was key.

After a year, he introduced me to Crossfit. I had no idea what I was in for. I have only been doing it for a short time, but in that amount of time it has challenged me both physically and mentally. The skills and strict adherence to proper technique has challenged my body and for the first time in my life I do see the possibilities of being able to do a pull up, a handstand and even running! Needless to say, my body has changed; I have lost inches and am still doing so. Mentally it is really strengthening me. The workouts of the day look intimidating, and I will admit, there are times I have looked at the workout board and I wanted to leave. I have realized that part of crossfit is developing mental toughness. Fear, in this case, should be non-existent, because I know that my trainer would never ask me to do anything he knew I couldn’t do. For someone my age, so sedentary for so long, trust is a big issue when you are asking your body to “roll” on the ground, try a handstand or lift a big weight. I need to trust myself and rely on the techniques I am being taught and, to take a well-known phrase, “just do it!” I will say the sense of accomplishment and internal joy that I have after each completion of a WOD is immeasurable.

As for what Crossfit has allowed me to do in my daily life is summed up in one word…independence. We live on acreage. There is a lot of work involved in the up keep. We also have a couple of horses and, for example, I would have to always wait for help to get hay, unload it and put it in the barn. No longer! I can move 100lb bales and 50lb bags of pellets all day long! And clean up the barn, and do anything else that is needed to do that day and not hurt my knee nor be exhausted for the next few days!
My family has benefited, my husband says he has his wife back. My daughter says that I’m “way more fun to be around” and it has improved our relationship. My knee is now manageable. If it begins to hurt…Squats are the answer. Squats with weight are better! Love those Wall Balls!

New motto, if life hurts…Squat a few times, you’ll feel better! I know I do!

Lia P.