Megan - From Obese to Beast

For the first time in many years I can say I am in a good place. I am currently 67.5kg and a size 10. Crossfit Origin has helped me find both a healthy body and in turn a healthy mind.

Go back 7 months. I was a size 18 and weighed 105kg, I had a BMI of over 35 which is in the range of ‘very obese’. I was struggling to cope personally with the way I looked. I knew I needed to make a lifetime change, not only for myself but my family.  I was tired of my weight going up year after year.

The light bulb moment came when I was watching an NRL game one day. My weight had finally reached triple digits on the scales.  I remember thinking to myself that I weigh the same weight as an NRL first grade forward. I knew that my life had to change and change immediately. 

I had been looking into surgery for a while. I knew of people that had this surgery with positive results.  It is by no means the easy way out for weight loss.  It is a life changing decision that to acquire the maximum results you need to change your eating habits as well as start a good routine exercise program.

I had to wait four weeks after surgery before I was advised to start exercising.

I had been watching the Crossfit Games on TV and thought I would love to do that.  I mainly wanted to participate in a class environment but at the same time setting and achieving my own individual goals.  I knew I would have to scale some of the exercises due to my weight, fitness and strength at that time.  I was told that Crossfit is fun, rewarding and that I would regret it if I didn’t give it a go.

After doing a Google search I found Crossfit Origin in my local area. I liked the idea that Origin provides a class at the same time each day that caters around my working hours.  There is no room for excuses.  Origin offers classes from morning through to night time.  Origin was ticking all the boxes I needed.

Before starting my biggest concern was mainly my size, age and not being able to do many of the exercises.  However, the introduction class reassured me that each exercise can be scaled to accommodate everyone’s fitness and flexibility level.  I knew that I did not want to be at the front of the class (especially in lycra) and I especially did not want anyone standing behind me when I was doing burpees (I still hate burpees). I was concerned that everyone would be looking at my size - what I now understand is simple nonsense.  But when you are overweight these are the things that go around and around in your mind.

I like how the instructors and other class participants encourage both myself and other members during the workouts.  I had tried local 24-7 gyms but found that I lost motivation really easily with this type of format and it was not what I was looking for.  I could only blame myself for the size I had become but Origin has helped me, along this weight loss journey, to enjoy exercise again. I really enjoy how it pushes me outside of my comfort zone whilst being rewarding at the same time. One class ends and I look forward to the next class starting.

For anyone out there considering doing Crossfit I would tell them just do it and give it a go.  I know it is easy to say that if I can do it anyone can do it - well anyone can!  I have found with exercise, now I am getting older, that I have previously set unrealistic goals, challenges and/or timeframes.  I was always simply setting myself up to fail before I had even started.  I now set goals that are both realistic and achievable when it comes to exercise.  I find now if I have not reached a goal in the timeframe required that I just readjust and keep on working towards it.  It is then about getting into an exercise routine and enjoying the benefits it brings.

I’ve lost almost 40kg in just 7 months.  I notice how my body is changing with Crossfit from week to week.  The biggest change for me is definitely my mental state of mind.  When I was carrying excessive weight I hated my reflection in the mirror.  I wore clothes to try and hide my size.  I preferred to stay at home rather than go out with friends due to the embarrassment of the size I had become.

I am now feeling fantastic and really appreciating what life has to offer.  It is only now that I realise that my world revolved endlessly around food.  This has all changed.  I am eating healthier than ever before, doing Crossfit around 4 times a week and enjoy my long Saturday morning walk with my husband.  Life is purely great.