Diane has been a member at the gym for over 2 years, and is a noon class staple, always attending at least 15 mins early to make sure she gets in a full warm-up. Diane has made great progress in many areas of her fitness, from her rowing technique, to her nutrition and mindset. Read more to learn about how Dian’s eating habits have changes, how she is inspired by the community, and how she categorizes WODs in a specific and complex acronym lexicon.

Have you changed the way you eat since you began CrossFit, If so, how? It took me two years to realize that the way I was eating (sugar, chocolate, big bag of chips) was not helping me lose the weight that I wanted to lose. In fact, I actually gained weight from when I first started at the gym! With the support of another gym member, Donna Bernard, I started following the Whole30 program and have lost the weight (and more!).

For me, the Whole30 means lots of vegetables and protein. I have avoided sugar and alcohol, which I find very difficult to do! Breakfast this morning was a hard-boiled egg, sweet potato muffin and a banana. For dinner last night I made a Chicken Bacon Salad that is absolutely fantastic with Kingston Olive Oil Company flavoured oil and balsamic vinegar! When food tastes that good you can really enjoy eating! Whole30 promotes "food freedom" and I hope to continue eating like this. I feel so much better, have more energy and like the way I look.

How does training/CrossFit fit into your life? For the first two years, I only went 3x a week, as I felt that was all my body could handle. I gradually noticed that I was getting stronger and fitter. When the gym membership changed, I started going 4-6x a week and was pleased that I could handle that volume as long as I did not push too hard. Attending a CrossFit class is my main priority for the day. I organize my day around going to the gym. Having tried various class times, I find my optimum time is to attend the noon class. Not only is the training aspect of attending important, but also the social aspect is equally necessary for me. The positive, supportive, encouraging atmosphere at the gym is beneficial to my mental/emotional well-being. I LOVE THE GYM!

What reasons did you have to train when you started CrossFit? Have those reasons changed? If so, how? When I first started CrossFit, my goals were to gain strength (I noticed that I was finding it difficult to crawl out of a vehicle!) and to lose weight. I jokingly said to Storm that I did not want "bat wings" on my arms! I was in no hurry to achieve those goals, so just took my time to adjust to lifting free weights (something I had NEVER done in my life!) and to learning the proper lifting techniques so as to be safe and avoid injury. The coaching at the gym is the best! Having visited several gyms, I can say that with all honesty! I don't think that I will ever lift big weights, but that is not important to me. I love watching the other members of the gym achieve their PRs and when I do PR I feel a tremendous satisfaction. I still like to watch the video of my 200# deadlift PR! I don't think my reasons for training have changed, but I realize that the mental/emotional improvements have given me a huge boost in self-confidence.

What improvements have you made in the past 6 months that you are most proud of? The look on my face when I was able to get the assault bike up to 80rpm was something else!
My rowing has improved thanks to coaching tips from Lauren, Callum and Storm. I know that my aerobic capacity has definitely improved. My resting heart rate is down 20 points!
I discovered that I could do a reverse grip hang from the bar! Not easy to do when your left shoulder is damaged!

Do you currently have a main focus or goal(s) with your training? My main focus from the beginning has been to do a pull-up. The limitations, due to an old injury in my left arm, make it a difficult goal. Most days, the shoulder just hurts too much. I would also like to be able to do chest-to-bar jumping pull-ups. I notice that I can get my chin over the bar fairly easily but can't seem to get those darn chest-to-bars! Someday! I have been working on my abdominal strength towards the goal of doing a toes-to-bar. A rope climb would be nice, but the fear factor is just too great! Double unders are almost there! I can do single, single, doubles for about 15 reps.

What would you consider to be your greatest strength as an athlete? I will be 65 years old in June, and feel lucky to be able to be as physically active as I am. Nike said it all with "Just Do It!" I will never forget my first step in the door at the gym! All it takes is to make that first step, then the next one after that. One step at a time is all you need to focus on. When doing a WOD at the gym, there is no room to think about anything else except the next rep!

How do you like to rest and recover? I take the time to enjoy my hobbies, which are reading and quilting. I find that very relaxing.

What is one thing that you do every day that you feel is essential in contributing to your success in the gym? : Just show up! I mark my calendar with "12 CF" (translation - CrossFit at noon) to remind me that going to the gym is a priority in my day. Give it your best effort! Don't cheat! Every single rep is important. Scale the reps and weights as needed. Have fun! Get to know the other members of the gym.

If you could give yourself one piece of advice when you started CrossFit, what would it be? Don't be hard on yourself! Be gentle, be patient, be kind. I often look at a WOD and think "I can't do that!" but find myself surprised at the end to have been able to complete it! If I am still "standing" at the end of a WOD then I survived! That is a good feeling!

Is there anything you would like to add? I have fun putting the WODs into categories!
PT - Puke Territory
SA - Sucking Air
SP - Sweat Puddles
TS - The Shakes
SS - Sweat Shower
WOS - Wring out Shirt/Socks
FT - F*** This!!