In 1994, I started Tae Kwon Do, and stuck with this martial art for 8 years. Throughout my time with TKD, I definitely improved in coordination – power – gymnastics, but my poor cardio did not improve. I did not spend any time on my nutrition. The result – I gained ~ 25 lbs of weight through these years, with a disproportional amount of that in fat. My peak weight was 230lbs. After TKD, from 2002 to 2006 – I moved through four local Fort Collins gyms. Each of these gyms I experimented with various diet programs, and workout methodologies (group workout, trainers, solo). In my effort through these years, I was effective in decreasing my body weight by a whole 10 lbs, 2.5 lbs a year!
At my November ’06 physical, my blood pressure was at pre-hypertension levels and my doc put me on meds for that. In the next year I tried to turn up my focus on my work out intensity, but my 2007 physical showed no improvement on my blood pressure, and now my cholesterol numbers were degrading. My doctor gave me a heads up: if by my next physical (January 2009), I did not bring any changes to my cholesterol, I would get to start medicine for that condition also.
January 2007 brought a new intensity to my goal to lose weight, still at a regular gym, I added a diet to the program. I assumed that losing weight would fix my cholesterol and blood pressure issues. My understanding at that time was to lose weight one must create a calorie deficit. The results from January to July were good on the weight side – I lost 15 lbs, ending at 205 lbs. Through this time most of my strength/endurance measures eroded. My blood pressure did not improve, my body fat percentage did not move. I was doing more of the same, getting more of the same.
August 2008 was crunch time – 6 months to my physical: Enter Crossfit at Emerfit with Coach Brown. My first discussion with him was on fitness, specifically, what is fitness. I had never thought about this. No one (TKD masters, coaches, paid trainers, gym buddies) had every asked this question or had an effective answer to this question. Coach Brown described fitness to me in a logical, effective, applicable way. Crossfit is a whole life approach, including nutrition. I started the zone nutrition plan recommended by Coach Brown, and I joined the Crossfit workouts.
The results:
At my January 2009 physical the numbers were in. My blood pressure was back to normal ranges, and I was able to stop the use of blood pressure medicine. My cholesterol was also back to normal levels. And my work capacity improved. My fitness (health and physical capabilities) improved. The Crossfit approach to fitness – excellent foundational nutrition (not just caloric deficits) and outstanding physical programming.
I feel and believe that I need to give credit to the third leg of my success. Coach Brown cultivates an environment where the coaches get to know each athletes goals, strengths and areas needing improvement. They focus on each person, when they need it in the group classes and have periodic one on one sessions to cover goal planning. They provide great motivation in the gym and in life.
Coach Chris Brown runs a great program at Emerfit with life changing results!
Chris McMahon. Fort Collins, Colorado. October 2009.
