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 Bryan H 8:51pmI know Lori wrote this to help cheer on our friends out there. This is not about us tooting our own horns, but to inspire you. We want others to feel the great success we have. In Feb of 2012 I stepped on the scale and could not believe what I saw 290lbs. I shook my head in disbelief. I knew I had to do something before I hit 300 lbs and end up on one of my Cardiac Cath Lab tables. My journey started out with a diet that stalled out and I was wondering what I was going to do. Remember we have six kids to care for, going back to college and carrying 9 credits every semester and working fulltime. Time, what time? We decided to try CrossFit and found a gym near us. I work out 5 to 6 times a week for 1 hour and control my diet better than I ever have. Today I have lost a total of 75 lbs. My waist size has moved from tight 40s to a 34 inch waste. I am stronger than I have ever been and healthier than I have ever been. I rarely watch television any more, but we made it a priority and have not looked back. This has changed our lives and our outlook. You can do it too. Bryan H 8:51pmOne year ago at this time I weighed 52 lbs more than I do today! Alan and I reached a point in our lives where we hit a wall and determined that if we continued on the path we were on our existence was going to be miserable. We were both over weight, unhealthy, inactive and unmotivated. And not only were our poor choices affecting us but they were also affecting our children. That was the catalyst that motivated us to make some major life changes. We changed how we ate and what we ate and we began doing Crossfit daily. I share this because I always seemed to be the person who every year would set my New Year's resolution to make this the year that I would change and just days into it I would fail miserably. I would read and see success stories of how people would make tremendous life changes with great results and would think to myself, 'I can do that!', but it would never come to be. What was different for me this time was that I had to choose to change my mindset. I had to realize and accept that this is not going to be easy and it is not going to happen overnight. I have to wake up everyday telling myself that I can do this no matter how difficult it is. The results and the changes in me are my motivator. I love going to the gym and seeing what workout is posted thinking to myself this is really gonna suck and not knowing if I will be able to complete it. Then coming out on the other end of the workout with a great feeing of accomplishment. I love challenging and pushing myself beyond what I think I'm capable of doing. I love improving physically. I love being strong. I love my friends and the community at the gym. I love shopping now and not dreading swimsuit season. I love having energy. I love setting and reaching goals. I love how my children are active and I love being a role model for them.If anyone is reading this and has struggled in this area and thought to yourself, 'I can't do that!'. I'm here to tell you, 'Yes you can!'. But do know that the only person who can get you there is you! Ok...I'll get off of my soapbox now!
Bryan H 6:46pmCFO is a great group and your staff is outstanding. I am pleased with the patience, expertise, and professionalism displayed by yourself and your staff. Thank you for making me feel welcome and challenging me to push ahead towards better health through the workout sessions, information on the website, and helping me work through physical challenges met during the WOD. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Bryan H 7:35amIn regards to the family we adopted. Good morning. I visited CrossFit of the Ozarks around Thanksgiving in response to an invitation from my good friend and Brother in Christ, Eric C. My expectations were diverse; and my goal was to simply lose weight, feel better, and look good physically. In a little over a month, CFO has done much, much more... Yesterday afternoon I had the humble honor of introducing Bryan Hood (on behalf of the entire CFO family) to one of our students at Finley River Alternative School. Her mother and older sister were also present, and tears ran down the face of our director as she handed this mother over $450.00 in gift cards, 3 weeks of food for the holiday, a huge box of diapers, and numerous baby clothes and necessities. Our physical goals will come in time, but yesterday I witnessed what CFO can do for us spiritually, emotionally, and eternally. This family now plans to visit relatives not seen in years simply because they can now afford to fill up their gas tank. They look forward to shopping for new carseats for two new little girls arriving after the first of the year. They walked out smiling and laughing, eager to approach the holiday break rather then dreading how they'd get by. May God bless you and yours this holiday season. With utmost appreciation, Mike Harris, and the faculty and students at Finley River.
Bryan H 2:14pmWhen I started CFO I had no idea how my life would change. I thought the changes I would incur would simply be superficial. I had done some research on the dynamics of Crossfit and learned about the varied workouts and the strength components, what I did not realize was the sense of self and community that would be gained. Yes, my physical body has changed, however, my sense of self has been the most dramatic difference I have experienced. Every time I do something I never thought possible (100 push ups on my toes, completing a workout RX, performing unassisted pullups) I feel like something inside me grows. But also, and maybe even more importantly, the times I have struggled have proven to be the biggest shapers of who I have become. Those moments when self doubt creeps in, when the words, I CAN'T, seem to pound louder and louder in my head. It's these moments I have learned to count on the ever reliant community that surrounds me. Comrades who will look straight at you and say, YES. YOU. CAN. And I believe them. I seem to gain strength and confidence from their strength and confidence Every day I believe more and more, yes I can, yes I will. I can't imagine my life without Crossfit. It gives me the mental and physical energy to get through every day with a positive attitude. It reminds me that struggle is good, that working hard for something reaps rewards greater than any other. 3 2 1 GO!
Bryan H 9:50pmI've been doing CrossFit for about a year now and I can honestly say that I've never felt more fit in my life. I had okay endurance before joining, but I'd never done olympic lifts or most of the crazy stuff we do. Since then, my strength has increased a good deal, my endurance has improved, and mentally I feel primed to tackle any obstacle. Bryan, Jenn, and Ally have all helped show me that your body is capable of much more than you think. At first, the WODs seemed like impossible workouts--too many reps, too much weight, I couldn't do it (or so I thought). But, having stuck with it and put in the effort, I now know that I can. My times aren't always what I'd like and there are still days I leave feeling like I could have done more, but that frustration only exists because all at CFO have helped show me what is possible and encouraged me to continue to push myself. I think I'd enjoy CrossFit anywhere, but I love it at CFO. I can't imagine being surrounded and supported by a better group of people and friends. |
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