ATHLETE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH, 2012 – The Zelina Family (Lisa, Rick, Eric, Andrew)

1. Were you active prior to CrossFit?
Lisa: Yes.  I ran distance races and then joined a gym in our former location, near Pittsburgh, to help train for a triathlon.
Rick: I did some lifting in college and afterwards, but that was a long time ago.  As the family and work responsibilities grew, I became a weekend warrior: playing basketball and doing short distance running and biking on the weekends.  I would then spend much of the following week limping around.
Eric: Yes, I played football and lacrosse.
Andrew:  Yes, I played lacrosse and ran cross country.

2. When did you first start doing CrossFit?
Lisa: In January 2009, I started at a CF gym in the Pittsburgh area.  In June of 2010, we moved to Charlotte and I saw Steve’s sign on Popular Tent Road that read “Crossfit gym open”.  I called Steve and did my baseline WOD shortly thereafter.
Rick: I did a little CF in Pittsburgh, but had a long respite before and after our move to Charlotte.  Lisa raved about CF Vitality and talked me into coming in October of 2010.
Eric: I started late in 2010, after the H.S. football season ended, as a means of staying in shape until the lacrosse season started in the spring.
Andrew:  I started late in the fall of 2011, after the end of the cross country season, as a way to stay in shape over the winter.
 

3. What were your thoughts after your first workout?
Lisa: I loved it, even though every part of my body hurt.
Rick: That I would not be able to move for days!  But with the encouragement of Lisa and Steve, I eventually learned to get comfortable with the pain.
Eric: Wow, this is very difficult.  Why did I come?
Andrew: It was fun.

4. What do you enjoy the most about CrossFit?
Lisa: I love the camaraderie and the family atmosphere.  It’s a place where my whole family can come to work out together, and everyone can participate, no matter your fitness level.
Rick: I enjoy the diversity of the workouts, the full range motion and whole body focus.  I also love the supportive, yet competitive, environment and the fact that the CrossFit's approach is scalable for everyone, enabling our entire family to participate.
Eric: The diversity of exercises.
Andrew:  The sense of community; no matter how young or old, you are accepted.
 

5. What were your goals when you first started? What are they now?
Lisa: To be healthy, strong and able to fully enjoy my busy lifestyle fully.  Now, stay strong and healthy.
Rick: When I joined, I was looking to increase my overall strength and mobility, in order to enjoy activities now and in the future with Lisa and our boys (and eventually grandkids!).  Now, I’m working towards doing all movements at prescribed levels.
Eric: At first, to get in shape.  Now, to get faster and stay in shape for lacrosse.
Andrew:  At first, be able to do a pull up.  Now, to be stronger, bigger, faster.
 

6. What is your favorite CrossFit movement?
Lisa: Rope climb and hand stand push-ups
Rick: Rowing, Slam balls, and T2B
Eric: KB’s and back squats
Andrew:  Rope climb, pull ups and hand stand push-ups
 

7. What is your least favorite movement?
Lisa: Snatch and wallballs.
Rick: Snatch and double-unders
Eric: Snatch
Andrew:  Wallballs and squat-cleans
 

8.  What kind of nutrition plan do you follow and has that changed since you started CrossFit?
Lisa was Zone and the rest of us were pizza, pasta, and burger-and-fries lovers.  Now, our family is 80% Paleo, except Andrew still loves his mac-n-cheese and mashed potatoes. 
 

9. Talk about your results from doing CrossFit?
The combination of the change in diet and consistently doing the CF workouts, has had an enormous effect on each of us:  Lisa has dropped two clothing sizes, Rick is back into the jeans he wore when he met Lisa nearly 22 years ago, and Eric has lost almost 30 lbs in one year.

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY, 2012 – Andrew Sides

1. Were you active prior to CrossFit?
Somewhat active, but not anything like I’ve found at CrossFit!  I lifted weights and ran intermittently in addition to being an active participant of a competitive Volleyball team.
 

2. When did you first start doing CrossFit?
I came to my first CrossFit class in February 2011. I was interested in applying for Marine Officer Candidate School and the website had Steve Pinkerton’s name still listed as an OSO.  I did some more research and found that Steve retired and had started a CrossFit gym.

3. What were your thoughts after your first workout?
I remember lying on the floor after the first workout praying that I didn’t throw up on the turf.  It was humbling, but also incredibly motivating.

4. What do you enjoy the most about CrossFit?
I love the sense of family and community that Steve and Jess and the whole CFV team have built.  The consistently challenging and unique workouts.  The people and the support they offer.  The friendly competition.

5. What were your goals when you first started? What are they now?
My goal when I first joined CrossFit was to increase my PT score for the application for Marine OCS and to get accepted into OCS.  I have not only been selected for January 2012 Marine OCS, but I’ve found a community and support system along the way.

6. What is your favorite CrossFit movement?
CrossFit Endurance is my favorite class.  My favorite movement is probably kettlebell swings, thrusters, push press, or hollow rocks.

7. What is your least favorite movement?
Double-Unders

8. What kind of nutrition plan do you follow and has that changed since you started CrossFit?
Both Emily and I have changed our eating habits drastically since starting CrossFit.  We eat about 70-80% Paleo most of the time.  My motto for food is now “food is fuel” and that mindset impacts what you are willing to consume.

9. Talk about your results from doing CrossFit?
I have more energy and motivation.  Instead of “trying to get a workout in,” I look forward to going to CFV for a WOD.  I have been able to drastically improve my PT for my OCS application.  I have been able to work out with my wife and participate in WODs together, which is great. Working out at CFV has helped me mentally prepare myself for OCS and to push myself far beyond what I thought I could do.