Member Spotlight
-Sandy-
I was never
really active as a child. I had a number of health problems that kept me inside
and sedentary. By high school my health had improved and I played both tennis
and field hockey. In college I continued to play tennis but still gained the
freshman 15 which morphed into the senior 25! Between college and medical
school I lost15 pounds. In medical school I gained about 25lbs. and the dye was
casted. I felt that all my time should be devoted to study and my professional
life, taking time to care for myself made me feel like I was not a serious
persona who was not truly dedicated.
Time passes,
life happens and I managed to ignore my expanding girth until about 6 years ago
when I had the sudden onset of acute back pain. I had a herniated disc, the
treatment of which relies heavily on weight reduction. I didn’t have the
courage to get on my bathroom scale so, I never really knew how much I weighed at
that time. I just went on a “diet”. For the next couple years I was either on a
diet or thinking about going on a diet. I repeatedly gained and lost and
regained the same 10-15lbs. I wasn’t happy with my lack of progress, in fact I
was truly discouraged. I decided to buy a “body bug” which was helpful but
wasn’t magic. Around then I began “running” with my dog. I immediately injured
my right knee and it blew up like a balloon. I went to an orthopedist that
drained my knee twice and injected it with steroids and then referred me to PT.
This all being said, after 3 years I was deeply depressed, disabled and
weighing about 200lbs.
I was at my
wits end. While reading a magazine I found a coupon for 4 free sessions with a
personal trainer. Paulette did my initial assessment and referred me to Jesse
Champi. He has been my game changer. He is a bright and capable professional
who is a pleasure to be around. Exercise was always a chore and my body my
enemy, but once I began training with Jesse exercise became fun. As I began to
lose wieight Jesse asked me what I wanted to work on. I told him that I didn’t
want flabby “old lady” arms. He wrote a very effective program for me and now I
have sculpted and toned arms. I have lost 65 pounds!
When Jesse
came to Pick It Up, I had to join. CrossFit Pick It Up is a remarkable place.
It is a community of friendly, supportive, motivating, active and inspiring
people. They keep me honest and accountable. The People at Pick It Up both
clients and trainers feel like an extension of my family. It is where I
belong. This place and these people are
a blessing and a gift I will always treasure.
