Joanne's Fitness Journey

Joanne’s Fitness Journey

I have always tried to be active throughout my life from walking, swimming, bicycling and all kinds of aerobics classes. It wasn’t until around the age of 40 that I realized my true passion for exercise was running. I love to be outside and it is time to myself that has become a great stress reliever for me. I started off slowly and then began entering local races. I ran my first NYC marathon the year I turned 50. After 2 more marathons and arthritis hitting my knees, I decided I needed to add to my exercise regimen. I have never been a gym person but I joined one with my running buddy. I mostly attended classes because left alone I just floundered around the machines. I was always too intimidated to go near the weights.

Then one day my daughter mentioned to me that a classmate in her Manhattan College physical education class was raving about CrossFit. I had heard of it but didn’t think I was enough of an athlete to try it. Then walking my dog one day I ran into my neighbor, Suzanne. As I was ogling her arms she told me how she and her husband run a gym in Pearl River…and so my CrossFit story begins.

My daughter and I attended the 3 trial classes and I was hooked. From day one I felt comfortable being there. I never thought that I would miss not attending the gym one day but I actually do feel bad if I don’t make it. It has become a part of my daily routine. The best part of this particular CrossFit is the individual attention we get from Coach Ray. He takes the time to learn what clients can handle and pushes just a little more. Although I still haven’t done a “box jump” I have succeeded in jumping on a stack of gymnastics mats. I’m still using a band for pull-ups but at least now I can get my foot in the band on my own. To know that the workouts will be scaled down to an obtainable goal really helps when I read a workout that I think I’ll never be able to handle.

Although I am often still intimidated by the weights, I know that I have someone teaching me the proper way to perform the moves and the correct weight. The variety of the workout each day is also a huge plus and makes me feel like every part of my body is being challenged and I am never bored. That brings me to the “challenge.” The nutritional guide and physical element of my first challenge made me feel that I was in the best shape of my life. It was the first time I could actually see results that I’m able to maintain.

The last plus I would like to mention about this CrossFit is the people I have met. Everyone is encouraging and makes me feel like I’m a part of the group. All of my partners along the way have been great and many have become my friends. I will continue to make faces at Ray, but I will also continue what I think has been my best fitness journey yet!

Let’s Go!!


Joanne