I have been looking forward to featuring Wes as our Member of the Month for quite some time. His commitment and determination is a constant inspiration, and reminder of how healthy and fit our “silver” years can actually be.
What is your health & fitness background?
I’ve been a runner most of my life having run collegiate track and cross country and competitive road racing through my 40’s. I’ve always believed that physical activity is one of the keys to quality of life, and have maintained an active lifestyle in addition to running. Over the past few years my career and repeated injuries curtailed the amount of time I spent running, but I continued to run on a limited basis for recreation.
What brought you to CFR?
My wife joined CFR a couple of years ago, so I was somewhat familiar with the type of conditioning involved. However, when I attended the CFR Open House last May, I was totally amazed by the participants and their abilities. I realized that I was seeing another level of physical potential. I had been feeling that I was losing strength over the years and in addition, my chiropractor, Meg Barchiesi, pointed out that I had lost some balance as well. I had a feeling that these things were contributing to my repeated running injuries and weren’t going to improve without some effort on my part.
How long have you been a member, and how often do you attend?
I joined CFR at the Open House, started June 1, and am completing my 7th month. I attend 3 sessions per week.
Your overall experience with CFR.
My experience with CrossFit and CFR has been extremely rewarding. Not only have I increased in strength and balance, but have also improved the range of motion in a problem shoulder, which had been scheduled for surgery at one point. My coaches, Cindy and Terri, have been really supportive, tailoring the workouts to my particular needs and providing excellent instruction. They know their stuff and provide a great workout environment, all the while moving us toward higher goals and increased capacity.
Any changes, if any, that you’ve made in nutrition?
I can’t claim any changes that I’ve made personally in nutrition, but my wife has made changes that have improved our diet. I’m not sure whether the exercise or the diet is responsible, but I’ve lost weight and increased muscle.
Any changes in how you feel since Crossfit
I definitely feel better since starting CrossFit Rehoboth. The changes in my strength are obvious from my workout log. My balance has steadily improved. One area of great improvement for me is my ability to recover from each workout. At first, this was a problem, but after a couple of months, I began to recover quickly and just go on with my day.
Has your experience at CFR differed from your expectations of what CrossFit was or of what you thought the program would be?
I really came to CrossFit with an open mind and no expectations. I had limited goals, but overall wanted to recover my fitness. I was impressed with CFRT from the beginning with its balanced approach to incorporating progression. It reminded me of the intense physical conditioning that my Infantry Officers Training Course provided years ago.
What have been your greatest accomplishments since you started?
Jumping rope has been one of my most important accomplishments. I know this may sound kind of strange, but I never jumped rope in my life and at first, just couldn’t do it. Now I can. I think recovering strength and balance are also high on my list
What goals are you working on now?
I’m working on my aerobic capacity. I didn’t realize how out of shape I was, even in running. I think it’s easy to fool yourself when you train alone.
What recommendations or advice do you have for those who are curious about starting CrossFit?
Give CrossFit Rehoboth a try. Start where you are, be patient, listen to the coaches and celebrate your improvements. You can’t buy cheaper life insurance!
Any additional comments?
My only regret is that I didn’t start CrossFit sooner, but it’s never too late.
