CrossFit Tri-Cities

In college I took up walking……and that, for most of my adult life, has been my primary exercise.

Several years ago, my husband made a decision that changed our lives. He decided that HE was going to get in shape (he would need 2 years to do it) and HE was going to climb Mt. Rainier. I am from Seattle and had never thought of climbing that mountain. But he asked me to train him…..and soon it was WE were going to climb Mt Rainier. In that quest I met Mark and he introduced me to CrossFit. I did not know it at the time, I just knew that I was doing stuff I had never done before and starting to see some good results. When Mark opened his own CrossFit box I was in line and ready to go.

We have lots of labels to describe us……I am a wife, I am a Human Resources Executive, I work in the City, I am a volunteer, I have Multiple Sclerosis, I am a survivor…….but the one that I have found that enhances and enriches all the others is…I am a CrossFit athlete. I have found strengths and confidence in areas I never expected to find, and I have found weaknesses in areas I did not even knew existed. I started coming for the workouts, the challenge and the way they made me feel, like I had really accomplished something. If I could do 100 pull ups, I could do anything. I stayed because I loved the people. For me, the group dynamic really helped to push me. I wanted to beat my own time, I wanted to get better than some of those around me. And I loved the encouragement along the way and watching others grow in confidence and strength.

Diet….I could write a whole book on that journey….but there has been a huge change for me there as well. I was a vegetarian for close to 10 years. Now I eat a diet made up of protein, carbs and fat that come from meat, vegetables, fruit and nuts….as well as some dairy. This diet as well as my general physical fitness has changed a lifelong pattern of allergies, hypoglycemia and other health concerns. I have more energy, less stress, and excellent general health.

For those of you who have health challenges, I understand…and don’t count yourself out. The great thing about this program is that it can be scaled to ANY ability level. I had never lifted a barbell before but found that I was stronger than I ever imagined, mentally and physically. I have worked through flare ups where my muscles don’t work right, or where I have extreme fatigue…..and Mark, or Tara or Curt will work with me to find what fits me best for that day. There are a lot of ugly diseases out there……heck, just age can be a challenge. Don’t let those things label you…don’t let them limit you. Define your own limits…….defy your own limits!!!

Tareyece Scoggin-Aranda
St. Charles, Illinois