Crossfit Blog
3.25.13
by Bennett
Name: Tania Carpenter
Age: 42
Height: 5’6
Weight: A little closer to my goal each day
Crossfitting Since: September 2011
Attends Class: 3-4x week, plus Hot Yoga
Favorite Quote: “You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?” - Steven Wright
- HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
I was searching for Boot Camp classes when I came across the main CrossFit site. I was a little confused, but also intrigued, so I attended the Free Saturday class when I found out there was location in Hoboken. It was one of the best workouts I had had in a very long time…little did I know that I could accomplish so much more! - WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
There’s a sense of accomplishment that cannot match the feeling I get after completing a great workout. My goals were to find a sport that would provide me with that feeling, along with finding a routine that I could stick with long term. - HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?Prior to starting CrossFit, I belonged to a typical gym and hired a personal trainer to push me further than I was pushing myself. This proved to be expensive and I just wasn’t seeing the results that I wanted. Tracking my improvement over time is made easier with CrossFit, because there are a series of consistent workouts and I track my results into BTWB.
- WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?I am definitely stronger and more determined to push myself throughout each WOD. Coming to the gym is now a part of my lifestyle and I’ve seen the results both mentally and physically — my ambition to improve, the structure I maintain in my eating and workout habits, the definition in muscle tone, and most importantly, the reduction in my jean size!!
- HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?I’ve been to a few CrossFit facilities because I work in the city, but Hoboken is my preferred gym for a few reasons: the size of the gym allows us to stretch out and not feel cramped, we incorporate the outdoor space (running) into our workouts, the training provided by the CrossFit Coaches, and the members as we balance both encouraging and competing with one another. I feel that CrossFit Hoboken is an important part of the Hoboken Community with their organization of social outings and their participation in helping out after Hurricane Sandy…it has certainly left a mark and brought a health conscience service to us all.
- WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?My goals are simple: I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, make a few friends, and maybe one day, if I try really hard, do a few pull-ups without any assistance from one of those much needed rubber bands.
- WHEN DID YOU START EATING PALEO?I had never heard of Paleo until I joined my first CrossFit Challenge in August 2012. When I participated again in January 2013, I became even more aware of the program and learned how to make the necessary changes in my diet through the encouragement of other Challengers and by sharing recipe ideas. I visit the CFH Winter Paleo Challenge Facebook page as well as a few favorite sites for inspiration (http://whole9life.com, http://nomnompaleo.com/recipeindex).
- WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU?
I typically start the day with a large glass of water followed by coffee with coconut creamer (a fantastic substitute to half-and-half), fresh fruit and raw almonds, or with some sort of egg & veggie concoction. My lunch and dinners include a lot of vegetables with a protein of choice – mostly fish. - HOW DID PALEO ACCELERATE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS?
No wheat + No dairy + fresh vegetables and protein = weight loss and better workouts. It just works. - HAVE YOU FOUND IT HARD TO ADHERE TO PALEO DIET?Willpower and education are the bedrocks of this diet. Once I educated myself on what I could and could not eat, it became a lot easier. I’m still learning and adjusting. This is not a quick fix; this involves breaking down a lifetime of bad habits and rebuilding with better choices through time.
- OTHER THAN PALEO WHAT OTHER DIET TOOLS HAVE YOU USED?
I typically track everything I eat on the Lose-it App on my phone. It helps me track calories and summarizes my intake of protein, carbs and fats. - WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF GOING PALEO?
If I was told that the healthiest diet included wine, cheese and crackers, and fries, I could say with certainty that I could maintain it for life. Old habits die hard, so I’m still working…. - DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE WITH THIS WAY OF EATING PERMANENTLY?
I maintain a Paleo diet 80% of the time. I also plan to use the Paleo Challenges to reset my habits because it’s a great way to keep on track throughout the year.
10.8.12
by Bennett
Name: Stef Tani
Age: 30
Height: 5’3”
Weight: 139
Crossfitting Since: November 2011
Attends Class: 5 times a week
Favorite Quote: “If you choose to push yourself to do that which you never thought possible, chances are you’ll surprise yourself.”
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
One of my very close friends has been crossfitting for about 3 years in Long Island. She had casually been trying to convince me to try it out for a while. I was doing one-on-one boxing at the time and liked it, so I wasn’t really motivated to try something new. When after a year I was still hesitant she sat me down (intervention style) talked to me about what crossfit was, why she thought it was the right choice for me, and then made me promise her that I would try it just one time. Four days later, I made good on my promise. I thank her for this every single chance I get.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
Honestly, my first goal was just not to die. I walked into CFH for my first beginners class just as the 6pm was finishing up Randy. The entire box was shaking from what seemed to be a collection of the strongest most intense people on earth throwing huge barbells around a warehouse to blaring rock music and loud screams of C’MON GET ON THAT BAR 3-2-1!! To say I was intimidated would be the understatement of the century (enter: thoughts of killing above mentioned friend). Against all odds, by class number 2, I was hooked. After 8 weeks of fundamentals and surviving my first real WOD I started to set general goals for myself, like I want to get stronger, faster, and more fit, and eventually graduated to goals like I want to have 17+ rounds of Cindy. I am happy to say I have achieved all of that!
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
Simply put: intensity and passion. Before crossfit, working out was just the means to an end. Except for sparring, which I still do on occasion, it wasn’t something I enjoyed, but rather something I needed to do. I didn’t care how “good” I was at it, how much weight I could lift or how fast I could perform the movements. It was purely about burning calories. Crossfit is about community, about testing your inner strength as well as your physical strength. I look forward to setting a goal for myself every day and pushing myself to meet it. It makes me want to be better.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
The results have been better than I could have imagined. Over four years ago I very badly injured my ankle. No matter how much PT I did, regardless of how long I wore the leg brace, I was unable to perform standard daily tasks. By the time I started crossfit I had been working on strengthening my ankle for well over 3 years. I tried everything, yet still couldn’t even briskly jog to catch a bus, let alone do impact exercise. After just a few months of crossfit (which I scaled appropriately for my injury) I started to show the first ever signs of progress. Fast forward 10 months, I can do almost everything. It makes everyday living 10 times easier. And that’s just my ankle. Generally speaking, I am probably twice as strong today than I have ever been in my life. I have never had the level of energy or enthusiasm that I have now. Coming from a place where for years I couldn’t walk down the stairs without being in agonizing pain, I’d say the results have been outstanding.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
AMAZING. I truly can’t say enough about the place. First of all, the insanely skilled athletes that coach at CFH take their coaching very seriously and coach from the heart. They care about the members, their health, and their development. The members are always ready to do whatever necessary to help, whether that be to stand by your side and root for you when all they want to do is lie breathlessly on the floor, push you to get back on the bar for those last reps when you think you might not make it, call you to make sure you are icing/resting/showing up, whatever. I have never met a more collegial group in my life. It’s because of this atmosphere that people are able to succeed. It is this attitude that changes people’s lives because the crossfit “you can do anything” mentality inevitably spills over into other aspects of life. For this, and more, a huge thank you to every CFH member, staff member, and coach (present and past) that has enriched my life and continues to do so on a daily basis. What the Crossfit Hoboken community brings to the table is unique, much appreciated, and never once taken for granted. You guys ROCK!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
Unassisted pull ups, consecutive double unders, handstand push ups, RXing strength WODs – the list goes on and on. These things would have seemed impossible to me a year ago, but that’s just another example of how crossfit has changed my perspective… I know now that if I want it, and I work hard enough for it, I will make it happen. No questions, no excuses.
NUTRITION
WHEN DID YOU START EATING PALEO?
The day I signed up for my first Paleo Challenge, January 9, 2012 (not like I remember the exact moment of my life that I last ingested wheat or anything…).
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU?
For breakfast I mostly eats eggs and/or leftover meat (admittedly sometimes I even cook meat at 7 am on purpose…). For lunch I’ll usually eat a salad with chicken or tuna, avocado, and tons of veggies. For dinner I eat a good amount of meat or fish (all of the organic, hormone/antibiotic free, wild caught, grass fed variety) with some form of vegetable. I’ll have a handful of nuts and/or piece of fruit for a snack. When I’ve had a particularly grueling workout I make sure to follow it with some sweet potato or a banana. Coffee, 85% dark chocolate, red wine and tequila are also my friends (happy to report that some things never change).
HOW DID PALEO ACCELERATE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS?
Going Paleo literally transformed my body. It’s much more than pounds on a scale. Shape and muscle wise it’s a whole different ball game.
HAVE YOU FOUND IT HARD TO ADHERE TO PALEO DIET?
Not really. I read the Paleo Solution early on and about a million articles and blogs. Together they helped me understand the scientific reasoning behind Paleo principles. I don’t eat Paleo to lose weight (though it has been a welcomed side effect). I eat Paleo to be healthy and feel good. When you’re doing it for those reasons, it becomes an easy choice. Also, it’s hard to complain when everything you’re eating is delicious.
OTHER THAN PALEO WHAT OTHER DIET TOOLS HAVE YOU USED?
None. Besides trying to be reasonably conscious of my carb and fat intake, I eat Paleo when I’m hungry until I’m full.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF GOING PALEO?
Prep time, planning ahead to be out of the house, and the significant bump in cooking. However I have discovered that I actually really enjoy cooking and am pretty good at it if I do say so myself! Life might have been easier before, but it sure wasn’t better. Then again, when did doing what comes easy ever pay off?
DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE WITH THIS WAY OF EATING PERMANENTLY?
Absolutely. I feel better, happier, and more energetic every minute of every day. I can’t imagine not wanting that forever.
9.25.12
by Bennett
Name: Firas Kaddaha
Age: 31
Height: 6ft
Weight: 185lbs
Crossfitting Since: 2009
Attends Class: Everyday if I could, but average about 5 times a week
Favorite Quote: We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.—Aristotle
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
Summer of 2009 my brother started crossfitting in Montreal. Within a few months he was getting results both in his fitness and the way he looked. Being that he was my younger brother and our ongoing sibling rivalry, I started looking into trying it out. I lived in Morristown at the time and the closest box was Crossfit 908 in Berkley Heights, which is owned by Crossfit Hoboken alum Tim Carroll. I crossfitted there from November 2009 to April 2010. Then I moved to Jersey City and started my medical residency in NYC and didn’t crossfit for 5 months. But I still had the itch and Tim always had great things to say about CFH which was a 5min drive for me, so I joined CFH in October 2010 and the addiction has been ongoing since then.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
Didn’t have any specific goals other than get fitter, stronger and look & feel better. And of course beat my brother at a WOD. Safe to say I’ve accomplished all of these goals and more since I joined.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
I’ve always been active – tennis, horseback riding, basketball, soccer, running – but I never really trained regularly before crossfit. I have paid so much money into regular gyms, but always within weeks I’d lose motivation and eventually stop going. I was always intimidated when I went into those gyms, never knew what to do. Crossfit, on the other hand, is something I see myself doing for as long as I can, hopefully the rest of my life. It starts off with the great coaching I’ve had and the guidance and support you get from day one. You never feel lost or aimless when you’re there. It’s an hour of your day and you leave feeling like you’ve accomplished a lot. But really it is enhanced and made enjoyable by the great camaraderie and community feel you get when you’re there. You meet great people who all support and push each other.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
I am, without a doubt, in the best shape of life physically. But there is a great emotional and psychological benefit to crossfit, which I guess is true of all exercise, but for me has been most noticeable with crossfit. I look & feel fitter and better than I ever have. This in turn translates into more energy and confidence in my work, and into more calm in my private life.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
My experience at Crossfit Hoboken has been a phenomenal one. I joined the gym when it was half the size and seen it grow in size and in membership, and one thing I am always impressed with is the reinvestment in the gym from new expansions to new equipment and new coaches. I look forward everyday to make it to class, and because of the great people that work and train there I enjoy hanging around after class to chat or do a little bit of extra work.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
I would just like to be able to continue to make it there as often as I do – with a baby on the way I’m really hoping I can still keep up the pace. I would like to continue to set new PRs and to continue to push myself even more and hopefully in a year from now I’d still be able to say I’m in the best shape of my life.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR DIET?
I don’t really adhere to paleo diet. I generally do try to minimize carbs and dairy but I don’t cut them out. My focus is more on portion control. I generally believe it is more about the balance of calorie intake versus calorie expenditure. Crossfit in general though has made view food in a different way. I still enjoy, but because of the work in the WODs, it makes me think twice about wasting it on a craving.
9.11.12
by Bennett
Name: Christopher Carter
Age: 33
Height: 5 ft 8 ins
Weight: 172lbs
Crossfitting Since: Aug 2010
Attends Class: 4 times a week
Favorite Quote: Go hard or go home
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
I heard about CF from one of my work colleagues. I had just been given the ok to train again after having broken my leg and he told me I should try this CF and that I would like it.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
I wanted to regain muscle which I had lost from having broken my leg, but also to build stronger muscle and dramatically improve my upper body strength.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
I used to work out twice a week with a trainer at a sports club and maybe once or twice a week I would go for a run. So the number of times id workout each week could range from 2 to 4 (if I was lucky). I would do similar workouts each week and I never really felt like I saw any major results.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
After 6mths of me working out at CFH I was a different person. I had regained the loss muscle from my injury and added new improved muscle in my legs. When it came to upper body strength I was always very weak beforehand, now I was able to lift / press/ clean more than I would have ever thought. Mentally I have always been tough, but Crossfit has made me even stronger and to never ever give up.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
When I first joined CFH it was like a small private members club, over the past year it’s tripled its size. The staffs were always very attentive and on the ball with each athlete during classes. Since the gym has grown in size they have done an excellent job in maintaining that standard throughout. The staff is always happy to help in any way they can and their encouragement levels are always high.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
I wish to continue to develop my crossfit techniques and grow in terms of strength and as an athlete. If the past experiences at CFH are anything to go by I have no worries there.
WHAT ABOUT DIET? WHEN DID YOU START EATING PALEO?
I tried the 45 day paleo challenge about a year ago and noticed a big difference. I typically do not stick to paleo 100% each day but what the challenge did taught me was so valuable. My diet is completely different now in a positive way. I have gone from thinking “I have to eat healthy” and not really knowing what that REALLY entailed to becoming educated and now eating healthy without trying.
7.16.12
by Bennett
Name: Brittany Hallahan
Age: 29
Height:5’5”
Weight: Almost to goal
Crossfitting Since: July 2011
Attends Class:5+ a week
Favorite Quote: ‘It is meant to be hard, if it was easy everyone would do it’
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
I first heard about CrossFit from one of my friends who had moved to NJ from Atlanta. I was tired of my workouts and he suggested I check out CrossFit. At first I was intimated by the workouts so it took me almost 6 months to check out a free class and sign up for Fundamentals. Had I known how much I would love it I would have jumped at the opportunity the first time he mentioned CrossFit to me.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
To make it through a class…To be honest I do not know that I had any goals when I first started. Ultimately I was looking for a change in my workouts and to be in better shape.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
Light years different…The first time Coach Dan called me an athlete I laughed. Much to my Dad’s dismay growing up I never played sports. I was active with dance and cheerleading but would not have considered myself overly athletic. Before Crossfit I was one of those girls that would go to the gym take a class once or twice a week then jump on the elliptical or treadmill for an hour followed by sit ups before calling it a day. I rarely lifted weights especially heavy weights and had never worked with a barbell. I believed that if I lifted heavy weights I would get ‘bulky’. After Fundamentals I worked one on one with Coach Dan to improve my form and increase my comfort level in classes. I quickly changed my mindset and am now proud to be a ‘strong chick’.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
Since joining CrossFit I have lost weight and sizes in clothing but more importantly CrossFit has made me realize that being strong and healthy is the most important factor. There is no better feeling then Rx’ing a WOD that you thought you would never be able to do.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
AMAZING!!!! Not only does CrossFit Hoboken offer great workouts but they have awesome coaches who care about each member’s success. When you walk through the door, you walk into a community that supports and challenges you to be a better athlete.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
I am going to continue to work on my pull ups. I’ve come a long way, when I started I was using two green bands and I am down to one red band. I would like to be able to Rx a WOD when pull ups are involved.
NUTRITION QUESTIONS
WHEN DID YOU START EATING PALEO?
February of 2011. I signed up for the Winter Paleo Challenge
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU?
Lots of protein, vegetables and some fruit. I typically make myself an egg white omelet for breakfast with veggies and top it with homemade guacamole with a cup of coffee to get me started. I wake up early so I normally need a mid morning snack, maybe some fruit. Lunch is a large salad with protein, maybe chicken or fish. Then I have turkey roll ups with slices of red peppers or an apple with sunflower butter to get me through the afternoon and my workouts. For dinner, a large plate of vegetables and protein. I will have ½ a sweet potato or a little rice a couple times a week. Last and most importantly I’m finding a happy balance with my love for dark chocolate and red wine.
HOW DID PALEO ACCELERATE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS?
The first week I lost 5 or so pounds. After the initial week my weight continued to go down but more importantly I lost inches. My clothes were looser and by the end of the 45 days I had dropped a full size in clothing. What girl wouldn’t like that!!!! The weight loss was more than welcomed but I also found that I slept better and once I eliminated/minimized the amount of sugar I consumed, I had more energy and overall just felt better.
HAVE YOU FOUND IT HARD TO ADHERE TO PALEO DIET?
Not really. It’s all about planning and being aware of what you are eating. I have found that if I give myself a ‘cheat’ day I more compliant and do not ‘fall off the wagon.’
OTHER THAN PALEO WHAT OTHER DIET TOOLS HAVE YOU USED?
I’ve tried other diet tools in the past but have found that Paleo works for me. I have incorporated some of the foods allowed from the Zone Diet. I am allergic to almonds so I find that I am limited in some of my snacks. I allow hummus a couple times a week with vegetables as a snack.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF GOING PALEO?
Explaining and getting my friends to understand my new way of eating. I have always been picky when it came to some of my meals but they did not understand why no diary, grain and legumes. Also I had to change my Starbucks order. I was always a big fan of a Triple Grande Soy Latte and the occasional Carmel Macchiato.
DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE WITH THIS WAY OF EATING PERMANENTLY?
Yes, I do. I learned a lot about my eating habits from completing the challenge. I have taken the tools I learned and incorporated them into my everyday life. I am aware that not everywhere you go (i.e. restaurants, picnics etc…) are going to be Paleo friendly but you can make healthy choices and one meal off Paleo is not going to derail the progress I have made.
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