Katie Simons (a.k.a. Paleo Pioneer)
Age: 34
Height: 5’11”
Weight: Enough
CrossFitting Since: Feb 2011
Fundamentals: Feb – March 2011

How did you learn about Crossfit?

• Tough Mudder Training:  I signed up for the Mt Snow, VT Tough Mudder in December 2010 and when I looked for training programs, I came across many bloggers who said they CrossFit to get in shape for TM.
• Friends: My friend Mike is stationed in Afghanistan and would always post on Facebook that he completed an insane CrossFit workout and it inspired me because he is an awesome athlete.  And my friend Steph goes.  So, she told me about the Saturday free class…so, I tried it!  I have to admit, I probably wouldn’t have actually GONE if it wasn’t for Steph.  I thought CrossFit was more for men and really athletic men at that.  Boy, was I surprised when I saw all these strong, lean, and nice, fun, social women!

What were your goals when you started with Crossfit Training?

Hmmm…to survive?  No, I didn’t really know what to expect.  I just knew it was a gym for good athletes and I wanted to bring my “game” to the next level so I had to go there.  I was so surprised when the first WOD I ever did was 12 minutes and it was the most intense thing I had done in months.  I signed up for Fundamentals right away.

Now, my goals are different.  I am still a novice as I started CrossFit in Feb. 2011.  My short term goal is to do air squats properly.  I have to work on my core strength so that I can achieve the proper form.  And every single coach has helped me.  It’s amazing.  I mean, in other gyms, NO ONE cares.  NO ONE corrects you.  They just don’t.  At CrossFit Hoboken, they help you get your form down in an encouraging, motivating way.

Long term goal is to do a pull-up.  It will happen.  I don’t care how long it takes – I will get there eventually.

Oh, and one other short and long term goal is better flexibility.  I was not blessed with the flexibility gene so I really have to work on it.  I didn’t realize how important mobility/flexibility was until I started CrossFit and learned I couldn’t do some of the stuff because of my poor flexibility.  Mobility classes are awesome.

What was your training regiment prior to Crossfit?

Oh gosh – where to BEGIN!  I used to be in the gym two hours a day.  No question about it.  I would usually do some sort of cardio class (spinning, Zumba) and then, body conditioning.  I would do this 4-6 times per week.  For the first year of doing this routine, I DID see results.  I mean, it would have been super weird if I didn’t.  But after that, nothing changed.  I didn’t even move up with heavier weights or anything.  I just stayed the same, same, same for years.

Enter CrossFit.  Workouts that are less than 30 minutes?  No freaking way.  I remember telling my Fundamentals coach, Bennett, there is no way that these workouts will replace all the cardio I do.  And I continued to (or tried to…) run and stuff but CrossFit was enough.  I was skeptical for about 8 weeks of doing CrossFit and then…boom….RESULTS.  I am stronger.  I am leaner.  I can run forever.  What the heck is going on?  I am a CrossFit convert.  I still run and Zumba (btw, can you think about bringing one Zumba class a week to CrossFit.  Pretty please?) because I like to run and Zumba but it’s all about CrossFit now.

Coaches Response to Zumba: No…

What results have you seen with Crossfit?

The result- wow!  I mean, I lost 8 lbs in 8 weeks without “trying”.  It was a combination of CrossFit workouts AND the Paleo lifestyle.  I always monitored my weight through Weight Watchers but could never lose those last 10lbs!  I shifted to a Paleo lifestyle and it’s just been amazing.  I didn’t do my measurements but I am down a clothes size which in woman world is like winning the Super Bowl.  Well, not quite.  But I still would love to have a parade down Washington St. to celebrate this occasion because it’s been YEARS of dieting and I never got there.  2 months at CrossFit and boom, the weight is gone.

What was your first impression of Crossfit?

This was my first impression of CrossFit and I always think first impressions are telling and it really summarizes my experience so far.  I journaled it (if you know me, this is not surprising…)

Crossfit is no frills, no fuss, no fanciness.  It is in a FREAKIN WAREHOUSE.  And when I walked in, I was almost scared.  The coaches were so friendly and introduced themselves.  And when I said I was nervous, they were so easy-going and made me feel comfortable.  I signed the waiver, then went to the locker room and settled in.  My friends, Steph and Mindy, arrived minutes later.

The gym…there were bars, things hanging out of the ceiling…..it was HARD CORE.  I loved it.  Now, this is working out.  Who needs a fancy gym (and I’ve been to them ALL) with Kiehl’s lotion and women flaunting their new Lulemmon outfits?  Not this girl – this gym is hard core for REAL athletes and everyone was lean and mean AND friendly and welcoming.

The thing that was neat about it is that it is a very intense workout but the instructors are so easy-going.  It’s a very interesting environment.  It’s as if they know they have the best athletes so they don’t need to scream at people to motivate them; instead, they encourage and work with you to get the maximum effort out of your workout.  I guess it’s like working at a really good company; the thought is, “we cultivate and encourage the talent”.

My experience has been so positive that I encouraged my sister to do CrossFit and she does it in Queens.  My dad is a marathon runner and I told him he should do CrossFit (in Boston) to get stronger.  He said, “I will do Cross Fit if I can wear old school hi-top Chuck Taylors, long socks and the old fashioned short gym trucks like Larry Bird.”  Everything would be cool except the LB shorts, I told him, and I think he is considering it…

What would you like to accomplish in the next year?

In the next year, I would like to get stronger.  I am pretty tall so people may assume I am strong because I “look” strong.  But my upper body strength is weak.  I also have to commit to work more on my own for proper technique on some of the moves.  Lastly, I have to figure out a consistent training plan.  I think CrossFit is intense on your body so you have to figure out a way to train so you maximize the impact on your body.

CF Trainer Meris Sullivan is know for her excellent skills coaching, enthusiastic attitude and dedication to the CrossFit Community.  Meris has a dedicated personal training client base and has an impressive resume of sports accomplishments, notably a collegiate field hockey player.  Her husband is no slouch either, a former collegiate rower and recent triathlete, Chris is also a member at CrossFit Hoboken.  Here is what Meris had to say about staying active and CrossFit’s impact in their relationship…

1) How did you guys get into Crossfit?  Did you start separately or together?I was working out and somebody asked me if I was doing crossfit. I had never heard of it but looked it up as soon as I got home. 1 week later I signed up for my cert. I Told Chris about it and encouraged him to try it out. It took almost a year of my nagging but eventually he signed up and that was about 18 months ago

 
2) Does having someone to go to the workouts help keep you more accountable?

Because of our schedules we never get to workout together. We are both pretty motivated on our own but we get competitive at times with things like getting our first muscle up. Knowing that he would get his any day motivated me to focus on getting mine first. it is a good healthy competition and we cheer each other on too.
 

3) Do you guys ever feel competitive with one another during workouts?

We are such opposites physically that it is hard to compete. He has tons of endurance and I am better at heavy lifts (based on body percentage not actual weight moved) We are more competitive over movements, muscle ups handstands etc.
 

4) Does Crossfit come up a lot outside of the gym?

It does. Because I coach there are a lot of time when Chris will give me tips on being a more effective coach and sometimes when we get home I help him with his form. Very often Chris takes my class so we will also recap how it went.

 
5) Do you encourage other couples to Crossfit?

I encourage everybody to crossfit. The workouts are great but what is really cool is when I am doing something unrelated and can feel the benefits. For example when my niece visits, she weighs about 30 pounds and other people get tired of carrying her or playing with her and that is not an issue for me. As a couple we love to play sports against other couples and crossfit certainly helps us.

 
6) Has it helped your relationship by having the commonality of Crossfit?

We have always done things together, especially active things, so no crossfit hasn’t helped in that way.

Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to some of the couples that make up our membership at CrossFit Hoboken.  Recently engaged, Nick Mabunay and Jess Boynton are regulars at CFH.  They usually attend the morning classes and are often seen together.  Here is what they had to say about their CrossFit experience…

1) How did you guys get into Crossfit?  Did you start seperately or together?

Jess: Nick started CF in January ’09.  I didn’t join with him because I was really into yoga at the time.  He would come home after every workout and describe it to me.  I’m a competitive person and was so intrigued I joined in February ’09. 
 
Nick: My old roommate Erik (who still lifts at the gym) had been doing it for a couple of years and he got me interested in it.  Jess and I eventually moved into the building across the street from crossfit so I decided to give it a shot and Jess joined me about a month later.
 
 
2) Does having someone to go to the workouts help keep you more accountable?

Jess: 100%.  Nick and I live across the street from the gym so it’s convenient for us to workout at any time.  We favor the morning classes though because they are less frequented and, in these summer months, a little bit cooler.  As soon as that alarm goes off at 6 AM it’s almost a daily struggle for him to get me out of bed.  If we don’t work out together though the other one always feels guilty about it. 
 
Nick: It definitely does, we almost always go together and it helps because when she doesn’t want to go I will push her to go and then when I don’t feel like going Jess will push me into going.  It’s very nice to have someone keep you accountable.  It’s also nice to do it together because we get to see each other more and then usually later in the day talk about how sore we are and how much the wod sucked.
  
 
3) Do you guys ever feel competitive with one another during workouts?

Jess: We do and we don’t.  I’m a more competitive person by nature so I try to beat him in as many workouts as I can (time wise at least).  If there is no chance of me beating him, I will at least try to keep pace with him. 

Nick: I feel competitive in certain ways.  There are certain wod’s or exercises that I know Jess will beat me in, usually body weight stuff or tabata’s.  In that scenario I try and push my self to keep pace or try not to fall behind.
  
4) Does Crossfit come up a lot outside of the gym?

Jess: It does.  Our families are always interested in hearing about it and though we aren’t strict paleo or Zone, we tend to eat pretty healthy.  We try to keep a balance of 80% paleo, 20% splurges.  We find great paleo recipes online, like paleo fruit pie, and they are so good we always end up making them for friends or families.  The food typically intrigues people more. 
 
Nick: Yeah it does, our friends and co-workers know we are active with it.  They always ask what we did or was it hard today.
  
 
5) Do you encourage other couples to Crossfit?

Jess: If I knew more couples I would encourage them to CF.  Now I mostly focus on trying to bring my friends and coworkers in. 
 
Nick: I do, I like being able to workout with Jess.  It just gives us something to be active in together.
  
 
6) Has it helped your relationship by having the commonality of Crossfit?

Jess: I would say definitely yes.  Nick and I love staying active and this is just another reason for us to do what we love together.  Whether I did CF or not, I would still workout, but this is an excuse to do it together.  We help motivate each other to go to classes and then push each other while we are there.
Nick: It has helped our relationship, we both have the same schedule, we both are being active, we get to spend more time with each other. All of these things contribute to our relationship.

Stay tuned for more interviews with couples within our community!!

Exercise Routine:

I CrossFit 4-5 days a week with 1 long distance run and 1-2 sporting events a week. I try to stay active.

What made you decide to try CrossFit?

I heard about it from a complete stranger at NYSC who watched me workout. He recommended I checkout CrossFit.com. I checked it out that night, the next day I tried my first workout and it floored me. Been doing it ever since and was extremely happy to find out CrossFit was opening here in Hoboken.

What was your diet plan at CFH?

I use a mixture between Zone and Paleo. Meaning i watch my intake of natural foods to ensure optimal training.

What was your biggest challenge at CFH?

Previous to me coming to CFH, I had developed some bad habits regarding my form. I’ve been trying to undo what I leaned long ago and despite making great strides, I’m sure most coaches would say I could still improve.

What is your favorite part of CrossFit Hoboken?

My favorite part of CFH is not only being able to get a great workout but I’ve also made a great group of friends. The community is very different than any other gym I’ve been to.

How has CrossFit Changed your life?

Crossfit gave me a new motivation to push my limits of physical and mental fitness. I’m fitter now than I ‘ve ever been. Plus I’ve picked up some nice cooking skills.