I’ve had a couple people ask me about how I started on paleo. And a few have asked me about how I started CrossFit. So I’m combining them into one! My story isn’t unique. It’s pretty similar to most people’s out there so I hope it’s not too boring. It most likely will be though.
Here’s my background. I didn’t really play sports growing up. I swam for 9 years of my life on a summer league and just a little in high school. I was never extremely good at it, but I lived at my pool in the summers so it was just what you did. I never tried any other sports because I was too scared. I was too scared to try volleyball because I would have to wear spandex shorts. I was too scared to try lacrosse because I didn’t think I was cool enough to fit in with those girls. And I didn’t run track (well, for a month I did) because I sucked at running. And hated it. So sports didn’t really suit me. So I kept to myself, sang in choir, and worked out on my own…not knowing what the hell I was doing.
I had a couple personal trainers growing up that helped me get a little bit more into being in the gym and comfortable with lifting weights. I had boyfriends who were always into fitness so it made me want to try it and look cool. Obviously, that didn’t help me. But it made me never really feel intimidated with lifting weights around dudes. Lifting weights always gave me some sort of empowerment feeling.
So when I was in college, I worked at the student rec center where I began to work out more and more. And, of course, this was where I met my college boyfriend. I actually started talking to him because he would come into the gym, do a 20 minute workout, be drenched in sweat, then leave. I didn’t get how he could get in such a good workout in such a short amount of time. Long story short, we started dating, I weighed in at about 150lbs and was not in shape AT ALL. So, to try to keep my boyfriend around, I started doing CrossFit on my own in a small gym so I could do workouts with him.
I began searching the archives of crossfit.com, watching all the videos, figuring out how to clean and snatch, and trying all these things out by myself in the student rec center and the small private gym I went to. I taught myself the kipping pull up on the pull up bar in the park and bought my own jump rope to practice double unders 20 minutes a day.
While just doing CrossFit, I lost about 15 pounds. The more I read through crossfit.com, the more I began to understand how important eating healthy was. So I put on my big girl pants and started asking questions. My boyfriend at the time ate Zone, so I cleaned up my diet a bit, started eating zone portions and lost almost another 15 pounds. That means I got down to almost 120 lbs. I’m 5’7. That was the smallest I had been since I was in junior high.
So after about 6-8 months of doing CrossFit on my own, I decided to join my first CrossFit gym, CrossFit Evolve. They started teaching me how to actually lift correctly and dealt with my excessive tape use from ripping my hands every day. After only about 2 months there, I moved and started working out at a bunch of different CrossFit gyms in Denver.
This was when I decided to go paleo. All the way. I hated the idea of it, thought it was stupid, and refused to give in, but my then boyfriend and I decided we would try it together. The CrossFit gyms we went to both promoted the diet so we thought it was worth a shot if it would make us better at CrossFit. So I started cooking a ton more, looking at paleo recipe blogs, and reading The Paleo Solution and the Whole30 a ton. I fell in love with websites like Balanced Bites, Mark’s Daily Apple, Everyday Paleo, Health-Bent, Elana’s Pantry, and a ton of smaller ones. And I finally began to cook for myself for the first time in my life. And loved it. I loved trying new things and seeing that other people, who didn’t even eat paleo, liked those meals. So I started making my own meals and before I knew it, I was writing the nutrition blog for CrossFit Flex Gym and then finally started writing my own (mostly so I could cuss more and write whatever I wanted).
Now, it wasn’t until I started working out at CrossFit Broadway that my body really changed. Once I began working out with dudes that made me lift heavy and fast, I put back on almost 30 lbs. That means I went from 120 lbs to 150 lbs in probably 6 months actually eating cleaner and working out harder. Funny world we live in, just hilarious. I do have some hormone issues that I haven’t been able to figure out, but mostly I think I put on weight because my body was trying to figure out how to deal with the stress being put upon it with lifting so much more weight.
So here is the summmary. I’ve been eating paleo for over a year now and CrossFitting for over 2 years. I went from 150lbs of NO muscle to 120lbs of some muscle and NO fat to 150lbs of lots more muscle and some fat. I’m not shredded like a lot of the CrossFit women out there and I truly wish I was smaller. BUT I would never in a million years lift less to lean down. Never. I have worked very hard for 2 years to become stronger and fitter and to think about lifting less than my body is able, is just stupid to me. CrossFit has given me the strength to do things I didn’t know were possible so why would I deny those things and make myself weaker just for asthetic appeal?
I still play around with my diet monthly. I’ll cut out nuts, I’ll cut out fruit, I’ll try new vegetables, eating less protein, eating more protein. It’s a never ending process trying to figure out what my body likes and dislikes. And it’s ever changing. What my body liked a year ago when I started paleo is completely different than what it likes now. So it’s annoying. And listening to your body it’s a tough process.
CrossFit and paleo pretty much run my life. It’s often a love-hate relationship. I hate that I can’t eat a pound of almond butter in one sitting because I’ll crap myself all week. But I love that I can feel 10x better eating almond butter than I did when I ate grains. I hate that my ass and legs are bigger than they ever have been, but I love that they can lift more than they ever did before.
So that’s my story. It’s not that interesting, but hopefully it helps you with figuring out how you want to lead your life of healthy eating and healthy living. Do what makes you happy. Whatever that is, just do it. You only live once. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’m sure I left out a ton of stuff.
Juli,
My name is Sarah Bracy, and I am writing you from Tennessee.
I wanted your honest, blunt opinion on a situation.
I’ve been on and off with crossfit- like exercises for the past 5 years. [the circuit/intensity stuff] I recently found out there is a new crossfit gym in my area (finally) It’s still a 40 min drive but I’m willing to make it. Anyways to catch to the chase. This gym is saying that I need to do the on-ramp program, which I completely agree, but they only offer it at random ass times of the month, and with my schedule it is almost impossible for me to make the program. I asked about a personal one, and still pay the full amount and even a little extra. The owner just kind of blew me off, as she has a few times. She kind of makes me feel like I’m inadequate to be there. I thought I had done well my first day. I did the WOD in 14:56. Pretty much, I’d have to wait an entire month before they let me WOD again. Frankly, I’m impatient and I live to workout.
I’m not sure if I should wait the month, or keep doing my own workouts like you did before crossfit. What’s your opinion?
I am moving to Denver in December, any advice on which gym to join out there? I’m looking to feel accepted in a gym, for once.
Fitness Background: Few half marathons, Ragnar Relays, several 5ks and 10ks, Warrior Dash; currently training for triathlons and a cycling race across TN.
Thanks for your time,
Sarah
Do you know where you will be living in Denver? You should send me an email and I can help you out?
In the beginning I’ll be staying with my friend. He lives on Vine street downtown. I will be there either later this month or early August. Then again in the fall for job interviews. I would love the help!
Paleo Question:
I live on a farm, and we grow almost all our vegetables. I have just canned roughly 50 pints of greens beans and I will have about 100-200 ears of corn to put away too. I don’t think I could justify throwing out all those vegetables because of Paleo. Besides, I LOVE all my vegetables just as much as chocolate. I know and understand the science behind why they are a no-go food…..What would you suggest on doing?
In all honesty, if you want to go strict paleo, you can donate the food so you’re not throwing it away. That way you won’t feel as bad about it. And there are all kinds of awesome gyms around Denver so just try out a few and see which one suits you best!
what shorts are you wearing in that last pic? you look supa fly
Those are just Lululemon spandex!
Juli,
I absolutely love reading your posts! How do you stay motivated? I work at a hospital on 12 hour shifts and there are always snacks how do you turn them down? I almost feel angry when I don’t get what I want… Any thoughts? My husband makes it seem so easy when to me its not.. He is the one who has made our house “paleo”. And is into the crossfit thing. I just cant get my head around that I feel like its a chore.
Thanks!
Hey Melanie! That honestly took me a while to get past. I always still wanted those foods when I first started paleo. Once I stuck with paleo more and more, the more that “bad” foods would make me incredibly sick, so I wanted them less and less. And the more I started making paleo treats that helped me crave those bad foods way less!
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ve been digging your blog since going paleo a few months ago. You’re a great source of motivation, inspiration, and reeeally tasty treats.
How did you go about starting out with Crossfit independently? I’ve been wanting to get into it but the nearest Crossfit gym is an hour away (bummer) and costs more than I can afford right now on a grad school budget (fail). If you have any suggestions/resources for crossfitting without an official crossfit gym that would be very much appreciated!
I just started it in my school rec center, doing workouts from the main site (crossfit.com), looking up videos in their archives so i could try the movements on my own, then a went to a smaller gym that had better space and weight choices. I just would look back at past workouts and pick ones that I knew I could do when I started out, so a lot of body weight mvoements then a lot of jumping rope. that sort of thing. i did that for probably 6 months before i went to a crossfit gym! I also did a lot of workouts in the park!
Thanks for the awesome post, Juil! Just recently found your blog while I have been debating whether to try Crossfit for quite some time. I am ready to do it but am so nervous!! I run quite a bit and lift some but I’m wondering–the training you did beforehand (practicing kipping pull ups, double unders, etc)…should I do that before I try a workout at a CF gym?! I don’t even know what half the terms mean haha. Thank you for all the inspiration!
If you already have a CF gym ready to go to, just go there so you can learn everything with someone else’s help!
Went to the Games this past weekend, am now just a teensy bit obsessed with CF and Paleo… thus finding your blog. And pretty much resonate with your humor. lol. Any blog posts (anywhere) that show what a “Paleo” stocked pantry looks like? Thanks In Advance 😉
Check out health-bent.com. Awesome pantry list on there!
Juli – do you know what your body fat % was during those three “phases” of your journey?
When I was at my heaviest, I was about 20-22%, thinnest was at 12.5%, and I have no idea what i’m at now
WOW!!! What’s your definition of working out “a little”? (That is an actual question, not rhetorical 🙂 )
I just had a baby 6 months ago and at 42, that “working out a little” is looking pretty darn good to me as a goal!!!
I just wanted to let you know I am kind of going through this right now. Yeah I am totally pissed that I am going to have to buy all new jeans because my ass wont quit but I feel awesome doing CrossFit– and sometimes I forget that.
So I guess, thanks for sharing it with the interwebz. It made me feel good today.
Juli, i love your blog so much. You are so inspirational to everyone (Crossfitters or not!) and beautiful inside and out. Keep doing what you do and show the rest of the world what it means to CRUSH LIFE! Thank you for being you! xoxo