This will be the first of the Whole 30 posts written by people in the gym who have participated in the Whole 30 Challenge either with the gym or on their own. Corrine was kind enough to write this about her current Whole 30 experience:

I stared coming to Crossfit Intrepid October 2011 and in the six months I’ve been here, I’ve seen some amazing transformations. I’ve witnessed people pushing themselves to their physical limits and beyond. I’ve experienced a team atmosphere and caring and smart coaches.

In January I watched as a group of people took on the Whole 30 Challenge and transformed their eating habits, their minds, and their bodies. I saw the results and I wanted what they had. So I jumped in. I decided I would complete my own Whole 30 Challenge solo.

I don’t typically have superhuman will power when it comes to food choices and I’m no different than the average everyday coffee drinker who likes cream and sugar. In fact, I’d even say that pre-Whole 30, I loved sugary sweets (especially ice cream) and cheese was my weakness. But the Intrepid Whole 30 participants lit a fire in me so I downloaded the Success Guide, I made a grocery list, and I told my partner about the challenge I was going to take on (and subsequently she would be submitted to since we eat at least two meals a day with each other).

I started the very next day. I figured, why wait? What was I holding on to? Just jump and the net will appear. So I did. The first few days were full of headaches and cravings and more headaches. I had to keep reading the Success Guide to really pull me out of it. Turns out drinking your coffee black really isn’t that hard.

Some of the nitty-gritty: I added black tea to my morning routine instead of coffee which helped with the headaches. Going out to eat with friends was difficult. I said I had an allergy to gluten and dairy or that I was on a strict doctor ordered diet to satisfy touchy wait staff. Of course ordering sparkling water with a lime twist isn’t nearly as fun as a dirty martini but I knew that my cause was greater than having a drink with friends.

After the first week and a half, my choices almost became second nature. I enjoyed cooking my lunch ahead of time and bringing it to the office. My energy levels jumped and my Crossfit training intensity increased.

End results: My deadlift began increasing in weight in massive jumps for a total of a 30 lbs increase from when I started Whole 30 and I hit my first unassisted pull-up last week! I noticed my face thinning out and my stomach becoming flatter which says a lot because my belly has always been my trouble spot, seriously, for years! I lost 9 lbs in 30 days and I LOVE to eat! I enjoy my food, I appreciate the energy it gives me. I have a new found control over toxic thoughts about food and the way I relate to it.

Going it alone is no joke, but really, I had a supportive and encouraging partner at home routing me on, and a whole gym supporting my efforts. I never thought I would be able to accomplish something like this, but I have and I’m still going. I have no doubt in my soul that ANYONE could do this at ANYTIME. And you’re really never alone.

Thank you for all of your support, Viv, Ruth, Sean, Jenica, Celina, Mercy and CFI. Hey Marcus, this chick finished strong! Boom!

WOD 03.23.12

Bench Press 3×5 or Wendler

Partner WOD:

Partner WOD:

• 100 Burpees
• 170m Sprint

12.5 Open WOD
AMRAP 7
3 Thrusters (100/65)
3 Chest to Bar Pull Ups
6 Thrusters (100/65)
6 Chest to Bar Pull Ups
9 Thrusters (100/65)
9 Chest to Bar Pull Ups
12 Thrusters (100/65)
12 Chest to Bar Pull Ups