Angie Hayes

Angie, and "THE" Birthday picture that prompted a changeEx-athlete turns to CrossFit and AdvoCare for a life and body makeover!

Once upon a time, I was an athlete. After I stopped playing ball I was in and out of the gym, gaining and losing weight like a yo-yo. My weight inched up, slowly but surely. Two years ago I worked hard core, strictly starving myself on one of those “fad diets” where I only got 1200-1500 calories a day (that’s not much for a gal who is 6’3”) and I lived in the gym, averaging an hour plus of cardio each day, I even paid personal trainers ungodly amounts of money. I got down to 175 pounds but wasn’t very strong, had no definition, and still wanted to lose more.

Then my life, emotionally, hit the fan. I moved to a new state, started a new job, went through a divorce, and became very depressed. I ate to satiate all the negative emotions. I ate until I hit 250 pounds. I knew I was gaining, but then there was this terrible picture of me from a friend’s birthday party that made me nearly hurl. Something had to give, had to change. 

When I lived in CA some trainer I met told me about Crossfit. I blew him off; to me it was “just like every other fad.” Then, at my new place here in Webster, Clear Lake Crossfit was ½ a mile from my house. I had to try it out; at least one workout. I didn’t realize how out of shape I had become! The baseline workout had rowing, sit-ups, air squats, push-ups and pull-ups. I couldn’t do any of it without modifications and it took me forever. It was the best work out I had found since playing ball in college! I was hooked; I had to come back. I started coming 2 days a week, then 3 days, then 4; I couldn’t get enough.

But 3 months in I hadn’t lost a pound, I had increased my consumption level with my activity level. So I finally gave in and started listening to the great advice that my coaches there were offering. I started eating a modified version of Paleo and taking Advocare. The weight started melting off. 25 A 50 pound lighter, stronger, smoking hot, confident Angie!pounds gone in 2 months! And I was eating as much as my tummy wanted, no more starving myself! At one point I thought, “this Advocare is too expensive, I’m gonna try it without.” Two weeks and I didn’t lose a pound; back on it and the weight started melting off again.  That was the proof I needed; Clear Lake Crossfit, the amazing coaches and people there, Advocare and Paleo, there is no better way.

It’s nearly a year later and I am stronger than I have ever been. I can do real pull ups, real push-ups, lift heavy weights for multiple reps but most importantly, I have learned about pushing through. When my mind says, “you can’t do any more, you need to quit, this hurts, it’s hard” I don’t have to listen. I have watched my body continue moving, keep lifting, push through the pain; I can keep going. And this has changed my life drastically; I have learned to apply this perseverance to all kinds of things I do outside of the gym. No matter how hard things are or how tough things seem and how much I want to quit, I can keep going and I will succeed.

Lastly, the real kicker, I’ve lost 55 pounds, I’m down to 195. I’m wearing a smaller size than I did when I weighed 175 and I feel confident in my body for the first time in my life.

I cannot put words to the love I have for Ben & Jen, the coaches here. I would not be where I am without the encouragement my CrossFit family has given me. It’s the best thing I have ever done for myself and this gym is full of the most wonderful people I have ever known. 

Comments

[Angie R.]

My other Angie :) Remember how we had to keep pushing each other at metro dash?! I wish I got to hang out with you more before you left Texas. I'm very happy for you and your accomplishments! Keep it up!