Melissa Sanchez

Melissa, BEFOREAvid mountial biker finds a fitness regime that WORKS and she LOVES!

Let me start off by saying that I wish I would have started CrossFit back when I first heard about it through Ben who used to coach on our campus. Although I was interested, I was a little reluctant to give it shot because quite honestly, I wasn’t sure about paying more than I ever had before for a gym membership.  I cannot emphasize just how glad I am about working through that doubt. CrossFit IS worth every penny and then some. If anyone is having doubts at all about the membership fees, please DON’T! Just know that the benefits you will reap will be worth it. The reason the membership dues are higher than at other popular gyms is due to the fact that this isn’t just any ordinary cookie-cutter gym. Here you get individualized attention focusing on proper technique, form, nutrition, a supportive community, but most of all you get RESULTS! On several occasions I have told my husband that if I ever had to give up something I would stop shopping (which I LOVE) before I would give up CrossFit.

I’ve been an avid mountain biker for 13 years now. I have been a pretty active person and a member of various gyms throughout my life; however none can compare CrossFit. I thought I was “in shape,” but I didn’t realize how much more I could push my body. CF has given me the opportunity to push through work outs that I never thought possible. I joined CF in August 2010, and I am really pleased with the overall results. I have experienced improved strength, appearance, and best of all, improvement in my mountain biking skills, techniques, and endurance. Just recently we had a long hard ride at Rocky Hill Ranch (18 hard miles), and I was thrilled that I didn’t have to dismount my bike ONCE!!! In the past, I have had to walk my bike up several climbs because I just didn’t have the legs (even after many years of riding) to push through. I know that being able to make all of those hard climbs without dismounting are due to CrossFit training. Last summer we mountain biked Colorado and had a blast, but some of the trails were tough. There is particular trail, Monarch Crest Trail (about 38 miles at 12,000 ft.) that I can’t wait to go back to and conquer! We will be there this summer.

Although my schedule is pretty hectic, I have made CrossFit part of my schedule. I am a teacher, grade level instructional coach, translator, graduate student, and a mountain biker. I feel that CrossFit has enhanced every aspect of my life. I am so not a morning person, but I LOVE CF so much that I have committed to working out Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5:00 AM. Now my body automatically wakes up on those days. It is a great start to my day, and I love working out with the 5:00 AM group. They are all extremely supportive and just a great fun crowd. Since day one I have felt very welcomed and supported. Because that welcoming feeling was so valuable to me, I make it a point to make new members feel welcomed. Several of my friends have joined CFCL since I started, and it makes it fun, challenging, and even add a little friendly competition. 

I love challenging myself and realizing that I have so much more in me than what I think I do. One of the things that I love about this place is that the challenge is always against you. No one is really focused on who’s first and who’s last. The focus is always on improving your own skills/time. CFCL has incredible trainers that will guide you through your self-improvement journey; however, the trainer cannot do the work for you, so commitment is crucial. You HAVE to push yourself to new limits, and this is possible with the Melissa, a pillar in 5AM, AFTERencouragement and support you receive at CLCF. After 13 years of mountain biking, I have finally committed to racing. Although I am a little apprehensive about it, I believe that I am now well prepared for it. 

I used to think that I ate pretty healthy, but once I was introduced to Paleo, I saw things a little differently. I have committed to the Paleo lifestyle for about the past four months. Although I have only lost a few pounds, I have lost inches, and I feel great. My clothes fit so much better, and I even had to have some stuff altered because it was way too big. In January my husband, who was not a CFCL member at the time, committed to Paleo as well and lost a little over 5 pounds in one month.  He is still going strong. His next step was joining CFCL, which he did last week. I am ecstatic about him joining. I know that we will encourage each other, and it definitely makes food planning and dining out so much easier because he can now understand the senselessness of working out so hard just to waste it away in poor eating habits. 

People frequently ask me about CrossFit. Recently, I was asked if I thought I was in the best shape of my life, and my answer was simply “YES!” At 39 I feel stronger, have more confidence, and look better than I ever have before. I just can’t say enough good things about Clear Lake CrossFit.