Lesley is our MOTM! If you haven’t seen Lesley at the gym then you haven’t been to the gym lately. She’s been really pushing herself in her workouts, whether that be smashing the dreaded Echo Bike to finish up a long workout or pushing the weight in her lifts.
Lesley is such a pleasure to have in class! She comes in and doesn’t complain, puts her head down and works hard. She isn’t someone you have to tell to push themselves, she does it all on her own.
Also, she may have the best dang shirt collection anyone has ever had, filled with great quotes and the occasional Spongebob graphic. We are so lucky to have Lesley at the gym and so excited to see where she goes from this point on. If you don’t read her Q & A you will be 100% missing out.
When did you join Croga?
August 2002
What were you doing before for fitness?
Lying on my couch and wallowing in self-loathing. I had been a runner before that, but was experiencing chronic knee pain that slowed me down so much it wasn’t worth the effort anymore.
What was your first workout? First reaction to your first workout?
I can’t remember the exact workout, but I remember feeling super winded afterward and thinking “Jesus Lesley, how could you let yourself end up like this? 20 minutes of work and you’re lying face down on the floor trying not to throw up! Do you want to end up like your granny, being forced into a nursing home in your 60s because you have the health and mobility of a 90-year-old smoker with chronic asthma?” I decided then and there that I was going to do everything in my control to make sure that when I turn 60, I will be a burden to nobody but myself. Beach body be damned, I want to climb stairs and carry my own groceries when I’m older.
What improvements have you seen in the way you look, feel and perform?
Oh gosh, where do I begin? I’m seeing some muscle definition in my legs, my core feels stronger, my jumping has improved exponentially AND I even started doing some running again! I still deal with knee pain, but I’m learning I need to work through it instead of getting discouraged and giving up on exercise, even if it means scaling WODs/reps or taking a day or two off to recuperate.
What days and times do you come to Croga?
I used to come in the AM, but was struggling with some sleep issues so I switched to afternoon classes.
What’s your favorite WOD?
Anything with handstand work. I used to do gymnastics when I was a lot younger, and handstands are the only movement in CF I can do really well. Also love movements that focus on quads/hammies/thigh muscles in general. And running, really enjoyed the 5k WOD a few months back, even though I was slow AF.
What’s your least favorite WOD?
Aside from the obvious crowd least-favorites like burpees and the assault bike? Snatches. If I ever injure myself in CF (a highly unlikely scenario, our excellent coaches would never let that happen) it will involve snatches in some form. I still show up for snatch WODs though, because everybody knows you’ll never get better at something by not doing it, right? Also double unders. Clearly there’s a trick to nailing the movement that I have not cracked yet and it causes me major angst.
“The Lesley” WOD! What would it be?
There will be handstands, of course, as well as some thigh conditioning, and a little cardio to round the whole thing off. I’m thinking something like the “Mary” WOD with running.
What’s your favorite post-workout routine?
Lying on the cold concrete walkway outside the gym making “sweat angels”.
What’s been your favorite culinary discovery since joining Croga?
The wonderful wide world that is meal planning.
What’s your biggest fitness goal for this year?
Building strong muscles and improving mobility so in 30 years I can sashay into my golden oldies with grace and aplomb. I don’t want to be a 68-year-old punchline for LifeAlert products, thank you very much.
What do you love about this type of fitness?
The variety. I love checking the BTWB app every Sunday to see what new WODs we’ll be doing the following week. And most of all, I don’t have to spend hours planning out which workout to do which day and which muscles to focus on, or what machines I should use etc. All I have to do is just show up and sign in.
What words of advice do you have for new members or people considering joining Croga?
The hardest part of CrossFit is committing to joining a CrossFit gym. The second hardest part is completing your first class. It does get easier and a whole lot more fun, I promise, but you have to keep showing up doing it regularly. Also, don’t wait until you get your “gym body” to start wearing the clothes you think only your future “fit” self deserves to wear. Buy the damn crop top/tank top/dress/skirt/shorts/bikini/speedo in your current size and wear it NOW!
