CrossFit Jozi Inspiration
Carl Alfonso
My introduction to CrossFit on 30 April 2011 was a significant turning point in my life. I arrived at CrossFit Jozi just to a bare warehouse with bars mounted to the walls, and one wall lined with medicine balls, barbells and bumper plates stacked high. There were ropes hanging from the roof and a few rowing machines packed away. I was a little confused but intrigued at what type of results I or anyone else could achieve with so little equipment. Little did I know that my body would shortly become my most important piece of equipment.
I endured my introductory lesson and decided to join the prescribed three week on-ramp programme in order to learn, amongst other things, the basic movements of running correctly, squatting and working with barbells and kettlebells.
Nine months later….
Under the guidance of Head Coach Imtiaz Desai and together with the CrossFit Jozi community, as well as becoming part of the broader CrossFit movement, I enjoy hitting a workout at least four times a week. I eat healthy nutritious delicious food and rest well. My sole objective when I began CrossFit was to lose weight. No my focus is to lead and live a more healthy lifestyle, each day, everyday.
CrossFit has given me the platform to become a competing athlete and be embraced by a strong, competitive, supportive and fun community of like minded people. It has also had a profound effect on the way I view and approach my life, my ability to deal with stress (physical, mental and emotional), and my ability to challenge and push my mind and body further not only during workouts but in all spheres of life.
Before: December 2011 After: October 2011
CrossFit has added more purpose to my life. The sport of fitness has allowed me to realize and accept that I’ll never be the most intelligent, healthiest, fastest or most powerful person in the world, but that working towards being each of those, each day, fulfills the same intent.
Results thus far:
May 2011 – December 2011
Weight (kg) 96 – 77 (19 kg)
Body Fat % 26.6 – 13.9 (12.7%)
Bloodwork is great and my weight has stabilised at around 77kg.
