Wednesday Wins! Deb B.!

It’s only fitting to celebrate Deb B.’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY with us by shouting from the rooftops how awesome she is and how far she’s come.  She started with a group of fantastic women in our first six-week Challenge and she (and they!) have been kicking butt and taking names since.

Deb is one of those stealth athletes that just keeps getting incrementally better.  She comes regularly, works hard and then goes on about her day.  As she said to me long ago, “It’s my new normal”.  If you’re not up an ungodly hour, though, you might only know this fierce female from the WhiteBoard (or from her array of awesome bandanas).  If you don’t know Deb personally, you’re missing out.  But her story will inspire you nonetheless!

When Deb came to the Cove, like most of us, she long-struggled with ‘body issues’.  “I’ve always been athletic and I think that was the biggest struggle for me.  Thinking about ‘what I used to look like’.  I have been 5’10” ever since the 10th grade so I have always been self-conscious of my appearance and sticking out. Plus the name calling and the unfortunate lack of positive reinforcement took a toll.  But, a few years after college, I finally started to appreciate my height and embrace it.”

Deb came in with realistic expectations and knew this wouldn’t be a ‘magic pill’, rather it would require work and dedication.  As she says, it’s all about “Progress, progress, progress!  Even though it has been slow, the Cove has given me the opportunity to achieve that PROGESS.  And the opportunity to FEEL GOOD again.  To FEEL GOOD about my body.  To FEEL GOOD about wearing a tank top.  To FEEL GOOD about my thighs only rubbing together slightly now instead of rubbing together “not so slightly!” LOL!  I tell ya, I could go on and on”.

“And those ‘what I use to look like’ thoughts are long gone.  It truly puts a smile on my face!  As I get older and now that I’m a Crossfitter (can I really say that??!!), I realize that I will never look like how I use to look.  I will now look even BETTER than I used to.  And it’s because that ‘look’ is now coming from the inside out.  I’m stronger in so many ways.  Yes, I can lift more weight now than I could 1 year ago.  But, my core has improved!  My posture has improved! My mental toughness has improved!  The amount of energy I have every day has significantly improved! And the amount of times I choose to eat unhealthy foods has significantly improved as well!”

“And speaking of mental toughness…..I have never, ever, ever, ever been a morning person. And no one would have ever convinced me or anyone that knows me, that I would be regularly attending a 5:30 AM class  for almost an entire year!  My husband kept on asking me, are you sure you want to go to the 5:30 class?  Are you sure you’re not setting too high of expectation for yourself?  You know you’ve tried it so many times in the past to workout first thing in the morning…and don’t get me wrong, if  I have a chance to sleep in on the weekends, I will.  But if I have to get up at 5, 6 or 7, I’m awake and ready to take on the world with energy!  And that’s because of you, the COVE, the coaches, my 5:30 am crew and my OG crew! I can honestly say, that I’ve never been a part of something that I think about every day. I’m not sure if that’s healthy, but it’s definitely true and I love it!”

“The Cove is truly a special place.  I know you the coaches hear it all of the time but that’s because it’s true. And it’s the people that make it special. It’s the caring, it’s the support, it’s the genuineness (is that a word)? it’s the pushing you a bit past your comfort zone.  it’s the smiles, the hugs, the encouragement, the tears, the laughter (yes, even at 5:30 in the morning), the sarcasm, the fact that nobody is above being ridiculed and nobody is above finishing last.

It’s The COVE!”

Deb finished by saying “Thank you for offering a vehicle for me to become a CrossFitter and giving me an opportunity to meet and bond with some really cool people!!!”.  No, Deb.  THANK YOU.  Thank you for walking in our doors. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. And thank you for being YOU.  This place would not be the same without you!