CrossFit Athletic Group

People say nothing’s easy and, in most cases, I’d agree with that statement.  In May of 2022 the pain of staying the same exceeded the pain of change so it was easy to see, changes had to be made.  The pain was not figurative, it was real, in both my right and left hip, to the extent walking, getting into a car and just about all basic life functions became difficult.  There was a need to put thought into motion.

It was a cool evening in May watching some soccer at Oakland University!  I was walking (struggling) up the stairs of the bleachers.  I hear “hey Mr. C?  What’s going on with you? I looked up and found myself explaining my hip pain to coach Chris (my daughter’s cross fit instructor).  “When can you come in and see me?” (He says).  Me thinking this will be short lived so get it done quickly says, Monday work? So, May 23rd of 2022 started my journey.  I had no idea where this visit would take me and to this day, I’m not certain where it will end.  What I do know is I’d have never made it this far without that first visit. What’s mobility? 2 and a half hours of stretching, movements and static positions I’d never done in my life (FTW’s a couch stretch?)!

Days turned into weeks which rolled into months.  This dude who knows me as Mr. Curtis, Sarah and Sam’s dad, honing and tuning each daily workout.  Making it tough enough that I’m getting a “good dose” but not so tough to be the first person to die at Champions Club. So many new things to remember…arches up, lift your feet, butt back, back flat, top of the push-up, bottom of the squat, tighten your butt, suck in your belly button, elbows in.  To resight them all reminds me of a kindergarten class song Sarah’s teacher used to sing “The Tooty Ta!” and no it has nothing to do with farting.  I’m 11 months into this thing, started at 144.21Kg (318 lbs.), I’m currently 103.6Kg (228.5 lbs.) with my end goal being 90-91 Kg (I’ll let you figure out the conversion).

Lots of folks been asking me “what have you been doing?” You look great. I’ve been doing a lot actually, working out at The Champions Club every day I can be there.  I changed my eating habits to clean eating (no processed food or nothing from the center of the grocery store).  I’ve reduced my carbohydrate intake considerably, though I have added potatoes and fruit back in on occasion! I vowed to not drink alcohol for 12 months and found out it’s not that tough.  Now these changes have presented some interesting realizations in my life.  When I eat something that doesn’t fit into the current plan, my body lets me know were not in Kansas anymore Toto.  I don’t remember feeling these impacts as a “Fat Kid”!  I now look at drinking as sure I’ll go back, for those who don’t know me well, I’ve collected Whiskey for over 20 years.  The frequency will be way less as will the volume.  Gone are the days of having a couple beers or whiskeys every night just because. As for the gym, that one will stay the same.  It feels good going to the same place and hanging with a great group of folks who have the similar goals…Let’s get this damn workout done!  I’m grateful to be here and working to be better while I’m still here.  Thank you to all the Champions Club members, this place wouldn’t be the same without each and every one of you.

To wrap this up, everyone should understand, I don’t count calories and I don’t weigh my food (yes, I’ve seen the video and yes, I know it’s helpful).  I’m nobody special which tells me my results can be accomplished by anyone (you just have to want it).  Never quit on yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to…sometimes it just takes a little push to find that switch in the mind but once it’s flipped anything is possible.  Surrounding myself with the great folks at the Champions Club has kept me on track and I hope my journey can inspire just one person to take the next step in getting their health back to where they want it to be.