Jason Kaye

When I first came to CrossFit, I didn’t really know what to expect.  I thought it would be like the gym but more intense.  What I found was that there was a lot more accountability and caring than what I was used to from working out at the gym.

After being a CrossFitter for about six months, there was a nutrition challenge called “What Have You Got to Lose?” and I signed up.  I knew that nutrition is a key piece of the health puzzle.  I also knew that my nutrition had been lacking.

We had our kickoff meeting for the challenge and Coach Karen explained the Paleo diet to us and explained why eating properly throughout the day was so important.  I had heard it before, but this time, I really listened and let it sink in.

I spent the next thirty-one days strictly adhering to the diet.  I was determined to change my eating habits for good.  I had plenty of support and encouragement from not only the coaches, but also from other CrossFitters.  The first couple of weeks, I had headaches, and was grumpy.  I learned that was from my body going through sugar withdrawals.  But, just like Coach Karen had said, that went away.  What I began to notice around week three was that I had started to feel more awake.  I no longer felt run down and tired as the day went on.  My body was getting used to my new diet.  My workouts even felt more productive.

At the end of the nutrition challenge, I was surprised to learn that I had lost 13 pounds, 10 of those pounds were fat.  I lost 2.5 percent body fat and a total of 10.5 inches!  My clothing is getting loose and I continue to have to tighten my belt every few weeks.

I want to thank CrossFit and the coaches for helping me change my lifestyle.  I still have a long way to go to get where I want to be, but I am definitely on my way.

Jason Kaye