I've been working out with Paul at Category Five Fitness three times a week for the last four weeks. On the first day, I completed a test that included 200 meters on the rowing machine, inverted rows on the rings, push-ups on one of the bars, and squats that sat my butt on a bench every time I crouched down. The workout shredded my leg muscles for the next few days, but I completed all of it in 11 minutes 27 seconds. Yeah, I was big-time out of shape.
So over the intervening weeks, I have been doing all sorts of different movements at different levels of difficulty. Some I hated. Others were pretty easy. Still more were a challenge. These were the types of exercises that I've shied away from for such a long time. I liked the way I worked out at my local gym, nevermind that I wasn't really seeing any results and often skipped going to the gym because of the time it took out of my day.
Then last summer, Paul told me what he did at Category Five Fitness. His workouts are based on CrossFit principles, but are customized to work with any type of person at any stage of fitness. They're short, intense and have consistently yielded results for his clients. Still, I was resistant to the idea of stepping out of my comfort zone.
Truth is, I don't really care for circuit training or pushing my body to the limit. I have no interest in being an athlete (I was an art and music geek in high school) or competing in any way, shape or form. It just didn't sound like CrossFit style training was something I would do well with and stick with.
After training for a month, however, I can honestly say that Paul's approach to exercise and strength training is the most effective method I've experienced. I completed the same test workout that I did on my first day, the only difference being that I didn't use the bench for my squats. The result: I completed it in 8 minutes flat. That's 3 minutes, 27 seconds faster than I had four weeks ago.
That was a real achievement for me. In the past, I looked at my weight or body measurements to determine what results I was gaining from working out. I never looked at times or ease of completing tasks. Now I am, and the speed/ease with which I rowed 200 meters, the reduced amount of fatigue I experienced from task to task, and my body's overall ability to cope with the stress of performing these movements are all concrete indicators that I have become stronger as a result of the work I put in at the gym.
My goals are simple: I want to lose the weight that my PCOS has packed on and made nearly impossible to lose over the last decade, and in doing so, reverse the effects of the disease on my body. I also want to reduce the pain in my scoliated back and feel stronger overall.
So where am I at after a month training with Category Five Fitness? First, I am about the same weight as I was when I started. This is partly due to some hormonal issues I'm experiencing and partly due to the fact that I'm not strictly following the Paleo diet. Plus, I am gaining muscle. I do, however, feel stronger every day. My body composition is changing, as well, and my clothes are getting bigger on me. After re-testing, my muscles were in good shape instead of hurting for days afterward like they did after completing my first workout. I also feel like I need to keep moving or do something physical on the days I don't train.
Another important difference is that I never feel like skipping a workout. I think part of this is because I feel accountable to Paul, since he's my trainer and if I don't show up, it affects his schedule. But the more important part of it is that I am approaching exercise as part of my PCOS treatment program; it's medicine for me. And working out isn't sucking hours out of my day. I'm in and out in no more than 45 minutes inclusive of everything, so it works with my hectic schedule.
Overall, I'm feeling better physically, though I have a long road ahead of me. I hope you'll continue to follow my story as I work my booty to become stronger and healthier with Category Five Fitness!
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