Name: Nick Fung 
Age: 24
Height: 5’ 10”
Weight: 173 lbs
Crossfitting Since: February 2014
Attends Class: 6-7 times a week
Favorite Quote: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
A few of my friends started doing CrossFit last year. I noticed they were making some serious gains outside your traditional global gym and I had to give it a try. From there, I took a few intro classes at multiple boxes but Crossfit Hoboken seemed to suit me the best.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
The goal was to challenge myself to become the strongest, fastest, most agile athlete I could possibly be… with the addition of a six pack.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
My former training included the same routine week after week. It involved low intensity weight training where Monday would be National Chest Day. The following days involved legs, back, biceps/triceps, and abs on subsequent days. This routine went on for about four years. There’s nothing routine about Crossfit which makes it exciting and fun. Each day is a different high intensity workout that many times, requires the involvement of every muscle group in the body. If you’re not breathing heavy after a WOD, you’re doing it wrong.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
I’ve seen some solid results since joining CrossFit. I took all of 2013 to bulk myself from 170 lbs to nearly 200 lbs. by the end of December 2013. I got stronger that year but I wanted to drop the excess weight. After my first five months at Crossfit Hoboken, I ended up losing 25 lbs. essentially back to the weight I started with in 2013 all the while maintaining strength and improving cardiovascular endurance. In addition, prior to CrossFit, I had a chronic cough due to asthma whenever I partook in high intensity workouts such as sprint intervals. After the first couple weeks of CrossFit, I’ve yet to experience that since. I credit that to improved lung capacities.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
Ever since my intro class with Mike Delatorre, I knew I was in for something awesome. Firstly, the fundamentals program was very comprehensive and helped me prepare for the transition into WOD’s. With WOD’s, I realized the friendly competition amongst the athletes motivates me to be better. There hasn’t been a day where I haven’t been challenged whether it’s keeping up with the person next to me or just trying to finish the workout in general. The knowledgeable coaches have also taught me a ton, not only with proper form of lifts and movements but teaching me that your mind can push past limits you don’t think you’re capable of surpassing. With all that said, coming into the box has definitely become one of the highlights of my day.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
My mobility is definitely my number one priority at the moment. Weightlifting for so many years definitely put a toll on my body’s range of motion. Once that gets better, I want to perfect my Olympic lifts.
WHEN DID YOU START EATING PALEO?
I started eating Paleo as soon as I started CrossFit in February 2014. I wanted to make drastic changes to my body and health so I hit myself with the double whammy.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU?
Every Sunday, I prep 15-20 meals that will last me throughout the week (excluding weekends). For breakfast, I’ll have a couple eggs along with some bacon. At noon, I’ll have my first prepped meal which usually includes six ounces of protein and a cup of vegetables. It usually consists of chicken breasts and broccoli. I repeat this meal a total of three times throughout the day depending on when I’m hungry. If you make it right, it’s not bad. My final meal post workout would usually consist of a protein high in fat such as steak or fish with a side of spinach. I limit the amount of nuts and fruit I snack on throughout the day. People always ask if I get bored of eating the same stuff on the regular. At the end of the day, I love food but eating for performance rather than taste or variety is my priority. FYI If you’re on the paleo diet or plan on doing it, having a grill is clutch.
HOW DID PALEO ACCELERATE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS?
Paleo is essentially an anti-inflammation diet and removing bad carbs, sugar, and processed foods has reduced inflammation in my body tremendously. I feel a whole lot lighter and less bloated while having increased energy levels. With the combination of CrossFit and Paleo, my body is the leanest it has ever been. With the reduction of carbs in my diet, my body has adapted to burning fat for energy rather than sugar from carbs. I feel great!
HAVE YOU FOUND IT HARD TO ADHERE TO PALEO DIET?
I’m not going to lie. The first couple weeks transitioning on the Paleo diet was tough. Due to the lack of carbs and I became tired, dizzy, and experienced bad cravings. However, once I got through the adjustment period, the rest was easy. I feel like I’m actually eating more on the Paleo diet. A high fat, high protein diet has kept me fuller longer avoiding overeating. I started off Paleo with having cheat meals on weekends but as time went on, I realized how sluggish I felt the Monday back at CrossFit. Therefore, I took out cheat days altogether unless there was an event worth cheating for.
OTHER THAN PALEO WHAT OTHER DIET TOOLS HAVE YOU USED?
N/A
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF GOING PALEO?
1) Limited options at social gatherings; the odd man out asking for a special order not listed on the menu.
2) Friends peer pressuring you to drink. Sometimes you just have to give in but when you don’t, you trick them with a glass of seltzer water.
3) I’m Asian so rice is in my blood.
DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE WITH THIS WAY OF EATING PERMANENTLY?
Without a doubt! It’s way easier than people make it out to be and although I personally don’t cook anything extravagant or of much variety, there is a wide range of foods you can eat on Paleo. All in all, I enjoy what I eat and the results I’m getting, whether physical or cognitive, are worth it.