#LoftyGoals
Name: Nate Jackson
Age: 35
Height: 5’10
Weight: 168 lbs
Crossfitting Since: May 2014
Attends Class: (times per week?) 3-4
Favorite Quote: “Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!” – GI Joe
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
A few friends of mine were members of various boxes and highly suggested to me. One Saturday I decided to attend a free class and the rest is history.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
I had very simple goals when I started: I wanted to get stronger and gain some muscle mass in the process.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
I have definitely benefited immensely from the programming, the watchful eye of the coaches, and the support of my fellow athletes. Being a former collegiate rower, I longed for the days in which I was a part of a team and had dedicated, structured routines. I was a long time member of a big box gym. It was cold, uninspiring, and I barely went. When I did go, my routines were haphazard, and during fundamentals, I learned that I had not used the machines effectively or performed the exercises correctly.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
First off, I gained ten pounds of muscle mass. My agility, flexibility, and overall strength has improved tremendously.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
My experience at Crossfit Hoboken has been nothing short of amazing. When I initially walked through the door, the only thing I could do was row. I never thought that performing power cleans, squat cleans, thrusters, ring dips, and snatches would be something that I could do, let alone become a part of my everyday vernacular. The coaching staff have been instrumental in my development. I was surprised that within my first few weeks at CF Hoboken, many knew me by name, and quickly learned both my strengths and weaknesses.
The thing that truly makes the experience for me are the people who rally behind me, motivate me, push me, and inspire me to be the best athlete, and person, I could be. There is no better feeling than working out with people who have become your friends, or as I like to coin the term, “The Squad.” Those relationships have even spilled outside of the gym into my everyday life.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
I would like to continue to grow and develop as an athlete. I would like to finally get my first muscle-up on the rings (I have a dinner bet pending on that task); master handstand push-ups without the fear of breaking my neck; develop my core muscles which have been giving me a problem when doing movements like kettlebell swings; and increase my endurance for the longer workouts.
I would also like to finally deadlift that weight in the picture. You have to conceive it and believe it to achieve ir!
NUTRITION QUESTON
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU?
I have been blessed with a high metabolism so I eat whatever I want whenever I want. Everyone always asks, “Where does it all go?” For breakfast, I have a bagel with butter and jelly, and a western omelette. Lunch is my biggest meal of the day which is usually two cheeseburgers with two baked potatoes, or a pair of grilled chicken breasts with a side of sweet potatoes and mixed vegetables. Cookies and brownies, and a coffee usually fall somewhere in the afternoon. Lately my dinners have consisted of stir-fry from Honeygrow here in Hoboken (yes, that was a plug). Weekends are always cheat days starting with a Friday night pizza. One thing that is for certain: I try to drink in between 8-10 glasses of water!
The August Athletes Of The Month!!!
Name: Rebecca Rosen
Age: 26
Height: 5’4
Weight: 150
Crossfitting Since: September 2015
Attends Class: 6 days a week
Favorite Quote: How you do anything is how you do everything. –Charlee Atkins (my favorite Soulcycle instructor)
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT?
My girlfriend has been Crossfitting for about four years now. I’ve been cheering her on at competitions for a couple of years and her friends always tried to get me to join but I didn’t give it a try until last September.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT?
My goals starting out were to gain body confidence and just to become stronger, physically and mentally.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING?
Growing up and through college I was a competitive swimmer. Crossfit is different because you’re not submerged in water! Joking aside, it’s different from what I’ve experienced before because of the challenge to constantly try things outside of my comfort zone. Every workout involves something that I’m nervous about doing, but it feels rewarding to just go for it.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT?
The best result for me has been getting stronger. During my first workout I wasn’t strong enough to pick up a box or a female bar. Learning to do the Olympic weightlifting movements and adding weight to them over the past year have been the most rewarding results to me.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN?
I have really enjoyed my experience at Crossfit Hoboken because the community is so amazing and supportive. When I finished swimming in college I thought that I would have to work out alone and motivate myself to keep in shape. It is such a great feeling to come to the gym every day and see the friendly faces. Yesterday, I got stuck halfway up a rope climb and in the background I heard my friends cheering me on to finish. I feel so lucky to have people like that in my life.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS?
Continue having fun with my fitness and get kipping pull-ups!!
NUTRITION QUESTON
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU?
I really don’t stick to a routine so there is not a typical day. I order a lot from Kettlebell Kitchen because it helps me to get more protein and I try to eat mostly paleo. However, I dieted for years before Crossfit and now I just eat foods that I enjoy. Mostly paleo, but I eat the cake too.