CrossFit Midtown is very excited to announce our July 2016 Member of the Month, Christina De Giulio! Read on to learn more about Christina and her CrossFit journey. Thank you for being such an outstanding member of the CFM community!
Name: Christina De Giulio
Nickname: Tina (but not at CFM, there is only one Tina at CFM!)
Age: 36
Hometown: Metro Detroit
How did you get exposed to CrossFit? My brother has been a Crossfitter since 2011, and for years I watched from the sidelines in awe as he did all of these amazing, challenging things and developed a second family among his fellow athletes. He always encouraged me to give CrossFit a try, but I was too intimidated to try it until…
What brought you to CrossFit Midtown? Sarah McColley! One day I ran into Sarah at an event at Georgia Tech – I hadn’t seen her in probably a year and she looked amazing! We started talking about her CrossFit experience, she assured me that I could “do it,” and she invited me to the next Bring-a-Friend Day. I don’t think I can ever thank Sarah enough for introducing me to CFM and her continued encouragement and support.
What was your very first day at CrossFit Midtown like? My very first day we did A.LOT.OF.SQUATS. Lol. Sarah actually had more than one friend attend that day, so my WOD partner was Jeannette – and she was great! Patient with me and so welcoming. Jeannette warned me that I was going to be sore, and predicted I would feel one of two ways: either I would never want to set foot inside a box again, or I would (perversely?) enjoy the challenge (pain?) and be hooked. Even though my thighs were on fire for the next four days, I emailed Mike to start foundation classes the following week.
What changes have you seen in your overall health and fitness level since starting CrossFit? I think it is no stretch to say that I am in the best shape in my life. Hands down. Sure, I have lost weight – but it really is so much more than that. I am stronger, faster (shaved over two minutes off of my mile!), my endurance has increased, I have more energy, and my overall health has improved.
What kind of changes have you you experienced since starting CrossFit that were completely unexpected? Everyone who knows me can tell you I am not a morning person. If you told me a year ago that I would actually look forward to getting up at 5am to workout, I would have laughed in your face. But since I started coming to the 6am classes, I have found a new love for early mornings, and I have to say that is because my fellow 6am-ers are some of my favorite people. I look forward to seeing them every week, and I get sad, for example, when it is snatch day, cause I know I’ll miss Dan that morning. ;P People really care about each other here – I have been overwhelmed by the level of dedication of the members and their support of one another. People are always pushing each other to do their best, cheering each other on, and motivating each other to keep moving. And knowing you have that level of support is really touching. It boosts my confidence and courage – not just in the gym – but in my daily life outside of the gym.
Favorite WOD: I really enjoy rowing, so I am happy to see that show up in a WOD. And, I know everyone hates them, but I really don’t mind burpees either.
Least favorite WOD: Anything with snatches.
Favorite CrossFit Midtown moment: Friday Night Lights. It was so fun to participate in the Open this year, and I loved watching everyone go head-to-head!
Hobbies, Talents and or Interests Outside of CrossFit: I like reading, music, and art. I love exploring the outdoors and traveling with my husband and our dog. I think I am a pretty decent cook and enjoy baking. I am known to be pretty handy/crafty.
Advice for new CrossFitters: Trust in yourself. Know your limits, but also don’t be afraid to be a little ambitious. Everyone starts somewhere – the important thing is that you start. And then you keep doing it. Check your ego – allow yourself to be open and really listen to your coaches. Set realistic but challenging goals, work toward them (be consistent!), and get in the habit of tracking your progress. Remember, you don’t have to be the best, strive to be your best. That last one is easier said than done – I think everyone instinctively compares themselves to others. Sure, some healthy competition is good, but I really feel it is more important to reflect upon and measure your own progress.
