Athlete Profile:  Meryl Fishkind

Meryl started CrossFitting with me last winter and she was petrified. I remember thinking that she probably wouldn't last long. Meryl had never been a competitive athlete and her only fitness experience was yoga and body pump classes at a health club. After she watched some videos of Fight Gone Bad she was extremely nervous about what she was getting into. Well, that all changed quickly. Not only did Meryl increase from 3x/week to 5/week she became very competitive. She began attacking WOD's with a fierce and determined intensity that she never knew she possessed . Once she started to notice the changes in her strength and fitness level she was hooked. If she had trouble picking up a new skill or if she had to scale a WOD she would get frustrated because she was so determined to be successful and to be competitive with other students. After CrossFitting for a couple of months Meryl got pregnant and hasn't stopped CrossFitting, although she still hates when she has to scale a WOD. I'm very proud of Meryl for sticking out the first couple of weeks and for everything she's learned and accomplished since she has become a CrossFit athlete.

Mery and I chatted a few weeks ago about how CrossFit has changed her views of being "fit" and how it's impacted her pregnancy.

What were your initial thoughts about CrossFit?
“Are you freaking kidding me?!”
Before Crossfit I was definitely “that girl” – the one at the gym who’s on the elliptical for an hour, reading People magazine and listening to her iPod. I knew I needed a challenge, but I didn’t understand how people could think Crossfit was FUN. I figured I’d last a few months tops. I’ve never considered myself an athlete and I didn’t think I was competitive….turns out I can be both. Crossfit definitely brought out a side of me that I never knew I had.

How has CrossFit changed your view on fitness?
Crossfit has changed my life and my views on health and fitness. For the first time ever, I truly enjoy working out. I love pushing myself and experiencing the sense of accomplishment you get from setting new PRs or beating a teammate you thought was in better shape than you. I haven’t stepped on a scale in almost a year, and I take pride in a body that may not be a size 2, but is stronger, faster, leaner and healthier (and, coincidentally, dropped from an 8 to a 4 and was the best it’s every looked before I got pregnant).

How has CrossFit changed or impacted your life?
I spent the majority of my young adult life trying to be as thin as possible. Exercise was an end to a means, and counting calories burned on a treadmill as you run is NOT fun. Crazy diets suck. At times, I may have been skinny, but I definitely wasn’t fit or healthy. I didn’t enjoy exercise and I hated my body because it was never thin enough to make me happy.

What do you like most/least about CrossFit?
I never played team sports growing up, and I LOVE the sense of camaraderie and support that Crossfit inspires. Even though we are all really competitive and we’re constantly trying to one-up each other, we know that the ultimate goal is to one-up ourselves, so we all push one another to make the most out of every single workout. There’s no better feeling than finishing a workout to the sound of your friends and teammates cheering you on (and then promptly passing out on the floor next to them).

What are your current short term/long term health and fitness goals?
Right now my goals are to continue Crossfitting (modified as necessary!) through my pregnancy so I can be strong and healthy for my baby when she enters the world. And once I recover from giving birth I’m going to kick Megan’s ass at Fight Gone Bad.

How has your experience been with CrossFitting while pregnant?
I can’t imagine going through pregnancy without Crossfit! On days when I miss my workout I tend to have less energy and I’m definitely grumpier. Crossfit helps me start each day feeling like I’ve done something great for myself and my baby. Overall, Crossfit has pushed me mentally and physically in ways that have benefited me during my pregnancy more than I ever could have imagined.

Mentally, Crossfit has given me the toughness to get through the nausea and fatigue that I was constantly fighting during the first trimester. In the same way that I muscle through a super tough workout, I’ve found that once I got myself going I can get through the longest, toughest days by taking it one step at a time.

Physically, I am SO much stronger than I was a year ago, and I can’t help but come to the conclusion that the strength I’ve developed through Crossfit is the reason that I’ve yet to experience a lot of the typical pregnancy ailments that many women seem to experience. I have a lot of pregnant friends, and most of them have complained to me about back pain, leg cramps, swelling, and pretty much just feeling weak and uncomfortable. At 6 months pregnant I haven’t had to deal with any of these symptoms and I know that Crossfit has definitely played a large role in my good fortune.

Any advice for someone thinking about trying CrossFit or someone who has just started?
Stop thinking about it and just do it already!! Those of us who already Crossfit know that when you’re learning a new skill, stopping to think too hard about what you’re doing can totally throw you off. And we can all agree that when you see the WOD on the board, thinking about how hard it’s going to be does NOT help. So the best advice I can give someone considering Crossfit is to stop thinking and just go for it. Don’t worry that it’s going to be too hard or think that you won’t be able to keep up. Your coach will do all the thinking for you –- scaling your workouts if needed, providing tips to improve your form and giving you the motivation to get through those first few crazy WODs. I know it’s a cliché, but stop thinking and just do it – you’ll be glad you did.

Favorite WOD/Exercise - Any of the girl's(Benchmarks)
Least Favorite WOD/Exercise - Deadlifts and Burpees

Besides CrossFitting Meryl enjoy's hanging out with her husband and dog, yoga and dance classes, cooking and baking, and is determined to get better at tennis this spring/summer!! Meryl and her husband Kevin are expecting a beautiful little girl in February.

Workout of the Day
100 Burpees for time

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