Name: Patrice Williams
Crossfitting Since: April, 2011
How Often: 3-4 days a week.
Favorite Workout: Anything that makes me sweat.
Least Favorite Workout: Any workout that involves rowing.
Personal Fitness Goal: It was to run a 5k, which I’ve done twice. New goal – Run a 10k.
Who at the Gym You Admire Most: Everyone that keeps me coming back to Crossfit.
Favorite Workout Jam: Jay-Z, Rihanna, or anything with an awesome beat that will keep me moving.
Slogan for My T-shirt: Strong is the New Skinny.
Why Ultimate:
Every year as my New Year’s resolution, I said I was going to lose weight (as do a lot of other people). In January 2011, I made this same resolution, but I was determined to make a change and prayed it stuck. My New Year’s resolution started my journey on Weight Watchers, where I learned portion control and monitoring my eating habits. In addition to the portion control, they also communicated the need to exercise. In addition to, I re-started my journey at the gym, running on the treadmill and elliptical. For a couple of months, I was seeing results in my weight loss progress, but it wasn’t consistent. I knew the consistency wasn’t there because when I would go to the gym, I would get bored running on the treadmill and instead of staying for the hour planned, I would on do 45 minutes, which then turn into 30 minutes, to not really going at all. I was BORED and I was only focusing on cardiovascular work and missing something else.
When I began working in Charlotte for work, a co-worker and I were talking about working out and I mentioned to her I was looking for a gym to join during the week while I was there. She told me how a lot of friends go to a gym called Crossfit, she described it as a cult and very intense. I checked out the gym online and the information I found online was exactly what I was looking for in a workout program, so I tried it out one day back in April 2011 and I’ve been hooked ever since. The thing that attracted me to Crossfit was the diversity in the WODs, the trainer involvement, the continuous encouragement from the others working out alongside you, and the intensity the atmosphere of the gym embodied. My body structure has totally changed. I’ve seen parts of my body evolve and become sculpted like I couldn’t imagine. It really excited me to see that my body is able to look more defined because it’s something that I would have never believed before finding Weight Watchers and Crossfit. I went from 176 pounds to 139 pounds in 10 months (total weight loss of 37 pounds) and now I’m a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. This is amazing to me because from as far as I can remember; my lowest weight was 150, which was back in middle school. I’m sure I’ve been in the 140 range (probably in my younger, younger days), but I just don’t recall, in my eyes, it didn’t exist until now.
I just recently had an interesting conversation with a friend. It started off by me telling her I was headed to Crossfit after work. She stated, “You’re still working out althought you reached your goal.” (interesting/funny comment) I responded, by saying, of course because meeting the goal is one thing, but maintaining the goal is the key to complete success. This journey has transformed my mindset to know that I can lose weight and I can keep the weight off because I have the right tools!
I so remember your first few months and I can not even count how many times you gave me the “you have 3 heads” look but no matter what you never ever gave up…ever. You are an amazing and beautiful girl! I am sooo proud of you and how far you have come. INSPIRING
Awesome story Patrice! Thank you so much for sharing. You are one of the hardest workers in the gym and I am glad it is paying off for you. You rock!!!!!!
Go Patrice! After seeing you do those deadhang pullups with the weight vest like it was nothing, I assumed you’d been a long-time crossfitter. If you can get that far in such a short amount of time, who knows what all you can accomplish! Nice work girl:)
I looooove seeing you and your flower in the gym! “meeting the goal is one thing, but maintaining the goal is the key to complete success.” LOVED this comment. Keep succeeding, Patrice!!!!
Great story!! You always stay strong and never give up…keep rocking it girl!
You are what awesome looks like. It has been very inspirational to me and to many watching you go through this process. I love the fact that your fitness goal was to run a 5K and now its to do a 10K! How many people just throw down and double their goals!!! Lets make sure you follow up and post an updated story this April. Who know where you will be at the one year anniversary.
Keep up the great work Patrice!!! This is why I love fitness.
And she does it all with a smile on her face…now we know why!
Patrice, it has been great to work out with you at the gym and see you motivating transformation! Very proud of you!
That’s my girl!
Wow! All the positive responses are amazing. Thank you all for taking the time to read my testimony.
This journey has been very hard at times, but very rewarding. I’m happy that I found Ultimate Crossfit because I “love” the trainers, people, atmosphere…it’s a great place to come to and workout with great people!
Patrice you are so BOMB!!!!! I’ve watched you transform yourself these past few months and it has been amazing!! Shoot girl you motivated me!! Back in June I saw your guns(arms)and asked you what you were doing and you said “Crossfit.” I asked you what it was and thought to myself, “I’d like to do that.” So when I finally moved to an area that had it I joined and that was all she wrote!!! I became addicted to the torture of Crossfit and it was showing!!
Even now you continue to motivate me and we discuss workouts!!! You’re awesome!!!!
Ask Patrice to show you her “guns”! Patrice you rock and I love it when we get to work out together! Thanks for motivating me!