Jen Norman

Here’s a great testamonial from Jen Norman. She is a personal friend of mine and a great client to boot. She’s always so positive and has a smile ready the moment she walks in the door. Great job Jen..you are amazing! (a little aside here….when you get to the part about her blowing up like Violet from Willy Wonka, remember I knew her before she came to see me!)

before

after

more Jen..or should I say less Jen?

It has been almost a year since I started CrossFit and I have never felt better!   After giving birth to our fourth child within 5 years (including a set of twins), I knew I had to get in shape fast just so I could keep up with them!  Not to mention I felt like I had been wearing maternity clothes forever!  I had success returning to my pre pregnancy weight each time with running and the typical fitness classes, however I was never really happy with my pre pregnancy weight!  When walking in to see Merle I explained how I thought I had about 20 lbs to lose, he quickly corrected me and told me “actually it is probably more like 30″!  This was of course after he also told me I looked like the puffed up little girl from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” that blew up like a blueberry!  Wow – the truth hurt!  Good thing I knew Merle and his honesty wasn’t offensive – he was right!
 
I started out doing training sessions with Merle weekly and started following the Paleo diet they recommended.  I was amazed at how quickly the weight came off and how much better I felt.  Having a background in lifting (my Dad was an olympic lifter, and I did track in college where we had a strict lifting program) I felt I picked up the moves quickly, but certainly wasn’t as strong as I remembered, or at least thought I should be.  I loved the competitive nature of the box and looked forward to comparing my times to others as I was able to start doing WODs.  Once I got the kids in school in September I was able to start attending the classes regularly where I was able to really get into the competitive nature and most importantly experience the incredible inspiration and encouragement of other Crossfitters!
 
I have worked out most of my life and come from a very athletic family.  My dad had what I think was very similar to a “box” in our garage growing up.  I was the only girl with 2 athletic brothers, I really had no choice but to join in what they did!  We joked that fun for us was pulling a steele slab around a dirt parking lot not too far from our house, or having Dad tell us to get lower in our squats.  Not something I would admit at 13, but looking back on it now I am so thankful my Dad taught me the fundamentals of lifting!  He was far ahead of his time and he would be a huge supporter of CrossFit if he was still with us.  Unfortunately we lost him in 2002 to cancer.  I think in a way I feel closer to him when I am challenging my body in the WODs and striving to be a better athlete!  Oh yeah and then there were the compliments… my Dad was  a man of very few words, a strong, proud man.  On my wedding day he gave me what was the best compliment he knew… “Jen you look fit!”  Well Dad now I finally feel fit, after 4 kids and many years of finding my way, I feel I have found the best way to stay fit, strong (both mind and body), and fuel my competitive nature!  
 
Thanks to Merle and Glenn to have helped me so much over the past year.  I am honestly blown away by their knowledge, fitness levels, and ability to inspire and motivate so many people!  I hope you know how appreciated you are!!!  Thank you to all my fellow Crossfitters as well, everyone is always so helpful and motivating, I can’t imagine there is a better place to find your inner athlete out there!!!  CrossFit ROCKS!!! 
 
THANK YOU MERLE!!!!