Veronica Garza
Anna M. Flores
Maricela Quintanilla
Veronica M. Garza
When I joined G7 Athletics a little over a year ago, the gym was just a group of family members and friends working out in a backyard. After watching my brother and sister flinging around some barbells and weights, I was convinced that the workouts they were doing were too difficult for me.
Most of my adolescent years, I was involved in physical activities like cheerleading and gymnastics, but it had been almost 10 years since then. After high school, I rarely exercised or gave any attention to my physical health, which took a toll on my body. At one point, I was almost 200 lbs and constantly in and out of doctors' offices for a number of issues.
My senior year of high school I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a condition of having a low platelet count. I was treated with Prednisone and gained a significant amount of weight as a side effect of the treatment. In 2004, I was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that frequently caused achy joints, fatigue, sun sensitivity, and issues with my kidneys.
On top of all of that, there was the fact that I was a size 14, 185lbs and very out of shape. As far as I was concerned, there was absolutely zero chance that anyone was going to pull me out to the backyard in the hot summer heat and expect me to get through a workout alive.
I have always had a fear of working out in public. I hated going to gyms because I worried that people would make fun of me if I couldn’t figure out how to use the complicated machines. Worse, I worried that they would think to themselves, “It’s a good thing she’s here. She really needs to be exercising more.” The truth is that nobody really thinks those things when you walk into a gym, but I had never found a place welcoming enough for me to feel otherwise. A year ago, I finally found that place.
After numerous attempts to convince me to join, I decided to give CrossFit a try, but I went into it with hesitation and doubt. I didn't think I was capable of doing the intense workouts my siblings were doing, but they assured me I would be fine.
Although the workouts were testing and required a lot of effort, I was capable of completing them. My siblings helped me to start off at a level I was capable of achieving. This meant getting into a resistance band to complete pullups, doing pushups on my knees, and running shorter distances than what was prescribed. Everyone was very encouraging and I really felt like they wanted me to succeed.
On my brother’s advice, I started following a Primal diet, cutting out grains, avoiding sugar, avoiding vegetable oils and consuming plenty of meats, vegetables and animal fats. In a very short amount of time, this led to visible weight loss and an overall feeling of better health. I even started getting better in the workouts!
One day during a workout consisting of squats I realized that my knees were not hurting, which is something I was used to. I have not needed to see a doctor in over a year now, and I rarely ever deal with the symptoms I was dealing with before. I feel stronger and healthier, which is the most important thing for me. It's an added bonus that I have lost 40 lbs. and dropped from a size 14 to asize 6 in less than a year.
Although I have a long way to go, I have come a long way. In less than 1 year, I have competed in two CrossFit competitions and tested my bravery and skill against some amazing athletes. In March 2010, I competed in the CrossFit South Texas Sectional in Austin, TX and received 21st place. In May 2010, I competed with the G7 Athletics Affiliate team at the South Central Regional in Fort Worth, TX.
Most importantly, I feel healthier, happier, fit, and more confident. Every day I am challenged with a new workout in the gym, but I know that every day I will get through it. This attitude now extends to every aspect of my life. I now realize that I am capable of achieving things that I never thought possible.
This is just my story about how G7 Athletics has positively impacted my life. Many of the athletes at our gym have experienced similar situations. I currently help run the gym and get the opportunity to be a part of the wonderful G7 Athletics community as an athlete and Business Manager. I'm happy to be in the position I am in right now where I can tell people about G7 and speak authentically on how it can improve their lives. It changed mine.
G7 Stories – Veronica Garza from G7 Athletics on Vimeo.
Anna M. Flores
Anna M. Flores, a local elementary school teacher, joined G7 Athletics in December of 2009 after hearing about G7 classes from a friend. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was eager to try something new. Anna wasn’t new to rigorous exercise. A former high school Cross Country runner and longtime gym member, Anna considered herself an athlete and in great shape. Her workout regimen consisted of doing two body pump and body combat classes back-to-back and then running three miles on the treadmill. Despite this intense exercise three-to-four times per week, she continued to have issues with particular areas of her body, and her friends and family constantly told her she looked unhealthy and was just too thin.
After completing her first week of classes at G7 Athletics, Anna was hooked. She was amazed at the intensity of the workouts and she was learning new movements and skills everyday. She was especially impressed with the personal attention and motivation she received from the G7 Athletics coaching staff. Not only did they take the time to properly teach her each exercise but also shared with her information about diet and nutrition. And when her hamstring began to bother her, the G7 coaches modified the exercises so that she would still get a great workout.
Just a month into her membership at G7, Anna began to notice a difference in her body. Her shoulders and legs had more definition, she lost a significant number of inches around her waist and people began to comment on how great she looked. She was seeing results that she had never seen in 15 years of consistent exercising.
Five months later, Anna is a new and improved person. Physically, she looks healthier and her clothes fit better. She is stronger, more energetic and has more running endurance. She can now complete unassisted pull-ups and ring pushups, skills that she could never before execute. With the help of her G7 community, Anna has adopted a positive outlook on life and feels like she can take on any task or conquer any challenge.
Anna has accomplished many personal goals while a member of G7 Athletics but she continues to take strides to achieve an even healthier lifestyle. One of her more immediate goals is to incorporate the G7 nutritional recommendations into her daily diet. She will also be a participant in the Get Grok challenge. In the future, she hopes to continue running marathons and possibly compete in CrossFit competitions.
Anna has seen great personal results as well as positive changes in the members of the G7 community. She wants to share her experience with others, so much so that she convinced her sister, America Flores and several friends to join the program. Anna describes the G7 Athletics program as more than just a gym. She says it is a facility that offers a higher level of fitness that conditions both body and mind.
G7 Stories – Anna M. Flores from G7 Athletics on Vimeo.
Maricela Quintanilla
When Maricela Quintanilla joined G7 Athletics in November of 2009, she hadn’t exercised in over a year. A rising cholesterol level left Maricela feeling sluggish and she had grown dissatisfied with her body. While looking for an exercise or fitness program that would help her lead a healthier lifestyle, she spoke to a co-worker who had already experienced personal success at G7 Athletics. She decided to join G7 Athletics hoping to obtain similar results.
Maricela, who had previously participated in spin classes and circuit training, wasn’t sure what to expect from the G7 Athletics program. After just a few short weeks of G7 training, she experienced real results. Maricela never considered herself an athlete but each time she completed a rigorous G7 workout, she noticed increased levels of endurance, strength and stamina. After seeing these immediate results, her daughter, Monica Gonzalez, became interested in the G7 Athletics program and began working out with her mother in January 2010. Both athletes participated in the Primal Challenge, applying the G7 philosophy not only to exercise but diet as well.
Six months later, Maricela describes the drastic change she has seen in her body and especially overall health. She lost weight and several inches around her waist, her energy level skyrocketed and she no longer feels tired during the day. Most importantly, her example has helped her entire family obtain a healthier lifestyle. Her husband, Albert Quintanilla was so impressed with his wife’s results, that he joined G7 in April 2010.
Maricela continues to get stronger everyday. She enjoys her G7 workouts, and has made lasting friendships in the G7 community. She especially appreciates the personal attention she receives from the G7 coaches and motivation she gets from the entire G7 family. She feels empowered and now knows that if she really sets her mind to something, it will be accomplished.
G7 Stories – Maricela Quintanilla from G7 CrossFit of Laredo on Vimeo.
