Member Of The Month – February 2023
Our February MOTM award goes to the lovely Kate Ford!
Kate is such a lovely unassuming person – she shows up 3 times a week consistently, and works hard every single session. Outside of the gym she has a full time job and 3 children to look after too so her life is pretty full on! The fact that she manages to make time to get to the gym (and still has energy to do so!) is impressive. Recently she has been showing huge improvements in all her CrossFit abilities. Her weights have been going up, but more importantly her technique is looking mega! She consistently attends the weightlifting class on a Wednesday night and is moving beautifully. Her gymnastics is all improving too and she often stays behind after class for 5 minutes to work on these. She goes to Pilates every week to work on her accessories. We are proud of you Kate – even when you find it tough you still show up and get it done! Have a read below to find out more about her CrossFit journey so far…
M – How long have you been doing CrossFit?
KF – Sorry, not a short answer. After a lot of persuasion (from Andy & Ruth) I started at MumWod in September 2018 after baby number 2 with the intention of only going for a bit to feel like less of a lump for a wedding we were going to a couple of months later. Roll on the end of maternity leave and I decided to do the beginners course so I could go to regular classes. Then came baby number 3 in April 2020 and I had a year out while the gym was closed because of Covid. I came back when they were allowed to open for indoor classes in April 2021 so 4.5 years since I started but not all moving forward progress and some time out.
M– What class time do you usually attend and why does that work for you?
KF – I’m a consistent last class of the day Monday, Wednesday, Friday person. I have 3 kids and work full time plus the husband is a member too so it’s how the juggle works for us – he goes early, I go late. Plus I like the relaxed atmosphere of the class and have grown to enjoy weightlifting on a Wednesday.
M– What is your why? Why do you put yourself through it each day? Do you have goals you want to achieve?
KF – Why? I’m not sure and definitely couldn’t manage every day! Goals? I’m not good at this bit either! Seriously though, I’m not a gym person and hated PE at school so it still surprises me that I keep coming. After 3 pregnancies and c-sections my body was quite broken. I wanted to feel better and more physically capable. I’m a work in progress but have come a long way over the past 2 years.
This gives me a sense of achievement and is what keeps me coming back. Why? I do it for me, it’s the only 3 hours of the week I don’t think about anything else, and my family – it helps me be a better mummy. Goals wise, I’m trying to get better at running (this is not about speed but being able to run without dying or crying) and a TTB or a pull up would be nice but I’m not on a schedule, it will happen when it happens.
M – What advice would you give anyone wanting to start CrossFit but is either unsure or nervous? We get people all the time saying they need to get fit first or they could never do what we do? Any advice for those people?
KF – Give it a go, what’s the worst that can happen? It was right out of my comfort zone and I used to find coming to classes very stressful but I didn’t hate it and I’m not someone who gives up. I’m still here, I’ve got to know people, they’re all great, and I do the best I can.
M – What is your biggest achievement so far in CrossFit and what are you most proud of?
KF – Usually it’s an achievement to show up! I think that is it though – I keep showing up and it’s made a difference! It gives me head space, I can blow off steam after a bad day, it’s changed my body so I don’t feel like a frumpy lump anymore (eating well has also helped with this one), I am stronger, fitter and don’t cry at then end of every workout anymore (ok, this does still happen but not as often!). Progress, even if it’s small, happened and I did it!
M – Exactly! You did it, and you keep doing it and you’re doing great! Keep going – we’re all proud of you. (Also couldn’t leave out these two cute pics of you and your training partner in crime Bread Lady Liz!)
