Each month we spotlight a different CrossFit 1710 athlete who stands out and shows just how awesome they are. What is it that makes up an Athlete of the Month? It may not be the person that finishes the fastest, Rx’s every WOD, or gets a PR every time they walk in the gym. Although we love and celebrate when those things happen, the Athlete of the Month is made up of much more than physical ability. This person shows up, gives their best every time, and then gives a little more. They are hungry to learn and always ready to do the work. They support their fellow athletes and encourage them to reach their goals. This athlete embodies what we believe the CrossFit 1710 Community should be about.
Our January 2021 Athlete of The Month is Suzanne Armour! Suzanne began her CrossFit journey with us on May 29, 2020. Her consistency and determination to improve her health and fitness is something we are very proud of as her coaches and teammates. You will find Suzanne getting her workout in for the day in our 4:30p or 5:30p CrossFit classes! Get to know Suzanne in her interview below. Come and join Suzanne in a workout and you too will see what she is talking about and why she's our AOTM! Congratulations Suzanne! We’re so happy to have you as our January 2021 Athlete of the Month and as an awesome athlete in our community!
#crossfit1710#January#athleteofthemonth#crossfit#1710nutrition#health#fitness#community#wharton#texas
Let me just say THANK YOU for the honor of being Athlete of the Month. I am humbled by the nod! And let me add, please feel free to edit as needed. Some of these responses are a little long. Just ask my kids about me trying to tell them about a movie or tv show... Invariably, my ‘story’ ends up much much longer than the movie itself... lol. So-here goes:
1.TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am one of those fabulous ‘baby boomers’ and am a wife and mother of 5 and while I love
my children to the moon and back, my greatest days are those I get to spend with my
wonderful grand babies—9 in all (so far). I grew up in Wharton, married and moved away
finally moved back and am happy to be ‘back home’. I’d rather be outside doing
anything than inside doing anything. There’s nothing I can think of that is better than a
good sweat.
2. WHAT MADE YOU START CROSSFIT?
I have to blame my son and daughter in law, Andrew and Sarah, for that one. They were
both active members and Sarah had tried on several occasions to have me join them.
Covid hit and, unfortunately, but fortunately for me, closed down the gym. Andrew and
Sarah set up a gym at their house and invited me over for a work out. The rest
Is history.
3. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SINCE JOINING CROSSFIT 1710?
I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I give myself credit for. I’ve learned that, on those days
when I feel I’m just too tired to go, those are the BEST days to go. I always come out better
than when I went in.
4. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT CROSSFIT 1710 OR CROSSFIT IN GENERAL?
In my over one hundred years on this earth, I’ve worked out with trainers, did an earlier stint
with another Crossfit gym and tried to develop a habit of working out at home by myself.
As much as I try, I can’t stay motivated and pretty soon, I’m back to doing nothing, fitness-
wise. What I enjoy most about Crossfit 1710 is having friends and great coaches to work
out with. I am in awe of the amazing and awesome athletes in the box. No matter where
they land on the scale of ‘Beastiness’, they are always encouraging and especially
motivating. I love the support, which comes from all directions. It is a fun work out, no
matter how ‘fun’ it really is!
5. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CROSSFIT MOMENT?
My proudest moment at Crossfit 1710 is any and every day I show up!
6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVEMENT/LIFT? LEAST FAVORITE?
I think I’d have to say the deadlift is my favorite lift. I feel like I have strong legs and a strong
back so it’s a pretty easy (and that’s a relative term...) lift for me. It’s a lift where I can
really push myself with heavier weights and more reps.
My least favorite? I can ‘name that tune’ in 3 notes.... TGU.... I dislike them so much,
I’m not even going to spell it out. Just know that if you ever see those 3 letters, run, run
away fast! I still have scars on my knees from our first ‘meeting’.
7. WHAT IMPACT HAS CROSSFIT HAD ON YOUR LIFE IN AND OUT OF THE GYM?
I’ve always been active and remember getting my love for running in elementary school.
WAY back then, we had a school-wide contest. It was the Presidential Physical Fitness
contest and was held during PE classes two times a year. The 50 yard dash was my
specialty. I also began playing tennis at around age 10 and have been playing pretty much
ever since. As I get closer to ‘retirement age’, I’m still active but just not as often as in the
past. Crossfit 1710 has gotten me back into a much more frequent work out regimen.
When I first started, I told Sarah I would join them 2 or 3 times a week, as that was my usual
work out schedule. Sarah talked me into showing up 5 days a week and I quickly realized
how much better I felt every day that I worked out.
8. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
I don’t necessarily have specific fitness goals per se. I just want to continue to get stronger
and more fit and continue to push myself every time I step into the box.. I would like to say
that my goal is to finally be able to ‘box jump’ and do hand stand anythings.... But just ask
Sarah and Andrew about that and you’ll understand why I’m not going to include them..
9. WHEN YOU’RE NOT CROSSFITTING WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO?
My favorite thing to do? Well, that’s an easy one. ANYthing with my grands. I know my
time with them is limited and I just want to spend as much time with them as I can. They
make my heart happy. A close second would be spending time with my children. They
grew up way too fast but we have such a good time when we get everyone together... it
gets pretty loud! Coming in a distant third...but still a huge favorite is hanging out with my
longhorns. I have 3 cows, 3 heifers and 3 steers. The 3 babies were born at the end of Jan
and first of Feb last year and they were a huge reason I stayed sane during the first
lockdowns.
10. THE ONE TIP YOU’D GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT STARTING CROSSFIT OR JUST STARTED?
JUST DO IT! I have to admit I was a bit anxious about starting because of things I’d heard
and seen in the past about Crossfit but it has been nothing short of wonderful! No matter
what your fitness level is—or even if you have a fitness level, there is a version of every
exercise that you CAN do. The coaches are there to help you each and every step of the
way and your fellow athletes in the box have your back too! I have not regretted starting
and you won’t either!
11. WHAT IS YOUR DIET LIKE? HAS IT CHANGED SINCE STARTING CROSSFIT?
I eat relatively well although I know there are many areas where I can improve. I can say I
rarely drink soft drinks-after having spent a large part of my life having at least one a day. I
drink alot of water (my YaYa water) and unsweet tea. As for food, I try to watch my carbs
and don’t eat alot of red meat but that’s about the stint of it. Having said that, if I could
get away with eating Mexican food every day, I probably would!
12. RESULTS? TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESULTS!
In general, I’d have to say I can ‘see’ my results best in the way my clothes fit. It has been
interesting hearing friends talk about and seeing memes about the Covid 15 (similar to the
freshman 15) Thankfully, I had Crossfit 1710 to help me battle that! I don’t really measure
my ‘fitness’ by my weight and rarely step on the scales. But that could be in protest. One
year, my hubby thought it would be a great present to give me a new scale for my birthday.
My response? He got a new toilet seat for his birthday that same year!
FREEWRITE:
I thoroughly enjoy every minute I spend at the box! On many occasions, it is one of the
of my day! It was hard for me to fathom that there are several athletes at the box
that have been going for 3+ years! I used to think, wow—how can that be. As I get closer to
my first year -my Covid anniversary not my official anniversary- I understand how easy and
reachable that is. I am hooked. It is a wonderful habit that I can never imagine being without.
I don’t always get those 5 days a week in and that’s okay. I know when I can I WILL! I cannot
thank Coach Jason and Coach Jodie enough— with thanks too, to the amazing athletes at the box. Your friendship and support are invaluable! I can only hope to be the inspiration to others that you all have been to me!