February 2020, Kim Vining

When and why did you start CrossFit?

When- June 2018 when I first moved back to Lubbock from Midland and started a new job.

Why- That’s a loaded question! Firstly I wanted/needed to make a change. I wasn’t working out regularly or eating particularly well and nothing in my life really showed I cared about my quality of life.  I have Hypothyroidism and that basically means I was dealing with phases of fatigue, muscle aches, intestinal issues, weight gain and depression. I was making excuse after excuse as to why I had gone up in weight, didn’t have time to exercise, was always tired and was just unhappy in general on how I looked and felt. 

 I wanted to lose weight, tone muscle, feel better (mentally and emotional), start running again and prioritize my health and wellness. I know me and I knew I needed a structured system (someone giving me workout and me doing it) if left to figure it out on my own I would half assed my way thru many hours at a gym doing who knows what!

I heard about Wild West thru a friend and after that first week of workouts and meeting all the people attending the classes, they were all so encouraging and provided good accountability to show up every day. I told myself no more excuses and I knew if I just showed up and did the work my total wellbeing would improve.

With consistency I lost some weight no doubt but I gained so much more in terms of my mental and emotional health than I ever thought possible.

What is something CrossFit has taught you about yourself? 

I am a fairly competitive person naturally but all the workouts have taught me, that I can “work more” than I think I can. Whether it’s more weight, more reps or I’m racing a clock, a person or myself . It lets me set a goal and meet it or beat it or fail even! BUT in the gym small victories or failures add up and it only fires me up to do “more work” the next day!

What are your favorite/least favorite movements and why? 

Favorite= Clean and Jerk- it is complex lift that lets me lift heavy and I feel like is a full body workout. I also just like the flow of it!

Least Favorite- Snatch- its just a hard lift and I still look ridiculous doing it!  Also thrusters- they get my heart rate going way to fast usually

What advice would you give someone wanting to try CrossFit for the first time?

Just show up! The rest will happen! 

Showing up can be the hardest part… but if you just keep showing up, you will get better at the moves and lifts, you will put in the work, you will lose weight, you will feel better, you will make friends, you will make healthier choices. Small victories will happen daily in and out of the gym but you have to show up!

If you could have dinner with any person in history who would you want to go with and what would you want to know? 

Living or Non?…. I feel like this is going to be super basic/uninteresting but …Not living, I would pick Anthony Bourdain because I love to travel and eat and I feel he would have tons to talk about in those areas and give me some of the best spots to visit and party.  Also with a successful career esp in food and travel, why did he end his life like he did. I think there is so much to learn in that aspect of ones life they chose to give up on.

Coaches Reflection, Dalton Mankin:

Kim has been great to watch transform from day 1 to now. Not just the physical changes but the mental aspect of getting in the door too. Too often I see people come in the door miserable or dreading the workout! That’s how I saw Kim looking when she started, in fact it’s how most people start, but now it’s all (mostly) smiles! Another thing about Kim that I really enjoy is how coachable she is. She will always ask me for scaling options, percentages, whether she should do this weight/movement or that. Use us for everything we have got as coaches! “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” Don’t focus on the negatives or that will be all you feel, focus on the positive daily gains and you will feel fulfillment!