I really believe CrossFit has saved my life. Around this time last year I was 298 pounds. I was in a deep depression from the loss of my little brother and I was using food to cope. I would say to my friends. “I eat because I am depressed and I am depressed because I eat, it is a vicious cycle.” One day my son said something to me about smoking cigarettes and I realized I need to make some changes in my life. I quit smoking and started going on post to the gym but got bored of that pretty fast. That’s when a coworker told me about CrossFit. May was when I went to Intro. I couldn’t do a squat. Every night I was sore, but the next day I would come back. Why? Because for that one hour a day I didn’t have to think about anything. The second, is the sense of accomplishment I would feel after doing a workout. I also liked how everyone in class would cheer each other on, even doing the last few reps with me. Like we are all in this together. Then people in class started asking me how much weight I had lost. I didn’t know so I was proud to see 254 from May to October. I had lost over 40 pounds! Just going to class for an hour a day. Today I am happy to say I am down to 229 pounds. CrossFit hasn’t just helped me with my weight. It has improved my mood and overall quality of life. I no longer take my depression medicine. I also got my wife to start CrossFit and, I’m looking forward to doing The Open this year. I know I have a lot of work still to do, but I look forward to each and every accomplishment and PR because I am just trying to make everyday better.