Meet member Arpana

Name: Arpana

Age: 35

Occupation: Pastry Chef / Owner, Dutch Monkey Doughnuts  (check them out at http://www.dutchmonkeydoughnuts.com/)

Previous workout/exercise history before starting CrossFit? I was that kid who was afraid of PE in grade school. Walked-on to the varsity fencing team at Columbia (or as I called it, anger management). Gained about 40 lbs. in my late teens/early 20s, and lost 50 lbs. over the course of two years by just walking 4 miles a day. Since I hit 30, I’ve needed to do more. Started really working at it last year, with a few half marathons, a marathon, a couple of metric century bike rides, and a triathlon. (Check out Arpana’s before and after picture above.  We can’t take credit for that but we can say we are helping to make her stronger.  Just look at the progress in those few pictures.  Aprana has most recently signed up for the Disney Dopey Challenge which is a 5k the first day, 10K the next day, half marathon the third day and a marathon the last day!  Talk about pushing yourself!)

CrossFitting Since: Nov 12, 2012

How did you learn about CrossFit Sting? Emily Kallos said she was trying it out, and I begged her to let me tag along.

Was it love at first WOD? Yes and no. I felt totally incompetent at first WOD, which just made me want to try it again. And the soreness was epic. I remember my arms being so sore that I messaged Danielle and said, “I don’t know if I should come back tomorrow–I can’t even get my hand close enough to my face to eat.”. (Completely a TRUE story, she emailed me the night before asking if she should come in or rest.)

Favorite WOD or movements? Everything I suck at. Step-ups, hang cleans, etc. I like doing the things I’m terrible at, so that I can see more progress. I love lifting, even though I’m a lightweight, because I can always do 5-10 lbs. more than the last time.

Least favorite WOD or Movements? Wall balls. As many as I’ve done, I can’t seem to go up much in weight.

Favorite CrossFit Sting moment? Describe your experience here. The 10:1, 1:10 burpee/box jump workout where I fell and gashed my shin. It hurt like $#@* hell, but I was so happy about having made it halfway through the workout on a 24″ box that it made everything a little better. And it was totally awesome that my fellow Crossfitters stepped up to help get my kid to school, take me to the emergency room, hold my hand while the doctor shoved needles in my shin (Kathie), while videotaping the whole ordeal (ahem, Danielle).  (Let’s not forget to add that Arpana wears glasses, for depth perception, and was NOT wearing them that morning, ahem!  Even after previous shin encounter with the box.)  Field trip……

Why do you CrossFit? Because it makes everything else in my day feel easier: Carrying my kid to bed is easier. Lifting bags of flour and sugar at work is easier. Laundry is easier. Walking the dog is easier. Pushing a shopping cart through Costco is easier. All of the little things that you whine about doing on a daily basis become not such a big deal. And I feel younger. That’s a big reason. The calluses are sexy, right? 😉

Tell us something new about you that we don’t already know? I found out a few weeks before starting CrossFit that I have an irregular heartbeat that basically limits my endurance and speed. I get frustrated when I can’t do things as quickly as other people, or when I have to take breaks to bring my HR back down. CrossFit has been pretty great for me in this respect, because there are so many varied aspects of it. It’s not like running, where you’re either fast or you’re not. I love that I can find things that work for me, and do them well, even if I positively suck at other things. (Arpana has been a great addition to CrossFit Sting and has had a hand in helping the “cool kids class”, the 6:30am class really grow.  We thank you for your help over the past months and your continued support.)