Hi! My name is Paige and I joined CrossFit Casco Bay in June of 2022.  

At 35, I found myself in the worst shape of my life. While being modestly athletic, growing up playing sports and working out intermittently, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I used to say I had the least addictive personality in the world. I couldn’t stick to a diet or a workout long term to save my life. Then came the pandemic. It took a toll on me as it did many others. To add insult to injury, I broke my ankle pretty badly right when the world started opening up a bit. All in all, I felt like crap. My confidence was down and I didn’t know what to do to pull myself out of the unhealthy hole I had got into.

Two friends from work suggested I try CrossFit with them. I resisted at first because honestly, I thought it was a cult. Not to mention, how could I ever do a CrossFit workout in this shape?! Eventually, Val (my co-worker and a CFCB all star) wore me down and I decided maybe a “good for you” cult was what I actually needed. I gave it a try. Everyone was so nice. I was never made to feel like I didn’t belong, no matter how much scaling I needed for the workout, or how many times I needed a “clean” demonstrated. It took a little while but eventually, the overwhelming soreness got better and I was hooked.

Even at this point though, I wasn’t 100% in. For months I cherry picked what workouts to attend based on what I thought I could and could not do. I got some great workouts in. I was getting in better shape, but I wasn’t pushing myself to my full potential. During this time I also started counting macros on my own. I was dropping weight, but as I always did before, I hit a slump. I traveled a lot that fall and fell out of the healthy eating routine.

The difference was, this time I still had CrossFit. I kept showing up. Seeing my progress in the gym made me motivated to want more. In January of this year I decided it was time to step it up. I started doing the Ultimate membership, working with Nikki on nutrition and personal coaching. Shit got real. I was now fully committed to bettering my life for me now and my future. I also had someone there supporting me 100% through it which made all the difference. I followed her nutrition plan, stopped cherry picking workouts, did my homework, trained with her, and my body started changing. I was getting strong. Stronger than I ever thought I could be. I could do the runs during the workouts. I did Murph! My confidence slowly started to come back.

This confidence finally allowed me to join everyone else in feeling like I fully belonged here at CFCB. I made friends and connections with people here. It’s become a second home and lives up to “the fun gym” every day. Now, 16 months after walking through the doors, I’m down 40lbs, healthy, so much stronger, and have a great relationship with food. It’s slow progress, but that’s what makes it stick.

You have to trust the process. Poor Nikki has to remind me this often still, but it’s true. This summer I had a minor knee injury. Before, that would have been it. Towel thrown in and unhealthy patterns started back up. Now, I had every coach's support and telling me, "Just keep showing up." I did. I kept showing up and the positive process continued. I couldn’t squat but I could PR my strict press and bench press, and crush the C2 bike. Now I’m back to doing everything and am even stronger than before that minor set back, if you can even call it that.

As corny as it is, I can honestly say CrossFit Casco Bay and Nikki changed my life. I’ve come so far, but I’m just getting started. Thank you Val for dragging me here. The “good for you” cult for the win.