Nov 2018--Julie Homan

Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.
I was born & raised in St. Marys and have lived her my whole life.  I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Rod, for 30 years and have 7 children and 1 grandchild.  I am the bookkeeper at Fox Ceramic Tile here in St. Marys.  I really don’t have any hobbies at the moment, but as my kids are getting older and moving out I’d like to visit some wineries around the country.

2. When do you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?  
I started CrossFit in September 2017.  I started because I was having back issues.  After visiting with my family physician, physical therapist and chiropractor, they all felt that CrossFit would be very beneficial to me.  I continue because I’ve seen myself get stronger & I can do things that I haven’t done in years.  It has given me a lot of confidence & belief in myself.  I’m to the point that I’m afraid to quit.

3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your thoughts after your first WOD?
The only thing that I really remember about my first WOD was how hard it was and that I really hoped I didn’t have a heart attack!  The pain in my body was shocking!

4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
On a physical level, I really enjoy the moment when I’ve finished the workout and can say “Wow!  I really did that!”.  On a personal level, I enjoy my workout partners & the trainers.  The belief that they have in me, I just can’t put a price on.  I value that so much because sometimes I have a hard time believing in myself and having someone else believe in me helps me get through the workouts.

5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
I actually have 2 proud moments.  One was when I did GHD sit-ups in a WOD and the other one was when I did toes-to-rings in a WOD.  It was very rewarding.

6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?
I would have to say my favorite move is probably the dead lift.  My least favorite move is the overhead squat.  Since I still struggle with a good quality air squat, you can imagine how the overhead squat is for me…..

7. Have you had one or two challenging CrossFit goals that you've achieved recently? What are your current goals and how close are you to reaching them?
Doing the GHD sit-ups and toes-to-rings in a WOD are 2 goals that I’ve achieved recently.  Obviously, I still need to work on them.  The other thing that I’ve actually worked on outside of the box, but I feel like helps me with endurance, is jogging.  I can jog 2 miles without stopping!  Other than that, I’m working on the hand-stand pushups.  I have a ways to go before I’ll actually achieve that one, but that’s alright. 😊

8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs that you might have tried in the past?
First of all, I’ve done mainly video work-outs and have done them by myself.  This is NOT fun.  Working out with a group (big or small) makes a huge difference.  You don’t give up as easily when someone is doing the same thing that you’re doing.  Also, I always wondered if I was doing certain moves correctly with a video.  In CrossFit, I have a trainer there making sure that I’m that I’m doing the moves correctly in order to try & eliminate the possibility of injury.  It’s just better all the way around.

9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
I have a confidence outside of the gym that I haven’t had in years.  I have become stronger in the last year and that makes me feel so good.  In the gym, I’m forced to test myself on new levels, whether it be a higher box jump or more weight.  I’ve had to just let my trainer “think for me” so that I don’t overthink certain moves.  That’s not an easy thing to do.

10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit
My nutrition hasn’t changed a whole lot, unfortunately.  I am trying to be more aware of the amount of starches that I’m eating and trying to eat more protein.  I could do a LOT better in this area!

11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?
Right now, I don’t think I could write a good WOD.  I think it would be either too easy (because I would probably be sore while writing it and would hate to think of inflicting more pain on my body) OR it would be way too hard & unrealistic.  I’m a horrible judge of putting this kind of stuff together.  I’m pretty sure it would have GHD sit-ups and burpees in it though. 😊

12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
We’re not getting any younger and things aren’t going to get easier.  It’s just a fact.  However, the better you take care of yourself now will help you get through possible difficulties in the future, whether they be physical or mental.

13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try?
I would tell them to just do it.  I would be very honest about the fact that it never gets easier on a physical level because there’s always the next level to go to, but the rewards are never-ending.


14. Open Forum:
I would like to thank Dr. Carroll & Cindy for starting CrossFit in St. Marys.  What a great program you have going here!  I also want to mention the fact that I LOVE saying a prayer before every work-out (even though some of you pray very fast & I have a hard time keeping up with you. LOL).  Having the Crucifix on the wall is a great reminder to me when I’m struggling through the work-out, to offer it up and remember my intention for the work-out.  Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my husband and kids for being so supportive of me doing CrossFit.  My husband tells me all the time how proud he is of me.  That just makes me so happy!