Family and CrossFit

IMG_3033 Fatherhood is an aspect of my life I would not trade for the world.  When I am asked, “what do you do?”  My first response is always, “I am a father of 2!”  Juggling busy schedules from games, practices, performances, ceremonies and the other activities have been a crazy part of my life and I can’t wait for the next game or awards banquet.  But, another important factor in my life (and now in my family’s life) is CrossFit.

I found CrossFit a couple years back.  I was really reluctant to “drink the Kool-Aid” (as we say) but once I did; I haven’t looked back.  I have been setting PR’s, doing WODs (Workout of the Day), practicing my snatch, and perfecting my butterfly.  I have done competitions, fund raised for causes, became a coach, and even a co-owner of a box (that’s what CrossFitter’s call the gym).  My Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts are a good blend of family and CrossFit.  As you might tell, CrossFit has become an important part of my life.

A parent must lead by example and as my children saw my wife and I pouring out sweat, changing habits, getting better, feeling better, and getting fit; their interest peaked a little.  Then came a competition, the CrossFit Open, and hitting new PR’s; they wanted to learn about what we did.  Next came the home gym looking different, a rower, a pull up bar installed; now they wanted to do some of the movement.  Then I joined a box and became a coach; they saw a totally different world of CrossFit and this lead them to doing their first WOD.

Now, my family will do WODs together and sometimes they get a little competitive (my 16 year old really can’t stand it when I beat him).  My children want to learn more and more about how to better themselves through working out.  They understand the importance of baby steps in form and that pulling a light weight with proper form is better than a heavy weight with bad form.  They understand the importance of mobility and stretching and how it helps everywhere.  They understand that failing is ok but quitting isn’t.  They understand that they can’t always be the best and that cheering and supporting the last place person is almost better than being the first place person.  They understand the importance of healthy eating and how it helps being fit.  They understand that being fit not only helps with sports but with life.

FullSizeRenderMy kids always wanted to just do what interested them.  “Dad, I want to play soccer, or football, or gymnastics, or baseball, or basketball, or do the school play.”  But with CrossFit, they became curious over time, fascinated as they watched and learned, and became CrossFitters.  They didn’t jump into it because their friends were doing CrossFit but because we were.  It wasn’t forced, it wasn’t talked about; it was just done and they saw then became a CrossFitter.

A parent must lead by example whether it be the late college student, opening a door for someone, saying please, smiling, or with CrossFit, we did and our kids followed our lead; we became and have stayed a CrossFit Family because of the shear fact that fitness is for any age, any level, and is apparently cool with the young crowd.

This article was written by Eric Williams, brother of Richie Williams (St. Louis Dad). Find out more about Eric and CrossFit by visiting CrossFitNorthCounty.com.

Richie

My name is Richie and I am a 40 year old father of two, a daughter and son. I am married to a beautiful woman named Destiny. She is the foundation of our family, and without her, none of this would be possible. During the day I work as a network security administrator for a local school district. At night I can be found illustrating books, working on websites, or creating music, but more than likely though I am spending time with my kids.

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