Today I want to address a question I’ve been getting A LOT since I announced the launch of CrossFit 954 a few months ago at Synergize. And that question is: “Can I do CrossFit?” Or my translation: “Is CrossFit ‘Hard?”

In a nutshell…Yes!

CrossFit is NOT a walk in the park, and anyone who tells you otherwise is not on your side. I walked into a CrossFit “box” (a CrossFit gym is typically referred to as a box) exactly two years ago, and I’m not embarrassed to say it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

Although I knew I had neglected my own fitness regimen for many months, I still considered myself to be in pretty decent shape. Boy was I wrong. In fact, looking back, I had allowed my apparently fit exterior to convince me (and others) that I was in great shape.

I was not.

In fact, to my standards, I was nowhere close. After my first CrossFit workout, it would have been VERY easy for me to walk out that door and never look back. No one would have ever known that “Hollywood’s Top Fitness Expert” couldn’t complete one pullup, could only do pushups on her knees or couldn’t run a mile without stopping to walk. In a nutshell, that workout kicked my butt! No one would have known…except me.

In that moment, as I walked pitifully and humbly back to my car with my lungs on fire and my muscles trembling, I knew I would have to swallow my pride, acknowledge my reality and get completely comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Was it hard? Absolutely!

Was I uncomfortable? Extremely!

Did I want to quit? Every moment!

Do I have any regrets? Absolutely NOT!

You see, today not only do I look fit, but I am fit.

Not only do I teach fitness, but I live fitness.

Not only can I take YOU out of your comfort zone, but I can spend time there almost every day.

I’m not saying this to boast but to make this point: In order to progress, grow and transform in any way, you have to accept that it’s usually not going to be easy and simply agree to DO IT HARD! If transformation and growth were easy, we’d all be prancing around in our dream bodies and living our dream life (applause to you if you are; its means you are or were willing at some point to Do It Hard).

The bottom line is that most people want AMAZING results, but very few are willing to do the work and make the sacrifice to get it. Most people want to take Easy Street rather than Hard Boulevard (Lol). Easy Street is a dead end.

So, to conclude my very long-winded answer to the question ‘“Is CrossFit Hard?” Yes, CrossFit is a challenge. CrossFit will push you to your limits and often times beyond, but I can assure you that what you will be able to do and the person you will become in the process will absolutely AMAZE you.
So, whether you’re 18 or 68, 130 pounds or 330 pounds, a complete beginner or an elite athlete, a housewife or police officer, or any other “person” you choose to categorize yourself as, you can CrossFit!

Will you do it? It all depends on how willing you are to Do it Hard and how committed you are to transformation.

It’s all up to you.

One thing I do know for sure: Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. In the words of motivational speaker Les Brown: “Do what’s hard and your life will be easy. Do what’s easy and your life will be hard.”

The choice is always yours.  

Shondelle Solomon-Miles is a body transformation expert and owner of Synergize! training studio in Hollywood, Fla. You can reach her at www.SynergizeWeightLoss.com.