Nina’s Road to 235

“I want to get in shape first.” As a trainer, that is an excuse that I hear time and time again. Crossfit is a program that can be used for anyone, at any level of fitness, to achieve their health and fitness goals. Don’t believe me? Below is an interview I did with an inspirational young lady from Corpus Christi CrossFit. Read the story about how Eduardo Malpica, her trainer and owner of CCCF, is helping her change her life. Nina is an inspiration to myself and to many others in the CF community.

This is the first of the video updates Nina is posting on You Tube to document her journey.

How/When did you find out about CrossFit?
My best friend Eduardo Malpica open an affiliate in Corpus Christi Tx last year in March 2008. We have been friends for over 11 years and he has seen me go through my struggle with my weight. He had mentioned to me to come and try it out. He said it never hurts to try it. So I did..



Do you remember your first WOD? What was it?
Well, the first work out I did was really not a work out because I could not even finish half the warm up. That is how bad {a} shape I was in. I was huffing and puffing from being out of breath. My back was hurting for standing up. It was a ruff start for me.


What have you accomplished since you started?(please share stats if 
you are comfortable with this)
The journey started Feburary 4, 2008. I weighed in at 382.7lbs. My measurements were Chest 61 in., waist 68 in, hips 74 in. Now I am at 308lbs my measerments now are chest 52 in, waist 55 in, hippo 62 in. My shirts were a 5x and now I am down to a 2x.



What are your ultimate goals (benchmarks, Games, weight, athletic, 
etc.)?
My main goal, my health, is #1. I would like to get rid of my bi pap machine because I have sleep apnea because of my weight. I am also border line diabetic and considered insulin resistant so I have to take medication for that. I would really like to compete in next years games. I also would like to strive for competing in Olympic lifting. I found that I have a nitch for that. I just want to be an athlete again. I would also like to lose 235lbs which will put me at 147lbs. *



Where do you workout? Affiliate?
C.C.Crossfit in Corpus Christi Texas

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What is your nutrition like? Zone? Paleo?
I started the zone back in Feburary of 2008. I eat every 3 1/2 hrs. My typical day is:
(oatmeal pancakes) 4egg whites, 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1oz almonds, 1/2 cup strawberries, and 3 splendas.
Snack #1 (Strawberry smoothie) 1/2 scoop protein powder, 2 tbs almonds, 1/4 cup unsweeten applesauces, 1/2 cup strawberries, and 2 splendas.(blend in blender)
Lunch 1 small apple, 1 1/2 tbs cheese 2%, 3 1/4 cup romaine lettuce, 1 oz tortilla chips, 2 3/4 oz ground turkey 99% fat free(already mixed with taco seasoning)
Snack #2 1/4 cups apples, 2 tbs almonds, 3/4 oz string cheese lite, 3 1/2 oz milk 1%, 1 small low card tortilla
Dinner 1/2 cup broccoli, 3 1/2 tbsp long grain wild rice, (to make fake fried chicken) 1 egg white, 1/2oz Parmesan cheese, 2 wheat crackers (crushed) 1 tsp E.V.O.O, 2 1/4 oz chicken. bake to 45min at 350. Yum Yum!



Are you working with a coach or doing this on your own?
I have my best friend Eduardo Malpica which is my coach, mentor, motivator, therapist, big brother and my # 1 fan, he is everything. I would have not been able to do this alone with out him. He is my guardian angel I always say.

What would you say to someone in a similar life situation? Where should they start?
Just start is the main thing. Find an affiliate and talk to {a} trainer. Tell them what you are looking to accomplish. Even if you can not do the work out but only the warm up, that is a good start. Again it is a start. Just keep coming back. Little by little you will gain more endurance and will be able to do more. It does take time to get going but once you start you will love it.


When will you post the next video log?
I am going to do a blog every 2 months.



What has been the hardest thing about the journey so far? Have you had 
set-backs and, if so, how have you dealt with them?
I have had moments where it was so hard I just wanted to give up. I was telling myself that being fat and overweight is just how I am going be. This was who I was! That I was going to stay this way forever and I just need to get use to it. My body wants to give up on me sometime when I am working out. But Eduardo always says mind over matter. I talk to Eduardo and told him how I was feeling. He would tell me, ” Mama, You have made the first step why go back.” If you are not happy with yourself then do something about it. Only I can make this change. Just stick to it. You deserve this Nina!



What have you tried in the past?

I have tried everything to not eating, low carb, Atkins, Weight Watchers, body pump, body step, spinning, personal trainers. Nothing is like Crossfit. I love it. I never get bored with the same workouts. I find myself doing thing I thought I could never do or would try. I have been a member of a gym for several years and I hate it. It’s like going to night club. Everyone is checking you out , women with there hair down, make-up, talking on cell phone while working out, meat heads the whole nine yards. At crossfit everyone know your name. They know how hard I work and they don’t judge me. They are all supportive of my journey. When I would walk in to the gym I would get these looks and smirks from other members. I felt that I should wear a sign saying I work out 5 days a week, I eat 1500-1600 calories day, I do lose weight, I have lost over 80lbs, I am not lazy, I am trying but they don’t care. But my crossfit family knows what I do and how far I have come. They see me every day there, and if I miss a day they are asking me “where were you?” It makes me accountable. Eduardo always tells me. When someone comes in and sees what was on the board they look for my name. He says they always say, “If Nina can do {it}, I can too.”


You said in your video that you used to be an athlete. What sports 
did you play? Any plans to take them up again or start a new one?
I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years. Also in high school I played varsity track, basketball, and cross country. I would love to take up any sport. I just miss putting myself out there. I miss that natural high you get when you compete in sports or any event. I am ready to go back to that. I want to try everything and anything…



It seems, from some of your posts in the comments, that you have been 
educating yourself on nutrition and exercise? What books, authors, 
etc. do you read?
I have read The Zone by Dr. Sears. Right now I am using the website www.formulazone.com which has made thing a lot easier. If you have never checked it out you should. It gives you menu options, build you menus and also georcery list. I love it.



Any last words?
If I can do it anyone can do it. I know last year I was 400lbs now 308lbs. Who would think a person over 300lbs could do crossfit but I am. There is no excuse. It was either life or death for me. I choose life! So just do it.
 
Nina, we wish you the best of luck, and we will be following your journey! Now what’s your excuse?