Liz Buikstra

I started CrossFit in 2013. It changed my life for the better. My office job and limited exercise were not equipping me with the type of lifestyle I wanted for my later years. Since then, I have gradually improved my overall health and fitness.
Like many other people, I have experienced many of life's challenges, such as significant health issues, job-related stress, and the loss of loved ones. I feel lucky because the CrossFit Program and Community have been a constant in my life. Even if I decide to change my focus from CrossFit for a while, I keep coming back. We have a great community of CrossFit affiliates in Cairns and the Tablelands and get together regularly to participate in local competitions.
My positive experience with CrossFit has also given me the inspiration to gain further qualifications in Fitness and Weightlifting.

During my fitness journey, there were many times that I wanted to go home and relax after a long day at work.  I called it the path of least resistance or the easy path.  I remember talking to my CrossFit coach about my struggle with motivation and she said to me "Just keep turning up and the rest will sort itself out".  She was right, when you start to see lots of little improvements, you start to understand the power of the methodology. The weights were getting heavier, my gymnastics skills were improving, and my capacity was increasing. After a while, training becomes less of a struggle and more of a habit.  For me, it became something fun but challenging to look forward to.

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