Page 35 - Demo

www.MOSTmag.com || MOST FITNESS || 35%u201cIf you are working your ass off and it shows I admire that and that motivates me,%u201d says Nikki Leonard, a former fitness model and current CrossFit competitor. Rather than feel threatened by the success of other women Leonard chooses to feel inspired by them. She takes that energy and focuses it into herself and her own work. Part of this work includes taking care of her body inside and out by spending two hour days at the gym and eating nutritious food. However, when it is time to compete, Leonard sees it is an empowering experience. Because, while it can expose your weaknesses, it can also expose your strengths. Leonard also suggests that anyone who wants to get involved in competitions should stop getting in their own way by making excuses why they should not try it. She advises instead newcomers to take risks and to throw themselves completely into accomplishing their fitness goals. %u201cIt is hard, but it is also very rewarding. It will be the only thing you ever have in the world when you have nothing. Stick with it.%u201dThat%u2019s not to say that she hasn%u2019t ever experienced moments of doubt. You may be wondering what convinced Leonard not to give up, and the answer to that question is the prioritization of her health. Rather than focusing on how fitness affects her physique (although she admits that it is a plus), Leonard chooses to focus on its other effects. %u201cThis isn%u2019t just about fitness,%u201d she says. %u201cIt%u2019s about my life and my physical and mental health.%u201d She also specifies how CrossFit, her workout of choice, provides her with a sense of community. %u201cIt becomes this encouraging, motivating, safe, and fun environment that pushes you to become the best version of yourself.%u201d Read on to find out more about Nikki Leonard.MFM: Can you explain to our readers what CrossFit is? Why do you love it?NL: CrossFit is most commonly explained as being %u201cconstantly varied, high intensity, functional movement%u201d. Constantly varied because the workouts are always changing so your body never gets used to the same training, which is what happens when most people hit plateaus. CrossFit uses movements we use in everyday life such as squatting, deadlifting, pulling yourself up, etc. These are movements that promote neurological and hormonal responses, leading to better health, actual strength, core stability, agility, and flexibility. CrossFit can be scaled to anyone of any age and fitness level. I love it for all of these reasons, but the biggest reason why I LOVE it is for the community of people who you workout with and get to know that eventually become your second family. It becomes this encouraging, motivating, safe and fun environment that pushes you to become the best version of yourself. What%u2019s more motivating than a room full of people cheering you on to crush a workout because they believe you can? MFM: What is your daily workout routine?NL: My workout routine consists of Strength, Conditioning & Skill/Gymnastics work. I tend to spend about 1 %u00bd-2 hours at the gym (CrossFit Chalk). I start by warming up, stretching and foam rolling. I then do skill work on the rings, bar or floor. I will also practice Olympic Weightlifting movements at this time. I then will take a one hour By Lilly Willner