July Athlete of the Month: Yvonne Steinberg
Congratulations, Yvonne! You are the NoCoast Athlete of the Month
Yvonne has been a part of our NoCoast community for almost a year and, in that time, she has become one of our most consistent lunch time athletes. Her consistency, dedication, and sheer strength is so impressive. Yvonne is yet another example of the strong women and moms we have at NoCoast. Not only is she setting a great example for her peers, but she is the best role model for her daughter Penelope.
Quotes from Yvonne:
“I’m much stronger than I ever thought I was and I love that in my late 30’s I’m still learning new skills. I’m continuously working on butterfly pull ups and hope to have butterfly chest to bars before I’m 40! Also, the daily nutrition is a big thing. I haven’t been on a “diet” in years. No more counting calories and running extra miles to burn more calories. I just know to make good decisions when I’m shopping and cooking. I’ve also recognized the importance to raise Penelope with good habits. I know it won’t always be easy, but I will try my best.”
“Make it part of your everyday routine. I know it’s difficult at first because we’re all so busy but once it becomes routine like going to work or picking up the kids from daycare, then it makes it easier to get in regularly. When you get in regularly, you’ll notice improvements all around. For me it was a snowball effect, once I invested the money, I had to invest in the time. Once I invested the time in at the gym, then I invested in my nutrition. I’m a happy person now. I’m not the best CrossFitter but I’m the best version of me and that makes me happy.”
Age/Weight:
38 in August. Weight 145, give or take 5 pounds depending on the day!
Athletic/Sports history/highlights:
Lots of Soccer and Softball growing up, then I started playing rugby in college and played until I was 32.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
Since 2012
How did you get into CrossFit?
I was living in Boulder and running a lot and started to have really bad feet problems. The doctors recommended no more long distance running so I needed to find another form of exercise and my 24 Hour Fitness membership wasn’t cutting it. After seeing the CrossFit games on TV I decided to give it a try. I was super sore after my first intro class which consisted of just air squats, but I was hooked. Even though I didn’t even know what a “WOD” was or how I was going to pay for it, I knew I had to do it.
What is your favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?
Handstand push-ups and push presses. If there’s a WOD with just handstand pushups and push presses, that’s my favorite!
What is your least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?
Anything running, bonus points if its running with added weight.
What is your most memorable CrossFit moment?
My first bar muscle up. I came early or stayed after class every day for a week to work on the skill and out of nowhere I got it and then again.
As a Mom working full time, how do you make health, fitness, and CrossFit a priority?
I know with my schedule, I either get in at noon or else I likely am not going to make it in. It’s hard if someone at work calls an 11:30 meeting, but as long as I can get in by 12:00ish, I do my best to get there. It’s also important to me to raise Penelope to know that exercising is a normal part of life and not something we “fit in” if possible. If I don’t make it to the gym, we find another way to be active, like taking a family walk after dinner.
How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery?
Luckily, with my husband Pete being a high level international rugby coach, he’s often giving me advice on post-work out recovery to maximize my fitness. And the advice is often eat more and take a rest day! We typically try to shop the parameter of the grocery store and make our meals rather than prepackaged meals, centered around a healthy meat/protein, lots of veggies and some carbs. If I’m eating well at home, then I’m usually feeling pretty good in the gym.
How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness?
I’m much stronger than I ever thought I was and I love that in my late 30’s I’m still learning new skills. I’m continuously working on butterfly pull ups and hope to have butterfly chest to bars before I’m 40! Also, the daily nutrition is a big thing. I haven’t been on a “diet” in years. No more counting calories and running extra miles to burn more calories. I just know to make good decisions when I’m shopping and cooking. I’ve also recognized the importance to raise Penelope with good habits. I know it won’t always be easy, but I will try my best.
How has CrossFit changed your family?
I started before I had a family so it was just part of the package deal when Pete married me. It’s what I do. Pete has been dabbling a bit with it and I always enjoy when we get a chance to work out together.
Advice to new people:
Make it part of your everyday routine. I know it’s difficult at first because we’re all so busy but once it becomes routine like going to work or picking up the kids from daycare, then it makes it easier to get in regularly. When you get in regularly, you’ll notice improvements all around. For me it was a snowball effect, once I invested the money, I had to invest in the time. Once I invested the time in at the gym, then I invested in my nutrition. I’m a happy person now. I’m not the best CrossFitter but I’m the best version of me and that makes me happy.