CrossFit cured my osteoporosis
<p><em><strong>Over60 community member, Sue Ashton, 61, from Deloraine, Tasmania shares her journey of being diagnosed with osteoporosis and starting CrossFit – a strength and conditioning fitness program. Two and half years later, Sue is osteoporosis free.</strong></em></p><p>“I would like to tell my MFX – short for Movement Effects, which is part of the CrossFit program. It started two and a half years ago when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. My doctor told me that I needed to use weights. I had heard and read that weight-bearing exercises can help to strengthen bones, so, at the age of 64 I joined a MFX team.</p><p>Now MFX is a fitness program that just uses the body (for example, skipping, running, squats, burpees, push-ups, sit-ups). No treadmills, bikes or any type of machinery is used. </p><p>They said it would take “blood, sweat and tears”. I didn't have the blood and tears, but I did have plenty of the sweat. The coaches are very inspiring which gave me the motivation to push myself to develop the strength to lift weights that I thought were impossible – and to also do so many other things that I thought I could never do.</p><p>My journey was more about building confidence, which I didn’t use to have a lot of. But now to know that I can do all the movements correctly, that I am capable of doing them to the best of my ability, and to see myself improve every single day that I go, it has helped me gain so much confidence. Without a strong mind, the body won't do what you want. Thanks to MFX, to this day I am stronger in mind and in body, than I ever was. </p><p>I am now 67 years old, and much to my delight, am osteoporosis free. I have been officially downgraded and without a doubt my biggest accomplishment in the three years that I have been going, is definitely beating osteoporosis as well as gaining confidence. </p><p>This is not the end of my journey with MFX, it's the beginning. I’m going to keep going, keep getting strong in mind and body.</p><div><div>I totally recommend MFX and other CrossFit gyms for any over-60s. My advice for starting out is to have a good breakfast on the day and secondly, watch and listen to what the coaches are saying, as they explain and show every movement that is going to be done for that lesson. By doing that then no injuries should occur. But most of all have fun!"</div><div></div><div><em>Photo is a stock image and not of Sue Ashton. </em></div></div><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/finance/insurance/2014/08/how-to-stay-happy,-healthy-and-active!/" target="_blank">How to stay happy, healthy and active!</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/finance/insurance/2014/10/fit-seniors-i-run-six-times-a-week/" target="_blank">Super seniors: “I run six times a week, do three gym session and have done 15 City2Surfs”</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/finance/insurance/2015/03/surfing-in-your-60s/" target="_blank">Surfing in your 60s – it can be life-changing</a></strong></em></span></p>
