Name: Adam Barnes Hometown: Lynchburg VAAge: 35When did you first start training at CrossFit Lynchburg? March 2012Tell us about your sports & fitness background: Growing up, I had always struggled with my weight, finally reaching my max (240 lbs) my senior year of high school. I never played high school or collegiate sports. When I moved to Lynchburg to attend college, I realized my need to loose weight and make numerous lifestyle changes. I lost 65 lbs through running, diet, and becoming involved in intramural sports my freshman year. I continued this lifestyle throughout my college years. I then continued to play tennis and volleyball in the city leagues, along with running to help maintain my weight. As life, family, and my career continued, I slowly began to step away from those activities that kept me in shape. I realized, after loosing my uncle to heart disease in 2012, something needed to again change, by this point my weight had crept back to 230. I had tried several gyms and even attempted running again, but became unmotivated and bored with the routine.How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? A friend of mine, Russell Darnell, had been talking about a new workout routine was really enjoying. So I decided to give it a try.What was your first workout and how did it go ? I was terrified. And I joke, I purchased Gatorade and Cliff Bars to eat prior to going in thinking those were the healthiest options for snack, pre-workout. Being 2.5 years ago, I don’t remember all the movements, but the one that sticks out in my mind were planks. I was so sore the following days, I couldn’t even get out of bed properly, without rolling to my side to sit up.Favorite Workout/Least Favorite Workout: My favorite workout would be anything that includes snatches… and least favorite workout being on that includes burpees. I also really enjoy, three of the female named workout outs, Grace, Annie, and IsabelWhat sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting Crossfit? Prior to CrossFit, my physician had been concerned with the increase in my cholesterol levels and blood pressure, especially to be in my early 30s. Since beginning CrossFit, all of my blood work is well within normal levels and my good cholesterol has sky rocketed. Initially I dropped in weight to near 200, however with strength training, have developed muscle mass I never would have dreamed of having. It really took research and education to learn how to eat to train. CrossFit Lynchburg was a starting point and a foundation for improving my overall heath, from training to nutrition. What sort of unexpected changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like Crossfit? A sense of community in the gym, deep friendships, and a love for Olympic lifting.Please share any of your favorite CrossFit/ CrossFit Lynchburg moments: There are so many. One that comes immediately to mind occurred during one of the first workouts I did at CrossFit Lynchburg. I was not expecting to have such a community encouraging me and cheering me on, even to get a pull-up or finish a round of push ups. It was unbelievable to experience such encouragement from my fellow athletes. It is also incredible being surrounded with athletes who push you to do more… and watching them set personal records of their own and the excitement of cheering them on.Any advice for people just getting started or new to CrossFit? Give it a solid 3 months. Educate yourself on proper nutrition. Work on mobility and never quit, even through the soreness and anxiety. We are all there to encourage and cheer you on![video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqSgEFP-mJA[/video]