For fans of the Reebok CrossFit Games — and CrossFit as a fitness methodology — Emily Bridgers is one of the most consistent athletes in the sport. She’s a 4-time Games athlete, most recently finishing in 16th place overall at the 2017 Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin. And even before she qualified for the first time in 2014, Bridgers was a familiar face at Regionals competitions, dating all the way back to 2011.
Basically, she’s done a lot in the sport, and she’s still very much in her prime.
But Bridgers wasn’t always the functional fitness star she is today. Earlier this year, Bridgers shared a post showcasing her fitness transformation with side-by-side photos: on the left, a photo taken in May 2009, before she started CrossFit® training; on the right, a photo taken in the lead-up to this year’s Atlantic Regional.
And Bridgers is honest about the transformation. It required a lot of consistency, a gradual change in diet, and a bit less booze. Oh, and it definitely did not happen overnight.
Check out Bridgers’ post below.
May 2009 vs May 2017.
Tomorrow marks 7 years of doing @crossfit!
This is for anyone who thinks they can’t change their life… it didn’t happen over night. There was no magic pill. It took consistency and hard work. Lots of constantly varied, functional movement done at high intensity. Gradually building muscle over time. I eat far more now than I did in the picture on the left. I drink a lot less alcohol. A lot less!
I’m proud to be much healthier and fit at 29 than I was at 22.
Tag a friend who needs to hear this 🙌
Kudos to Bridgers for sharing her fitness journey, especially the emphasis that changing lifestyles doesn’t happen overnight — even for well-known and successful pros.
Are there any fitness transformations that inspire you? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image: @emilybridgers on Instagram