I started at South Baltimore CrossFit in February with every intention of completing the foundations program and nothing else. The goal was to get Nat to stop begging me to at least try it. I’d prove to her that working out and weightlifting were simply not my cup of tea.

Well, it’s almost June now and I’ve discovered something new about myself that I didn’t know before that fateful program in February: I love lifting weights, and–gasp!–I mildly enjoy working out.

Turns out that the structure provided at a CrossFit box is exactly what a person like me needs to get their butt away from the computer and into the gym. The coaches are fantastic, friendly, supportive and remarkably helpful seven days a week. It doesn’t matter how packed a class might be on any given day, they find time to give everyone feedback on their form and push you to go a little harder than you did the day, week, or month before.

Beyond the great coaches, the workouts change daily and vary in difficulty from Insanity Level: I’ll never be able to finish this to Total Insanity Level: This is the day I die. And the best part? You do finish it, and you don’t die (even though it sure feels like you might at any moment).

There’s a two level competition element to it also: One against your peers at the gym and one against yourself. The one against your peers is just for fun and provides great inspiration to push even harder. The one against yourself is what really matters. Can I do that workout better this time? Can I add some pounds to my max deadlift? Who knows, but I sure as hell am going to try my best.

There’s really nothing like sprawling out on the gym floor, head pounding, heart pumping so fast it might leap right out of your chest, and the timer on the wall flashing a time that’s better than you’ve ever had before. When you regain your composure, can breath evenly again, you say goodbye to your friends at the gym and leave just a bit more confident in yourself than you were when you walked in. That feeling, more than losing weight or gaining muscle, is what keeps me going back.