By Lisa Crocket

New Year’s resolutions. By March, they’re usually a distant memory, long since replaced by old habits and crowded out by everyday life. But a small group of patrons at a Castle Rock gym capitalized on the New Year ‘s momentum to improve their health and fitness with some impressive results.

The Challenge for Change, sponsored by CrossFit 5280 in Castle Rock, challenged participants to make significant changes to their diet and exercise habits and then track their progress for six weeks. The challenge was a competition to see who could lose weight, drop inches, gain strength, and increase speed.

Parker resident Carrie Faust knew she needed to make a change, but felt frustrated by past failures in attempts to improve her health and fitness. Enter Faust’s sister, Becky Harsh, a Castle Pines resident and trainer at 5280.

“I told Becky that I didn’t want to try [to get fit] any more because I couldn’t fail any more,” said Faust. “I was prepared to just give up.”

Worried about her sister’s health, and seeing the upcoming gym challenge as an opportunity to help her sister jump-start her fitness, Harsh took the drastic step of inviting Faust to live in her house for the duration of the challenge.

“Doing CrossFit for six years, I’ve found strength and community and I saw that my sister didn’t have that,” said Harsh. “I didn’t know how to show her how to do it without her moving in.”

So, on day one of the challenge, Faust, her two daughters, and various family pets joined the Harsh household and jumped in on the daily list of challenge requirements. Added sugar and artificial sweetener were a no-no, as were all processed foods, including most fast food choices. Lots of protein, veggies, and healthy fats fueled the strenuous CrossFit workouts that were the centerpiece of the challenge. In addition, Faust attended a once-a-week meeting for challenge participants to ask nutrition questions, share strategies for success, and gain support.

“I have had to modify nearly all the workouts so that I can do them,” said Faust. “But this is such a supportive environment – I think that may be one of the things I like most. I’ve found a community of people who celebrate whatever I do.”

At the end of the six weeks, Faust finished on top with the highest point total of all 51 challengers. Ten pounds lighter and several inches smaller, she said she’s gained strength, confidence, and a new perspective on her health. Now living back in her own home, she’s made a commitment to herself to continue to live the way she did during the competition. She said that cooking healthful meals and getting into the gym regularly are now a part of who she is.

“I plan to keep going and feel really hopeful about the things I can accomplish,” said Faust. “I’m not going to go back to what I was doing before. I feel too good.”

For more information on CrossFit 5280, visit www.crossfit5280.com.

Caption: New Year’s resolutions weren’t just lip service for Carrie Faust. At left, her “before” picture, taken in January. At right, a leaner, fitter Faust after six weeks of intense commitment to healthy eating and regular exercise. Faust participated – and won – The Challenge for Change, a competition sponsored by CrossFit 5280, a Castle Rock gym.