Metro Woman Loses 120 Pounds Practicing CrossFit

A metro woman, who says she has tried every weight loss program there is to offer, has finally found what she calls her weight loss sanctuary.

In less than 13 months, she dropped 120 pounds, a lot more than her intended goal.

On March 2, 2013, LeAnn Richardson was at her heaviest, weighing in at 326 pounds.

“This last year has changed my complete life,” Richardson said.

Not just in the gym.

“I went to Africa and did a zip line, which is what got this thing started," said Richardson. "I dove with sharks. I went scuba diving for the first time. I took a silks class this weekend at a pole dance place."

Back up 13 months, LeAnn was willing to try anything to start losing weight.

“I had a bariatric surgery," said Richardson. "That’s the most extreme thing I’ve done, probably 14 years ago, and I lost a ton of weight, and I gained every bit back."

She started a CrossFit program in Moore, a sometimes intimidating form of high-intensity interval training, usually done by groups in specially equipped gyms.

“Control you’re breathing, lock everything down. Form looks good,” said LeAnn’s coach, Stacy Jennings. “The benefit that I get from changing people’s lives like LeAnn is the reason why I do this.”

Jennings has been committed to LeAnn's weight loss since she walked in the door at 326 pounds.

“Everything is a quick fix," said Jennings. "It’s a quick shake, a pill or a diet, and if we just got back to doing the simple things, feeding the body the way it’s designed to be fed, it can get miraculous results.”

“I’m the fittest I’ve ever been ever in my entire life,” Richardson said.

LeAnn wants people to know, a little hard work and dedication is all it takes.

“And I know that they can change their lives if they’ll only get comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Richardson. “So, if I can be a little bit of help, and a little bit of inspiration, then again, it’s a great thing. It’s a great feeling.”

Free seminars will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on August 9 at Stacy Jennings' Norman CrossFit location.

For more information, call CrossFit Exile at 405-626-2558 or visit online.