Ines Subashka: Introduce yourself.
Richard Csosza: My name is Richard Csosza and I am 28 years old. I live in Hungary.
IS: How long have you being doing crossfit?
RC: I have been doing crossfit since november 2010.
IS: Have you been involved in some other sports before that?
RC: Sure. I participated in karate (Wado-Ryu) for 7 years and I was a pulpit level competitor. After that I started doing weight training and playing basketball. A couple of years ago I went to an archery club and became an archer too. It is a good sport if you need to take some quality time because it is relaxed and in the same time it teaches you to concentrate and switch off the outside world.
IS: How did people around you accept the fact that you are doing crossfit?Did they take a jaundiced view of it?
RC: They absolutely accept it and support me. Sometimes some of my friends ask me: “Crossfit? What is that?” When I explain it they are getting curious and they start watching videos on youtube and on crossfit.com. The only problem is that crossfit is not a common knowledge in Hungary but it is getting popular with every passing month!
IS: Do you have a nutrition plan that you follow? If yes, do you meet disapproval from you friends?Or do they understand why you eat the way you do?
RC: I have been following the paleo diet since I read the book of Robb Wolf: The Paleo Solution. Actually it works but everybody needs to define his own goals. My goal is to get ready for everyday challenge/life. I do not want to be extremely strong but stronger than a normal person. You can achieve this with paleo diet.
People understand this diet and why I do it but sometimes they try to controvert me because they think carbs like bread, pasta, rice…are essentials and they cannot imagine their lives without it. Then I tell a “story” about paleo and if they understand it, it is alright, if not, it is alright too but I do not want to controvert anybody.
IS: What does crossfit mean to you and did it change your life in some way?
RC: Well, it changed my life because I like challenges. I started doing exercises that I have never done before such as Olympic lifting. I like the crossfit girls and heroes and the complexity of this sport. Nowadays my goal is to complete the standards for crossfit level 3. I can say I am stronger than before and my stamina is much better.
IS: What is your favorite WOD and which one do you hate the most?
RC: I have two WODs that I like the most: Jackie and JT. Fran kills me.
IS: Is it hard for you to combine your daily tasks with workouts? And have you ever used the excuse that you are too busy to workout?
I work in a crossfit gym so I can easily combine my daily tasks with my training. I used excuses when I was tired during my 4th cycle (1 cycle=1 month). Usually I take 1 week off for a complete rest after every 3 months but last time the results of the 3rd cycle inspired me to do another one and keep going. I had to listen to my mind,tough. I was too tired from the 3rd week of the last period and skipped workouts.
IS: What is your biggest accomplishment in crossfit so far?
RC: I’d say being able to do 2 x bodyweight sumo deadlift because I am more like a cardio guy (and good at bodyweight exercises) than a power lifter.
IS: Do you remember some funny story with you and crossfit?
RC: Yes. There was a day when I was soooo tired and I started doing WOD after WOD and I could not finish any of them. I just gave up on all of them after the first minute. I was laughing and went home to sleep. That day I felt exhausted since I woke up in the morning.
IS: What advice would you give to the beginner crossfiters in Bulgaria?
RC: Crossfit is hard but you do not have to start hard. Do everything on your level not other people`s level. If you want to do a WOD and your level is not enough for it use the scaling method for crossfit and turn the WOD to your level. It is better to do so and finish workouts with good feelings and good results.
For example: Diane 21-15-9 Handstand push up, Deadlift 100kg. When I did it first time my 1RM deadlift was 102.5 kg so I decreased the weight to 60 kg because I could not have done 45 total reps with 100 kg. From time to time I increase the weight depending on my 1RM deadlift. You can do the same with the handstand push up.
Take 1 week rest when you are tired and your level does not improve. Give time to your body to regenerate.
Be patient! Keep ya head up! Never give up!
