I try to keep this blog fairly light and happy while I navigate my 50 state half marathon goal but I’ve been asked many many times about the weight loss that came with my discovery of running so I’ve decided to discuss that just in case it is helpful to anyone, especially as we head into the season of setting resolutions.

So just as some background I began struggling with my weight after I got married. I was working full time as a restaurant manager and the long hours and poor food choices led to some extra curves. I then had two kids and my second pregnancy was considered high risk due to some issues during my first pregnancy and although I tried to walk and make healthy choices food-wise I put on weight. To be fair my second kid was a big baby but that is when I hit my all-time highest weight.

After delivering my son I lost weight slowly but I was breast feeding and I held onto the weight for quite a while. I didn’t get really serious about getting into shape though until April of 2016 when I hooked up with a trainer in my neighborhood and started lifting. It started with the weights, not the running. The first two months I lost 6 pounds and several inches and that was enough for me to get excited about seeing results. I kept going with that and started making healthier food choices as well. From April to November I lost about 25 lbs and I still remember going to a clothing store over my lunch break, trying on a dress, and having to go down two sizes. That felt amazing.

In November of 2016 I signed up for a 5k with some work colleagues. At that time I couldn’t run a mile without stopping but I love a challenge and liked the camaraderie of the event. I ran that 5k in 34 minutes flat. And struggled. And walked. And hurt. But I did it. And I was hooked.

From there I tried a 10k. I remember getting beat by a guy who was barefoot and wearing a bathrobe. But I did it.

On New Year’s Eve I signed up for a half marathon that would take place in March 2017. A distance that felt unattainable. I didn’t tell anyone at the time. I was afraid of failure. And of people knowing that I failed.

January 2017 I ran a quarter marathon (trying to train for the half). I remember feeling so proud afterwards that I ran the entire thing without walking. At this point the goal wasn’t any particular time, it was simply to finish.

From there I started working toward the half marathon I had signed up for. I was running 3-4 times a week with one longer run and weight training. I eventually told my trainer about my half marathon goal as I wanted the accountability. She was so encouraging and we worked toward the goal.

And guess what. I did it. I ran a half marathon. 13.1 miles. I hurt for DAYS afterwards. I limped and was sore but man was I proud. That very night, sitting down afterwards, I came up with the 50 states goal. I know myself and knew that goals would keep me going.

(On the left is the day before I gave birth, on the right is during the Avon 39)

Since I started running in November 2016 I have run 58 races. This includes 3 full marathons.

As to the weight? Running did help me lose an additional 25 lbs. I don’t consider that the best way to lose weight or keep it off though. People often comment to me that I can probably eat whatever I want. And although I’ve definitely got some caloric flexibility (which is great because my sweet tooth is a force to be reckoned with), you can’t outrun what you eat. And the appetite that training for and running long distances creates is ridiculous. You still have to be mindful. I feel that maintaining weight is nutrition first, weights second (I love body pump classes), and cardio third. At least for me.

I’ve also been asked what I weigh. I know that seems an insensitive question, and it threw me off at first, but if knowledge is power and that will help, then here it is…I am 5’10” and weigh 140-145 lbs depending on the day. That number is affected by my food choices, my menstrual cycle, hydration, etc. I do weigh myself daily but the daily number doesn’t affect me much, I just use it as a guideline for health (and a heads up for when its time to lay off the candy for a day or two). My advice would be just to not get too caught up in the number, use it as a tool while remembering that fluctuation is totally normal (at least it is for me).

What I do find funny about my weight, is that I’m considered healthy from a BMI standard, but I’m considered big for a runner. They have this thing called the “Athena” group in a lot of races which is basically code for “bigger than normal” runner. At 145 I fall into that group. But what is normal anyways?

Ultimately I just try to be comfortable in my skin. I love feeling strong and healthy and running gives me that in so many ways. If running is something you want to get into, and you want some help, I would be happy to assist with more specific tips, or suggest a program. Just remember, the beginning of your journey shouldn’t be compared to the middle of mine or anyone else’s.

Also, lessons can’t really be taught, they have to be learned. I used to hate running and didn’t make my health a priority but now that I do, I can’t imagine living any other way. I had to make this choice for myself and I have to continue to make this choice every day.

I do it for me.