Name: Kayla Schettler
Age: 30
Hometown: New Balance W-LIFESTYLE Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers WRT96EAB
Occupation: Full-Time Mom (formerly a Wellness Coordinator)
Time Running: 12 years
Start Weight: 160 pounds
End Weight: 125 pounds
When I was at my heaviest, I felt lethargic and very unmotivated. As I became more and more sedentary, the thought of breaking free of the cycle became more intimidating and out of reach. My confidence was deteriorating, and I became more withdrawn and hesitant to participate in certain social activities due to my self-inflicted feelings of shame.
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I was also very aware of the myriad health problems that could and would start to occur if I didn’t start taking some meaningful action toward changing my lifestyle.
My turning point was one morning in 2012 when I stepped on the bathroom scale (after avoiding it for weeks) and saw a number that was much higher than I had anticipated—I was in uncharted territory. In the past, my weight had a pattern of fluctuating 5 pounds regularly. Then, I was hit with the reality that I had gained about 35 pounds in a year. I soon realized that this was certainly not going to be a quick, overnight fix. I had to really focus my time, energy, and attention on creating better habits for lasting, positive change, so I turned to running.
I had first began running in August 2009 as a means of therapy and self-healing when I was informed of my mom’s terminal cancer diagnosis. I was told she had less than six months to live, and I was overwhelmed with feelings of grief, anger, confusion, and anxiety. I had so much pent up negative and anxious energy that I needed to release, and running was the perfect outlet.
Running was a welcome escape and made me feel free. While I knew my issues would be there at the end of my run, I always felt more clear-headed afterward. That’s what I love about running: You have the Espadrilles to think about everything, or, on the contrary, absolutely nothing at all. Running became an anchor in my life, and it soon became a meditative type of movement that created such joy, happiness, and peace within myself.
When I first pulled my running shoes out of retirement, I couldn’t run a mile without taking several walking breaks. I was completely out of shape, and running was very uncomfortable. But I ran two to three times a week, with my initial goal to be able to run one mile again without walking. Over time, I pushed myself to go a little farther and a little faster. I didn’t use any particular training plan or app—I just listened to my body!—but I did sign up for my first 5K as a means of motivation. After completing that race successfully, I was totally hooked and wanted to continue pushing my limits to see how much I could achieve.
From there I climbed the “race ladder,” so to speak—over the following years I ran a 10K, 12 half marathons, two 21-milers, three marathons, and completed an Ironman 70.3. While at first the concept of running any farther than 26 miles seemed absolutely crazy, that curiosity and inner voice within me thought, “Well, I never thought I could run 26 miles and I did, so what if I could go farther?”
I also changed up my diet. During the time that I was actively gaining weight, my diet was loaded with empty calories and fast food. I was eating three large meals a day which lacked fresh, quality ingredients, and I was binge-eating snacks (chips, crackers and cheese, sweets, pastries etc.) at night after dinner.
In 2014 I became an ACE-certified health coach, and that course really educated me on how to implement positive behavioral changes in regards to diet and exercise. Now my diet is much more balanced with fruits, veggies, Ankle boots KARINO 4050 076-F Black eat intuitively, which means I don’t count calories or deny myself any particular food.
In 2018, I traded my road shoes for trail shoes Jacques strappy leopard print sandals trail running and ultramarathons. In September 2019, I completed the Overlook Endurance 50K, which covered portions along the Western States 100 trail. While the distance proved to be a tremendous challenge both physically and mentally—it was raining most of the race, so chafing and blisters became a real struggle—getting to that finish line was so deeply rewarding. Running in general—but specifically racing—is a reminder that we can do hard things. We absolutely have it within us to overcome and prevail against challenges, unexpected twists and turns, and adversity.
Kayla’s Must-Have Running Gear
→ Hoka Torrent 2 Trail Running Shoes: I love the extra cushion and stability that these shoes offer. They are extremely comfortable and lightweight, and they have really helped with my overpronation.
→Strava: I love that this app is free and gives you so much useful information about your run or walk. It shows a map of your route and gives detailed information about each mile individually, including the mile time, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories burned.
→ Azarxis Hydration Backpack: This backpack is lightweight and easily holds two or three small water bottles, plus plenty of room for extra gear and all my snacks.
→ Bobo’s Apple Pie Stuffed Oat Bites: During longer runs, I love adding these oat bites to my snack pack. I am a huge fan of apple pie, so this flavor is my favorite. They offer the perfect boost of energy, and they are easy to eat while on the move.
Shortly after completing my 50K, I received the very exciting and life-changing news that I was going to be a mom. While I continued running during the beginning of my pregnancy, it soon became too uncomfortable, so I made it a goal to walk two to four miles every day all the way up to my son being born. I had a C-section, which meant running was off the table for several months post-birth. In addition to recovering from surgery, I was dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety, along with the unique situation of becoming a first-time, full-time mom during a pandemic. Once again, running became the very necessary and perfect outlet for me to release all the stress, sadness, and anxiousness I was experiencing.
As a full-time mom now, my current running schedule is much more sporadic and differs from week to week. However, I always make it a point to do one long trail run every weekend (five to 10 miles) and I try to do a shorter stroller run (two to four miles) with my son during the week. Plus, running around after my toddler and picking him up several times a day packs in a workout all in itself. I am currently training to do the Overlook Endurance 25K on October 23, and it will certainly feel more special this time around, as there is a new member in my cheering squad that will be waiting for me at the finish line!
These three tips helped make my running journey a success.
1. Small steps in a consistent direction is the key to success
Start where you are, and set approachable, achievable goals to build your foundation toward success. The smooth and gradual integration of mindful and beneficial habits is what results in lifelong adherence. And if you slip up or make a mistake, you now have a personal toolbox of experiences and strategies to help guide you back on track.
pebbled-texture ankle boots | 2. Keep it positive
Believe you can, and you empower your own fate. Positive self-talk, self-love, and repeating your own personal mantras along the journey is crucial to success. Keep telling yourself you are a badass running rockstar, because guess what? You are!
pebbled-texture ankle boots | 3. It’s you vs. you
Harness the power of your purpose and focus your efforts on the task at hand. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing or how fast they are running. This journey is about you. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and remember your “why.”
Overall I lost 35 pounds, and it took me about 1.5 years.
Running has positively changed my life in so many ways, both physically and mentally. Through the good and the bad, the beauty and the heartbreak, running has been the loyal companion I can always rely on. In regards to my weight loss, running provided me with a joyful and peaceful way to reclaim the balance needed within my personal health and state of mind.
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Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
