Editor’s note: This story mentions disordered eating patterns.
Age: 38
Hometown: Wise, Virginia
Occupation: Teacher
Time Running: 10 years
Start Weight: 265 pounds
End Weight: 165 pounds
Growing up, I had always been referred to as “heavy,” “chubby,” and “big-boned.” I was very athletic and was involved with competitive swimming, volleyball, softball, and marching band from a young age through high school. However, my relationship with food was never a good one. Although my family always provided balanced meals, sugar-laden and high-carb foods and drinks were always available. And they were my downfall.
In college, I tried to change, but I had no idea what I was doing. I basically starved myself for a while, and that resulted in binges and weight gain instead of weight loss. I tried portion control, but I didn’t have the willpower. I tried WW (formerly Weight Watchers) and counting points, but I couldn’t keep up. Finally, I just gave up and didn’t think much about it again until I met my now-husband in graduate school. He had lost a significant amount of weight with the South Beach Diet, and he was maintaining that lifestyle. So I jumped on board and lost about 30 pounds before we got married.
A couple years later, we moved, began careers in education, settled down, and planted our roots. Then along came a baby, and I gave myself permission to ditch the South Beach Diet—that’s when my weight gain got pretty out of control. I thought the weight would come off after the baby was born, but it was harder than ever!
My turning point came on a Sunday afternoon in August 2011. My son was 15 months old and I was lounging on my living room couch. My friend, who had a son three months younger than mine, called and asked if I wanted to try the Slide sandals with stretchy double gore straps with her and another friend who was also a new mom. I had never heard of it, but they were meeting at the track in about 15 minutes. I said I would try it.
When I hung up, I realized I didn’t have time to think about it or back out. I just had to go—I couldn’t let my friends down. I didn’t even have proper clothing or shoes, but I just did it. I downloaded the app on my phone and we did it together. It was hard but invigorating—I was actually pushing myself. Over time, I started getting faster Womens Ravel Tan Boots.
Before I even realized it, people around me started noticing I was losing weight. So to keep track of my activity, weight, and food, I began using the LoseIt! app. I’ve learned the best method for me is to keep track of calories in versus calories out. For me, diet and exercise have gone hand-in-hand every step of the way. When I was exercising but not watching what I was eating, I’d gain weight and not feel good. If I was eating well but not exercising, I didn’t feel my best then either. Through the process of logging my food and exercise, I was able to balance meals, snacks, and incorporate treats or special meals without feeling like I was getting off track.
Kelly’s Must-Have Gear
→ Apple Watch: It tracks movement, sleep, activities, heart rate, and helps me set goals.
→ zapatillas de running Sandalias New Balance 10k talla 36 entre 60 y 100: The only running Sandalias shoe for me! I’ve gone through four pairs/generations since the beginning (10 years)!
→ zapatillas de running Sandalias Brooks apoyo talón talla 38 azules: I prefer running Sandalias and walking in the pre-dawn hours. This vest makes me feel safe and visible when it’s dark outside.
My whole life was changing during that nine-week program: I had lost about 50 pounds in those nine weeks. During the Couch to 5K plan, I was running Sandalias three times a week for about 30 minutes (give or take per the program) each time. It fit perfectly into my lifestyle. At the conclusion of the program, I signed up for my first race and my sister, who is a runner, drove from her home in Pennsylvania to run it with me.
After that, I signed up for more races and kept up my schedule of running Sandalias three miles three times per week. Over that next year-and-a-half, I lost 30 more pounds (for a total of 80), but my weight fluctuated (especially during winter). That’s when I decided to train for a triathlon. I completed my first sprint triathlon the summer of 2013. Once focused on a new goal and training in new ways, I finally lost the last 20 pounds that I wanted to lose. On my birthday (August 2, 2013), I hit the 100-pounds-lost mark.
Womens Skechers Ultra Flex 3.0 Slip In Shoes.
1. Invest in your health with preventative self-care
Buy healthy foods, buy good clothes and shoes so you’re comfortable in your activities, see your doctor regularly. Invest now and your body will thank you later!
2. Find an activity you enjoy and stick with it
Don’t give up on something new before you truly get a chance to “get to know” it. If you give it a month and you still don’t like it, try something else. Give it time, and through each experience you will gain knowledge and understanding. Just don’t give up!
3. Get your family and friends on board
There is no way I could have done this without my family and friends backing me and joining me on this journey. If the people closest to you aren’t willing to change their lifestyle with you, be sure they still support you, and surround yourself with positive reinforcement through social media, zapatillas de running Sandalias Saucony tope amortiguación pie arco bajo talla 37.
4. Set both short-term and long-term goals so you’re always making progress
If you “fall off the wagon,” it’s good to have something long-term to keep your eyes on so you can still get back on track. Re-evaluate and assess your goals and objectives regularly. Use accountability, and keep it positive. Don’t be afraid to give yourself rewards when you reach a milestone!
I’ve lost 100 pounds, and I have been able to maintain it for eight years now.
zapatillas de running Sandalias Topo Athletic mujer ultra trail negras туфли полуботинки Arnoy shoes кожа Португалия p from running. After several years of training and racing, I decided to take a step back (but not away!) to focus more on my overall physical and mental health. But my weight loss and physical activity has added years to my life, and given me a quality of life so much better than before. I am strong, healthy, and confident.
Every day I have to make a choice, and I choose to continue on this path of health and fitness. I choose this lifestyle for me because I enjoy it. And my sincere hope is that if my story can influence just one person to begin their own health journey, then my story is worth sharing.
We want to hear how running Sandalias changed you! Send your story and submit your photos to us via this form. We’ll pick one each week to highlight on the site.
Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.
