Let’s say you pick up a 10-pound hand weight and try to run with it. Not fun, right? Once you set that puppy back down, you’d be able to run faster, longer, and with less pain and discomfort.
That’s what I did this morning.
I really do enjoy running. But for the past year or so it’s gotten harder, more painful, less fun. I weighed 190 pounds. I have never weighed that much in my life, and it’s embarrassing to put in print for all the world to see. Even 9 months pregnant I didn’t weigh that much.
Every year, I run a relay race with some girlfriends. This latest race was painful. I was so heavy, and so slow, there was no joy in running this race that I look forward to participating in. It was about that time that I started thinking I should just give up, and resign to the fact that I’m just going to be overweight and stop trying to resist ice cream. And then I found out about The Health Dare.
I gave them my long list of excuses: I work at a desk 12 hours a day, my work day starts at 2 AM, I’m a single mom raising three boys, no time to exercise, yadda yadda, yadda.
But, I signed on– this was my last ditch effort to make a change.
Over the past 5 weeks, I’ve shed 11 pounds. On the scale, anyway. After having my body content analyzed by the folks at The Health Dare, I realized I had actually lost 22 pounds of FAT, and added 5 pounds of muscle, and 6 pounds of hydration.
I went for a short run this morning, and even though I hadn’t run in several weeks, was able go 1.5 slow miles without stopping. That’s pretty darn good, for me, anyway. It was like setting down that 10 pound weight I had been carrying around, and feeling the freedom that comes from lightening a load. And it was fun.
I still need to lose at least another 20 pounds, and I have the support– and the hope– that it will happen.
Cheering for you!
I found your blog at the perfect time! I so desperately need to get active! I am a former high school and college athlete who now only stays fit in sporadic moments. I need a good, steady every day plan. Thanks!