Seriously, Go Outside and Run

At age 18, I was a 5' tall 97 pound bride. I'm now a 51-year-old overweight housewife and mother. Diets don't work for me anymore, even Atkins. I didn't lose an ounce in the two weeks I last strictly stuck to the Induction phase. I used to lose at least five pounds during that period. I've belonged to gyms over the years and bought home exercise equipment but never lost any weight nor toned up.
I've found a gym with great group fitness classes like Zumba, kickboxing, cycling and weight lifting. I have spurts when I'm addicted and take more than five classes a week. But I don't lose weight. I am more toned, and better balanced though, to which I credit the yoga classes. The same fat ladies I started the classes with two years ago are still fat. No fatter, but still the same. And they, like I, really put a lot of effort into exercising.

I looked around the gym and it dawned on me. Runners weren't fat. Runners perspired, were confident and happy. So I researched running for beginners. I trained and conquered two 5Ks.

On May 11, 2014 I weighed a whopping 152 pounds when I completed the Marine Corps Semper 5K. After the race, I ripped a half-marathon training plan out of a magazine. It's also online at Coach Jenny's website. I followed it several weeks, then I really wanted to run more so of course I derailed myself. Then I went back to all the fitness classes instead. And my weight stalled. Then I went on vacation and gained four pounds. It took two months to get the four pounds off, and only after I stopped all classes except yoga and  began a new running program, training for a 10K. I downloaded it for free from the Run Disney coach's website. I have stuck to it.

I might be the only person who prefers running on the old treadmill in our cluttered basement. I don't have to worry about strapping on a fanny pack with cell phone, ID and pepper spray. I don't have to worry about cars and tripping on uneven sidewalks. No bears, snakes, coyotes, dogs, feral cats or scary men. I don't have to worry about sunscreen. (I've been a skin cancer patient for 9 years. I've never had a tan and have always been careful about the sun. My beautiful non-smoker sister died of lung cancer last year. It's all mind blowing.) I don't have to worry about earphones and hearing potential dangers. I can listen to my music out loud. I like the free cardio iRadio stations.

Anyhow, as I was saying, on May 11th I weighed a whopping 152 pounds (not my all-time non-pregnancy high of 162 by the way). Yesterday and today I weighed in at 135. I haven't been this low since my 30's. I'm not dieting, only because my metabolism refuses. I'm just running, cross-training with Yoga and core strengthening via a BodyBlade.

Running has reversed my scary ascent into blubber.

So, what are you waiting for? Stop with the excuses. Don't say you can't run because you are too busy, too old, have bad knees, a bad back, bunions, mysterious pain etc. If you aren't pregnant and don't have a debilitating disease, paralysis, balance issues or your doctor forbids it, tie your shoes and go out and run. You don't have to run continuously. I don't. I am a Run/Walk/Run girl and I love it. There are plenty of couch to 5K programs in magazines, TV, books and online. Find one. Perhaps you'll only be a walker. That didn't work for me. But I'll let you in on a secret. As slow as I am, when I changed my locomotion to that of a runner, while still going at my walking speed, I began to lose weight. It's incredible.

I'm perspiring. I'm smiling. I'm happy. I'm down 17 pounds in four months. No diet. And yes, life has gotten in the way. I am losing weight by Run/Walk/Running. When I lose 7 more pounds, I'll be at the top range of a healthy BMI. I'm aiming for a final goal of losing 40 pounds. I'll be 112 pounds, what I weighed at 19 when I deemed myself full-grown. I'm not longing to be a tiny 97 pound bride again. I will keep running. I don't fear pushing myself too hard and dropping dead. I'd rather die running than from melanoma, lung cancer or overeating.

You can do it. Start right now. Tie your shoes and go for a Walk/Run/Walk or a Run/Walk/Run.

Love,
Sherry