Fitness

USA 10-Miler, 2009

This picture was taken at the 10-Miler last year (where I ran the second leg of the relay).  A week or so after this, I decided it was high time to lose some weight.  I’ve thought this many times, of course, but for some reason I finally stuck with it.  As I’ve said before, for me it’s not about exercising more — it’s about eating less.  (For the record, exercise certainly helps, and I continue to run, bike, and swim on a pretty regular basis.  But in my experience, for ME, I don’t lose weight unless I monitor my eating, period.)

I started tracking my weight by weighing myself every single day.  Yes, every morning, first thing.  Again, this is what works for ME.  I’ve heard a lot of people say that weighing themselves each day is too much pressure, and I can certainly understand that aspect.  But I find that a daily weigh-in actually helps me.  I’m fully aware that weight fluctuates, so I don’t get too worried if I see a higher number one day than the next — but weighing daily also helps me monitor the overall trend.  I use a very simple iPhone app called TrueWeight to help me keep up with the overall trend — it takes your daily weight and averages it over time.

USA 10-Miler, 2010

Since that photo was taken one year ago, I’ve lost 17 pounds.  I knew this, and was really happy with the number.  And I know my clothes fit better — although not as much better as you might think, since I still wear the same pants size that I did last year.  (Go figure. Stupid hips.)  But I don’t think I appreciated what 17 pounds really looked like until I saw my race pictures from this year’s 10-Miler.  Wow!  I can actually see a difference!  And I like it!

I still haven’t reached my goal weight, which I last hit in 2004 right after we came back from hiking the Inca Trail in Peru.  I’m 7-8 pounds away from that, but if I continue to be dedicated to watching my eating, I think I can get there by the spring.  I’m not in danger of losing my Athena status anytime soon — the last time I was <150 pounds was…well, I don’t even know, it was so long ago! — but I still feel great.  I’m happier with the way I look, of course.  But on top of that I feel healthier.  Fitter.  Better.

And I’d be lying if I said the weight loss hasn’t helped my running.  Last night I had a tempo run scheduled that included 20 minutes in the middle at 10:00/mile pace — and I totally did it.  It wasn’t easy, but it also wasn’t super hard.  I’m actually feeling optimistic about meeting my goal of a new half marathon PR in just over 3 months.  I think I might actually be able to do it!