Back around the middle of January I decided I was going to get serious about losing weight and getting fit. I have worked out off and on over the years but never really got in great shape. In 2007 I started doing some running and had run in my first ever 5k race. But, in the fall of that year I ended up tearing something in my ankle and spending the next 3 months on crutches.
This time around, I am doing things differently. The biggest difference has been tracking everything I eat or drink. I set a calorie goal along with macro nutrient goals and went for it. I also started eating real vegetables (ice burg lettuce with a big glob of ranch dressing doesn’t count). It started out by adding a small piece of broccoli to my salad. Then adding a 2nd piece the next week. Baby steps.
I started running again as well. Back in January I could barely make a half it a mile before having to walk. After 5 months of baby steps, I can now get in a 5 mile run. I’m not fast by any means but I am getting better. What started out as jogging/walking a mile in 14 minutes turned into running my 2nd ever 5k race in 32:55 for a pace of 10:36 per mile. My 5 mile pace is a little slower at a pace of 11:55 per mile but I know that if I keep with it, that pace will pick up just like the 5k pace picked up (check out my next post for how I plan to do that). My next goal is to do a 10k in July and finish in 66 minutes.
As far as weight loss, I started out on January 20th weighing in at 226 pounds. I haven’t been under 200 pounds in 7 or 8 years. I have come close but hadn’t reached that mark. As of today though, I finally made it. I came in at 199.2 pounds for a loss of 26.8 pounds so far. It seemed so far away and was hard to imagine reaching this point. My goal of 179 doesn’t seem so farfetched now.
Even if I don’t hit that weight goal, I know I am in better shape than I have been in for a long time. My eating habits have also changed. From having to force down a bite of vegetables to someone who is now enjoying vegetables.
If you have been thinking about losing weight or trying to run, stop thinking and start doing. You don’t have to go out and run 3 miles or lose 10 pounds in your first week. You just have to get started taking baby steps.
I would also encourage you to start logging your food and drink intake. I use a website called MyFitnessPal. They have a good web interface as well as mobile apps. I don’t totally agree with their eating recommendations but it is a start and they do allow you to add your own goals rather than using their pre built ones. Feel free to check out my profile and food diary for ideas and add me as a friend when you get signed up. My username is dhansen999.