August 19, 2012

Sweet 16

Today is a very significant day for me.

Three years ago, I weighed 253 pounds. I was disgusted with the way I was living my life, and I felt like I wasn't being a very good mom to my boys because of it. I woke up on this day three years ago, and began what was the start of a 16 month journey to lose 125 pounds.

Today, I woke up with a task that was challenging as well--running 16 miles as a training run for my marathon. I've run 16 miles before, so it wasn't "new" to me, but that was with Jessica, and today was my longest solo run yet. On this anniversary today, since I had to run 16 miles, and it took me 16 months to lose the weight, I figured it couldn't be a coincidence--and I decided to use those miles to reflect on my weight loss journey.



Before starting (both the weight loss and the run today), I thought about how daunting the task seemed. I felt very overwhelmed with what was in front of me. However, I knew that I had what it took to get 'er done, so I started--with a single step in the right direction.

Mile 1/Month 1: At the very beginning of my weight loss, I felt like it was going to take FOREVER to get to my goal. Each small loss that I had on the scale seemed like nothing in the grand scheme of things. Just like on my run today, each step was so small when I was looking at 16 miles in front of me.
Mile 2/Month 2: I found my rhythm, although I was still overwhelmed with the huge task in front of me.
Mile 3/Month 3: Starting to see some progress, but still tempted to take short cuts to "finish early" and worry about the consequences of the short cuts later.
Mile 4/Month 4: Feeling strong and confident that I can keep going.
Mile 5/Month 5: Starting to think of excuses to stop now, but knowing that they will be poor excuses and I'll kick myself later if I stop.
Mile 6/Month 6: Feeling like I'm doing something "special", something most people don't do (both in the weight loss and running 16 miles).
Mile 7/Month 7: Definitely in the groove, and feeling strong--moving faster (this is when I started running during my weight loss journey).
Mile 8/Month 8: Halfway done. Feeling like I've come SO far, but still seeing how far I have to go.

Mile 9/Month 9: Getting tired of this, and just wishing I could see the finish line already.
Mile 10/Month 10: Double digits in the run today, and my first double digit miles walk in 2010.
Mile 11/Month 11: Starting to have the confidence that I might actually do this!!
Mile 12/Month 12: Feeling like my body is starting to slow down (fatigue during the run, and the weight loss slowed on my journey).
Mile 13/Month 13: Having a very hard time keeping on. Tired of it, and just wanting it to be over already!
Mile 14/Month 14: The last little bit ahead seems like it's taking forever, but knowing that if I stop now, I will be very disappointed in myself for quitting when I'm so close to the end.
Mile 15/Month 15: The hardest on my body--during the run, I was starting to feel very achy and fatigued; during the weight loss, I fell and broke my jaw.

Mile 16/Month 16: The home stretch. Pushing my limits, and feeling on top of the world. SO happy to have accomplished the task that seemed so impossible in the beginning.

Today I realized that the whole weight loss journey is a lot like running (a long run, in particular). I started off feeling so overwhelmed with what lay ahead of me, and trying to come up with every excuse in the book not to start. Even as the miles/months passed, I felt strong in the beginning, then I got tired of it and just wanted it to be over. There were times I wanted to quit early, for various reasons, or look for shortcuts, but I persevered. And toward the end, I felt amazing and realized that all those tough moments made the end result that much sweeter.

And even now, having run the 16 miles, I know it's not over--I have to run 18 next week, and in October, I'll be running 26.2. It will never be over! Just like the weight loss--sometimes I do really well at maintenance, and sometimes I struggle through every single day (or step, in a run). But I am ALWAYS happy that I'm working so hard at it, and my body thanks me for that.

I realize that this whole post is a little corny, but the comparison between running and weight loss was so evident that I had to write about it. So whether you're just starting, or midway through your own journey, just keep in mind that there are good days and bad days, but it is WORTH IT!

53 comments:

  1. Great post Katie! Happy anniversary!

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  2. Thanks for this post, I have lost 24 of the 108 lbs. I want to lose and I fear reaching the point when i'll get tired of trying. You are such an encouragement to me :) Starting weight 258.8 current weight 234.0

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  3. Not corny at all and quite inspiring! Well done, gives me hope for the journey I am on.

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  4. This isn't corny, it's inspiring. Keep up the great work girl!

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  5. Love this post, such good analogies and honest descriptions. You're an amazing woman :)

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  6. Love this post, such good analogies and honest descriptions. You're an amazing woman :)

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  7. Such a great post, and so timely for me as I am struggling with the whole "finding excuses" thing. Thanks.

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  8. This post was not corny...i loved it! I am 75lbs down of my 100lb goal. I am kind of feeling the way you did a month 13...just wanting it to be over! I have been struggling more lately with binges and feel so frustrated and ready to be done! You as always are a true inspiration! I know that if quit now i'll regret it. I will probably feel the same way with running, as i increase my mileage. I am training for my first marathon in january and it seems a bit overwhelming. But one foot in front of the other...right?!

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  9. I needed to read this post today. I am having a tough time during my weight loss and it was nice to see you compare your journey to a run. Thanks, and it's not corny :)

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  10. I totally needed to read this today!!! I have 20 pounds left to lose of the 100 I wanted to originally lose. This summer, in particular, has been very tough for me and I feel like for every step forward I take, I am taking two steps backwards right afterwards and I just keep going in circles.

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  11. Corny??? Not at all!!! Motivating, Inspiring, Amazing. Not corny. You rock!!!

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  12. I SO needed this today! Corny or not, it was helpful for me :)

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  13. I so needed to read this today! Thank you so much!

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  14. Like alot of the previous comments I agree that this post was something I surely needed to read. It reminded me that I can not give up even though I don't see immediate results, which I struggle with. Thank you for sharing

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  15. I absolutey love the way you put this in perspective. I'm still struggling with getting my running/weight loss program, and I'm so pumped up in my head, but getting out there is completely daunting to me. Keep it up! I'm gonna have to bookmark this for reference.

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  16. Keep writing about it ... I read your blog daily for encouragement to continue in my own journey to lose weight and get healthy. You are an inspiration!

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  17. Not corny at all! I know I don't comment often, but I read your blog DAILY! You're very inspiring!!! And kinda off topic - is your nose pierced?! :)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, my nose is pierced. I got it done in 2006 (I think?!) :)

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  18. Beautiful post!! I will have to start dedicating my miles while running. It is true, weight loss is a lot like running. You are truly an inspiration!!!

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  19. You are amazing and such an inspiration to me, Katie <3

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  20. This is so what I needed today...thank you!
    As always great post!

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  21. Awesome post - I love symbolism, and you did a great job here with running and your weight loss journey! I hope to do something similar...I'm just under 250lbs now...got to keep reminding myself to take one step at a time! Thanks, Katie! :)

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  22. Congratulations on your anniversary! And thanks for the constant inspiration!

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  23. I think that everyone needs to know that life won't be "easy" after they lose the weight. You are being honest in saying that it still will be a struggle, and that if we push ourselves a little bit further, work through that discomfort, the rewards are endless.

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  24. Great post. It's inspiring to look back at your story, and I love that you compared your months to miles. Congrats on both of your 16's :)

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  25. I LOVE this post!! I am 1 pound from my goal and I was so while reading this post! Congratulations on your healthy lifestyle and your run! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  26. Thank you for such an inspirational post!

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  27. Great post Katie! I am now only 20 lbs from my goal, after 20 months, and sometimes now it feels harder than in the beginning. Thanks for all the good reminders in this blog!

    Dede

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  28. I just started my weight loss journey. I came across your blog through the Fitness magazine. You are so inspirational! Keep up the great work!

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  29. This is a great post and it reminds us who are still a long way from our goal weight that we will get there!

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  30. I LOVE this post. I think running is the perfect parallel for life because you get out of it what you put into it.

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  31. So inspiring! I am working my way up to a 5k at the moment.

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  32. you have ALWAYS been one of my inspirations! Even in opendiary land! <3

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  33. Thanks for sharing this - so well written and reflective. Great sharing!

    I am in Month 6 of my journey to lose the weight and it corresponds so perfectly to your journey. :)

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  34. Love it!

    Great job on the run, too!!

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  35. Fantastic analogy Katie! I don't run, but I sure identified with the emotions you went through on your journey to lose weight. And like you, I struggle every day with maintenance, sometimes it's moment to moment. I had a bad Saturday, but a good Sunday. I just never give up, it's not in my vocabulary anymore, and I sure know it's not in your's!
    Today--I know it's dumb AND corny--but I feel special. Like I accomplished something a lot of people struggle with. When I was fat, I always thought that I was destined to be remembered for something, but I didn't know what. Maybe losing weight and keeping it off is my "thing"!? I know it has given me confidence to do so many things I never would have attempted before and I have a sense of freedom because I am no longer limited by my size and can do anything I want! Yeah--maybe it is cheesey, but it's TRUE!

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  36. I agree it was no mistake the numbers came together. Fantastic post-so proud of you!

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  37. Congrats on being the Daily Spark for today Katie! Great interview too- you are an inspiration for so many people :-)

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  38. Tammy/texzanAugust 20, 2012

    Loved your Blog today,, sure is funny how things happen to line up so nicely sometime,, way to get through that 16 alone,, I know I would have struggled . I have 4.5 to do alone today,, and struggling just thinking about it. Good Job Katie.

    Tammy

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  39. Katie, your journey never ceases to amaze me. I am starting over (for the hundedth time) today. Reading your post really made me see it was possible.

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  40. I'm just starting out on my 12-month goal that I set for myself so seeing this comparison, I think has made it easier. Congratulations for you very hard work and keep up the progress!

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  41. There is not one corny thing about this post, Katie. It's as amazing and as inspiring as you are. Thank you and congrats on your sweet 16. xoxo

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  42. Loved this post. I can definitely see how a long run and weight loss can compare and even just reading your descriptions for each month/mile made me reflect on my own journey (lost 60lbs in 11 months) and I can definitely relate. You are amazing and inspiring.

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  43. Not corny at all. I can attest to the last stretch being very trying. Happy weight loss anniversary!

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  44. You are awesome and such an inspiration! Congrats! :)

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  45. I appreciate this post soooooo soooo much!! I just started running and it's such a mental thing. I LOVED this post :) Great job on the weight loss and maintenance!!!!

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  46. Love the post! And your nose ring was cute!

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  47. Great post! I never quite thought of it like that before! Congrats on all you have accomplished. You're an inspiration!

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  48. Awww! So wonderful! Made me cry.

    www.shilohstaste.com

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  49. Not corny at all! You inspire me daily. On Sunday, I'll be running my first full mile. I owe it to you for giving me all the reasons why I CAN do this. Thank You!

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  50. I can't believe you thought this was in any way corny. As I was reading through it I was thinking it was possibly the best post I've ever read on a weight loss blog and perhaps any blog anywhere. GREAT job on the post and on the new YOU!!!

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  51. What a wonderful blog! Thanks for relating your weight loss to running, both things I can relate to!

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  52. I love this! You're such a huge inspiration. I'm running my first 5k in a few weeks, and I just hope to cross the finish line!

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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