I can run!!!

JengaJess

So this isn't going to be like a lot of the success stories I used for motivation. I've only lost a few pounds. I have no pictures. I've only been a member for a little over a week. But I did want to share my success story because I’m so happy and I want to tell the world!
Back in 2011, I lost over 40lbs in one summer. I can’t say it was in the healthiest or most maintainable way, which I’m learning now. But I was really happy with my body and my progress, especially with my fitness progress. I had always struggled with my weight and I have a rather large frame. I was never able to run, but by the end of the summer, I was finally getting to the point where I was jogging, even a pretty slow run.
But at the end of the summer, I got into a really bad car accident where I broke 6 bones, 2 in my left leg and four in my neck and my best friend passed away. I was confined to a wheel chair for 3 months, a cane for another and had my neck brace on for 6 months. Dealing with the physical recovery and the grief, weight loss was the last thing on my mind. I easily gained back 20 lbs.
I continued to struggle to exercise. Everything hurt. It took me awhile just to be able to walk a mile. I gave up on the idea of ever being able to run.
But I've been working really hard, doing a lot of strength training and exercise. I've even lost 7 of my extra lbs.
And today at the gym, I completed 30 minutes of speed interval training, running at 6.5 mph and jogging at 4.0 mph.
I had to pause after I completed, walk into the bathroom stall and cry because I had forgotten what it was like to be proud of myself.
All of you are so inspiring. And I’m so glad I've found this site. I hope you all take a moment to recognize your own strength. Where ever you are in your life, however small your victories may seem, take a moment to remember every small step that you've taken to get where you are. Whether you've lost .5 lbs or 105 lbs, be proud of your journey!

toiletski

Awesome story and congratulations on your accomplishment! NSV's are just as good as any other:) Keep it up!!

elleloch

Congrats, girl. There are NO small victories! Way to own yours. Keep up the good work!

Francl27

Running is awesome. Great job!

gkauf744

That's fantastic! I hope one day to be able to work up to a run/jog interval. What I'm doing right now is power walk/walk. You're doing great!

addean1

That's awesome!!!! What a feeling of accomplishment! You CAN do it!

Samstan101

That's brilliant! So pleased for you and what you've overcome, well done

krawhitham

Congratulations! To me, the feeling of being able to run is the best feeling in the world!

fast_eddie_72

Wow. That's an awesome story. Congratulations! Having finished a run is a great feeling. A real "I did that!" moment. You should be really proud to have overcome all that and get back to running!

SarBear00b

I love this post!! I'm so happy for you

Kookyk9s

Congrats, girl. There are NO small victories! Way to own yours. Keep up the good work!

This is so true. I have not had your health issues and I cannot run that fast yet - so be proud.

1healthyerin

That is so exciting!! I power walk with my dog and he gets me to jog sometimes. I will want to tell the world when I get to the running part! Way to go you!

Jezebel9

It feels good to run. You can run. Keep on running.

ravenforest3009

be sooooo proud of yourself!!!!
well done:flowerforyou:

degeorgeff

:happy: Your post is very inspirational! You have overcome some serious obstacles and you are back at it, you have reasons to be proud.

AlysonG2

That is a HUGE victory. I've never had any setbacks (other than regaining the weight I had lost), and no way in hell could I run for that long!

LesaDave

But at the end of the summer, I got into a really bad car accident where I broke 6 bones, 2 in my left leg and four in my neck and my best friend passed away. I was confined to a wheel chair for 3 months, a cane for another and had my neck brace on for 6 months. Dealing with the physical recovery and the grief, weight loss was the last thing on my mind. I easily gained back 20 lbs.
I continued to struggle to exercise. Everything hurt. It took me awhile just to be able to walk a mile. I gave up on the idea of ever being able to run.

Whether you've lost .5 lbs or 105 lbs, be proud of your journey!

Wow, what a story. And pretty amazing!! CONGRATS!!

JengaJess

Thank you all for the support! Can't wait to share and see more success

pariskathryn

ahhh this is one of my favorite success stories i've ever read on here. thank you so much for sharing, i can't even imagine the discipline it took to get back out there.