Five Months - 23 Pounds... with lotsa photos!
LorinaLynn
Posts: 13,247 Member
It started with vodka.
December 11, 2010. An early Christmas party at my niece's house. I was drunk. Very drunk. And a friend of my niece was talking about some crazy-*kitten* thing called the Warrior Dash. A 5k race with obstacles, mud, fire, beer, turkey drumsticks and viking hats. A light bulb went over in my head. I wanna do that!
I'm sure my husband shrugged it off as a side effect of the vodka. And Jager Bombs. And Red Headed Sluts. And whatever else I might have been drinking. After all, I couldn't run one lap around the park by my house without wheezing, and I was at my highest weight ever. And I was almost content to be that way. Almost.
But I remembered it the next day, and looked it up online. Even with a hangover, it seemed like fun. Like something I could do, if I work really hard. I was at the tail end of a depressive tailspin. I lost my Mom in December 2008, my job in January 2009, my father in February 2010, and finally one of my beloved cats in October 2010. I had ENOUGH of being tossed around by life. It was time for me to take charge. There's a lot of things I can't control, but I could control my health. And I was taking it for granted for far too long.
I started by walking the dog more. Then discovered the Couch to 5k Program. Really? I thought. I can learn to run 3.1 miles in just nine weeks?! That lead me here (really, I was only doing it for the ticker at first!), and the rest is history. I finished C25K in about 8 weeks due to extreme stubbornness and determination. I've done five races so far. My first was a 4.5 miler I wasn't ready for. I had to walk some of that, but finished in a little over 46 minutes. Next was a 5k that I was ready for, and finished in 29:42! I was thrilled with that, until my next two 5ks that I finished in just under and just over 28 minutes! Most recently was a 5 mile race that I finished in 45:17. Just 7 seconds behind my very athletic niece and about 30 seconds ahead of my brother, who were both my role models for running! Woohoo!
Initially, weight wasn't an issue for me. I was ok with how I looked. I thought I looked fine for 38. Until I got on the scale and realized I'd packed on about 10 pounds between summer and early winter. EEPS!!! But honestly, my focus was my health, and losing weight was just a nice side effect. And I firmly believe that focusing on getting stronger was what made this work for me. Other times I tried to lose a little weight, I just ate less and got bored with the slow progress. I figured if I could eat what I want and more or less maintain my weight, which wasn't BAD, that was better than starving myself to get a little thinner.
That's because I was doing it WRONG! I wasn't eating nearly enough. Finding MPF and being introduced to the concept of eating my exercise calories, and tweaking everything as I went along... that's been eye opening for me. That's what works for me... eating fairly normal, and sweating my *kitten* off to eat more!
Since I had to pick a "goal weight" when I started here, I chose 135 as a pie-in-the-sky number. When I lost about 12 pounds, I lowered it to 130 because I wasn't seeing much change. Now... I'm thinking 135 is good again. I'd like to tone up a bit more, and I have no doubt that will happen. But if the scale doesn't drop, I'm perfectly ok with that, too.
On to the photos...
Progress... From last summer to now. I gained about 8-10 pounds after the summer photo was taken, thanks to depression and Halloween candy.
Full length. I'm amazed at how LONG I look. My torso seems to have lengthened! And the back fat is all but gone!
In fact... I just might need to break out the itsy bitsy bikini I bought years ago and never had the guts (or had TOO MUCH guts!) to wear.
I love this... It's me in 1998 - at almost 26 - in a vintage swimsuit. And me today - at almost 39 - weighing about 20 pounds more, but looking (at least in my not so humble opinion!) much better. I dedicate this photo to anyone who thinks they need to get back down to their high school or early 20s weight to look just as good. You won't need to. When you do it right and build muscle, you're going to weigh more.
And because I started all this for the Warrior Dash, which is exactly ONE MONTH from today.... here's some photos of what I'm planning to wear. Minus the helmet and my grandmother's minks... at least not for the race. And I won't be running in my Ugg knockoffs, either.
December 11, 2010. An early Christmas party at my niece's house. I was drunk. Very drunk. And a friend of my niece was talking about some crazy-*kitten* thing called the Warrior Dash. A 5k race with obstacles, mud, fire, beer, turkey drumsticks and viking hats. A light bulb went over in my head. I wanna do that!
I'm sure my husband shrugged it off as a side effect of the vodka. And Jager Bombs. And Red Headed Sluts. And whatever else I might have been drinking. After all, I couldn't run one lap around the park by my house without wheezing, and I was at my highest weight ever. And I was almost content to be that way. Almost.
But I remembered it the next day, and looked it up online. Even with a hangover, it seemed like fun. Like something I could do, if I work really hard. I was at the tail end of a depressive tailspin. I lost my Mom in December 2008, my job in January 2009, my father in February 2010, and finally one of my beloved cats in October 2010. I had ENOUGH of being tossed around by life. It was time for me to take charge. There's a lot of things I can't control, but I could control my health. And I was taking it for granted for far too long.
I started by walking the dog more. Then discovered the Couch to 5k Program. Really? I thought. I can learn to run 3.1 miles in just nine weeks?! That lead me here (really, I was only doing it for the ticker at first!), and the rest is history. I finished C25K in about 8 weeks due to extreme stubbornness and determination. I've done five races so far. My first was a 4.5 miler I wasn't ready for. I had to walk some of that, but finished in a little over 46 minutes. Next was a 5k that I was ready for, and finished in 29:42! I was thrilled with that, until my next two 5ks that I finished in just under and just over 28 minutes! Most recently was a 5 mile race that I finished in 45:17. Just 7 seconds behind my very athletic niece and about 30 seconds ahead of my brother, who were both my role models for running! Woohoo!
Initially, weight wasn't an issue for me. I was ok with how I looked. I thought I looked fine for 38. Until I got on the scale and realized I'd packed on about 10 pounds between summer and early winter. EEPS!!! But honestly, my focus was my health, and losing weight was just a nice side effect. And I firmly believe that focusing on getting stronger was what made this work for me. Other times I tried to lose a little weight, I just ate less and got bored with the slow progress. I figured if I could eat what I want and more or less maintain my weight, which wasn't BAD, that was better than starving myself to get a little thinner.
That's because I was doing it WRONG! I wasn't eating nearly enough. Finding MPF and being introduced to the concept of eating my exercise calories, and tweaking everything as I went along... that's been eye opening for me. That's what works for me... eating fairly normal, and sweating my *kitten* off to eat more!
Since I had to pick a "goal weight" when I started here, I chose 135 as a pie-in-the-sky number. When I lost about 12 pounds, I lowered it to 130 because I wasn't seeing much change. Now... I'm thinking 135 is good again. I'd like to tone up a bit more, and I have no doubt that will happen. But if the scale doesn't drop, I'm perfectly ok with that, too.
On to the photos...
Progress... From last summer to now. I gained about 8-10 pounds after the summer photo was taken, thanks to depression and Halloween candy.
Full length. I'm amazed at how LONG I look. My torso seems to have lengthened! And the back fat is all but gone!
In fact... I just might need to break out the itsy bitsy bikini I bought years ago and never had the guts (or had TOO MUCH guts!) to wear.
I love this... It's me in 1998 - at almost 26 - in a vintage swimsuit. And me today - at almost 39 - weighing about 20 pounds more, but looking (at least in my not so humble opinion!) much better. I dedicate this photo to anyone who thinks they need to get back down to their high school or early 20s weight to look just as good. You won't need to. When you do it right and build muscle, you're going to weigh more.
And because I started all this for the Warrior Dash, which is exactly ONE MONTH from today.... here's some photos of what I'm planning to wear. Minus the helmet and my grandmother's minks... at least not for the race. And I won't be running in my Ugg knockoffs, either.
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Replies
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This made me smile so much.
You look awesome!0 -
YOU ARE HOT!!! These are amazing! You do look longer and strong, but still curvy and beautiful (how many adjectives do I need???)0
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This is great! Thanks so much for the inspiration! You look amazing!0
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Awesme! You have a great attitude I see from your pics! Beautifl hot mama!0
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Awesme! You have a great attitude I see from your pics! Beautifl hot mama!0
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AWESOME!!! 0
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Awesme! You have a great attitude I see from your pics! Beautifl hot mama!
Ditto, you look better now than you did at 26.0 -
Wow you look great this post makes me work harder for my goal. Thanks for posting it0
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LOVE IT!! You are such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing!0
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You are so inspiring! Sending you a friend request...0
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LOL!!! Awesome!! I absolutly LOVE! your attitude!0
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Yes, you're the coolest 38-year-old woman I've ever seen! You look fantastic. I love the side-by-side vintage swimsuit pics. Classic! 0
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Great job! You look fantastic. Keep up the good work!0
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You look awesome!!! What a change! You flaunt it hot mama! Beautiful!0
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AWESOME!!!0
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*LIKE*0
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Ok...so I HAVE to friend you! What an inspring and honest story, thank you! :drinker:0
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This was awesome to read. You are one hot chick! Congratulations on all the hard work you did to get where you are. You should be proud! Thank you for sharing! 0
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you are looking really awesome!0
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Double WOW!! You look great!! Awesome job!0
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Great job!!! You look awesome!!! I started running again in January too and will be running the warrior dash in just 4 weeks!!! I am so excited!!! When is yours??
eta- nevermind!! I saw - one month from today!!! best of luck and have a blast!!! 0 -
Love the pics and you DO look better know in the vintage suit!!! You rock!!!0
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I Love this! And the picture comparison in the vintage suit?! You don't look any older, in fact, your body looks better! Way to go!0
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You've done an amazing job...and you look hott..I especially love the Vintage swimsuit photos...you look amazing :flowerforyou:
I love reading your story...... its so true when we focus on something other than the numbers on the scale it makes life so much easier0 -
Love your story and your photos! At age 39 myself, I can appreciate the attitude! You look beautiful~~you should be so proud of yourself! I have thought of doing the Warrior Dash myself, but haven't been brave enough! You are an inspiration. And, great times in your races already completed!0
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You look great...Your legs are way hotter now...what is funny is that you posted pics from 1998 to 2011 in front of the same dresser in the same spot as 13 years ago. at least you maintained a great photo comparison place. LOL. Way to go you should be proud. 0
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HOLY CRAP -- you look amazing!!!! An inspiration, great job!! And good luck at the warrior dash!0
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such an AMAZING story- all the inspiration i need for completing C25K (i started my first day today).
When I feel like giving up- this WILL be my page to come back to!!!
Thankyou for sharing!!!! you look amazing and such an inspiring story!
WELL DONE :flowerforyou:0 -
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post!!! Thank you for sharing!!! Motivation?? Can you say Heck Yeah!!!! This girl needs to get back on the C25K!!!! Congrats, you look great and I can tell you feel great!!!:drinker:0
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Wow, you look awesome!! Congrats and GREAT work!! 0
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