Hello, I believe the official term is "newb"
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JALangston
Posts: 10 Member
Hi, all!
I'm a "newb" and just wanted to give everybody a howdy!
About me? Well, I'm a 27 yo married woman in the middle of Cheesehead country. I've a dog and a HUGE garden.
Oh, and I'm training for a half marathon.
You see, I have never been a thin adult. I remember being skinny as a rail as a child, then puberty struck and <booooosch> I exploded. And the funny thing is I've always been happy with myself. No negativity issues when looking in a mirror, I was happy and healthy and feeling good, hovering just under 200 lbs.
Then this April, I met with my doctor. Wonderful woman, who checked my cholesterol and eeep! whoopsie daisy! just a leeeetle elevated. We also talked about the possibility of my husband and me starting our family and how I really should drop at least 10% of my weight beforehand to keep and stay healthy during a pregnancy. I expressed some frustration at every time I've attempted to lose weight, it kills round 170 and I'm so-effing-hungry-all-the-time. She said I should stop looking at weight loss goals and start looking at fitness goals and suggested I run a half marathon.
I'll be honest. I laughed in her face. Wha-what? 200 pound people don't often get to 200 pounds by loving to run 13.1 miles! How ridiculous, I thought. Then, I went home. And as I usually do when someone who's smarter than me tells me something true that I don't want to hear, I processed her advice; and, much like the stages of grief, I ran through a myriad of emotions before I finally came to the final stage of acceptance. Heck, she was right.
I started to do some research, started to talk to some friends who were runners, and started--gently--to run. And, holy mackerel! I liked it! How had I not discovered, in my 27 years of living, that I actually enjoyed running?
Well, that's because of a few factors, actually. Number One, I have to go S-L-O-W. As a friend said, I'm pushing around almost half again the weight she's pushing around, so if I try to match her seven minute miles, I'm only going to max out my heart rated, get uncomfortable fast and quit. Number Two, I like running outside, not indoors on a treadmill. I see birds defending their territory from squirrels, smell the lilacs and roses that are blooming now, and watch little kids run around a sprinkler in their swim suits. Every day is different and every day I discover something new. Number Three, I have to have pounding rock or dance music cued up to my mp3 player with a beat I can move my feet to. Number Four, I really like beating the goals I have set for myself. I'll tell ya, the first time I ran 3 miles, I went into the run thinking I wasn't going to get all the way through it without stopping. But I was so energized towards the end of it, I sprinted the last quarter mile.
So, anyway, I'm working my way up to four miles this week and I have three and a half months left before the half marathon. I've started a Facebook group and all my friends and family are on it cheering me on (my sister even paid my registration fee). I've also lost six pounds total, but gained a TON of muscle (I can't believe how strong I am!).
So, this is me: working toward a fitness goal of running a half-marathon. And, I'll tell ya, it feels really good!
Thanks, all, for hearing me blather! I hope to chat with you all as I grow and develop!
jasminesylphs
I'm a "newb" and just wanted to give everybody a howdy!
About me? Well, I'm a 27 yo married woman in the middle of Cheesehead country. I've a dog and a HUGE garden.
Oh, and I'm training for a half marathon.
You see, I have never been a thin adult. I remember being skinny as a rail as a child, then puberty struck and <booooosch> I exploded. And the funny thing is I've always been happy with myself. No negativity issues when looking in a mirror, I was happy and healthy and feeling good, hovering just under 200 lbs.
Then this April, I met with my doctor. Wonderful woman, who checked my cholesterol and eeep! whoopsie daisy! just a leeeetle elevated. We also talked about the possibility of my husband and me starting our family and how I really should drop at least 10% of my weight beforehand to keep and stay healthy during a pregnancy. I expressed some frustration at every time I've attempted to lose weight, it kills round 170 and I'm so-effing-hungry-all-the-time. She said I should stop looking at weight loss goals and start looking at fitness goals and suggested I run a half marathon.
I'll be honest. I laughed in her face. Wha-what? 200 pound people don't often get to 200 pounds by loving to run 13.1 miles! How ridiculous, I thought. Then, I went home. And as I usually do when someone who's smarter than me tells me something true that I don't want to hear, I processed her advice; and, much like the stages of grief, I ran through a myriad of emotions before I finally came to the final stage of acceptance. Heck, she was right.
I started to do some research, started to talk to some friends who were runners, and started--gently--to run. And, holy mackerel! I liked it! How had I not discovered, in my 27 years of living, that I actually enjoyed running?
Well, that's because of a few factors, actually. Number One, I have to go S-L-O-W. As a friend said, I'm pushing around almost half again the weight she's pushing around, so if I try to match her seven minute miles, I'm only going to max out my heart rated, get uncomfortable fast and quit. Number Two, I like running outside, not indoors on a treadmill. I see birds defending their territory from squirrels, smell the lilacs and roses that are blooming now, and watch little kids run around a sprinkler in their swim suits. Every day is different and every day I discover something new. Number Three, I have to have pounding rock or dance music cued up to my mp3 player with a beat I can move my feet to. Number Four, I really like beating the goals I have set for myself. I'll tell ya, the first time I ran 3 miles, I went into the run thinking I wasn't going to get all the way through it without stopping. But I was so energized towards the end of it, I sprinted the last quarter mile.
So, anyway, I'm working my way up to four miles this week and I have three and a half months left before the half marathon. I've started a Facebook group and all my friends and family are on it cheering me on (my sister even paid my registration fee). I've also lost six pounds total, but gained a TON of muscle (I can't believe how strong I am!).
So, this is me: working toward a fitness goal of running a half-marathon. And, I'll tell ya, it feels really good!
Thanks, all, for hearing me blather! I hope to chat with you all as I grow and develop!
jasminesylphs
0
Replies
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Welcome! Nice to meet you!
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That's awesome. Stick with it! 0
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glad your a member; welcome0
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Great read, and welcome aboard. If you need any support send a friend request my way. Good luck on your journey and with the half marathon.0
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Welcome! I loved reading your story. I too have developed a love of running. I am on week 4 day 2 of my Couch25K program. I got fitted for an awesome pair of running shoes and haven't looked back. I have a playlist on my ipod that keeps me moving. A friend is trying to convince me that I will be ready by next Saturday to run a 5k with her...I'm not so convinced. Also, my husband is from Green Bay so that makes me a cheesehead by marriage. Good luck to you on your journey and I can't wait to read about your success story = ) :flowerforyou:0
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Hello!
I am not far from cheese head country! I live in Iowa! Congrats on the awesome goal of a half marathon!!!! I just started a couch to 5k program and love it. I like you have to have the music that makes me want to move my feet. Although I do enjoy the treadmill more than running outside.
So welcome, and I hope to hear more about you progress!!!0 -
Another "newbie" signing in to say good luck!0
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Thank you, all for all your warm welcomes! I look forward to hearing everyone's stories and helping to support everyone on their fitness journeys!!0
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