How did fitness change you?

Before getting into running, I was a lot heavier, a big drinker, a smoker, an insomniac and heavily dependent on energy drinks.

Running motivated me to kick the nicotine (with the help of patches - wasn't up to cold turkey!) Then once my taste buds sharpened up, I ditched the energy drinks as they taste flipping awful! As I took my training more seriously, the big nights out binge drinking started to fall by the wayside. Ever done an 8mile hill run with a gut-wrenching hangover?! Never again!

The insomnia has now mostly gone, unless my mind is churning something over and I still have a lot of weight to lose but I'm still a million miles away from where I was! The whole process wasn't overnight either, it's been 6 years since I quit smoking and I still have improvements to make.

I realized that I am stronger than I thought I was. I realized that I am in charge of my life and I CAN do this. It may take me longer than others but I am releasing myself from the "whipped dog syndrome" as my husband calls it. He has always believed in me and told me I am smart and strong and beautiful. I just never believed for myself. I have found that yes, I am strong and worth the effort to do this for myself.

its made me stronger, my heart stronger, boosted my self esteem and i can comfortably run 4 miles without my heart feeling like its gonna come out my throat. im slowly but surely getting my pre-preggers body back. and it feels PRETTY DAM GOOD!

Fitness has changed me a lot. I started exercising in my 20's and didn't stop until I was 40. I got busy at work and neglected myself. I've recently started again and I feel so much better about myself. Bodies are meant to move and my body feels old when I don't use it. I have never been heavy, but now that I'm in my 40's, I continue to gain fat if I don't. Losing fat and gaining muscle make you feel so much better about yourself, even if the scale doesn't change all that much. Fitness also helps me to smoke only occasionally, which is so much better for me.

Elsie-I'm so glad your husband helps to make you feel good about yourself. You deserve that and your story is very inspiring. Keep up the great work!

This is all in my profile, but in high school & college I was a runner (and a healthy weight). While in college, I survived a brutal assault during which I was held captive, tortured and raped. After the wounds healed, I attempted to start running again, but was stricken with shin splints. Shin splints aren't debilitating, but at the time, I barely had the emotional strength to do things that were working, and running became part of the very long list of things my attacker "took" from me.

Nearly 20 years (and 95lbs) later, one of my dogs took off in a sprint after a squirrel, and I sprinted right along with him. After I realized I wasn't having a heart attack, I realized just how much I missed running and had the ah ha moment that started all of this for me. I finally realized that my attacker hadn't "taken" running from me, I'd let him keep it.

I started a c25k-esque program the next day and have been running since. It is the first time since the assault that I have "taken" something back just because I wanted to-not because I "had" to. It was a huge turning point for me and completely changed my outlook on health and fitness, and has finally allowed me to take my life back. I no longer feel like I'm struggling to get out from under the assault, like it will control me forever. I am now in control of my life and how I live it and what's in it.

On a day to day basis though, running keeps me calm, controls my anxiety/PTSD, and allows me to eat enough food (including some crap) that I totally feel like I can maintain this lifestyle forever (and not become morbidly obese again).

This is all in my profile, but in high school & college I was a runner (and a healthy weight). While in college, I survived a brutal assault during which I was held captive, tortured and raped. After the wounds healed, I attempted to start running again, but was stricken with shin splints. Shin splints aren't debilitating, but at the time, I barely had the emotional strength to do things that were working, and running became part of the very long list of things my attacker "took" from me.

Nearly 20 years (and 95lbs) later, one of my dogs took off in a sprint after a squirrel, and I sprinted right along with him. After I realized I wasn't having a heart attack, I realized just how much I missed running and had the ah ha moment that started all of this for me. I finally realized that my attacker hadn't "taken" running from me, I'd let him keep it.

I started a c25k-esque program the next day and have been running since. It is the first time since the assault that I have "taken" something back just because I wanted to-not because I "had" to. It was a huge turning point for me and completely changed my outlook on health and fitness, and has finally allowed me to take my life back. I no longer feel like I'm struggling to get out from under the assault, like it will control me forever. I am now in control of my life and how I live it and what's in it.

On a day to day basis though, running keeps me calm, controls my anxiety/PTSD, and allows me to eat enough food (including some crap) that I totally feel like I can maintain this lifestyle forever (and not become morbidly obese again).

Good for you for surviving and taking back control of your life. You are an inspiration to everyone who has/is facing similar battles.

I used to hate working out and once I started working out frequently, my whole attitude towards it changed. I love how I feel after working out and sweating my *kitten* off! It's very rewarding and refreshing!

I'm loving the NSV's lately! I can feel muscle definition in my arms that has NEVER been there. My energy is through the roof. I just love the way fitness and exercise makes me feel, so that even when I have a busy day....I have to fit in 15-20 min., because I need to keep going in the right direction and don't want to get in the habit of not working out ever again.