Couch Potato to Athlete (w/pics)

Wow, my 330th day on MFP! Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be posting this success story. Over the last year, I've learned that goals are adjustable and the finish line is ever changing. Since joining MFP in January, I read the success stories daily as inspiration in the hopes that one day I could post my own success story and inspire others. Unfortunately, I felt like I had to meet my ultimate weight loss goal to do so. Well, guess what? I haven't reached the desired weight loss (still want/need to lose about 40 lbs) but today I completed my first sprint triathlon!!! :happy:

I've spent the last 15+ years occassionally exercising (walking around the neighborhood) and maintaining a very POOR diet. In January, I started MFP at over 300lbs with the goal of reaching "onderland" by my one year mark (Jan. 2014). After hitting a LONG plateau this fall, I came to the realization that my goal was not going to be achieved. I was extremely disappointed and beat myself up mentally, but I knew that if I wanted to break through, I needed to get "uncomfortable" in the sense of challenging myself. So in November, I signed up for an indoor triathlon that my health club was organizing. I had 5 weeks to prepare mentally and physically. For most of the participants, it was just a fun event to benefit a local charitable organization, but for me, it was a big deal! It was about finishing, completing each leg to the best of my ability and doing so in a time that I was happy with.

The Tri consisted of a 200M swim, 15K on the spin bike and 2 mile run on the treadmill. The first time I did a "run through," I totally lost steam on the run and had to walk a good portion of it. Today, I completed each leg with my fastest times ever. I finished the entire race in about 56 minutes...woohoo! :bigsmile: So for those who browse the success stories (like I do) in hopes of posting one of your own, please remember that you can post success along the way in your journey. You define your own success and you can achieve anything you set your mind too. If I can do this...anyone can!

Before:






My Success: