Thursday, November 17, 2011

On Loosing 75 lbs and Running

I never did put my training for last week so I am putting it here for my personal records, I know you are all NOT dying to know :)

Mon: 3 miles tempo
Tue: 5 miles at 10k pace
Wed: 3 miles easy
Thu: REST, I went to volunteer at my kids school that day instead of Friday because Friday was off.
Fri: 5 miles HILLS at the Gym.
Sat: 3 miles
Sun: 10k Race
total: 25 miles

So far this week is going good except for warmer weather..of course the cool temps were not going to last...:(
I did all my runs outside and so no HILLS or speedwork this week.  I know all next week will be on the treadmill so I took advantage of outdoor runs for this week.

I found a Turkey Trot! A local one!  I had found 2; one on a trail and I did not want to do that and the other one was 40 miles away..for a 5k I was not convinced.  The one I will do is 10 min away and they have a kids 1k race! 

On my last race report I mentioned that I have now lost 75 lbs and that got me a lot of comments and emails.  First thank you all for the really really nice comments.  You guys know how to make a gal feel good!

I don't talk about my weight loss a whole lot here, I don't want to bore you guys with this.  This week I got some people who asked to see before and after pictures.  Ayayaye...I hate looking at those pictures.  I used to hate having my picture taken. I would try to sit and always ask Bill not to get my legs.   I would always volunteer to be the one taking the pictures. I did found pictures to show you. I have to tell you that, even though I am aware that I do not look the same as I did before, in my head I still see me like the old me.  I still put XL on the registration forms for races and when I go shopping (very rarely!), I still pick up jeans in sizes 16 even though I now need 4 or 6.  OK here we go...


See the size of my thighs and fat knees?
 Good thing Maggie saves the picture here.


I HATE this picture. 

That is Will next to me


I was asked how did I loose 75 lbs.  There was no magic pillI changed my diet. A complete 360.  I got sick and developed GI problems.  I had my Gallbladder removed and I have GERD since then.  I used to eat after 8 pm, in front of the TV and a lot of junk food.  Oh yeah the 3 big NO NO all at the same time.  Pizza, Wings, Burgers, Mozzarella Sticks, Chinese take out.  It was not pretty.  Not every day but it was often.  I did not used to eat like this when I was single.  But with Bill we got into these really lazy bad habits.  After the kids I was overwhelmed and I let myself go.   Excuses? Yes 100%.

I am 5'11" and I think it was "easier" to "hide" the extra lbs because I am so tall.   Most people I know tell me NOW that I was not fat.  Yes I was.  Nobody can loose 75 lbs and look "normal" after, without being overweight to begin with.

After my Gallbladder surgery I took all spicy food and fatty food out of my diet. The truth is if I eat that stuff I do get sick.  So far no food is worth it.  I have friends with the same issues and they choose to still eat the junk food once in a while and to deal with the consequences.  It would not kill me  but I made the choice to change my lifestyle.  It is not always easy and it demands a lot of discipline because I do not impose my diet on my family.  I think it was 3 mos after that I started running.  So to answer the person who asked if I lost 75 lbs just with running, the answer is NO.  It is changing my diet AND running.  This was about 40 lbs down and those pants were size 14.


This is me trying on my wedding dress on my 10th wedding anniversary last May

And today I look like this:


 I would never want to go back to how I was before.  I am frustrated with my diet at times because there are things I would like to eat once in a while and I can't because of how it would make me feel.  I do feel stronger and better than I did 10 yrs ago and that is after having 2 kids after turning 35!!! :) I am 42 now and I can run 13.1 miles.  If someone had told me 5 yrs ago that I would run 5 half marathons in 2011 I would have never believed them.

Thank you again for your kind comments and for reading.

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23 comments:

Boston Bound Brunette said...

Wow you are amazing!! 75 lbs is s lot of weight to lose!! You look great and I'm sure that inspires you to keep it going! Good luck on your turkey trot! I've got a couple on the agenda too!!

Unknown said...

Good for you! I had no idea that you lost 75 lbs. What a great 180 degree turn around.

Elle said...

You must be so happy that you have turned your life around, becoming healhty and active and now at a good healthy weight as well.

You look so beautiful and strong and should be so proud of yourself and the great healthy example you are setting for your kids, too. Just wonderful.

Michael said...

That is such an awesome story!!! I am always so amazed and inspired by weight loss stories. You have come a long way. You were beautiful both then and now. But its good to know your body is so much healthier now. What a transformation. Congrats!!

runnergirl training said...

Amazing job!!!! I shared your blog with a friend of mine who is struggling. Thank you for sharing! Way to go!!!!!

Annet and Kirk said...

Thanks for sharing, no matter how hard it was to post those photos it wouldn't have been as great a post without them :)
I was the one who both asked to see the pictures and asked if it started with running, so you can blame me!
I see myself very much in your before photos - I'm like you tall and "big boned" or so they say... like you, I'm not fat. Uh, yeah, I am, maybe it's spread around it a bit more but def am. Can't wait until I can do my own post (uh, need a blog first!) about my own before and after.
So thanks again for sharing and inspiring me!
From your fellow Canadian in exile, Annet in Australia

Teamarcia said...

Fabulous! What an amazing transformation. Kudos to you my friend.

A Prelude To... said...

What an awesome transformation!!! Very inspiring!

Jim ... 50after40 said...

Such an amazing story Caroline! You are really an inspiration. You have a made a complete transformation in your life and it's amazing! Great job!

Shawn said...

Great Job!!

Tricia said...

Congrats!

Tricia said...

Congrats!

Jill said...

Oh man, this is such a wonderful story!! I had no idea you lost that much weight. If you can do that, girl, you can do ANYTHING! Very proud of you, you look absolutely fantastic!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

That is awesome about the weight loss, I have always believed all it takes is hard work and determintion

Darlene said...

You look great!!! Gl on your turkey trot. I am doing one too.

XLMIC said...

That is pretty amazing, Caroline. You look like such a runner-chick now :)

Jenn said...

Man, I find this so inspiring! Not because I need to lose 75 pounds but because you set your mind to something and stuck with it and now have SO much to show for it!! Thanks for sharing the before and after and honestly I want to climb into that last picture just so I can squeeze your little guy's cheeks!!! SO cute. You look fantastic now. Just like a runner, an athlete, a healthy happy mom. Congrats on your transformation and dedication!!

5 Miles Past Empty said...

Wow! Truly inspring! Changing diet is hard but so sor worth it! I am in the midst of a diet/lifestyle change and it has been a struggle but it also begins to be a battle of the wills, a test of will power!! You have done it!!! I feel so much better when I cut the crap, literally!

And the 2 kids after 35...yeah, that was inspiring too! I guess it's not too late for me, yet. =)

robinbb said...

You look amazing. Congrats on all your new accomplishments.

Black Knight said...

You are amazing, people usually don't have your same strength to change the lifestyle. Congrats.
Good luck on the race.

Unknown said...

Wow... amazing story Caroline!!! So glad that you shared it! :) I love that you didn't say diet once! It was a lifestyle change!

I can tell you still struggle a bit with things, but just know - you look amazing and what a fantastic role model you are for those boys! :)

Congrats... you sure did change your life!

Glenn Jones said...

Congrats! I dropped 40 lbs the same way. Unfortunately, after a couple of injuries, I put 30 of those back on the last year. I've got to get back to the grind....

Fruit Fly said...

So you wanted no leg photos -- and now I always enjoy checking out your legs and all that muscle definition! What a change ... although I think you still looked beautiful before, too!