So, how did I end up so overweight? Until the mid-80s, I never really paid any attention to what I ate or drank as neither seemed to affect me. I'd say it was about then that my metabolism changed and I also started full-time work which meant that I could afford food AND drink. Add to this a long-term relationship with a partner whose response to any crisis was to feed people and there it began.
Why do I want to change? Well there hasn't been any kind of epiphany. I've just gradually become less able to hide from what I am doing to myself and from the effects it has on my family.
So I have started to tweak my lifestyle into a better shape this summer (2010).
I began to walk to work in July. By September, I was just breathing harder as I walked uphill rather than being exhausted. Next, I started to cycle and walk a short route twice a week. By the end of October, I didn't have to stop for a rest on the cycle ride.
In November, I started to jog a little as well and by March 2011 I completed a half-marathon. September saw me complete a marathon and in March 2012 I ran a 50 mile Trail finishing at the Eiffel Tower.
I'm moving into a weight maintenance phase now. Slow, incremental weight loss is a nice-to-have but it's not my main focus. Eating right, exercising regularly and enjoying time with my family are the sustainable benefits I have achieved and I really want to hold onto them now.
Progress updates:
31 Dec 2010 Weight lost: 15.5kg Jogged a full 5 miles for the first time. Non-stop.
16 Jan 2011 Weight lost: 18.5kg Jogged 9 miles non-stop.
6 Mar 2011 Weight lost: 25kg Ran a half-marathon.
9 Sep 2011 Weight lost: 36kg Ran a marathon.
24 Mar 2012 Weight lost: 40kg Finished an 80km (50 mile) trail run.
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