Sunday, January 23, 2011

Can you imagine?

What is this? This is approximately 30 lbs worth of canned goods (and most of the cans that were in my cabinet before I went shopping) It is also the amount of weight that I have lost in the last 9 months. It's been a slow journey with months at a time that I didn't lose anything, or lost and gained over and over but as you can tell from my weight tracker it's been a pretty steady downward trend. It also puts me pretty close, 13 pounds, from my "high" goal weight which I really can't remember ever being at but I'm sure I was in at in my 20's.



Are there benefits of losing 30 lbs?

HELL YEA!


Lets start with the running. I'm getting faster. Not fast, just faster. In the last 6 months I've gone from a monthly average pace of 12:42 to 12:14 that's almost 30 seconds a mile! Like I said not fast but it would be really hard to get that kind of increase just training I think. Especially when you don't like to make it hurt.

Clothes all fit so much better and I've dropped 2 jean sizes. This means I get to shop for new clothes, can't see anything bad about that, well except for the obvious lack of money. Luckily most of my workout clothes still fit which means the spandex must have been stretched to the max before. I will however need a new wetsuit since the one I had was already slightly big.


My knees and feet don't hurt! Not only when I run but just on an average day they feel pretty darn good almost all the time.


Self confidence. I feel much better about myself in general and as an athlete. Am I still shaking in my boots about that 70.3? Yes but every pound makes it seem that much more attainable.

Then of course there are the obvious health benefits of which there are to many to list.

This one may seem odd but food...it tastes good again! When I'm heavier it's as if I just eat to be eating and don't really taste or enjoy it again. When I'm watching what I eat and eating healthy everything tastes so much better and I get real enjoyment from it.

I'm sure there are many others that just aren't coming to mind right now but it's time to get out for my weekend long run...7 miles today..I think I'm going to be smiling. :)

Have a great day!






13 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on the weight loss! I can relate to almost all the benefits you listed, although I still have more to lose. I can't wait to hear about the 70.3 when you do it!

adena said...

What a fantastic accomplishment! I am going to lose between 40 and 50 this year and you are one of my biggest motivators!!! When is your 70.3??

Carly said...

Woot for 30 pounds! I do love WW. I'm hoping I can lose just as much. :-)

tri like mary said...

Wow Julie. Seeing all those cans really puts it into perspective! Congratulations on what you've accomplished son far and for what's to come!

Julie said...

Thanks all! It feels good, really good and if I can do it you can do it!

According to my ticker my 70.3 is in 196 days...and my knees are shaking. :)

Al's CL Reviews said...

Congrats on the 30 pounds. All the benefits, that's terrific.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Congrats!! That is soooo cool!!!

May I suggest a book called Racing Weight by Matt Fizgerald, it is the only book on the market that is written for endurance athletes and eating. It helps you understand how to loose weight, or even just maintain it. Its a little bit of a dry read, but it is packed with a ton of good information

Christi said...

That is awesome! Congrats to you!

Dani- danielleislosingit said...

So crazy. Losing weight can look alot bigger and better when you look at it in terms of canned food:)

Jen said...

This is a GREAT post!! Congrats on the 30 pounds! I can feel a noticeable difference in running when I gain/lose 5 lbs, so I can only imagine how much easier it feels for you now!!

Good luck with the 70.3 training...you will have lots of people cheering for you, even if its from afar!

Diana said...

Congrats on a super weight loss!!!
It's amazing when we put the weight into something that really gives us a sense of just who we've accomplished!
You've increased your life expectancy by years!

Aimee said...

Woohoo! Congrats on your weight loss, that is awesome!! Good for you!!

Cara said...

Julie!! You are so awesome. I am trying to follow in your footsteps!! Congrats! Got your note about the CO meetup! That weekend doesn't work for me, though :( I have a friend in town and a superbowl thing I have to go to. Keep me posted for more because I am really excited to meet everyone! You are great!