My name is Michelle and I'm a zookeeper and running enthusiast from Colorado.

I am trying to do my small part to save our planet and share my running journey, a little bit of zookeeping life, and some conservation opportunities we can all do to help save the environment on my blog www.runningazoo.com.

I'm currently training for a half marathon and love the support online groups and communities have for one another. I was looking for like minded running groups and that's how I found your group.

I also have two awesome dogs that are the stars of my blog and my life. That's me in a nutshell I guess! 

I’ve always been relatively active, and never really struggled with my weight much. But as I grew older I noticed that every few years there was a sudden jump in my weight, in the ballpark of 10 pounds.  In 2010 I started running 5k’s, and met a lot of good people that way.

My weight held, but didn’t really come off.  I also went to the gym, so I attributed the lack of weight loss to increased muscle. Also, I only ran on Saturdays, so it was hard to make much progress there.  :)  I found myself approaching my 50th birthday, and knew I needed to do something more, so I joined Team In Training to run a 1/2 Marathon.  

About midway through the training the coach convinced me that I was strong enough to run the full marathon. So I started training for the full.  About a month before the marathon I found myself unable to run.  I missed the marathon.

But the seed of running a marathon had been planted, so in the spring I started back.  I was a stronger, smarter runner for the injury. I finished my first as a 51 year old.  My weight had come off at this point.  But a winter running overuse injury sidelined me again.  This seems to be a pattern.  

Each time I get injured it sidelines me for 4-6 months.  And each time I regain the weight.  I also struggle with a sweet tooth, which seems to get stronger when I am stressed, and without being able to run, or do a lot of activities at the gym I gain even more weight each time.  I’m healthy now, but the weight just seems to be hanging on.  I’m joining this group looking for inspiration, common values, struggles and successes.

“And that’s all I have to say about that.”

I have a long story but I'll make it short and sweet!

I'm the BETTER half of Jason C, even overweight most of my life. Had our 1st child at 36, lost our 2nd child at 16 weeks (pregnancy) at 37, and I started to balloon! I bought my husband a fit bit one year after - and saw the transformation he was making.

I started walking. It took me 30 minutes to walk a mile! Then I had to have knee surgery May 2015... packed on more weight! By May of 2016 I was 326 lbs and made the decision to have Weight Loss Surgery. I found out during my surgery that I had stage 2 NASH! The WLS saved my life in more ways than one!

In November of 2016 I completed my first 1/2 marathon in Vegas! I'm now training for a Ragnar in June and have lost 110 lbs!

I heard you on the 300lbs and Running podcast and immediately followed on social media. I'm 39, and have been fat my entire life. The last time I lost a significant amount of weight was to try and get pregnant. I'm still trying to lose the baby weight 4 years later. 

I started "running" a few months ago. In the podcast you mentioned the love/hate relationship with running and I thought, yes! I hate it but I love it. I hate when it feels like it will beat me, but then I love it when I realize that I am getting there.

I'm constantly seeing fit girls running and chatting, not sweating and dying, so I'm seeking people like me to follow. We sweat, pant, choke on our huffs and puffs. It ain't pretty but it's awesome.

So, I wanna be a heifer!! I'm in the Chicago area. And in a fit of optimism I signed up for a charity half marathon for October. 3 days after my 40th bday. I may get picked up by the van, but anything is a personal best, right?

Anyway, thanks for existing. ❤️

I'm UK based, and wanting to get back to a fitter & healthier lifestyle. I used to 'run' (maybe jog is a better description 😉) but had to give up for a while for health reasons.

Then last year I had minor surgery to correct the issues, but put on a lot of weight while recovering 😳! I'm now trying to straighten things out and want to get back to running again. I love running outdoors, but know it's going to take a while to get back into shape. Thanks for lovely welcome!

Here is a little about me. I've been active in the gym for the last 20 years. Prior to that, I worked out and quit at least a half dozen times. As I got older, I realized that I didn't want to wind up not being able to enjoy my future years, so I had to start taking care of myself. It turned out that lifting weights several times a week did a lot, but eventually wasn't enough.

I soon found a gym that offered various classes, and I realized what helped me the most was group participation, so I became a group fitness junkie/participant. Eventually, I was approached with the idea that I should try my hand a teaching a class and I had a passion for doing cardio, which led me to becoming a spin instructor.

With an artificial kneecap in one leg, arthritis in the other, and degenerative disc disease in my lower back, it was the one thing I could do that was a low impact to my body.

I remember Melissa coming to her first class with me and telling me she was determined to keep coming, and I thought yeah right, she may have the intent but I honestly didn't think I'd ever see her again. Boy was I wrong!

Anyway, it's people like Melissa that have kept me teaching for the past 7+ years. I went from 228lbs when I began working out to my present day weight of 186lbs and 16% body fat at 62 years old, sticking with the weights and teaching 5 classes a week. Aside from body parts wearing out due to age, I'm in better physical shape now than when I was in my 20s and 30s.

I did have to cut down from 8 classes a week for health reasons. In Dec 2015 I came down with a severe case of pneumonia and later found out I had a 50/50 chance of living.

Three weeks in the hospital with 2 chest tubes and IV drugs for 2 months at home is only part of the reason I survived. The bigger reason was the fact that I was so healthy, I was able to come back from a fluid filled right lung and chest wall, and a weight loss of 30lbs in a 3 week period.

Doctors told me if was wasn't as healthy as I was, I would have died. I plan on continuing with my workout and class teaching as long as possible, until my body tells me it's time to slow down. I want to be the oldest group fitness instructor at our gym. I figure I have another 10 years to get to that point.

I just turned 45. I couldn't let the 2nd half of my life turn out just like the 1st half - heavy, unfit, miserable. My weight was always an issue growing up.

I came from an abusive family & my weight was an easy target. My mom wouldn't even introduce me as her daughter because my weight was such an embarrassment. In her defence she was bipolar. I constantly ate my feelings. I ate them to about 500lbs. I stopped counting after 470lbs. 

It wasn't until I was faced with the reality of being immobile that I started to change my habits. I walked with 2 canes and could barely move.

First thing I did was get a good therapist to work out why I ate so much and how to conquer my food addiction. Next was exercise. It wasn't easy. I could barely move. I did a DVD called "Chair Exercises". And progressed from there. I watched my portions and cut out fast food. The weight started coming off, slowly but surely. My biggest victory was when I no longer needed my cane to walk. 

People ask me all the time why I run. I tell them the honest truth ... I run because I remember when I couldn't walk. Something we do everyday and take for granted until it's gone. 

Now I'm at 280lbs, feel GREAT about myself. I no longer feel worthless or useless. I'm becoming the person I always wanted to be. Fit, healthy, active. 

Before - pink shirt, 350lbs April 2013

Hi y'all! I am the "original heifer." 

When Melissa decided she wanted to run, I would text her every morning "RUN HEIFER, RUN!!!" (You didn't really think a girl from Philly could come up with a phrase like that did you? Heck no! That's a Tennessee thing! Hahaha!)

I'm amazed at where she's taken something so simple! This herd is awesome! For everything Melissa is - I'm the polar opposite! I live on a farm in rural Tennessee. I have about 1.5 miles of paths that I walk/run most days. As much as I'd love to be size 8-10, I'm a pretty consistent 14 -- the epitome of heifer-ness. Clearly, I don't make myself a priority near enough.

My name is Betty and I will be 50 years old in October of this year and I've been married 22 years. I weighed in this morning at 238 at 5'3 1/2.

I am a lurker at this point as I'm so not even close to being a runner and barely even a walker, lol. But they say to surround yourself with those who are where you want to be , so here I am!

I currently average maybe 5 to 8 miles a week of walking my dogs and that is usually at a strolling pace to accommodate them (two Seven pound Maltese).

I go out at night when everyone else is home. I have a lot of social anxiety around public exercise and I'm a person that prefers to do things like walking with at least one other person as a security blanket.

Since moving here to NC I've not really reached out to anyone to share my walking with. Long story short, in 1992 I had a gastric bypass and many complications , so they needed to reverse it (I went from 250lbs to 95lbs ) to save my life.

I am now almost back to the pre- surgery weight and feeling very discouraged, tired and unmotivated. Next year, I will be an empty nester as my son will enter the military, I hope to get my sh$& together now, lol.

Glad there are groups out there like this one , thank you all for listening and having me!

“I turn mud and string into beautiful things. My creativity is my superpower.”

 My journey really doesn’t seem to have a starting point. It’s cyclical--like I believe life to be. Some days you’ll find me furiously pounding the keys to get an article for work finished, or share something on my news feed. Other days I’ll be covered in clay, coming in from creating chaos in the studio. Then there are the periods where a knitting pattern idea just won’t leave me alone until I get it on the needles. It’s all a process. I’ve learned not to argue with the creative muse when she takes a mad hair to lead me on a new adventure.

But what does all of this have to do with running? Running took me from the world of ‘I can’t,’ to one of ‘I can.’ A genetic condition meant that I was never allowed to exert myself as a child, always told I couldn’t run, not to get winded, sometimes not even allowed outside. I bought into that. For nearly 60 years I bought into that. I’ve opted out. I give myself permission to break the rules. I have to start slower than most, and I’m still doing the run / walk / run intervals, but by golly I’m doing it. I broke up with the old me, the one who was the people-pleaser and the doormat and who let others tell her what her value was and what she could and couldn’t do. In doing so, I found my strength, the real me who had been sleeping for so long.

Now my dream for over two decades of having my own pottery studio has become a reality. Running allowed me to believe in that. Whenever I started to get into the negative headspace about not being talented enough of creative enough, I looked back at the time when I was told I’d never be able to run. If I can break through that barrier, I can do anything.

And that’s me, pretty much. My only child is a beautiful young woman in her own right now, but I still have babies at home in the form of special needs Great Danes. I live with my husband in south central Illinois, where we have a postage stamp of land that we both enjoy caring for. We like to eat whole food and plant based, and enjoy growing our own ingredients. We’re also musicians, although we don’t do much with it these days. Renovating ‘the old homestead’ plus our jobs and the previously mentioned activities seems to take up all our time. If you’d like to follow along for updates, uproars, and upchucks, you can find me on Facebook, or on my website, www.thepotteryyarn.com

I'm a 25-year-old journalist and call the beautiful state of North Carolina home. I started running as a freshman in high school, doing 5Ks and 10Ks. I've slowly increased my mileage and tried my first marathon my senior year of college. Since then, I've competed in several halfs, marathons and ultras.

I had the incredible honor of qualifying and completing Boston in 2017 (my wonderful fiance proposed roughly two hours after I crossed the finish line!) and will return to that incredible race in 2018. 

My biggest obstacle with running is my head. I'm a no-shame, self-proclaimed weak-minded runner, particularly on race day. But as a competitive person, I have been able to squish that voice and propel myself forward for a few, wonderful races. My goal is to get to the point where self-doubt is silent on race day. 

I am very passionate about feeling worthy, strong, self-made and powerful. Running has become the best way for me to grow in those areas. Happy to join Run, Heifer, Run!

My name is Jeff. I was the typical 40-year-old guy, smoker with a sweet tooth. After a routine physical, my doctor gave me cholesterol and blood pressure medications along with a warning about diabetes. My thoughts turned to my father who died of heart disease at 44, I knew that I had to do something. So, my journey began.

I started going to the gym, eating better and I quit smoking. The real change started when I attended the Arkansas Run for the Fallen, these men and women were running 10 minute miles while carrying large flags, I wanted to be one of them, this was my first running goal and from there, there was no looking back.

By the time the Run for the Fallen rolled around the next year, I had 2 half marathons and 2 full marathons under my belt. I was asked to be a fill in runner, the one who is in the support vehicle, always ready to fill in for an injured or exhausted runner. I don’t remember how many miles I ran that year, but it was a lot more than the 1 or 2 that I had set my goal for.

Through a veteran's organization called Team Red, White and Blue, I discovered trail running. With their encouragement, I ventured into the forest and ran past that 26.2-mile marker into ultra-marathons. I have done several 50k's and a few training runs beyond that. Something about running on the trails moves me, it makes me want to keep going.

Running has not only changed my body, but it’s also changed who I am at my core. Now, I am on the board of Directors for the Arkansas Run for the Fallen. I have also discovered that I loved teaching others about running and have put together trail running clinics and mentored others as they train for new distances. None of this would have happened before that faithful doctor visit. 

I'm Jenn, I live in Indiana, and have been through quite a few tries at running.

Recently, I was 7 weeks into training, and all of a sudden developed swelling from my knees down to my feet, and in my hands. So I was sidelined for 2 months.

So I have have 0 5K's under my belt . Hoping to change that this summer! I see a specialist in 2 weeks to find out the cause of that inflammation.

I am completely healthy, with a 40lb weight loss. I hope to still lose a little more. I need all the tips I can get!! I'm really glad I found a group that motivates and shares tips! Thanks for having me.

I'm Megan! I'm a mother to two beautiful boys and also a military spouse to my incredible hubby.

I run to deal with the chaos that comes with being the only female in a male household ;) Today I ran my third 10k and PRed by 4 seconds. Which isn't much, but it's something :)

My dad was a marathon runner when I was younger so I get my love of running genetically. But it really is my "me" time and something I really enjoy!

Hi, I'm Taryn - and I'm so excited to join all of you!

I'm married and have a 1 1/2 year old daughter and a 14 year old stepson, and about 20 or so pounds I need to knock off to get back to where I want to - and should - be.

I am also trying to get myself back into fitness shape, so I'm looking forward to joining such a supportive community!

I used to be in great shape through most of my teens and twenties...and then law school happened. My last year of law school I ate like garbage, didn't work out, and had a hormone problem that left me about 30 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life.

I tried to lose the weight by working out more but nothing changed. I ended up having to see the doctor and do some treatments to fix the hormone problem. I got started on a better diet program and started working out more. The weight started to come off and I looked and felt better than I ever had! I was running 5ks and a half marathon and felt like I was being my best self.

Then I got married and we decided we wanted to have a baby. I wanted to stick with my healthiest self during my pregnancy, so I continued to work out and was careful about what I ate. I was lifting weights and running up until I was seven months pregnant.

Unfortunately, massive amounts of fluid retention and a problem with my liver plus the crazy hormones meant a bunch of weight gain right around that time, and I eventually had to be induced about 3 weeks early. And after having my little nugget, my body went completely south.

A month after having my daughter, I started gaining back all the weight I had lost right away, and I felt gross - like a giant potato. Nothing fit and I had lumps in all the wrong places. But because I was breastfeeding and trying to be a mom, working out and eating to fuel my body hit the back burner.

My self esteem was almost non-existent and even though I hated how I looked and felt, I wasn't taking steps to do anything about it.

In January of this year, I decided that I needed to get my body back just for my own mental health. I couldn't keep hating myself and raise a daughter that wouldn't hate her own body, too. I started attending bootcamp classes at the gym twice a week, just to get back into it. I was watching what I ate.

But I was frustrated when the scale didn't move. I didn't understand why I couldn't even drop a pound! But then my clothes started to feel looser - even though the scale was still at the same number. And now, slowly but surely, the weight is starting to come off too.

But it's a long journey - and I need to get my running mojo back as I continue to build my strength. And I know that with the support of this community, I can get there!

I never really had a problem with my weight growing up, but I've always loved food. I have many happy memories around the table and I always loved family parties, BBQ's and restaurant dinners. In a nutshell, food makes me happy!

After high school, I stopped being as active because I had to grow up and be an "adult". I was a busy 19 year old going to college full time, living in my own apartment with 2 jobs. Life was so chaotic and I was so busy, I didn't have time to take care of myself. By the time I stopped to pay attention, I was 50 lbs overweight. I know weight gain doesn't just happen overnight, but for me, I just didn't have the time or money to eat right, exercise, etc. I did eventually go to weight watchers and I lost that 50lbs. But little did I know, that weight gain and loss would be a vicious cycle that I would enter into for the next 12+ years. 

Once I got married and started having children, my weight was so out of control. I had all 3 of our children within 4 1/2 years and the weight gains and losses just kept continuing. I was constantly trying the latest diet, shakes/drinks and/or pills. I did all sorts of exercise programs as well. Up and down. Constantly. When I wasn't "dieting", I was at the other extreme; eating candy, junk and loads of sugar. 

In December 2010, I reached my heaviest weight. When I saw 260 lbs. on the scale, I knew I had to do something once and for all. I was SO miserable and I hated the way I felt and looked. My weight was making me someone I didn't want to be. I didn't want to be out in public and I didn't want anyone to see me. I made the "all-in" decision to begin the awful, painstaking journey to finally lose the weight that was destroying me physically and emotionally.

By November of 2011, I hit my goal and had lost 125 lbs. I did a combination of things to lose the weight; but mostly healthy eating, portion control and exercise. While I looked my very best, my mind was becoming increasingly unhealthy. My weight consumed me. Calories, portions, and omitting certain foods was all I could think about. It was brutal and now I was borderline obsessed with exercise and food restriction to the point that I was really drifting away from what was truly important in life. I simply traded one extreme for another. 

Fast forward to 2017. It's been a difficult battle. One that I don't see ending anytime soon. I've endured some weight re-gain and re-loss several times, but I'm learning to live life somewhere in the middle of those extremes. Enjoying food, but being mindful. Staying active, but not obsessed. 

I'm also learning to accept a slightly higher "set weight" for my body than the original weight goal I had reached; a weight that makes sense, is maintainable, and allows me to still feel confident and good about myself. It hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. Even the setbacks and frustrations. None of what I've accomplished could have been possible without my faith in God and/or the support of my husband, family and friends. I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned and continue to learn each and every day!

First off... I'm a wife, a mother, the vice-principal at an elementary school and of course many other things.  I love, in no particular order, nature, photography, hiking, traveling, watching television, eating potato chips and drinking Pepsi.

My journey started a little over 4 years ago - I got up one morning thinking I have to get my life on track! I wanted to see my daughter grow up with a mother and a father.  I got myself going with a jawbone UP bracelet and started walking my 10 000 steps as much as often as I could.  I later got a bracelet for my husband (who lost 100 lbs) and one for my daughter (who lost 20 lbs).   

A couple months later, I joined my fitness pal (and have been logging since).  I started losing weight and getting fitter.  After losing about 30lbs or so, I started running and lost another 20 lbs.  I never thought I would say I'm a runner!  I never imagined being able to run for more than 10 seconds... low and behold!  It's possible!  four years later and I'm still running -training for my first 1/2 marathon.  

I went through 3 UP bracelets and 1 garmin vivofit bracelet (I'm on my second one) - My first extra long streak of walking at least 10 000 steps was 2 years and 3 months consecutive - not missing one single day!  Nothing like seeing that number of days go up and seeing how far you can go -not wanting to break the streak!  I'm now on day 14some -trying to break my longest streak.

We are now a much healthier family! 

I was the pudgy kid who was embarrassed in third grade swimming class as well as eighth grade PE class in those very short red shorts. I always finished my plate and asked for seconds.

I loved dessert too! I've been a yo-yo dieter and used to fast with lemon water in high school for three days in a row. I've battled with my weight for my whole life. 

Last year I really started to focus on getting healthy and basically did a certain meat, fruit and veggie diet. I tried doing the blood type diet but found that really wasn't the key. Recently I found out that I have food allergies, adrenal fatigue, and acid reflux.

I went from a size 14 to 8 through diet changes. I'm starting to see progress with my health and have starting exercising. That is where I need to really get consistent.

To the Boston Marathon bombers.....Thank you!  

In 2010, I lost my mother suddenly at the age of 63.  No warning whatsoever.   In the months/yearsafter, I started to let myself go.  I hadn't touched a gym or any physical activity in a while.  Food was fast and the beer was plentiful.  

Then Patriot's Day 2013 happened in Boston.  I remember watching the news over and over.  I said to someone,'Those people are literally feet from doing something I will NEVER be able to do! Finish a Marathon.' 

That day pissed me off and I did something about it!  I started running.

Running also gave me an opportunity to honor my Mom.  She absolutely loved cows.  I'm sure she collected every cow West of the Mississippi.  She didn't live to see me run anything longer than a 5K. 

In her honor, I have ran:  10 full marathons, 23 half marathons, and countless 10K/5K.  I wear this small cow patch on my all running shirts in her memory.  

I believe I was meant to be a Heifer!

I ran for a year in high school (1982) and then stopped.  Over the years, I started to slowly put on weight, which accelerated when by wife got pregnant.  Doctors told me to exercise for years.  Then my therapist suggested it and I ignored it.

Over the summer of 2013, some friends started doing a C25k program.  I did it for 4 weeks and stopped.

By April 2014 my weight had ballooned to somewhere north of 220 (I refused to get on a scale).  But my wife took a picture of me on vacation (attached) and I decided enough is enough.  I started back on the C25K program and finished it.  While running, I was still eating horribly (lots of snacks and bread). 

I eventually realized what was the point of all the running if I was eating like a pig.  So I cut back.  No snacks and smaller portions.  I then I started tracking calories and the weight started coming off.

By the winter of 2014 I ran my first race and was exercising nearly every day (running 3x a week and walking the other days).  On 12/31/14 my life changed again.  I saw a headline in the Wall Street journal about streaking runners.  I thought who in their right mind is running naked.  Turns out, they were dressed but ran at least a mile every day.  I figured I could do that for a year, just turn my walks into 1 mile runs.

A year after I started running, I had lost over 50 pounds and my BMI dropped from obese to normal.  I kept on running and keeping the weight off.  I have now run 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and one full marathon.  For my 50th birthday this year I will be treating myself by running the Dopey in Walt Disney World.  

I am attaching the 2014 picture and a recent picture (I was at the same place but we did not go to the beach)

In January 2016 a friend of mine (she's with me in the picture - HI KYM!!) posted an article on facebook that the West Michigan Trails Coalition was looking to put together a fundraising team to run the Fred Relay. I had always longed to be able to run, but thought I was too fat so I never tried.

But that day, my longing won over and I figured what better way to learn to run than to do it in a 2-day, 200 mile relay! Go big or go home, right?! So, I emailed the director and asked to be considered for the team. Apparently, I was just what they were looking for - fat and out of shape. But they called it "an inexperienced runner".

Training started in February, and I instantly fell in love with the running community. It is the most caring, supportive, and non-judgemental group of people I have ever met. Actually running, however, is hard. Really hard. But really fun! Granted, here I am a year later, and I still can't run more than 3 minutes at a time. So that's what I do - run, walk, then run again until I finish. I used to think that because I couldn't run for long periods of time meant I wasn't truly a runner. But I've gotten over that. I am a runner! And I love it!

A couple weeks ago I did a 6k Global Walk for Water through World Vision, and made some fun new friends who, apparently, took advantage of my weak mental state after the race and somehow got me to sign up for the World Vision half marathon in October. Wait, what??!!

I have been overweight since I was a small child.  Through my teenage years, I struggled with eating disorders – never diagnosed but they were there for sure.  My weight yoyo’ed in my late teens and 20’s.  I was never active until I found Jazzercise, but it took me much longer to figure the food part out.  

I officially started my journey in early 2015 just after my son turned 1.  I was about 15 pounds less than what I was at when I gave birth.  My success really began with 21 Day Fix.  I started running not long after I started the fix.  I signed up for a Color Run and thought it would be cool if I could run the whole thing – and I did!  I have since run quite a few 5ks, a 10k, one half-marathon and I am training for my second half.  At my lowest, I lost 50 pounds.

I am up about 10 pounds from that.  I still struggle with my relationship with food, but will get there eventually.  I like lots of different workouts now and even teach Pound classes twice a week.  If you haven’t taken a Pound class –I highly recommend it.  www.poundfit.com.

I can’t wait to get to know everyone!
 

My name is Sarah. I am a 37 y/o single mom to a 15 y/o young man. I am a social worker that works with families that are at risk of losing or have lost their kids to Foster Care. Very stressful yet rewarding job.

My journey to healthy began in June 2015. The back story is obviously very far back. I was always "skinny" until I hit puberty then boom, I put on weight. Add in birth control (depo) and 80 pounds later, I'm over 200lbs. Working second shift, drinking and eating high fat, high sugar foods, I continued to gain. 2002 I had my son after leaving a DV relationship with my son's father.

Fast forward to July 2014, my best friend died suddenly from a heart attack. In June 2015, a friend was going to rehab for alcohol and I decided to stop drinking soda/pop. August 2015, I joined a gym and began to see more results.

Currently, I am down 125 pounds and over 20" all over. I was at 375lbs when I started. However, I'm struggling to overcome the medical setbacks that I had in January that put me out of commission until April. I'm struggling to find that motivation again.

I have been a runner for about 3 years.  My running career started on asphalt and progressed to trails.  I absolutely love the trails.

During my asphalt days I ran 4 marathons, several half marathons and numerous 5ks.  Since I've taken to the trails I've ran a 50k and am in the process of training for my 2nd 50k, two 18 milers, several 25ks, two 20ks and two 200-mile relays. This will be my 3rd year pacing a runner at the Arkansas Traveler 100.

My husband Jeff is also a trail runner and a member of the group. We have been married for almost 10 years.

I'm the Communications Director for Team RWB Central Arkansas and a Board Member of Arkansas Run for the Fallen.  I write a blog called The Mileage of my Sole.

To support my habit, I'm an Administrative Assistant/Coordinator to the District Judge for the 33rd District Court District.
 

I'm Kelly, mom of 16 year old twins (aka the wondertwins or separately nicknamed Bean and the boy child).  I'm a paratriathlete.  I've lost about 100 pounds so far... was more but with multiple brain surgeries have gained back some.  I'm in the process of losing it again (and then some hopefully).    I have earned my half ironman status.  My goal is a full ironman distance triathlon.  

In my spare time I'm an attorney and like to make stuff.  I have recently even learned to do stained glass. I like to cook and menu plan as well.  

I am a member of challenge athlete foundation and made the 2016 Medtronic Global Hero team.  I also am an ambassador athlete for Tri to Finish. 

My name is Alyson Suits. I celebrated my 40th birthday on May 10th I'm 5'6" and weigh 207.6lbs. I started my weight loss journey at 225lbs. My goal is to get down to 150.

I've been on this weight loss journey for a while now but I just found out my hubby is taking me on a trip to the Dominican Republic as a late birthday and Mother's Day present so I am frantically trying to lose weight before that trip.

My husband, Eric, and I have three daughters...Lindsay, age 12 1/2, Chelsea, age 9, and Kaylee, almost 6. We own our own business and we farm so there's not very much me time and as such, I don't get to work out nearly as much as I'd like.

That's me in a nutshell!
 

I am 41, will be 42 in June. I am 5'8 and weigh 176.

I love carbs and sugar. 😬 My family and I are going on a cruise in November and I am ready to get into shape!

I have 3 kids and work full time. I commute an hour each way, leaving my house at 7:30am and return about 5:30pm. I prefer treadmill over road running because of shin splints. I am open to all the help and motivation you can give me!

Thanks for the add, I am looking forward to the great things that are yet to come!!

For most of my adult life I was sedentary. I did nothing at all athletic for many years after high school. That changed when my dad passed away. He had a massive heart attack at 50. My grandfather on his side died at 53 in almost the same way. Looking my own mortality in the face I realized I had to make a change.

I began cycling because that was something I had always enjoyed. I did an MS150, then began in triathlon. I've done several Sprints, an Olympic, 2 70.3's and now a full. I am still a terrible runner but like I said before I am nothing if not stubborn so I just keep moving until they pull me or I cross the finish line.

My name is Carmen and I'm a 40 year old Kindergarten teacher from Northeast.  My friend Jennifer is an avid runner and I've been one of her biggest supporters for a few years now! Never dreaming I would ever use the sentence "I am a runner.....

Although I played basketball in high school, I've never been real athletic and I've always been overweight. Working out and eating healthy was never a priority in my life.  I was in a very mentally abusive marriage that ended in divorce 10 years ago, so my self confidence and self esteem took a beating.

About a year ago, Jennifer's running coach reached out to me because he saw a potential in me that I had never seen!  Long story short I've been a runner for nearly a year and it's been amazing!  I'm not a fast runner, but I run!  I've completed ten 5ks and one 10k and have signed up for a trail 10k and a half marathon later in the year!  

I'm a 37 years old, single police officer with the cutest dog on earth- Maxwell Roscoe the Brussels Griffon.

I've always had a muscular frame that isn't actually the best for running. I was extremely into weight lifting until I was 20 and realized I was a body of muscle and no stamina.

I began running. I have horrible allergies and a touch of asthma. Fast forward 17 years, where I am returning to running from a year and a half off. I had 3 wrist surgeries (hurt on the job) and a serious girl surgery that left my abdomen muscles cut in half.

I just came off of a 45 pound (stress diet) loss that I know was very unhealthy. I'm finding myself lighter and easier to carry through my runs, but still struggling with it this time. I joined for some motivation and push! I used to love running, and want to feel that again!

I started running back in 2014. I had brain surgery in 2013 and ended up in ICU for 6 days. I was in there 2 days before i woke up.

My husband, who's in the Air Force, told me to start living my life and doing things I've always wanted to do because life is too short. I've always wanted to run, but I've had 2 knee surgeries, a back surgery and I'm overweight.

But I started anyway. I made the Princess Half in 2015 my goal and me and my daughter did it together. And then I hurt my knee again after that. So I rested up, did physical therapy, had another brain surgery, disc in my neck repaired and a shoulder surgery. But I made 2017 the next goal for the Princess Half, which I did.

I use the Galloway method. Run/walk Intervals work best for me.

I'm also a mother to a 16 year old, who will be 17 in June and a senior this year. We have 3 fur babies, 2 rottwieilers and a yorkie Maltese mix.

My husband has been in the Air Force for 18.5 years and it's not slowing down. I also see little girls clothing in my free time. I'm a marriage and family therapist. I work on a group home with abused and neglected children. I enjoy that so much.

I am a 44 year old housewife with 2 adult sons. I was an athlete growing up and had a devastating leg injury in 1996 that put me in an electric wheelchair for a year and a half.

I went from 90 pounds to over 200 pounds, and became so depressed that I kept gaining weight after I got out of the wheelchair. I ended up over 310 pounds with a 74" waist (the first picture, I'm the one in front).

I started my weight loss journey in 2006 after seeing the picture. I've had to take some breaks in working out due to injuries that required surgeries. Now I'm 155 pounds with a 40" waist. I am starting training so I can do my first half marathon in March.

I'm running in memory of my oldest son who died of cancer in 2005. I'm raising money for St. Jude's for the race. My goal is to be able to raise $500.

In the Spring of 2014 the Lord gave my husband and I both a wake up call. My husband had a stroke, thankfully no permanent paralysis, and I had complications the following month when I went in for day surgery.

During my 3 day stay in the hospital, I decided I needed to lose weight and start living a healthier lifestyle. My highest weight was 255 pounds, I was pre-diabetic, borderline with sleep apnea and had just found out before my surgery I was right on the boarder line with my blood pressure.

So what did I do? Tracked my calorie intake, worked out with a personal trainer for 6 months, doing strength training with her and cardio on my own, got more active and started eating healthier.

I got down to 142 pounds.

Since then, my weight has yo-yoed, up and down. Currently I am in the 180s and not happy about it. Time to do something...more than what I have been doing that is. I really like food.

Today, I am back it! I registered for my first marathon, this November, and I need to get rid of as much extra weight as I can.

I'm Maegan. I'm from South Texas and am in the military. I'm currently in transition (stranded in Japan) from spending 3 years in Korea to North New York.

I always struggle with my weight because I haven't drudged up enough motivation to change my lifestyle. I can change for a week or two, then go back to eating crap because it's quicker and I get bored with eating the same stuff over and over (meal prepping for one sucks). Plus, who doesn't like cake, cupcakes, cookies and ice cream?? I have an unhealthy relationship with bad food.

I got into doing 70.3 Ironman triathlons last year and completed my first, Vietnam 70.3, in May 2016. I completed my second, Gurye 70.3, in September 2016.

I've fallen in love with triathlon only for the competition and the swim. I'm a horrible runner, but I amaze myself every time I complete a triathlon with how much my body can do. I've now done several half marathons and a few 10K races.

The biggest problems I face are my motivation and mentality to do better and enjoy running and actually putting forth the effort and training. I love the race, but I make excuses instead of training for the race. I will start a training plan and let it fall through. I annoy myself sometimes.

Anyways, I'm trying to be more positive with myself and what I'm doing. I hope I can figure out how to force myself to find that mentality and motivation that I so desperately need in my life.

I am a mom, of two boys - wife, chef, shopper, athlete, recovering addict to many things. I come from a background of losing weight and quitting all the things that made my life less than desirable - I've suffered depression and anxiety most of my life - and after two kids I reached my highest weight in 2008- 355# a smoker and desperate to change because the pain of remaining the same is perceived as greater than the pain of remaining the same. 

I lost 196 pounds and quit smoking after 23 years, and started running. I started at a 5k that I was walking with my mum. The last .25 mile was a jog to the finish. I became infatuated with the idea of running. So that's what I did. I trained for a 5k, then a friend suggested I run 13.1 miles. - surely that was out of this world too far. 
I ran that half then another half 8 weeks later.

Then I ran some more. Half fanatic in 2013. I signed for a marathon. Then 2. I completed two in 6 days, 3 in 21 days and 4 in 8 weeks. In 2014 I would run my first ultra and then several more road races. 

In 2014 in applied for team triggerpoint - and signed my first athlete contract on a triathlon team. In April of 2015 I found out I was a runner on a triathlon team -little did I know I'd come home from Texas - and sign for a triathlon. Sprint in Quantico - I completed that - and then many more marathons and half marathons- in a short time

I'd finish 17 in 2 years. On 2015 I quit drinking. In 2016 I completed my first half ironman - and took to cycling! I'm very active in my cycling and tri club. I've managed to keep depression / anxiety at bay with endurance sports - the best gift that losing weight and quitting smoking is the freedom I have from it. - 💚 definitely more to my story. I just haven't gotten the courage yet to share it.

Currently training for another half ironman. And when the time comes, I'll set my green eyes on a full ironman- this summer I am going to start racing on my bike- I love to ride. I'd ride all day everyday - I hope this was enough introduction to make myself transparent! 

My running and nutrition life started in 1980. I was a heavy drinker, smoked and could care less what I ate. In 1982, I qualified for the Boston marathon and ran it in 1983.

In 1985, at the Chicago Marathon, I set my pr of 2:39. In that same year, I was ranked # 7 in the USA at 50k. I've run several marathons and ultras. 100 k being my longest and completed a 50 mile trail run. The ice age trail 50 mile.

In 1995 or so, I took a hiatus of sorts and that life got very comfortable. Sure, I ran from time to time. But not like I did. Fast forward to August of 2015 and at the bequest of my daughter I made a commitment to get my running and nutrition life in order. I weighed in at 280 pounds.

After several months, I said to myself. My goal is to run a fall 2016 marathon and picked the Bank Of America Chicago Marathon. So after 25 years of really no competition or interest I bought in. I began racing in April of 2016 and on October 9, 2016, ran the marathon. I've lost 120 pounds in that time frame. And now have my former self back.

In a nutshell, that's my story.

I started trying to run about 3 years ago. I started with the C25K and couldn't seem to get past week 3. So I would quit and try again 6 or so months later. Lather, rinse, repeat, twice. I was gaining weight despite not changing my eating habits and feeling extremely tired. Despite dragging along, I kept trying to run/jog/walk long distances. I did complete a few obstacle races, walked all of them.

In November of 2016 I finally found the problem to by my thyroid antibody level, it is over 1000, that's very bad. It also explains the weight gain, the fatigue, the brain fog and the inability to progress with running. Fortunately I found the most wonderful doctor who is helping me with the symptoms. 10 lbs down so far and I am doing good on my treadmill. Hopefully I'll be able to run a 5K soon. 😊

I found the group through a friend. I'm a casual runner...I try to sign up for at least one 5k race a month to keep me motivated. My furthest distance was a 10K just this past weekend.  

I'm still trying to find my runner's groove.  I enjoy reading all the encouragement and tips in the group.  You all motivated me to follow through on the 10K last weekend and I can't wait to become more involved in the herd!

I'm Jen. And I sincerely wish I was as fat as I was the first time I thought I was fat. All the girls in my "clique" growing up were petite and super thin. Mostly just natural string beans. I, on the other hand, was taller than everyone, and played a lot of sports. Either with the boys in the neighborhood, (until my mother ended my touch football career), or playing tennis in high school and in tournaments. I was strong. I had muscles. I was either playing tennis, running stadium stairs, or playing tennis against a wall. I was also a gym rat. So I look at pictures of my original "fat" days and wonder ..... what was I thinking?!?! I wasn't fat at all!!! I was amazing!!! I was strong, and fierce!!! And I had zero self esteem.

So off I go to college. Out of state. Away from my family, which tore me to pieces. You've all heard of the freshman 15..... let's just say I was a MAJOR overachieved. I still played tennis, just with a new friend, and only very sporadically. I took phys ed classes.... karate... weightlifting.... and I was excruciatingly homesick.

Eventually I moved on from the homesickness, but I had also moved on from being strong.... from being FIERCE. And I still struggled with self esteem issues. Which, of course, were not helped at all by my award winning college weight gain.

Fast forward many years .... I've done weight watchers..... more times than I can count. And honestly, I mostly made some amazing friends. Yo yo'd with my weight. I've lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the years.

I should probably mention that I have several conditions that require some serious meds. And the conditions were not diagnosed until adulthood, in spite of having had them since childhood. Before the "big" diagnosis of that wonderful clinical depression/major anxiety/ debilitating panic attacks.... I locked myself in my apartment, told my job I wouldn't be in for a few days (and then didn't bother calling after those few days), unplugged all my phones, and laid in bed. For a little over a week. Didn't eat.... didn't drink.... I don't think I even used the bathroom. I cut off contact with everyone. Coincidentally , the very day my mom sent my brother to my apartment to basically break down my door and see if I was alive.... I reached out. And then I got help.

These days.... I have an amazing new psychiatrist.... who changed all my previous meds.... and in the process, I lost 16 pounds. I didn't even realize it. While I was, at my heaviest, at least 300 pounds, (I stopped weighing myself at that point so have no idea how heavy I actually got), I called bullsh*t on my life and starting getting my sh*t together. I rediscovered vegetables. God how I love veggies!!! I started moooooo-ving my body again (see what I did there???? Ha!!). I finally convinced myself that packaged food is not a single serving. I'm finally paying attention to what goes in my body. Water is my dearest friend. I love walking. The biggest change I made that has made the single best change in my outlook on life and health???? I got rid of my scale. I had what one might call a scale addiction. I was obsessed with the numbers. After tossing that thing to the curb, I started gauging my progress by how my clothes fit, how my reflection in the mirror changed.... and how I feel.

Tonight as I write this, I am still overweight. But I no longer hate my body. I know what it is capable of, and I'm comfortable in my own skin. I am still very much a work in progress.... but I'm still making progress. And as long as I keep moving forward.... I'm on the right track.

Who am I? That is a great question—one that I typically struggle with myself when people like Melissa ask me to write a bio. Let’s start with who I am not. I am not a runner. Period. Like EVER.

To be honest, I left the herd a while ago because I thought maybe I didn’t fit in because I’m not a runner. However, I realized there is more to this herd than running, right? WHO AM I??? To start with, let’s get the basics out of the way. I’m Amy, and I’m a 40 year old stay-at-home mom to five children (ages 4-14).

I met my husband while visiting a friend in college, and we’ve been married since July 2000. We recently moved from the Phoenix area to the Chicago area due to a career change. This is where it gets tricky for me.

Who am I? Does that one tiny little paragraph define me? Often times, that’s where I get stuck. I’m a wife. A mom. But wait—surely there’s more??? Ah yes, there’s more.

My journey to becoming healthy hasn’t been exactly smooth—mainly because I’m Fertile Myrtle (see the part about five children) and keep having babies (yes, we know what causes this, and we are quite good at it.)

I lost 40 pounds before baby #4 (because we were done—HA!) and have struggled to get back on the wagon. Since 2010, I have been a human yo-yo in the weight loss department. I have lost and gained and lost and gained more times than I can count. I’m sure if I added it up, I’ve lost at least 100 pounds with all my ups and downs. I joined a gym—and didn’t go. I paid for Weight Watchers—and stopped counting points.

I downloaded MyFitnessPal—and stopped logging calories. I tried the 21 Day Fix—and gave up. I would get to a point in my journey and then decide that what I had lost was “good enough.” The problem was that even though I told myself it was good enough, I never FELT good enough. In all honesty, I gave up because I was AFRAID I would never reach my goal. I started Weight Watchers (for the 100th time) in January and am officially back at the weight I was at before baby #4. I’m seven pounds away from my goal. I’m not sure what it is that has kept the fire burning this time.

Maybe it is the fact that I just turned 40. Maybe it’s the fact that I have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

I honestly don’t know, but whatever it is, I AM DETERMINED to get the weight off and keep it off. I AM DETERMINED to get my body moving on a daily basis. I AM DETERMINED to feel good about myself!!! Moo!!!