What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I'm a binge eater, when I start eating I can't stop. I also give into indulgences really easily.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? We're awesome, me and the duckling.
Goals for the future? HIM. there, I said it.
1) Me too - exactly. 2) Yay! 3) AHHHHHHHHHH! YAY! Holding you to that!
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I'm a binge eater, when I start eating I can't stop. I also give into indulgences really easily.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? We're awesome, me and the duckling.
Goals for the future? HIM. there, I said it.
1) Me too - exactly. 2) Yay! 3) AHHHHHHHHHH! YAY! Holding you to that!
Post by katandkevin on Jul 8, 2014 20:54:21 GMT -5
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Swimming, swimming and more swimming. I did track and field for a couple years, I think 9th and 10th grade, but I swam year round.
Any sports in high school or college? Swimming. I didn't swim in college, I got caught up in college life and athletics took a back seat.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I guess I never really learned healthy eating habits growing up. Because I swam so much, I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight. I gained weight in college but was able to take it off by swimming again. I am still trying to learn to eat healthier as an adult.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I was diagnosed with PCOS when I went off of bcp when we were trying to get pregnant. I put on 30 pounds in a very short amount of time and getting weight to come off is my biggest struggle now. When my twins were little, convenience was key, so we got carry out a lot. Now that I am staying home, I cook more often, which helps.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Completing a HIM last April and making it through a lot of ironman training with a stress fracture in my foot.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? I am training for IMFL again, so I swim, bike and run, although I despise running.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Eh, today is not a great day.
Goals for the future? I want to complete IMFL. That means getting through training relatively injury free and keeping my self positive.
I am slowly starting to post here again. Last year when I got injured training for ironman Florida, it hit me hard. I had never failed so bad at anything in my life and it was bad. I went to the race and did the swim, since it was all I could do, and that seemed to make things worse. I signed up to race again this year, but my gut told me I shouldn't do it and I have doubted myself since. I have gained back all the weight I lost last year and basically stopped working out over the winter. I know it wasn't the best for me to do given that I am doing ironman again this year. I have gotten back into it and have a realistic training plan for this time and my only goals are to make it to the starting line and cross the finish line in less than 17 hours.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? I played rec softball until the summer before my freshman year of high school.
Any sports in high school or college? no. I tried out for soccer my junior year of high school and didn't make it. I was not a runner back then...
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I have really become aware of the choices I make. Now that I've become more active, it's easier for me to not overeat. I just think about how many miles I'd have to run to work something off and it usually deters me
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I still think every once in a while that I could run faster, or have more definition in my arms, or my stomach could be flatter, or my legs could be leaner, etc. Most days I'm able to talk myself out of it, and if I'm really having a hard time, I go back to my pictures on FB of when I was 50 lbs heavier and that does the trick...
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Losing 50 lbs, going from running a 5k at 15 min/mi pace to a 9 min/mi, and most recently being able to complete the entire P90X chest and shoulders workout on my toes vs. knees for pushups!
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? running, walking and biking with DH, and P90X.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? pretty damn good. I have a job I love, am able to be active, great friends and family, and DH and I are in the best place we've ever been relationship wise
Goals for the future? I'd like to actually run the HM that I keep training for every summer
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Horseback riding from the time I could walk until today. I was on the neighborhood swim team in middle school. I wasn't a very athletic kid.
Any sports in high school or college? Horseback riding, college equestrian team. I also walked and biked around my college campus a lot.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Unforunately, I've spent most of the last year injured or sick. I had 2 knee surgeries and am now facing sinus surgery.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? So many! Probably a silver medal at the 2002 Cyclocross National Championships, Top 25 at the 2013 Masters Cyclocross World Championships, plenty of mountain bike and cyclcross series overall awards, mountain bike state champion, and good memories.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? cycling in all forms-mountain biking, cyclocross, road, riding around
Goals for the future? Top 25 in my division at the 2015 Cyclocross National Championships. My immediate goal is to reclaim my health.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Ballet as a small child, soccer through middle school then i discovered swimming in highschool and LOVED it. Any sports in high school or college? Swimming
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I have trouble with comfort eating and portion size. I would say a victory is cutting out soda. I'm only day 4 but I was pretty addicted.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Yes. I've been a little over weight since my late teens then when i got sick and been dealing with my hypothyroid issues I've gained a lot more than i ever thought i would. And i'm the heaviest one in my group of friends so i don't have a ton of body image self confidence right now.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Getting better every bike ride. My first try i was only able to go around the block once, today i did 3.28 miles. I took some breaks but i was going for overall distance.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? bike riding and swimming when i can find a babysitter.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? I'm excited,we have a lot going on. I'm also frustrated because a lot of whats going on is a hurry up and wait process.
Goals for the future? Run a spartan sprint or mud run. Get into a healthier weight before we start ttc baby #2. Finish my certificate course online.
Edit: Please feel free to add other detail or even disregard the questions and write your own bio if you like. Thanks for sharing!
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Volleyball, piano, chorus
Any sports in high school or college? Volleyball
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? Lost 30 lbs in grad school after gaining a lot the first year; struggles: I comfort eat so I fluctuate a lot. I have not been as successful as I wax in grad school with being good.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I have epilepsy which keeps me drained and my meds like to keep the pounds on. Plus add in the cognitive issues and the depression- tendency associated with it, it takes it's toll some days. Then the last few years with that back/hip thing and now my head, screwed up BP/HR, etc. some days I feel really old. Lol
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Running the Goofy!
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Yoga, lifting
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? I'm really low on the H&F scale. I am eating better and able to do some forms of exercise and at least I'm not actively gaining weight or living in another world, but after what my body has been through the last few months, I think I'm doing really awesome. I also know that if I hadn't have been so healthy from taking care of myself before the accident, even if I wasn't perfect, that I would not be doing this well.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Summer league swim team, rec basketball, rock climbing
Any sports in high school or college? HS: Varsity XC, swimming, and track; College: I was in the triathlon club for about 2 years but my social life tended to get in the way of training...
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? Hospitalized for anorexia at 14, struggled with a few relapses in HS/college, ended up gaining and losing 20 pounds a few times during college... now eating pretty well most of the time
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I currently weight about what I weighed when I finished high school but I definitely struggle with body image at times
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Can I be obnoxious and list 3? BQ, finishing a 50K, and finishing an Ironman
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running, always and forever
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? I'm still in a weird post-Ironman thing, and we're TTC kid #2 so I don't want to sign up for anything because one pregnant marathon was PLENTY
Goals for the future? Sub-6 hr HIM, another Ironman someday, sub 3:30 marathon
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? I dabbled in a little of everything growing up: softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball. I was a hyper child so I think that's why my parents indulged my sports obsessions. lol
Any sports in high school or college? High school I played volleyball, basketball, and softball. It was a year round thing. I played basketball in college.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? Realizing I no longer have the metabolism of an 18 year old and if I don't balance my exercise/eating, it will stick around.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? My biggest challenge has been coming to terms with my infertility. For the last 4.5 years, its consumed my life. I'm constantly reminded of it and it sucks. Failed IF treatments suck too. I'm finally at peace with the fact that the only way I will ever get pregnant is through IVF, and taking a mental break for the summer from TTC before gearing up for our first IVF cycle this October.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Gotta be the fact that I have completed 2 marathons. Even though I played tons of sports growing up, I hated distance running. HATED it with a passion. So if you'd told me 3 years ago I'd be training and running marathons, I'd have laughed. I can't help but be proud of how far I've come.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running and hiking
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? I feel happy.
Goals for the future? Get pregnant. Dabble in biking/swimming. I'm interested in tris, but that's a post baby goal for now.
I've done 6 rounds of IVF, so if you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Soccer, basketball, softball and tennis. Some biking and hiking in the summer.
Any sports in high school or college?
High School: soccer, basketball, softball, tennis
College: softball, rugby
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I always have to watch my weight. Has never been easy. Lost 55 lbs last year, have managed to keep it off witch watching what I eat and exercising. I have accepted that I will have to follow that for the rest of my life (and am ok with it, but I do not always enjoy getting up at 5:00 every morning lol)
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? See above. I have never really been happy with how I looked, even when I was in good shape. I always think I'm bigger than I really am and then when I look back at pictures of thinner times I realize I was an idiot. Was diagnosed with hypothyroidism during my IF treatments - started off mild and progressed pretty quickly, but have finally settled in my dosage levels the last year or so.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? I guess keeping the weight off that I've lost so far? I have a HM this fall so that's my next goal. Lots of championships in High School on the various teams.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running, biking (although it's purely indoor at the moment since I no longer have a bike), and kickboxing.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Happy I guess? Lots of stress lately with selling our house/buying a new one but ultimately happy.
Goals for the future? Do well in my HM this fall and see where that goes? I think I'd like to do a Ragnar some day and maybe a dualthon/triathlon (sprint to start). Dualton may come first since I kind of suck at swimming. ;-)
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Soccer, gymnastics, tennis Any sports in high school or college? XC and track in high school and a couple years in college. My college racing career sucked. Bad coaching was a problem and I got burned out. Sidenote: I haven't stepped on a track since. I do my speed work on the road or TM What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I have a massive sweet tooth and once I start I can't stop. I also work in a field where I don't get a lunch break so often times I'm starving when I get home and then I binge. Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Body image, yes. I'm not a big girl but I'm also not teeny tiny like some of my teammates growing up. Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Finishing my first marathon. Its not my fastest but the biggest high from exercise to date What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running, swimming, lifting, yoga How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Better. I had PPD/ anxiety after my son was born and have been on medication for that but am weaning off and doing well. Goals for the future? Short term? Get my eating under control (post vacation) Long term? 1. Sub 3:20 marathon. There it's out there. 2: either start trying to get pregnant again or start the adoption process
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Just running. I was never in to sports until freshman year of HS when I joined the XC team.
Any sports in high school or college? XC and track through both (DIII in college)
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I had an ED when I was younger (much much younger…like 12/13). Since then, just average person stuff (liking pizza and beer too much). I still refuse to count calories or track my intake in any detailed way because of that ancient history though.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Just the above.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? 13 marathons including Boston. Can usually snag an AG at local races (when I'm not a postpartum mess, anyway). I was a pretty decent runner in HS and college (5:20 mile, 18:XX 5K).
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Whatever I can get done in about 30 min.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Eh. I still feel like I am in survival mode with this whole baby thing. I try to eat healthy and work out when I can but it's not my #1 priority. I am hoping I'll have more energy once DD starts sleeping better. And really hoping the 15 lbs extra I'm carrying will come off once she stops BF.
Goals for the future? Would love to get down to a sub-20 5K again. And I'm sure I'll marathon again someday but probably not until we're done having kids.
These were all so fun to read! I feel like I learned so much about everyone with this post.
As for me...
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Nothing at all. My parents never encouraged me to participate in anything active. In fact, they discouraged me, telling me I was too clumsy or not capable and I would look silly. Plus, I had severe migraines starting in my preteen years, so by the time I was old enough to decide on my own, I never really felt well enough. But until age 40, I never set foot in a gym, never ran even a mile...nothing.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Thankfully I have never had weight issues. I did find myself being critical of myself, but I am just now starting to realize that my concerns weren't with my body shape itself- it was more that I knew I wasn't healthy because I was so sedentary.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Starting to run! Three weeks before I turned 40, I decided that I needed to do something. So, I bought a treadmill, shoes and I just ran. That led to running outdoors. I never did C25K or anything like that- I just ran. I fairly quickly built up my distance, and after about 5 months, I decided it would be fun to see how far I could run, and I did over 9 miles. I entered my first race after a year of running. It was a 5K. Since then, I have done quite a few races, including my first half in 1:56.xx. My most recent goal was a sub-25 5K, which I did in May.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running. I need to step it up and get into a gym.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Awesome! I feel amazingly confident about myself and my abilities. My migraines have improved to only 1-2 a week and I have stayed healthy. I do have some regrets that I never started this sooner, but I am having fun, meeting people and truly love my running. Our area has a very active running club and that's definitely kept me focused and excited.
Goals for the future? I just started a half training group yesterday, and hope to keep improving my time at that distance. I am starting to have nagging thoughts about a full, but I won't really think much about that until my busy fall race schedule is finished.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? My family was always active when I was growing up. We spent a lot of time out doors walking, going to festivals, and races.
Any sports in high school or college? Softball and basketball
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I eat pretty well 80% of the time. I think my biggest victory is getting my husband to eat better. When we first started dating he was a hamburger/fries guy. Now he eats quinoa, veggies, and Greek yogurt with a sprinkling of burgers and fries.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? The scale crept up after I got married and in the last two years I've lost ~ 20 pounds. I am happy where I am when I look in the mirror, but another 5-10 pounds would help me run faster
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Sub 1:50 half, winning a 5k
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Ice skating and running. Ice skating is my favorite sport, but I it is so much easier to just walk out my door and start running.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Pretty good, but I need to figure out what I want to do with my career.
Goals for the future? Sub 4 hr marathon Sub 23 min 5k Skating - land my axel/ pass my silver moves test
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Gymnastics, summer swim team, church basketball
Any sports in high school or college? Gymnastics (and cheerleading if you count that) in high school and club gymnastics in college
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I eat pretty healthy and always have even when I was younger. I have been vegan for the past 3 years but am eating a little dairy now so I am more vegetarian now. Being vegan and training for a marathon is hard for me.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I have always had body image issues. I definitely feel better in the skin I'm in now then when I was in my 20's but I can always find some issue with myself.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Running my first marathon in 3:47 and winning a 5k (1st overall female).
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running!
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger?I played a lot of soccer from when I was like 8 until 13. I was never good enough for varsity. I used to rollerblade a ton when I was kid.
Any sports in high school or college?JV Socccer, JV Volleyball, I was never good enough for Varsity.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits?My diet has changed a ton in the last few years. I've never really counted calories. I struggle with eating healthy, but allowing indulgences on occasion. I'm good at sticking with it for a while, but then I eventually slide back into my old ways. The last couple months have been really good. I feel like a real H&Fer now since I've cleaned up my eating a ton. The results have been great.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health?Honestly I never tracked my weight that much. I think I was in the 120 range in HS. I gained weight in college probably about 20-30 lbs. I lost some of that weight a few years after school, then eventually gained it back when I moved in with H. (he's such a good cook! Funnily enough, he lost weight when he moved in with me). After two kids, I'm doing really good.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? My running PRs really just make me happy. I've never been the best athlete or really considered an athlete. The fact that I have a chance to qualify for Boston is huge. I feel like an athlete and it's awesome to found something that I love.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running mostly. But once my local gym is built (late September) I hope to diversify my workouts with some swimming, lifting and yoga!
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you?Life is busy, but good. I'm anxious, but excited about marathon training. Work is kind of blah, but I do an interview tomorrow for a promotion (fingers crossed). I love my kids and spending time with them. I could really use a vacation, though!
Goals for the future? BQ either this fall or in the spring Start swimming and biking Start doing tris Complete an Ironman someday(eep!) Run Boston
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger?
I played basketball, tennis and took swim lessons.
Any sports in high school or college?
Nothing in high school or college, after a certain age my mom said I didn't like to sweat so I stopped all activities. I surely wish I hadn't.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits?
I never really had to worry about what I age until I want to say around 23 or 24. Then I started gaining weight and realized I could no longer just eat whatever I wanted to. Those that say they didn't have to worry about gaining weight until their 30's are lucky, that did not apply to me.
On the same token though, I feel like since 2012 I've had major victories in my eating habits, and learning the right foods to eat.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health?
No challenges other than wanting to lose weight.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had?
In 2012, while working full-time, taking 5 classes in one semester, I worked out 6 days a week and counted calories. By nature I like to stay busy, so it worked for me. I lost 35 lbs between the end of January and July. I saw a informercial for Turbo Fire while in Philadelphia on a mini vacay for MLK weekend. I asked H if he thought I could do it and he said yes, so I ordered the DVD's. The program was perfect for me as it was something I could follow and I had a set schedule that I could do at my leisure at home.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape?
Due to pregnancy restrictions I haven't worked out since 20 weeks pregnant. BUT prior to I loved group exercise classes, particularly barre and spin. I also like to run. I'm not very fast but I have done a few 5k's.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you?
I feel pretty good honestly. I feel like I have maintained pretty good eating habits while being pregnant. I am bummed about the exercise restriction especially since I had all these plans of staying active while pregnant. I actually have a countdown on my phone until I can workout again.
Goals for the future?
I would love to train for the Nike Women's Half in DC for next year. I'm hoping I make it into the race and that will be a huge goal for me.
Otherwise, once given the ok to workout again I want to make time for myself to be active. Even if its just T25, 25 minutes a day.
All the races, talk of new goals, & awesome energy, along with the challenges, up/down, and frustration of injury has me curious about everyone's journey. Maybe others are curious, too?
So, share your H&F bio. Here are a few questions to think about.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Lololol!! Nothing, unless you count flag squad.
Any sports in high school or college? Nope, nothing, nada
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? Struggles - I like sugar way too much. Victories - since using MFP in January I've been able to drop the last 15 or so pounds I'd been hanging on to for about a year.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I have, I still do to some extent. I was always thin without really trying until I got pregnant the first time. I ended up about 55 pounds heavier than I'd ever been by the time DS was born, and very unhappy.
Even now that I'm at my happy weight I still find myself fixated on my clothing size at times. So much so that when I buy clothes I will end up with shirts and pants 2 sizes too big because that is what I see in the mirror. I'm working on it though.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Staying active for 2 years!! I've never stuck with any fitness schedule/regimen for this long. I have you ladies among others to thank for that. And my mom told me how proud of me she is this morning.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? I'm doing very well.
Goals for the future? Stay active and get DD in on the action.
Edit: Please feel free to add other detail or even disregard the questions and write your own bio if you like. Thanks for sharing!
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? I was athletically challeneged so no sports for me! Instead I danced, particularly ballet, until I was 17. I go pregnant with my son at 18 and quit dancing, miss it so much!
Any sports in high school or college? cheerleader, does that count?
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I love love love food, I have learned to just run more to balance that out
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I was always super skinny growing up, even after my first son I bounced right back with no effort or exercise. After Thing 2 and 3 were born though all the pregnancy weight just stuck and I went through some depression. Then i decided one day I was going to do something for myself for once in my life. I started C25K, never have ran a day in my life, and never looked back. It feels great to have my own thing, I have come to really enjoy the quiet time too, the exercise aspect is a bonus!
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? I lost a total of 35 pounds since i started tracking and running, although I gained some back, just knowing I did something for me makes me so proud. I have also ran three half marathons since I started C25K two years ago, never ever did I even consider this when I started
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? besides running, I try to walk rather than drive if I can. I live in a walkable city and usually just drive for the convenience, instead now I leave a little earlier and get a steppin'
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Today I am so so... I am stuck in a weight loss plateau... and I know it is because I could do better with what i eat but I also am not ready to sacrifice the good stuff, I guess until that happens I will stay where I am. ETA: As a whole I am really good, I have learned to appreciate things and slow down a little and it really has enriched my whole being.
Goals for the future? I really would like to lose the 15 pounds I put back on but for now, I am okay with my body. By next summer I would love to be confident enought to wear a bikini, I would be okay wearing one now but I am just not compfortable. Being that I spend most of my weekends in a swimsuit on the beach, I need to be completely comfortable, hopefully next year I will be ready. I also have a running goal of a sub 2 hour half
All the races, talk of new goals, & awesome energy, along with the challenges, up/down, and frustration of injury has me curious about everyone's journey. Maybe others are curious, too?
So, share your H&F bio. Here are a few questions to think about.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Nothing, I was scared of sports. I came home in kindergarten sobbing because I was worried that they were going to force me to play soccer.
Any sports in high school or college? Nope, I wanted to run track, but my parents wouldn't let me
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I am finally in a healthy place with food, I have had a hard time finding a balance.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I had some pretty disordered eating in high school and college but I am in a good place now.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? In 2007, I lost 35 pounds and fell in love with running. In 2011, I ran my first half. In 2013, I ran my first marathon 8 weeks pg
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Good, post partum weight is challenging, but I am accepting it and know it will come off eventually
Goals for the future? BQ, get back into pre pregnancy shape ( not necessarily in that order)
Edit: Please feel free to add other detail or even disregard the questions and write your own bio if you like. Thanks for sharing!
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger?
I did a variety of stuff as a kid. Softball, tennis, basketball. Joined school team CC and Track in 7th grade. My family was very active and we all played sports growing up.
Any sports in high school or college?
I did CC and Track, then 10th grade switched to soccer instead of CC when my school got a team. In college I ran a lot on my own (not on a team) and played intramural soccer for a few seasons.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits?
I was disordered in high school. I overexercised and counted calories. I was pretty thin and was afraid to eat junk food, foods with fat, and soda. I was lucky to be naturally thin through most of college, but after college, I gained some as I started a desk job. It took a few years, but I finally learned how to eat for my activity level.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health?
See above. I still struggle with body image. I've never been happy with my shape. I can't decide if I have more confidence in my skin or I care less as I get older. Some days I still struggle with wanting to be a certain size or see a number on the scale. I love snacks like chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, wine, beer etc. It takes effort for me to eat fruits and veggies still.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had?
Most recently, I am proud of my 1:46 PR in the 1/2 with everything on my plate. It means more now that I am a working mom vs when I was childless and had all the time in the world to workout.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape?
I always identify myself as a runner, so always running. It's just my default. I have fallen out of habit with lifting and I really want to get it into my routine.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you?
This moment - okay. I am a little down because this month is just so busy so I am not working out as much as I normally do, which gives me anxiety about eating. Career wise I am fine. I always feel like I am never doing one thing really great - just a bunch of things mediocre.
Goals for the future?
Short term: PR again at my 1/2 in the fall Long term: Stay healthy and be a good example for my kids. Encourage them to try new things/sports/activities. Run a full marathon :/
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? basketball & high school mascot (hot) Any sports in high school or college? basketball
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I was always heavier and put on ~20 lbs my sophomore year of college. The summer between sophomore & junior year, i got my rear in gear & dropped 40 lbs and have maintained for 12+ years
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? yes - above. and still now with body image - especially weight in my mid-section
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? completing marathons & my fastest at MCM. I know i will never be a speedy runner, but love to run. And running 12 half marathons What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running & water-skiing (summer), kettlebells/squats How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? good! Goals for the future? a few - H&F and non-H&F 1) Adopt We're 2 years, 3 months into waiting to be matched & will still probably be 2016 until it officially happens 2) finish our floors in the upstairs by this fall and be finished with the renovation 3) travel back to Antigua 4) aggressively pay down debt (hello renovation) 5) invest in other properties
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger?
None. After my mom died, my dad sort of...checked out. There were no sports/activities. I mean, nothing. I went to school every day and came home to watch my little sister. We played outside a lot, though. And I always did really well on those fitness tests in elementary. Once, my dad was talking about running for his PT test (he was in the Navy) and he had to run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes. I started talking a big ass game about how I could do that, so we bet a month worth of dishes about it. I got a mile in (under 10, thank you) before I quit. And he was *not* very supportive of that. I was 10 years old. I now hated running. Thanks dad.
Any sports in high school or college?
I started team sports in junior high - volleyball, basketball, cheer. In high school, I did volleyball my freshman year and my coach was like, hey, you kinda suck. You should run cross country next year when I coach it. I loved him, so I said ok. I sucked at cross country though. Got last place in my first meet, got last place at the state meet (we qualified as a team because we had two amazing runners - my bffs), but I kept doing it because it got me in great shape for basketball, my true love. I also was a 4-year starter on the basketball team. I ran track too...I started as a high jumper my freshman year (remember how I hated running). We had a practice meet one day and my jump coach was like, hey, you kinda suck. You should go run the 100. So I did and I beat everyone and hadn't even been running. Sooo....then I became a sprinter and did triple jump. I LOVED high school track, but I always considered myself a sprinter, so I never got much better at cross country.
I ran track and cross country for two years in college at a D2 school before they dropped our program. I loved it so much though. Mostly because I worked hard and got better at it. I also started the 400 hurdles in college, which I LOVED, but is the hardest event ever.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits?
Huh. One more thing to blame my dad for, I guess. I never learned healthy habits and man, are they ingrained in me. I use food for comfort. I have a hard time treating food as fuel. I love all the things that are bad for me and all the things that are good for me. I just love to eat. I'm also bad about eating when I'm bored. During the school year this is much easier to handle because I'm busy all day, but during the summer, oh man! And drinking, too. I love tasty cocktails. I've found ways to make them better calorie wise, but it's a bad habit.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health?
You guys, I've seriously considered seeing someone about this. I honestly look in the mirror and see a chubby girl. And even though cognitively I *know* I'm not, that's what I see. I look at pictures of myself and I am sometimes able to say "wow, I look good!", which is huge. I don't know why, if it's insecurity, or what. I mean...I can do amazing things with this body, so why do I care about this belly? It's stupid. And I'm SO DAMN competitive about everything with myself - I think that comes from having to be so perfect when I was younger. I gotta let some of that go. I HAVE gotten good about not talking about it in front of my kids, though, which I think is so important.
Also, my biggest challenge right now *is* the extra 5 pounds I'm carrying around. I can feel it during my workouts, which is troubling when I want to drop 5 minutes in my marathon. I know it's nearly impossible to lose weight while marathon training. Maybe giving up the booze? Ugh.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had?
A couple come to mind....losing over 40 pounds after DD3 and keeping it off (all but this pesky 5 that came back) - she's almost 4. Breaking 2 hours for my first ever half (for the dead ass last girl, that's a big one). Breaking 4 hours in the marathon (by a lot...again, remember how I hated running and was so slow?).
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape?
Running and body pump. They work for me. I love them. I do enjoy spin class. I want to love swimming...I don't think I do it enough.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you?
Well, mentally, I'm a giant mess. I am so afraid of not hitting my goals (goalS??? Who am I kidding? There's just one) this fall and I know I need to not put that much pressure on myself, but it's what I want. Physically, I'm good...the injury is nagging, but I think it might be my new normal. I'm not in any pain.
But I'm happy, ya know? I really am, even if these answers make me sound like a crazy person. I have beautiful, brilliant kids, a husband who pretty much would give me the world if he could, a home I love, and the means to enjoy myself.
Goals for the future?
BQ is the only goal until September. Long range, I don't know...I'm thinking about triathlons, but I have no good bike, and no clue, so that's a long ways off. I'd like to take a few months at some point next year and work on speed. I know I'm old, but I love being fast for me at the 5 and 10k distance. I'd also like to get to a 1:40 half. I think that's still within the realm of possibility.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? I did a lot of tennis & bike riding with my parents. I did gymnastics through elementary school, and then just sort of lost interest. Through elementary & middle school, I killed at the 50 yd dash.
Any sports in high school or college? The only thing I did in high school was cheerleading. I was also a star powder puff player! My 50 yd dash skills came in handy.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I've always had a fairly healthy relationship w/food. Sure, I yo-yo dieted a bit in college, and I could certainly clean up my diet, but for the most part, I've always been pretty balanced in this area.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Of course. I've always been a smaller person (although I briefly gained about 10 lbs when DH & I moved in together). lol Still, I have body issues. I've always hated my legs. I have cellulite that makes me self conscious. Overall, I think I have a fairly healthy body image, but yes, of course I have insecurities.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Falling in love with running. Going from a 5+hour marathon, to a 3:34 marathon. BQ-ing.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running and yoga, but I'm really horrible about making the time for yoga.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Ehhh, I'm OK. Ready for the weekend. Ready for vacation!
Goals for the future? Run Boston. Sub 3:30 marathon (I'm somewhat hopeful that this could happen in November, but it might be a stretch for training in this heat.) Sub 1:40 half. (I'm a bit more confident with this one. I think it could/should happen in Kiawah.) I'd like to run some of the races I've been wanting to try, but putting off because of time goals. (San Fran, Big Sur, etc.) I'd like to try at least one tri. I could love it or hate it, but I feel like I should at least try.
I don't have a great H&F backstory - I was never athletic in HS or college.
I started running in 2005 when my bestie convinced me to do a half marathon with her. I made some rookie mistakes and wound up with a terrible case of runners knee, so I never ran that half and took a long time to rehab. After rehabbing and starting up again, I set my sights on the 2007 Big Sur Marathon. Fortunately, I wound up getting pregnant. Unfortunately my pregnancy was miserable and I could barely hold down cheerios for a good 8 weeks - obviously I didn't continue running during that.
Then we moved cross country and life blah blah blah. I started running again in 2009 and wound up doing my first half in November that year with my sister - we ran together and it was so much fun.
I didn't run seriously again for a while and then had another baby and blah blah blah, started running again in 2011. Since then I've run more regularly, done a few half marathon/half marathonish length races, but mainly focused on just staying healthy.
I consider diet to also be a critical component to H&F and I'm super focused on that right now. I've been a vegetarian for 20 years and got serious about cleaning up my diet and eliminating all the junky sort of processed foods last year. For the past few months I've been trending toward a vegan diet and am pretty sure I"ll stay dairy free at least for the foreseeable future. I'm loving it - I feel clean and light and fast and it's pretty amazing how quickly I started to really feel the difference after eliminating the junk processed stuff from my diet.
Right now the whole me is amazing. truly. I feel deeply happy.
Long term goals: someday I want to run the local 50 miler that happens in the regional park down hte street from me. I'd really love to accomplish that. And I want to through hike the Appalachian Trail during my lifetime.
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? I ran track in junior high and high school (100m, 200m, 4x100 & 4x200 relays) plus I played tennis all through high school.
Any sports in high school or college? no sports in college - I played a lot of racket ball in college with friends.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I have issues with stress eating and portion control especially with sweets. I can binge on sweets. I have struggled with bulimia and it's been a struggle to keep it under control with my injury.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? I have issues with body image. My weight has always stayed within 10-15 pounds of my weight set point but I'm hard on myself for not losing the injury weight I have gained.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? I ran my first marathon only after previously running for 8 months and ran it under 4 hours. I also ran a 1:41 half marathon this past fall which I'm super proud of. I'm also proud of myself for starting Cross Fit. I'm not into group fitness classes. I'm a loner when it comes to exercise, which is probably why I like to run. I don't know anything about heavy lifting but I'm learning and even though I feel stupid when I'm at CF, I know that I will learn and it will eventually become easier.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Cross Fit and Running
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? I'm a lot better than I was 6 months ago. My stress fracture was a a very difficult injury to overcome and I'm still healing from it. I weigh more right now that what I want to but I'm trying to come to terms with that. I know that I want to be stronger rather than skinnier.
Goals for the future? Continue to Cross Fit and run. I would like to run a sub 1:40 1/2 marathon sometime in the future but my biggest goal is to remain injury free and to continue to push myself every day to be a healthy me.
Post by runblondie26 on Jul 9, 2014 11:01:19 GMT -5
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? I start running track and cross-country in 6th grade and also did dance and cheerleading year round until high school. Once I got to high school I dropped the dance/cheerleading in favor of putting more time into running. I was also a competitve racewalker (you can google, it's a pretty obscure event) and national champion a couple times. It was good experience and allowed me opportunities to travel.
Any sports in high school or college? See above for HS. My college cut track/cross country because of funding my freshman year, so I just ran/competed casually . What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? I've had my share of issues. I still have some lasting health effects from not treating myself so well in my teens and 20's.
Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Getting enough nutrition for my activity level, and balancing exercise with everyday life stuff.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? I had the chance to spend time at the Olympic Training Center in HS which was pretty memorable. I've run literally hundreds of races, and have traveled to interesting places and met great people along the way. Running Boston 5 months PP makes me almost as proud as if I won the whole damn race, lol.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running and spin. As I get older, I definitely notice a difference when I lift more often.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Great!
Goals for the future? Continue to train and race. Hopefully set some new PR's, but at the very least get close to where I was a couple years ago at my peak.
These were all so fun to read! I feel like I learned so much about everyone with this post.
As for me...
What activities did you participate in or enjoy when you were younger? Nothing at all. My parents never encouraged me to participate in anything active. In fact, they discouraged me, telling me I was too clumsy or not capable and I would look silly. Plus, I had severe migraines starting in my preteen years, so by the time I was old enough to decide on my own, I never really felt well enough. But until age 40, I never set foot in a gym, never ran even a mile...nothing.
What struggles or victories have you had w/ your eating habits? Have you had challenges with weight, body image, or health? Thankfully I have never had weight issues. I did find myself being critical of myself, but I am just now starting to realize that my concerns weren't with my body shape itself- it was more that I knew I wasn't healthy because I was so sedentary.
Biggest H&F accomplishments you've had? Starting to run! Three weeks before I turned 40, I decided that I needed to do something. So, I bought a treadmill, shoes and I just ran. That led to running outdoors. I never did C25K or anything like that- I just ran. I fairly quickly built up my distance, and after about 5 months, I decided it would be fun to see how far I could run, and I did over 9 miles. I entered my first race after a year of running. It was a 5K. Since then, I have done quite a few races, including my first half in 1:56.xx. My most recent goal was a sub-25 5K, which I did in May.
What are your current favorites for exercise & staying in shape? Running. I need to step it up and get into a gym.
How are you doing today - the WHOLE you? Awesome! I feel amazingly confident about myself and my abilities. My migraines have improved to only 1-2 a week and I have stayed healthy. I do have some regrets that I never started this sooner, but I am having fun, meeting people and truly love my running. Our area has a very active running club and that's definitely kept me focused and excited.
Goals for the future? I just started a half training group yesterday, and hope to keep improving my time at that distance. I am starting to have nagging thoughts about a full, but I won't really think much about that until my busy fall race schedule is finished.
Dude? You're 40?!? Never would have guessed. I totally pegged you early 30s