Run For Your Life

Exit, pursued by bear.

[run-katydid-run]

Yup, this is better.

Today, I really don't care about my weight (258 lbs, btw, at last check).

I care about the 5-10 lbs increases in weight I'm able to handle on every single machine I use at the gym each week. 

I care about the fact that I spent 20 minutes on the elliptical today – a machine that SOUNDLY kicked my ass last week.

I care that I walked out of the gym with a smile on my face, and my first stop was to compliment someone else I'd seen in the gym for how much they'd been killing it in there today.

My weight is so irrelevant. My health – mental and physical – is all I care about. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[run-katydid-run]

Week 9, Run 2

Time: 33 Minutes Distance: 1.96 Miles (3.15k)

I actually felt good doing this, this time. It’s amazing how much sorting out the food and putting in some off-day running-supportive exercise has helped.

[run-katydid-run]

Week 9, Run 1

Time: 34 Minutes Distance: 2.00 Miles (3.2k) Weight: 225.0 (-10.6 lbs overall) Hips, Waist, Bust: 43″, 38″, 39″ (-7.5″, -5″, -5″ overall) Jeans Size: 16 (Old Navy) T-Shirt Size: L (Men’s)

No picture this week, because I’m a flake. I finally got the food issue sorted, I think, so the running went way better this week. I’m on my third repeat of week 6, which could be demoralizing except that it’s not. I’m honestly thrilled that I’m getting on the treadmill at all, that I’m working to figure out what’s not working right, and that I’m not just saying “I guess I just can’t do it” and giving up. \o/

[run-katydid-run]

Week 6, Run 3

Time: 33 Minutes Distance: 1.90 (3.1k)

This was supposed to be a 22-minute continuous run, which did not happen. I’m still struggling super hard with putting that together. However, I am super proud of myself for a) getting on the damned treadmill at all today, and b) not just giving up on the running portions full stop. I may not have put in a full 22 minute stretch, but I didn’t just revert back to walking for the duration. So, I will take it. 

Also, I am still feeling stronger and better every time I get up on that dread machine, so I’m calling that a big damned win, too. 

[run-katydid-run]

Week 6, Run 2

Time: 33 Minutes Distance: 1.90 (3.1k)

Oof, today was hard. Two ten-minute runs with a three-minute walking break between them. Kinda thought I was going to die during the second one, but I managed to push through for the most part. Can’t believe I did ten minutes of running AT ALL. Jeepers. 

[run-katydid-run]

Week 6, Run 1

Time: 34 Minutes Distance: 1.94 Miles (3.1k) Weight: 229.0 (-6.6 lbs overall) Hips, Waist, Bust: 43″, 39″, 40″ (-7.5″, -4″, -4″ overall) Jeans Size: 16 (Old Navy) T-Shirt Size: L (Men’s)

Today’s run kicked my ASS. Oof. But I’m super proud of having done it. And I’m increasingly in love with the muscles in my legs. 

[chrisdoeslife]

If you run, you are a runner.

It doesn’t matter how far you run.

It doesn’t matter how fast you run.

It doesn’t matter what shoes you have.

It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing.

If you run, you are a runner.

[aseriesofcomebacks]

[snarkay]

Using it.

[run-katydid-run]

Week 5, Run 1

Time: 31 Minutes Distance: 1.85 Miles (3.0k) Weight: 229.8 (-5.8 lbs overall) Hips, Waist, Bust: 45″, 40″, 41″ (-5.5″, -3″, -3″ overall) Jeans Size: 16 (Old Navy) T-Shirt Size: L (Men’s)

At the end of last week, I really thought I was going to have to repeat Week 4. And then today I did the first workout of Week 5 without a hitch. I can’t quite believe it. I feel so good. I mean, don’t get me wrong: mid-run, I am a red, hot, sweaty mess. But afterwards, I feel an amazing sense of accomplishment. And honestly, even in the middle of the run? I feel like a badass. Because I’m doing it. 

This is an amazing feeling. It has nothing to do with the size of my clothes and everything to do with how strong my body is. I love it. 

[chrisdoeslife]

If you run, you are a runner.

It doesn’t matter how far you run.

It doesn’t matter how fast you run.

It doesn’t matter what shoes you have.

It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing.

If you run, you are a runner.

[fitblrholics]

x

[the-exercist]

What makes you think that this person is just starting? 

Why can’t a larger body be seen as inspirational without implying that they’re a beginner, just starting out, or are trying to change themselves?

[the-exercist]

condignlife:

Typically fat people don’t work out

Dwayne Leverock 

Brenda Villa

Mariam Usman

Michelle Carter

Prince Fielder 

Zhou Lulu

Roy Nelson

Ele Opeloge

Reese Hoffa

And some reading:

A qualitative investigation of dieting, weight loss, and physical exercise, in obese individuals – Nutr J, 2008

How effective are traditional dietary and exercise interventions for weight loss? – Med Sci Sports Exerc, 1999

Does physical activity ameliorate the health hazards of obesity? – Br J Sports Med, 2009

Exercise for Overweight or Obesity, 2006

Exercise for type 2 diabetes, 2006

The Unapologetic Fat Girl’s Guide to Exercise: And Other Incendiary Acts

At ‘Fat Yoga,’ Bucking Stigma And Embracing Body Positivity

The Fat Girls Guide to Running

And some stuff on tumblr:

big-gal-yoga 

mynameisjessamyn

fatpeopledoingsport

fatgirlsdoingthings

#fat-fitness

#fat-yoga

So you wanna rethink that rancid embarrassment of a post?

[misandry-mermaid]

Also it’s creepy, dehumanizing and objectifying to post a fat woman’s body with her head cropped out to use as your fitspo.

[pardonmewhileipanic]

people love chopping fat bodies into pieces for their thinspo/fitspo in order to further dehumanize and “other” us

we aren’t people to them; we’re decapitated before shots with a warning label slapped where our humanity should be

[run-katydid-run]

superopinionated replied to your post “Where I’m At”

Yesssssssss I totally think you should sign up for a race -- races are AMAZING, totally different than running on your own, you can do it!!

Thanks! I think I'm going to do it -- I'm signed up for a 5k in September, but it's report your own, so there's none of the feeling of an actual race to it.

[run-katydid-run]

Week 5, Run 2

Time: 31 Minutes Distance: 1.91 (3.1k)

Today was two 8-minute runs. I did the first one pretty handily, but the second one kicked my ass enough that I had to take two 30-second walking breaks. Honestly, I feel really okay with that. I’m stunned that I made it through the first one at all. That means I ran for EIGHT MINUTES. Without a break. I haven’t done that since I was a kid -- like, 12 years old. Every single day my body is getting stronger, and I adore that feeling so much. I love knowing that that strength has been there all along, waiting to show itself off. 

[run-katydid-run]

Week 5, Off Day 1

Today was super hard. I didn’t sleep well, and woke up in a depressive low. But late in the afternoon, I dragged myself off the sofa to do some weights and yoga, knowing that I would only beat myself up more if I didn’t at least do that. 

I didn’t perk right up or anything, but I did feel better for at least having done it. So that’s something. 

[run-katydid-run]

Where I’m At

4 weeks. 22 miles. 6 hours. 5 pounds. 10 inches. And I’m not even halfway through the C25K program. I sat on out on a deck with my family tonight and realized that my thigh tattoo is laying differently. I’ve been noticing for the past two weeks that I feel so much stronger, more flexible, and well balanced. I feel good about myself. I believe in myself. These are almost unbelievable things for me. I walked by a really cute bikini the other and genuinely considered it. Not to wear when my body was different, but to wear now. I didn’t buy it, because it was expensive as hell. But even considering it was a huge deal for me. 

I’m still looking at that 5k that’s on June 13th in upstate New York. Depending on how I feel this week during my training, I might actually do it. And I just can’t believe it, because a month ago I wouldn’t even have considering running after the bus, let alone for fun. 

[runpotatorun]

Running with shin splints

[run-katydid-run]

Week 4, Run 3

Time: 31 Minutes Distance: 1.94 (3.1k)

By far the best experience of the week. But I think I may still redo this week given that I still haven’t been able to finish out the second five-minute run. It’s nearly there, though. 

Also, cooldown continues to be easier and faster every time. At first, it took more than a half an hour to feel human again. Now, it’s five minutes and some water. And by halfway through the stretching, I’m all set to move into the day’s tasks. Which I think bodes really well for keeping this up once I’m back at a full-time work schedule.