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Introduction Text Since joining SparkPeople in 2006 I have lost over 45 pounds and kept it off for three years and counting. A former couch potato who hated exercise and ate fast food once or twice a day, I have now totally reformed my life. I was thin/average weight for my entire childhood and most of my teenage years. It wasn't until I went to university that I experienced issues with food and weight. I had never had to watch what I ate before which is why the weight just kind of crept up on me. I remember one horrible day of shopping when the realization finally set in. I was shopping for shorts to go on a Spring Break trip to Florida and was horrified to discover that I now needed a size 14! I had ate my way up to almost 160 pounds. I wasn't happy with my size, but I seemed to be unable/unwilling to do anything about it. I made a few futile attempts at weight loss, but nothing serious. I would start using a workout dvd, go all hardcore in the first week and then quit in the second. I would eat nothing but soda crackers and Slim Fast, lose a few pounds and then gain it all back once I started eating real food again. This went on for years until finally I decided no more, I was going to stop feeling bad about myself and lose the weight for good. I soon discovered that there was nothing magic about weight loss. Eating less combined with good old fashioned exercise was all there was to it. I bought myself an elliptical trainer and started counting calories and before I knew it I had lost 20 pounds. Eventually my weight loss stalled and I got bored of the elliptical. I decided to give running a shot. I remember my first run very vividly, gasping for air with a metallic blood taste in the back of my throat for thirty minutes. I felt like I was dying the entire time, but when I was done I was in love. Nothing had ever made me feel so horrible, but yet so good at the same time. From there on I ran my way to my goal weight all the while counting calories. Don't get me wrong, it was hard work and there were many plateaus along the way, but eventually I got there. I now weigh less than I did in high school and am by far in the best shape of my life. I'm sure my family still thinks I'm crazy. The kid with asthma and a hatred of gym class now spends hours every week running for fun. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way! What started out as a means to lose weight turned into a hobby and I now enjoy running for all kinds of reasons. I run for alone time, to train for races, to stay fit, and to feel good about myself. I enjoy the personal satisfaction that comes with achieving my running based goals whether it be a new distance, a new PR or just a new route. It makes me sad to think about how many years I wasted being overweight, inactive and unhappy with myself. Still I am thankful because if it wasn't for being overweight there is no way in the world I would ever have found SparkPeople, developed a passion for nutrition and exercise or started running. All roads have led to here and now.

March 2015 Goals -Lose at least one pound -Read 3 books -Run 3xs per week -Strength training 2xs per week

Running 3-4xs per week Circuit Training

I'm from Ontario, but am currently living in Northern B.C. and love it here!



Add a Link Sarah "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." Joshua J Marine BMO Vancouver Half 05/01/11 1:48:53 Canada Day 10K 07/01/11 49:14
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