Friend of Julie: Megan's Transformation

Megan's weight loss journey has taken her from a size 22/24w to a size 10/12. This isn't the only change in her life, not that her weight loss isn't incredible enough on it's own. Megan changed her attitude. She became an avid runner. Megan no longer suffers from acid reflux or the daily pain she had carrying so much weight. Megan makes time in her life to train for 5k runs and half marathons. Megan made this transformation while working full-time and raising her family. Here's a peak into her transformation...

Megan two and a half years ago and today

Megan

My journey began 2 1/2 years ago. For me, I changed immediately after that first session. The change wasn't physical; it was my attitude, that inner voice was singing a different tune for once! I actually had hope. I believed that I could do this. I didn't see a change in size for a good three months. I was OK with that.

Megan experienced more than physical changes - her attitude changed too.

Over the first year, I celebrated small victories:

• No more acid reflux.
• No more pain all day long.
• Being able to paint my toe nails and cross my legs.
• Fitting in a restaurant booth.
• Fitting in an airplane seat and being able to fasten the seat belt.

All these things that skinny people take for granted – I could finally do!

Over the last year, I have not dropped a size. While I am disappointed, I have never wavered. I have had to think about what I have accomplished during this time since I haven't gotten any smaller.

Over the last year, I have run:

• Five 5k's (3.1 miles)
• Two 10k's (6.2 miles)
• One 7-mile road race
• Two half marathons (13.1094 miles) - I'm running the second half marathon this Sunday.

Megan before her 7-mile road race; August 2014

And I'm disappointed that I haven't dropped a size?  If I stay this size forever it will be OK with me. I have never been this active in my life and stuck with something for so long!

Springfield Biggest Loser Run - a proud moment for Megan.

I came home from my run this morning disappointed. I said to my husband "I was supposed to run nine miles, I ONLY ran 8!"

He looked at me like I was crazy.

I had just run eight miles and I'm not happy about it???

I needed to put this in writing to remind myself that I HAVE CHANGED – even if I'm not an 8 or a 10. 

I first met Megan after I finished the Hot Chocolate 5k Run in Northampton in December 2013. She recognized me from this blog and introduced herself. I asked her what size she was and she replied that she was a size 12. My response was "if this is how good a 12 looks, then I'm good with being a size 12!"

Megan and Theresa; Hot Chocolate Run December 2013.

Megan's change in attitude is one of the keys to her success, but this isn't something she did only once, she changed her attitude again and again along the way. Keeping herself in check and seeing where she was being too hard on herself was another factor in her success.

Theresa and Megan April 2014

Megan and her husband, who has lost 10 inches from his waist on this program, are running a 5k in early December. I'm training for this run as well. I'll meet them at the start line and then I'm on my own from there. This how this weight loss works too: some will finish sooner than others. This journey is not about how long it takes to reach your goal size - it's about reaching your goal size. This is not a race, but exercise will help you reach your goal sooner. Keep moving forward, stay committed, stay the course (on program), and you too will be a winner (reach your goal).

You don't have to run a marathon to lose weight, in fact you don't have to run at all, but exercise helps transform your mind and body. Find a form of exercise a part of your life helps tone your body. This is your journey and you get to choose what form of exercise works for you.