Last year I read a blog post about a woman who had taken up running. She did it as a way to lose weight and participated in numerous competitions. At the end of her first year doing it she wrote a post saying that she had only lost 30 lbs. Comments came in from readers, myself included, saying that 30 pounds was nothing to sneeze at; it was a big accomplishment. Her point though was that with all the training she was doing, she expected she would have lost a lot more.
Last week I ran into the instructor from a mommy and me class that I took with my younger son when he was a year old. She commented that I looked like I had lost a little weight. A year ago last month was when I began getting back into shape. I told her that I’ve lost 40 pounds this past year. She seemed very surprised. I couldn’t tell if it was because I didn’t look like I had lost that much or because she didn’t think I had that much to lose. I thought it was the former, but a friend of mine is convinced it was the latter. While talking to that friend, I admitted my frustration with my weight loss. I immediately thought back to that runner’s post. Yes, 40 pounds is an amazing accomplishment. Yes, I am pleased that I lost it, and it has been fun to compare photos from my younger son’s first birthday, June of 2007, to his second birthday last month.
However, I can understand where this blogger is coming from. I still have a little further (although thankfully not too much further) to go to attain the goal weight that my PCP and I have set for myself. When I think about how I’ve been training for triathlons since last fall, have competed in two, and have two more scheduled for the next couple of months, part of me feels I should look like superwoman. The magic of my orca wetsuit and my scary triathlon suit should bring supernatural powers that at the very least will allow me to look like I belong on the cover of Buns of Steel. Alright, at least like those superfit triathletes who surprise you by revealing that they’ve had a million and one kids. Sometimes I think of what it would be like for me to go to a weight loss program meeting like some of my friends attend:
Leader (L): Exercise is important. Are you making sure to get in some exercise every day?
Alex Elliot (AE): Why yes. I’ve been doing a little exercise.
L: So maybe you can work your way up from light walking to speed walking.
AE: Actually I’ve begun competing in triathlons and have been working out on a regular basis for 13 months now.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to down play my weight loss or fish for compliments. I know that weight loss takes time. I also know muscle weighs more than fat, and I do weight training twice a week in addition to my cardio. I further realize that the longer it takes, the more likely you are to keep it off. I just didn’t realize that it would take over a year. Who knows…it may take me a full two. I just have one serious question: What the heck happened to my 16 year-old metabolism? If someone sees her, could you please send me an email? I’ll send you a big slice of chocolate cake in return. Hey, on second thought I’ll make that a full chocolate cake.
by Alex Elliot
Photo graciously provided by timtak, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
2 responses so far ↓
Anita B // Jul 12, 2008 at 8:00 am
Before I was in a car accident in April, I had been training for a marathon that was in the middle of May. I had been training since August of last year and, in that time (August through May), I had lost 30 lbs. My goal was 100 lbs, however, because I had gained quite a bit after I got married and while I was pregnant. After the accident, I have gained back about 10 lbs (I’m fine now, just was forbidden to do anything but swim laps for a while) but am now doing the elliptical and lifting weights for a while. I’m still not permitted to run, but I’ve found that, having the pressure off, I’m actually doing better at losing the weight. That’s because, during training, I had one set of rules for eating and now, I have another. Also, yes, muscle weighs more than fat. My goal right now is 80 lbs and to run a marathon by the time I turn 35 (I’m 33). Although I still can’t run right now, I’m going to focus on the weight loss first, then the marathon. I know you’ve already been racing in your triathalons (a might feat for anyone), but be patient! Also, your body has a way of telling you what your weight should be and it changes throughout your life. If you keep doing what you’re doing I’m sure that you’ll lose more weight, but don’t be so discouraged if those last 10 lbs are so difficult-your body is trying desperately to hang on to them! Just make sure you like your body and you’ll be fine!
Debbie // Jul 23, 2008 at 8:41 am
I am so glad that this is a topic. I have always been overweight, some times more than at others, and now I’m working as well as I can to get off 30 more pounds (having lost 40). I do weights and cardio and eat carefully; was heartbroken when the weights put on 10 lbs seemingly overnight. (I’m smaller but heavier than I was before!) For me, the hard part is exhaustion: when I’m short on sleep, I’m hungry ALL the time, which makes me stupid and cranky. I’m okay with stupid and cranky when I’m alone, but not when I’m keeping track of my 4- and 5-year-old.
Anyway, thanks for bringing up the topic. I have nothing intelligent to add.
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