Tedy's Team Group Run - 10 Miles

The FINAL "Riverside Run" took place today and I had a special guest ...

my friend Christina! She is running with the John Hancock team and couldn't make their long run on Sunday so she joined us. It was great. I was able to catch up with her to see how she faired at the Black Cat 20-miler last weekend! :)

We had a heat wave in Boston this morning with temps in the high 30s! Hollah! I really didn't know how to dress. I stood staring at my vast collection of running garb this morning debating what to wear and what not to wear. I opted for a headband rather than hat, Team Chocolate Milk jacket, short sleeve shirt underneath - which meant no Under Armour, capris and my Superman socks.

Now I know I said I would wear calf sleeves for all my runs after the 20-miler last week, but I felt with 10 I would be safe in my Superman socks. I needed the extra pep in my step of wearing them today. They make me so happy. Plus later on you will see why the choice paid off. ;)

We all stretched at Joint Ventures in Kenmore Square and at 8am we headed to the T (train). It was nice to catch up with Nancy, Cristina and Christina. I missed the first two last week - we run together every week.

It was bittersweet to get to the Riverside stop on the train. It would be our final training run here, which means the marathon is nearing!! :P

I made my final venture to the dingy, but life-saving bathroom at the train stop ... and we were off!

It was awesome to be back with the crew and to have that crazy orb in the sky that many call - the Sun. It made it feel like it was 50 degrees out. I welcomed the warmth.

I really tried to take in the scenery of the run. The first mile or so is through a neighborhood before we are plopped out on to the marathon course.

Mile 1: 9:32 Mile 2: 9:04

Every week the guys from the Newton Firehouse were out offering up water and snacks to the runners. Today I finally remembered to snap a pic. It was a great sight seeing them out clapping for us and manning their own aid station. Plus, this spot was at the start at Heartbreak Hill so it was a great little boost to the spirit.

Like my drive-by/creeper pics as I ran? :P

Mile 3: 9:08 Mile 4: 8:52

I felt good on the rolling hills today. I kept thinking how the extra time on the bike trainer is really paying off. It is making my legs stronger without beating the body up like running does. I had to scale the running back this week because of those pesky blisters from the 20-miler so the bike trainer was my savior.

I love seeing this sign plus the amazing water stop guru Margaret every week. After bidding farewell to our lovely volunteers, it was time to catch up with Nanci and Christina to see how he run was going. This was Christina's first experience with the rolling hills of Heartbreak so it was great to hear her thoughts.

Now as I continued on, I heard "Hey Dani" to my right. It was a blog reader Jamie. How did she recognize me?? By these awesome socks! :)

Thanks Jamie for saying hi and good luck with your marathon training with Girls On The Run! Right after we parted ways I finally had my first gorilla sighting of the training season.

I love seeing Bill the Gorilla from the Heartbreak Hill Running Company. I always stop for a pic with him when on the course. A fun long-run tradition! :)

I saw Nanci and Cristina again after I stopped for my picture so we chatted before the final hump of Heartbreak. I was ready to "make it my B&^%ch" as usual so I tried to power over it.

Mile 5: 9:36 Mile 6: 9:05

And just like that the rolling hills were done. Another meeting with Heartbreak Hill was in the books. Still no matter how many times I train on it - it is way different on Race Day! The crowds and the 16-miles prior to it all play into the experience.

I did a check-in with myself and was feeling strong. My toes were slightly sore which can be expected with the blisters, etc. But with the hills over I was ready to release the legs for the final four miles. I wanted to see what I had left in the tank.

And you know what I had? Some sweet negative splits!! Don't they look pretty?

Mile 7: 8:47 Mile 8: 8:39 Mile 9: 8:26 Mile 10: 8:15

I opted to run music free. I was having fun chatting with teammates when they were near me and waving/saying hi to a ton of friends and blog readers along the course. I really love seeing familiar faces out training. Plus I had fun remembering which charities they were putting those miles in for and thinking about the thousands of dollars going to good causes one mile at a time today!!

Technically today's run is 10.2 miles long so I stop at 10 and take the last 0.2 as a nice cool down walk. Stretch out the legs, etc. Once back at Joint Ventures, I made sure to use the foam rollers and stretch everything out.

After saying bye to everyone it was time to head home, shower, snuggle the pups, throw on my Zensah compression socks and work on my recap (hello recap!).

But now I am heading to see some of my favorite folks in Maine. So until next week's 18-miler folks...

***

Week 13 Workouts:

Sunday, March 2: 30-minute bike trainer session

Monday, March 3: 1.1-mile run and Spin Class (56 minutes)

Tuesday, March 4: 30-minute bike trainer session

Wednesday, March 5: REST DAY

Thursday, March 6: REST DAY

Friday, March 7: 45-minute bike trainer session

Saturday, March 8: 10 mile group run

***

Looking To Donate

Are you interested in helping to fight Stroke? Please feel free to click on the link HERE to share a donation. Wondering how much? How about $10 in honor of the 10 miles I ran today with Tedy’s Team?

My New Race Ragz Shirt & A #Giveaway!

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

Do you love hearing people cheer your name during a race?

Would you love a way to let folks know your blog name or about a charity you are working for?

Just want a personalized t-shirt to rock?

Well, I'm ready to help.

Say hello to My Race Ragz!

I made my first purchase with Race Ragz in late 2011 for a half marathon I was doing in January 2012. I ran the F^3 Half Marathon in Chicago in honor of the Dempster Foundation.

I had a great time designing the shirt through their website. I raised over $3000 for the Dempster Foundation before that race so I made sure to honor my top donors on the back as well as the person I was running for - Mile 13 for Riley. :)

Can you all see I've been using/loving the "Finish What You Started" mantra for awhile now?

So when I was offered the chance to design another shirt with Race Ragz through the Sweatpink community, I jumped on the chance (value $32).

For this shirt, I wanted to showcase my blog.

The process was simple as I:

*headed to MyRaceRagz.com

*clicked on the create button

*selected the type of shirt (I chose the women's endurance race tee in XL. I heard from another blogger that they ran small)

*chose "customized shirt"

*designed the shirt by uploading graphics and adding text to both the front and back of the tee

The whole process took about 10 minutes since I already had my logo ready to go. Obviously, the activity could take longer if you are playing around with different graphics and text, but that is the fun part. Right? You want it just right!

So you want to see the finished product in action? Here it is.

Front

Back

The shirt is the tech material so I can't wait to show it off at the gym and during my races ... as soon as the weather warms up of course. I am glad I went a size bigger so it is nice and loose - just the way I like it.

Delivery took 4-5 days, which included a weekend. The turnaround time and quality is top notch.

Now if you aren't feeling overly crafty or getting overwhelmed with the possibilities, Race Ragz has designs on the site that you can choose to put on a shirt.

***

Let's get to the part you are waiting for ... the giveaway!! Race Ragz is giving YOU the chance to design YOUR own shirt! Woo!

So here’s how to enter:

The giveaway will run from Sunday March 2 (6pm ET) through Friday March 7 (6pm ET)!

The winner will be selected and announced on Friday!

What If Everybody Ran?

The Macarena.

Beanie Babies.

Boy Bands - especially NKOTB!

***

You may be wondering where I'm going with all this... besides to one AWESOME place!

What do those three things have in common?

You have any idea?

You too busy singing Hangin' Tough? I know - my bad!

These three things were all national movements ... at least in my opinion!

They are crazes that shook the Nation and spread joy and lifted spirits throughout the land.

So what will be the next movement to riase the Nation's spirits...

... could it be running?

Let's find out!

Mizuno USA teamed up with  the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School for an in-depth statistical analysis. UNC's job?

Simple. Explore the question: "What if everybody ran?"

The UNC Research Team poured over extensive academic and scientific studies and used stats from the US Census Bureau for their calculations.

Did you know the US Census Bureau estimates that of the 320 million Americans - 270 could realistically be converted to regular runners? I had no idea!

Now the math nerd in me loves hearing about the calculations and stats, but I know not everyone is as cool as me. ;) So we will get to the good stuff.

Buuuut, before looking at the official results, I know my life has improved ten-fold since welcoming running into it. I fought running for so long and now I can't imagine my life without it ... It picks me up when I am down. It allows me to push myself outside my comfort zone. It gives me freedom. It's there for me when no one else is. It shows up rain or shine. It's helped to give me purpose.

Okay Okay Okay here are the official results!

***

If Everybody Ran, there would be:

*37 percent more smiles!

*29.3 million happier marriages

*63 million happier dogs (based on increased walks/runs)

*Increased average life expectancy of 6.2 years in men and 5.6 years in women.

***

So what are we all waiting for?

What if everybody ran? Share your thoughts on social media using hashtag: #IfEverybodyRan

Dani Dishes 3-3-14

On this episode of Dani Dishes, it's time to play catch up with all the changes happening in life: running, blogging and a new job!

Monday Musings: Black Cat 20-Miler, Blue Trailer & Ordinary Runner Holder Giveaway

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats Laurel!

***

Do you need some motivation on this Monday????

BAM! The exact words I need to read/see regularly or just have tattooed on my body to remind me why I started my running/weightloss journey. I hope it gives you a little strength for whatever you have to do, conquer or face this week.

***

I needed these four words as I prepare to take on the Black Cat 20-Miler on Saturday.

On one hand, I am nervous to tackle my first 20-mile training run since March 2013. On the other, I remind myself that I completed the amazing Dopey Challenge in January (4 races, 4 days, 48.6 miles) so a 20-mile training run shouldn't be so nerve-wracking.

Additionally, I did run 17.4 miles last Saturday (February 15) with Tedy's Team and it was a pain-free experience.

No matter the rationalization that goes on in my head ... I still get a little anxious before such a big run. Especially when I will be taking on the challenge alone. No this isn't a road race for one :P but I mean I won't be surrounded by the members of Tedy's Team. In Disney, I was also distracted from the miles by the characters, parks and the general excitement of the Dopey Challenge.

But, on Saturday, I will battle the mental demons that haunt me during a solo long run. This WILL be a good test of my mental strength and how important my music playlist selection will be. ;)

How will I prepare in the days leading up to the 20-miler though? Strategically. I do NOT want to head into Saturday on tired legs, which means this week will be a combination of running, biking, swimming and yoga.

Since this is the first of two 20-mile training runs, I will use it as a test of my strategy. Everything is a learning experience and can only improve my training plans.

*Potential* Game Plan:

Sunday: 1.5 hour bike trainer session and 6 mile walk with my wife Monday: Run and Spin Tuesday: Swim and Run Wednesday: Yoga Thursday: Rest Friday: Bike

That is what I have for now so we will see how it goes, while I start a new job this week. Either way I think I will be rested, yet prepared for Saturday's 20-Miler. The biggest hurdle will be NOT getting swept up in the "race" atmosphere of the race. Thankfully many of my recent races have been used as training runs so I am getting better at blocking out the runners around me.

AND getting over the mental part of doing a 10-mile loop twice. There will be runners finishing while I head out on a second loop. Sometimes seeing the Finish Line during a race can take me out of my plan, but I won't let that happen Saturday!

***

Do you worry about keeping your belongings at bag check? How about in your car while you try to race? Or you bribe a friend, parent or relative to be your "pack mule" and hold everything you own?

I've answered "yes" to all three.

So I am looking forward to testing out the new locker system put on by Blue Trailer at the Black Cat race on Saturday.

Molly, the founder of Blue Trailer, provided me with some helpful information about locker rentals:

- $5 for a small locker (6"x6"x9), $10 for a large locker (12"x12"x12")

- Rent online in advance or in person with cash or credit

- The staff will give you a key to your locker, which you can access it anytime until the end of the event. When you're done, just lock up and drop your key in the key drop

- If you don't have a pocket, the staff will have elastics or safety pins for your keys. If you'd prefer, Blue Trailer can keep the key for you while you run.

- The trailer will be monitored at all times to make sure your stuff is kept safe!

If you will be running the Black Cat 10 or 20-miler on Saturday and want to try out the Blue Trailer lockers (you know I will be), please sign up online (here) and use code WEIGHTOFF to receive 20% off your order!! Go run ... Do it ... I'll wait!

<<groovin' to elevator muzak>>

All set?

Sweet.

I look forward to seeing you there!

***

Now, I need a place to show off the bling I will earn after Saturday's Black Cat 20-miler. You KNOW I can't leave my medals hidden in a drawer or piling up in a shoebox.

Interestingly enough, Ordinary Runner stepped in to fill my void. Becki, owner of Ordinary Runner, produces and sells race medal holders ($20-27) and bib holders ($20-23) on Etsy.com.

She offered to produce this masterpiece for me (value $25). Isn't it pretty? I was able to choose the phrase (from a certain list she provided), the background color, as well as the finish of the knobs. I loved being able to personalize the wood rack. (haha rack)

The wooden holder was easy to mount on the wall - just needed the two nails included. Simple enough even I could handle it... but I let the wife feel needed and had her hang it. ;)

How awesome does it look? While waiting for my Black Cat medal, I decided to show off my Boston Athletic Association bling in the meantime. I can't handle leaving a medal holder empty.

Becki gave me the tip to fold the tops of the ribbons to help them better sit on the knobs. It was a helpful tip, which kept the medals from falling off during transport from couch to wall. :)

Now comes the fun part. Becki has graciously offered to give one lucky reader their very own medal holder!! Woo!!

So here’s how to enter:

The giveaway will run from Monday February 24 (8am ET) through Friday February 28 (5pm ET)!

The winner will be selected and announced on Friday!

Three Things Thursday

Here's a little running edition of Three Things Thursday!

***

First up ... Oofos Sandals

I was wicked excited when Oofos contacted me to test out their sandals (value $39.95). One because I love to try new things and two...

...I love my flip flops post race! But I find they lack in the support my feet need after hitting the pavement for a race. The Oofos sandals offer the support my feet - especially the arch - need thanks to their OOfoam.

Technical advantages of OOfoam™ over traditional cushioning materials:

• Significantly more comfort, cushioning and natural articulation
• 37% more impact absorption
• Longer lasting support and cushioning
• Arch support for most foot-types
• Durable wear
• Machine washable

I took these out for a Spin after my 17.4 miler and 10 miler. My feet really felt like they were walking on clouds (and I don't use that term loosely).

I really like the fact that I could put my Zensah compression socks on after the run and then easily slip my feet into these sandals. Double the recovery help and double the comfort. It really was a great combination.

Oofos offers three different types of shoes: the original (regular flip flops with the toe divider) in NINE different colors, the slide (which I tried) in two different colors and the OOClog (which you can figure out is a clog) in two different colors (clog is $49.95). So the variety is there depending on your dress, style or comfort level.

Many readers saw my posts on Instagram and Facebook already and asked my true thoughts on these sandals. And the verdict is in...

I would buy them to rock post-long run!

I can't wait to try them out in the summer months especially when I usually hit the beach for the day after a morning run.

Thanks OOfos for letting me try these sweet sandals.

***

Numero Dos: KIND Snacks

There’s healthy. There’s tasty. Then there’s healthy and tasty. At KIND, we believe you deserve both—we call it our brAND philosophy. That’s why you’ll find all of our snacks are pretty much the nirvana of healthful tastiness. What began with just 8 bar varieties in 2004 has grown to over 22 bars and 6 Healthy Grains snackable clusters, and a multitude of new recipes being perfected and refined to our standards in the KIND kitchen.

Well KIND snacks pretty much sold me with that introduction to their company.

KIND snacks has been around since 2004, but didn’t enter my radar until last summer. Yes I know I am behind the times. What else is new? 

I kept seeing their product at local races. Now, I am ALL about the free products at a race so I would pick one up and not really think anything about it I did a giveaway with KIND last August. They sent me a whole goodie bag of flavors so I was really able to try them in all different fueling capacities.

So I am often asked what do I do when I am traveling for a race, I can't necessarily make my usual egg whites, wheat toast and peanut butter concoction I do when I am at home.

Enter KIND Snack bars.

Personally I need to eat an hour before a race then nothing else (besides ENERGYBits) until I am done. A thing with my body. Soooo when traveling, I throw one of these bars (5-6 PPV on Weight Watchers) into my bag and I enjoy usually one that has chocolate or peanut butter in it (it's like a treat at 5am) one hour before the Start while I am stretching, etc.

I appreciate what KIND stands for as a company and I like that I can read all of the ingredients in their product. Now, I know some people need more before a race and everyone is different, but for me - this packs the punch I need.

I've also found if I cut them up in advance and put them in a little baggy, it is the perfect fuel while on the bike. Easy to eat, enjoyable and gives me the extra push I need. The trick is cutting it up ahead of time. I am still new to the bike so I haven't mastered tearing open the container and biking at the same time ... yet!

***

And last, but certainly not least... Fitsnap App!

 

I think folks have noticed on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram fitness posts a new look. They are jazzed up and that is thanks to the Fitsnap App.

FitSnap is an iPhone app that creates inspirational pictures from your workouts & activities. Add your workout information on top of your photos to create beautiful images to share with your friends on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.

It's as simple as that!

They have a great drop down menu full of different activities you can use:

You an fill in your duration of the activity, how far you went (if you know) and then you can add a little snippet about how it went (this might be my favorite part).

They even have a whole list of specific yoga poses on the app.

Once you input the information, you then choose the layout of the overlay by swiping left and right. After that is picked, you can choose a filter to dress up or dress down your picture. Then it is saving to your phone and you are off!

The basic Fitsnap app is free, but you can make "in-app purchases" to give you additional Fitsnap themes for 99 cents each. The additional themes are: Half Marathon and Marathon. I'm excited to try those two out in the coming months! :)

So if you are looking to jazz up those post-run selfies or you just need another iPhone app, I highly recommend Fitsnap.

Oh and tell 'em IrishEyes1982 sent ya. ;)

Dani Dishes 2-24-14

On this episode of Dani Dishes, I am bringing to light National Eating Disorder Awareness week and my own battles with eating disorders. KNOW you are not alone. I am reachable if you need help: dani@weightoffmyshoulders.com!

Tedy’s Team Group Run – 10 Miles

And on February 22nd the weather gods shined down on Boston and said: "Thou shall enjoy a special Saturday with highs of 50 degrees." And the Boston Marathon runners REJOICED!

That's right folks. After battling snow, rain, sleet and  negative degree temps, we got some nice weather for a change.

And I freaked. What the heck am I supposed to wear?

***

I leaped out of bed as my alarm shrilled at 6:30am as I still hadn't planned on what to wear. I knew it would be a high of 50, but that didn't mean it would be 50 when our run began at 8am! :P

I settled on a fitting Today's Miles shirt. I mean if the training plan AND the shirt said I was supposed to run 10 then I would. Right? Plus, it was a nice lightweight long-sleeved wicking t-shirt so I thought it would be perfect time to test it out.

Egg Whites, Wheat Toast, Peanut Butter

I put together a quick, but satisfying breakfast before my ride got to my house. All for only 5 Weight Watchers Points to boot. Of course, I took my ENERGYBits as well. I needed the extra boost and it is the best vitamin I can find.

(Interested in purchasing ENERGYBits, use code WEIGHTOFFMYSHOULDERS for 25% off your order)

After a catch-up session in the car with my Tedy's Team running mates, we were at Joint Ventures in Kenmore Square stretching. On the "Riverside runs," which was taking place today, we take the train to the Riverside stop on the Green Line and run the 10 miles back to Kenmore Square. It is a long train ride or rather feels long while you are on there. But the run gives you yet another attempt at Heartbreak Hill.

Thank goodness the Riverside train station has a bathroom. We know I have the bladder of a child so it comes in wicked handy. After a pit stop, Cristina, Nanci and I got this party started.

We got into our rhythm of running and chatting. You really get to know your teammates thanks to Facebook and countless hours pounding pavement together.

I was definitely recognizing that the first mile of this training run is always a warm-up. Reason being - besides the obvious - is the time between the stretching at Joint Venture and the actual time we start running. You can get a little cold while taking the train to the start of the run so the first mile is a time to wake the legs back up.

Oh and did I mention we kick that first mile off on a hill. Yay! :P

Mile 1: 9:39

But once that first mile is behind you, you are back in your groove. We complete about three miles before we show up at the beginning of Heartbreak Hill, which for those that don't remember is a series of rolling hills through Newton. The hills themselves aren't that bad it is the position they come in the Boston Marathon that takes the toll on your legs.

We have been greeted the past few weeks at the beginning of Heartbreak by the Newton Firefighters offering water and snacks outside their firehouse. I will be sure to snap a pic next time I see them. Such an amazing outpouring of support!

Mile 2: 9:03 Mile 3: 9:09 Mile 4: 9:07

The sun was certainly shining today, which made the course seem warmer than it actually was. We know on the 10-miler that we have two water stops to check out.

Can you tell I get a little excited when I spot Margaret at the water stop?

Today was especially meaningful because I got to give her the Stop Stroke Shuffle 5k medal she earned last week. :)

We took in the scene as a film crew drove past following a runner training for - I assume - Boston Marathon. After a little Gatorade and water, it was time to get back to the hills. I set out with Cristina (who is a Boston Qualifier) to pick her brain on how to attack the next week's worth of workouts as I prepare for March 1st's 20-miler. I love hearing the training methods of other folks - especially speedier runners - for possible ideas.

Mile 5: 9:45 Mile 6: 9:04

I always take an extra breathe as we look up at the final hill of Heartbreak. It is the most daunting. I uttered my normal: "I'm ready to make you my b^&*ch" statement and set to work. Something was different today, my legs felt strong and I barreled up the hill. Okay barreling might be an exaggeration, but I definitely made it up the hill faster than usual. Oh and I felt stronger. During the trek up, I was thinking how much stronger my legs felt and thinking all that biking I am now doing might just be paying off. :P

Few things can top the feeling you have getting to the top of the final hill of Heartbreak. You really know that the final 4-ish miles will be a true breeze.

Mile 7: 8:26 Mile 8: 8:27 Mile 9: 8:49

And by looking at my splits you can tell they are pretty darn flat. My legs felt nice and fresh today. I was talking to Cristina and Nanci today about my experience with the Runner's World Running Streak (#RWRunStreak) I participated in at the end of 2013. A Run Streak means you run at least 1 mile a day for x amount of days (set by you are the host depending). I loved doing it, but think it took a toll on my body. Not sure I am built for running every single day.

Now that I am back to running, biking, yoga and swimming, I feel more balanced and I think my legs are really benefitting.

At Mile 9.26, I spotted the familiar water stop hosted by the amazing folks at Blue Trailer (which I will talk more about on Monday). They always have great snacks and signs.

Can you tell we ALL appreciated the weather?

Today their crew was triple the norm so it was like hitting the scream tunnel at Wellesley on Marathon Monday. There was high-fiving, cheering and of course kissing ... oh wait, scratch the last part. That is a Wellesley only thing! After chatting with Molly (owner of Blue Trailer) briefly, I finished up the final 1/4 of a mile.

Mile 10: 8:28

I was probably 0.2 miles from Joint Ventures, but decided to take that last stretch as a nice cooldown walk. I was okay skipping the last 0.2 miles today since I walked with someone instead.

Back-to-back 9 min/mile pace long runs

Overall, the run felt amazing. At the beginning I was dreading it, I think I always feel that way after the extra train ride. However, once we got out on the course, the tune changed.

Plus, I was rocking my unicorn socks. Yes those are rainbows coming out of their bums.

I honestly forget what I am wearing while running so I was wondering why I was getting so many quizzical looks today ... the socks! :)

We foam rolled, stretched and called it a day. I had to get home to refuel anyway: water, low-fat chocolate milk and Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee. In that order!

Next week I will miss the Tedy's Team 16-18 mile group run since I will be running the Black Cat 20-miler in Salem. Will anyone else be there?

***

Week 11 Workouts:

Sunday, February 16: 30-minute bike trainer session

Monday, February 17: Spin Class (47 minutes)

Tuesday, February 18: 5-mile run and 45-minute bike trainer session

Wednesday, February 19: Hill Repeats (2.6 miles), 30-minute Stairmaster and 62-minute Yoga

Thursday, February 20: REST DAY

Friday, February 21: 60-minute bike trainer session

Saturday, February 22: 10 mile group run

***

Looking To Donate

Are you interested in helping to fight Stroke? Please feel free to click on the link HERE to share a donation. Wondering how much? How about $10 in honor of the 10 miles I ran today with Tedy’s Team?

Dani Dishes 2-17-14

On this episode of Dani Dishes, I am looking for help with self-love, self-acceptance and self-forgiveness. Check it out and offer up any suggestions you may have!!

*GUEST POST* Never Say Never... By Suzi Storm

Regaining weight after hitting goal or getting close to goal is something I get asked about often. Thankfully, I do not have first-hand experience with gaining weight back (besides after healing from my eating disorders - which isn't the same). Soooo I asked my dear friend Suzi (aka Suzi Storm) to share her story about regaining weight after hitting her goal weight and starting the weight loss journey all over again!!

Suzi & I at her wedding in June 2013

Take it away Suzi!

***

Never Say Never…

Dani is a friend that is near and dear to my heart. So when she asked me if I would be interested in writing a guest post I said “hell yeah”…

So if the title didn’t give it away already…this is a post about where I come out…for my love of Justin Bieber.

Just kidding.  ‘Never say never’ is his song right?! Otherwise this post is already heading in a horrible direction.

My “success” story in a nutshell…I lost 101 lbs following the Weight Watchers program in 2010.  In 2011 my life went on the wildest rollercoaster that I have yet to experience in my 30 years on this planet. It kind of goes like this…go to NYC to do a success story shoot for Weight Watchers Online…get chosen to go to Chicago to be on Oprah & be one of the 100 people who have lost 100 lbs or more for her very last weight loss episode...do numerous amounts of local news and newspaper interviews who want to display my story…get chosen to be featured in the Weight Watchers Winter/Spring ‘Believe’ campaign & go on to be featured in magazines along with having numerous television commercials…am asked to contribute my story and have my very own little section in former Weight Watchers CEO David Kirchhoff’s book ‘Man Meets Scale’.  Oh and within this year I would go to Boston to train and become a Weight Watchers meeting leader not once…but twice (well I didn’t train twice, I just was a leader for a few months, stopped, then became a leader again…and stopped).

That literally happened all in ONE YEAR!! Oh and did I mention that I made Lifetime (that’s when you have hit your goal weight and maintained it for 6 weeks) on December 23^rd 2010…and in January I was off to NYC…pretty much all of the events I mentioned above were spaced out within a few months of each other.

When you lose weight, no matter the amount, the questions are generally all the same.  “How did you do it?” “How long did it take you?” “What was your AHA moment?” “How do you feel about yourself now?”…

In mostly all of my interviews I used to say “I will NEVER go back to being THAT person again!!”  Before losing the weight I was depressed, angry, and hated myself every day for the choices I was making…of course I thought I would never go back to being THAT person again!! I was a size 6 and feeling AMAZING!! And did I mention all the cool shit I got to do?!

I will never be THAT person ever again…what a naïve thing to say. Because guess what…it’s 2014 and I am THAT person again. Did I *want* to end up back in this situation? Did I *want* to repeat the whole weight loss journey again? Hell no!! Who ever wishes for stuff like that?! But sometimes we lose control and sometimes we are so lost that we can't grab a hold of ourselves until we are hanging out with George Clooney & Sandra Bullock in space. Never say never, because you never know what will happen.

I have gained all of my weight back, plus another 30 lbs. I am officially the heaviest I have ever been in my life. I even had to be put on blood pressure medication and last year I thought I was having a heart attack and had to be hospitalized.  Come to find out, it was just a panic attack.  Something that was happening often and I had to be put an anxiety medications.

I didn’t *feel* anxious per say.  But when I think about it now I guess I did have a lot of anxiety. I feared going to public places where I might run into someone who saw me when I was at my goal weight.  I dreaded seeing family members who hadn’t seen me in a few months.  See, I gained the weight back very quickly.  After I ran my first (and to date my only) marathon in October of 2011 I pretty much stopped running.  Then I started drinking more (Beer is my poison and my most tempted lover) which of course lead to eating more…which lead to more hangovers, which lead to less movement, which lead me back into my couch with my sweats on and a beer in my hand…the same exact picture of the girl I said I would never be again.

See, I never got to just *BE* with my new body. Losing weight is hard and is a transformation for anyone but losing 100 lbs is some serious life changing stuff, and I am not talking because of all the amazing experiences I got to have but I am talking about your body. Your physical body and your mental state…they take a dramatic change. And I never really got to understand that until it was too late.

I think around spring of 2012 was when I really fell back in the hole. I was up about 30 lbs so you would think I would’ve stopped there, but my self-hatred for those 30 regained lbs ate me and ate me and I just continued to drink and eat and drink and eat and drink and eat. Everyday I would ask myself “How in thee f*ck did I get back here?!”  But that wouldn’t stop me. Sad part is, this wasn’t the first time I had gained weight back. Years prior I had lost 55 lbs on the program. I didn’t hit goal weight. I didn’t even have one set. But I was pretty close to a healthy weight and felt great. But then I had gained that back plus another 50 lbs.

So here I am now…2014 and at my highest weight yet.  Do I give up?? Do I throw in the towel and believe that I can’t lose weight and successfully keep it off for more than a year and half at a time?? HELL NO!!!!

I got married last June and it was the happiest time of my life. But aside from my wonderful marriage (& I must say that I am so lucky to have a husband who has loved me & has supported me no matter what)…I have been living in my own personal hell over the past year.  My drinking might be the worst it has ever been and it has forced me to look at my patterns and my habits. This is something I am still seeking answers to and not something I am ready to publicly share until I come to peace with it myself.

And my food intake?? If it’s cheesy and bad for me, well then I will put it in my body.  Sure, every now and then I get these so-called AHA moments (I always hated this question and I think that I now truly believe that there is no one AHA moment) and I start to track my food again and count my points…this usually lasts for a week or two but then I am right back into my old, disgusting habits again. And my exercise??  I sign up for races and then never train again to them. I went from running ½ marathons and a marathon to not even being able to run a ¼ mile straight.

Something over the past few weeks has changed though.  I don’t know if I am just, as they say, sick and tired and of being sick and tired. But I have really been taking a good look over the past 8-9 years of my life to try to see what the patterns are…what the triggers are.  I think I have figured some of them out.  Others, well they are a work in progress.  I never did this before though. It was just about weight and unhappiness. I knew I had bad eating and drinking habits but I think that my mental thought was “well if I track them they are OK.” That’s not always the case.

But one thing is for sure…I will NEVER give up!! I may fall and I may fall really ‘effing hard, but I will always try to get back up. It’s not easy.  Especially since all I want to do is get back to being healthy and fit again.  But I have to try to keep learning to be patient with myself.  Change never happens over night.  And even though I have learned SO many valuable lessons along the way about this journey, I still have many more to learn.  I have *so* much more to learn about myself. I’m not a quitter. I am a fighter.

You know what…I am NEVER going to be THAT girl again…I am going to be BETTER!!

Maybe you are or have been in this situation.  Maybe you are at your goal weight and struggling.  Or maybe you have maintained your weight for 10 years. Either way, we are all in this together. But we all have our own individual seats on this ride.  All we can do is scream and cheer for not only ourselves but for each other. Never give up and most importantly...never stop believing in yourself.

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Suzi can be found on Facebook and Twitter.