Losing weight is easy.  Keeping it off is the hard part.

I’m a compulsive overeater and food addict.  And a stress eater … and a boredom eater … and hey, while we’re at it, let’s throw emotional eater and “just-because-it’s-there” eater in there, too.  I tipped the scales at 237 in 2001, and at only 5’1”, that’s fat!  Over the past two decades, I have been on and off diets, losing anywhere from 30 to 80 lbs.  No matter how many successful starts I’ve had, something—a family crisis, my father’s death, a relational break-up, my bad attitude—has triggered a gradual drifting back to my old ways of living and eating. 

Anything worth having is worth working hard for, but I’m a lazy person.  However, I do realize that the only way my body is going to get where I need it to be is to do the necessary work to get it there.  In other words, eating healthy isn’t the only answer, I also need to exercise.  So what program could I implement that would fit my work schedule, personal life, and family demands, yet allow me to continue my healthy lifestyle?  Something my friends and family could support that would hold my interest, but also challenge me?

Running.

I contacted Tim Bergsten, whom I knew from my Fresh Ink journalism days.  Tim launched his own site, Pikes Peak Sports, a year ago, so if anyone knew a good starting point, he would.  I told him now that my Christmas Bahamas cruise was over, I was no longer motivated to continue losing weight.  I wanted to start an exercise program, and was considering running.  Did he know of a club or group that I could join where someone could mentor me so that I could train for a summer race?  He mentioned several groups, offered some great advice, and had this to say:

“Running is a worthy and beautiful pursuit that can provide a new set of physical, emotional and spiritual elements.”

His words encouraged me deeply.  Looks like I’m starting off on the “right foot.”

My journey won’t be perfect, but the plan is to NOT GIVE UP!