Running my way to success!

Just wanted to share a super-positive change in my life.  I am 8 months post-surgery, and have been doing well overall, but since I started training for a 5K last month by adopting a running program every other day, my weight is dropping faster than since the first 2 months post-surgery!  Of course most of my "runs" are a combination of running and walking...I read that new runners are most frequently derailed by pushing too hard, so I try to push myself when it feels right (aka challenging but still fun) and ease up when I start hating what I'm doing.  But using an iPhone app called RunKeeper, I can track my pace and distance every time I go out and it's been very motivating.  And of course, 9 months ago I couldn't even imagine in my wildest dreams ever wanting to run!!!  I was just walking on a regular basis and one day felt like speeding things up.....

Best wishes to everyone on their respective journeys, and thanks for letting me share.  :)

- Erika

This is great!!!! Keep it up!!!!

Awesome! Keep up the great work!

That's fantastic!!  I can't wait to start running.  I mean, I hate running, but know how good it is for me so in that sense I can't wait.  :)  When did you start?  I'm afraid of starting too soon with too much weight stress on my knees and ankles.  I look forward to hearing about your successes!

I started in December just adding a little bit of running to my regular walk - maybe 30 seconds of running every so often, not much!  I think at that point I was around 190 pounds (and I am not tall, about 5'3"). When I started going regularly I did start to have some shin pain, but a friend suggested I stretch out my hamstrings and that has helped a lot.  

Huge congrats!!!  I have a healed broken ankle (a very severe injury with tons of metal and bolts in my right leg!), and I think I was told I will never run again, but it would be awesome if I could.

that is great!  I hope you keep posting about your running progress.  One of the things I would love to do once I am sleeved and have lost a great deal of weight is to start running.  I am too afraid to start now as my knees are in terrible shape.  But I really, really want to be a runner!