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January 1, 2005: I am exhausted! I have a new baby (Luke) who I love very much but who keeps me up all but about four hours a night. I have just spent the past three years on fertility drugs, intermittent bed rest, and pregnant. I am in the worst shape of my life and weigh only slightly less than I did at my peak two months ago. I decide that it has been too long since my marathon running days, and as a mom in her 30s, a thin fit body is no longer an option. I concede that the best I can hope for is to lose a few pounds. So, I start running. Actually, I start jogging at a pace so slow that walkers would leave me in the dust. After several weeks, a friend talks me into going to an exercise class on Saturday mornings at Fitness Layne. It starts at 6 am, which may sound insane, but I figure since I don’t sleep anyway, what the heck! Next thing I know I am meeting for personal sessions with one of the trainers (Terra) and she is developing an exercise program for me and helping me adjust my eating habits.
Fast forward to December 2005: I am still exhausted, but a lot has changed. Luke has been sleeping through the night for nearly 5 months, which has helped. I have lost approximately 40 pounds in the past 12 months and am in the best shape of my life. Although I only weigh about 5 pounds less than I did in my pre-pregnancy marathon running days, I am two sizes smaller than I was then. I ran close to 20 road races this year, including two half marathons, and set personal records at every distance I ran. I continue to work out at Fitness Layne, now on Saturdays and Tuesdays at 6 am. Most of all, I really do feel great. I have more energy overall and a more positive attitude.
People ask me all the time, “how do you do it?” My list of successful tips is long, but here are a few:
- I have a wonderful and supportive husband (Matt) who knows how important this is to me. We adjust our schedules to make sure each of us has time to work out. It’s a team effort.
- I also have a workout partner (Janet) who helps keep me going. It is hard to skip out on a workout when someone is waiting for you. It is also great bonding time with a friend and a great support.
- I make fitness a priority. I make sacrifices to workout so I don’t have to give up family time.
- Variety. I credit the my training at Fitness Layne with significant improvement my fitness.
- Finally, I need to have a tangible and realistic goals to work towards. This year it was the two half marathons, next year, the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati!
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