Today’s post is from Erica House, just an average girl who has done some spectacular things.
The thing that I love about Erica is that she has completely turned her life around in a very do-able, sustainable & health promoting way. Through simple changes in diet & exercise, she’s lost weight, became a marathon runner, & is now inspiring others to do the same.
I hope you’ll read her words & be inspired to set some new fitness goals & try things you never thought you could or would do.
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My Story: How I Quit Smoking and Lost Weight
Even though I run, a lot, I still struggle to identify myself as a runner.
It wasn’t that long ago that I was morbidly obese (according to my BMI) and the thought of running never entered my head. After I lost over 50 pounds by eating right and going to the gym a few times a week I started my blog.
Originally, I was going to use it as a way to get clients for the future personal trainer business I wanted to start. I figured I should at least be able to run a few miles as a trainer so two years ago I started running around my neighborhood.
Running was painful.
Even though I was at a healthy weight I felt like I was back in my old body; huffing and puffing and embarrassed about how slow I was.
I started with the Couch to 5k program, and after a few months was able to run my first 5k in about 37 minutes. I was elated! Shortly after that the relationship I was in ended and running became my therapy. I completed my first 5k race in October 2012, and my first marathon just over a year later in November 2013.
Now, I’m getting ready to train for my 3rd and 4th marathons before my first ultra, a 50k, in February 2015.
What can I say? I needed a lot of therapy!
Now, I can’t imagine my life without running. I’ve made so many friends through running with our local run store, and it’s given me a confidence I never would have had before.
There is something about crossing the finish line of a marathon that forever changes your perception of the phrase “I can’t do that.” When I decided to go for the 26.2 I wanted to set a goal so big it scared me, because I knew that true growth happens when you do something you thought was impossible.
Even if the thought of running makes you want to gag (one of my favorite mottos of running is ‘our sport is your sports punishment’) there is still some activity that you can embrace to help motivate you to make healthy choices.
Running has forced me to be more accountable with my nutrition choices.
I used to splurge after long runs and eat lots of sweet treats but now I think more about eating right to refuel my body to be a better runner (although I still enjoy my weekly frozen yogurt!). Always setting new goals helps me stay enthusiastic about working out and makes 5 a.m. runs a little more bearable.
From the girl who never thought she’d be able to make it to a 5k, but who is now training for a 50k, let me end with encouraging you to set a goal for yourself that gives you the nervous excited butterflies.
Those are the ones worth working toward, and the ones worth living for.
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More in the bring joy summer guest post series:
- How to Know if You May Be Suffering From Candida by Ricki Heller
- Raw Zucchini Noodles in a Creamy Dill Sauce by Emma Potts
- Breastfeeding in Public: Why the Current Debate Misses the Mark by Jenny Ramsey
- Apple Pie Popsicle Recipe by Leanne Vogel
- 5 Vegan Gluten Free Summer Recipes by Allyson Kramer
- How to Practice Active Transporation by Rachel Whipple
- The Problem With Body Hatred? It’s Boring. by Deja Earley
- Lost Art of Eating “In” by Lauren Cash
Erica House has her Masters in Psychology and has been teaching at the University level since 2007. She is certified as a Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine as well as a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor.
After quitting smoking and maintaining a 50 pound weight loss she became passionate about helping others on their journey to lifelong happiness and wellness.
Follow Erica: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Youtube
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