How far have you come? (Page 4)

Jan 2010 - 5 foot 10 306lb - morbidly obese, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol -  my doctor wanted to discuss weight loss surgery - at 42, I wanted nothing to do with that and asked for a year.

 Feb 2012 lost 100 lbs through diet and exercise and found a new sport I like - bike riding

My friends we trying to get into triathlons - part of my motto/creed in the weight loss journey was do hard stuff - so I signed up for my first sprint - and started training. Swimming was an eye opener for sure.

Completed my first sprint in April 2011, then another in June, another in July, and two more in Sept and Oct..And bought a road bike along the way

This year I have completed two sprints (well completed one, and DNF the other) with 6 more on the calendar - I really want to do an Oly soon if I can get into my schedule. Still kept the weight off and enjoy for most part the training.

I need races to keep things fresh and challenging - otherwise its just exercise and so boring.

That's amazing!  How awesome! 

Jenn and Deb, you girls are amazing!  Rock on! 

Wow man...awesome story.  Keep living the dream.  

These stories are truly remarkable and motivating.  

As a kid, I always hated running, but was a swimmer and an amateur cyclist.  I always dreamed of doing an Ironman, the Tour de France, and the Race Across America.  

At 39 - I had the roughest year of my life.  In a span of 10 months, I lost my job, my truck, my house, and my wife.  It was August of 2011, and my 40th B-day was quickly approaching.  Grandpa had his first heart attack in his 40's, Dad has his first heart attack in his 40's, and I was 30 lbs overweight, depressed, eating like crap and drinking to much.  But I was really good at hiding all of that.

Decided I was done moping around, and that I wasn't going to put my 10 year old son through me having a heart attack.  Started running.  Could not run 1 mile on a treadmill.  

Today I have only completed 2 10k's and 1 HM, and I am training for my first IM.  Last week for a training run, I ran 11 miles @ an 8:43 pace - and wasn't even tired!  I workout 2 times per day, do multiple bricks per week, and I am never sore the next day.  I love the way I feel. 

The best part is, this lifestyle has trickled over into my daily life.  I work harder now and procrastinate less.  I love it.  I can't believe I get such a high from running now.  

Can't wait for my future adventures.  

Hoping to motivate and teach others as well as raise money for charity by blogging about my story.  My blog is in my signature.  

Me 2003

Me 2004 first tri

Me 2008

First IM w/BTer encourager on the course

I've gained some weight with injury last 2 years....want to get back to ^^^

This thread has inspired me to get back to the discipline I have had for last 8 years

That's awesome Kathy!  Although that speedo is pretty inspiring! LOL 

I was at about 260lbs. at my heaviest... how you say?  Forgot about myself honestly... desk job, kids, family... working on a healthy balance now and really enjoying life. 

Pic of my beautiful wife and I at about my heaviest in Vegas, just got finished eating @ Magiano's

Recent pic of us @ Christmas party...

My story... well I started exercising and living a healthy lifestyle.  I created a new lifestyle for myself and I'm loving life!  My wife is getting into "mud" races and I'm extremely proud of her.  I love running with my lacrosse playing duaghter, softball stuff with my other daughter, raising money for autism with my sweat and racing in multi-sport events. 

I love my life! 

Seriously awesome and motivating pics.  It looks like 2 different couples in the pictures.

Funny that you quoted me... I just read your story and was thinking about how cool it was... just AWESOME!  Not the "stuff" but your reaction to it.  Ironman or bust.. love it. 

Thank you, I appreciate that.  

It is interesting how we all draw inspiration and motivation from different sources.  I love this thread and reading everyone else's stories - and seeing the pics.  

Nice to "meet" you...maybe our paths will cross at a future Ironman event.  I think there will be many more for me after the first.  I fear I may have caught "the bug"   

5'10"  285 lbs living a boring sedentary life not doing anything physical.  Started dieting and lost 40 lbs.  Saw Kona TV marathon on New Years Day and said I could do that.  Though no one else said I could, I felt I could.  That was 2008.

Currently, well still 5'10", but 170 lbs, finished 7 triathlons including sprints, Olympics, and a HIM.  Doing 7 more this year.  Have also won age group awards.  Next year is the full Ironman.

Every time I go for a 15 mile run or 80 mile bike ride or mile swim, I'm amazed by the fact that I can actually do this.  And when those distances get easier and easier, I push harder and longer and then get amazed that I can do those distances, which makes me want to go more.  Triathlon is one of those things that anyone can do as long as they dedicate themselves to doing it and work towards it.  It's a great challenge, and crossing the finish line is awesome, whether you're looking to win some hardware or just want to complete it.  

Reading this thread is highly motivating. I have come a long way weight wise, but only started training for Tri in February, and sometimes get frustrated at the pace of improvement my 47 years old body will accept. My goal was to do a Sprint and than eventually an Olympic. I used to say, no way I would go near anything connected to Iron Man level, just too old.

I no longer think that way, a thread like this shows not only how far many of us have come, but also how far many more of us can go.