Running Injuries, Stress, Weight Gain, and Going Back to What Works for Me

After being so inspired by all of the amazing people that I am following on twitter (especially Healthy Diva AKA Tasha Malcolm) I thought that I would be able to get my butt in gear...I did not not 100%. I started hitting the gym regularly and even trying new things (yoga) BUT when it came to food and beverages I was a mess. I guess I should go back to where it all started.

Last fall I was at my goal weight after joining Weight Watchers (WW). I was feeling great and I beat my previous half marathon by 7 minutes. I was so excited and I realized that as much as I loved running 1/2 marathons I wanted to try for more. I wanted to be able to upgrade my 13.1 sticker to a 26.2 and I was thinking it needed to be pink.

I pretty much stopped using WW because I was where I wanted to be weight/clothing size and I figured that I would be able to regulate myself. I was so wrong. I put on a few pounds over the winter but my fiance' (Scott) had said he wanted me to weigh a little bit more because he thought my goal weight was too thin and so I didn't worry about it. Once our Marathon training started I wasn't worried about using WW because I was running all of the time. Training was hard but I was really proud of myself and my running partner Jen. Disaster struck at week 15 while I was on my 20 mile run.

At mile 16 of 20 my knee pain (combination of IT band and inner knee pain) was so bad that I literally couldn't run, even walking was a challenge. I was crushed and I still had a few miles back to the car. Luckily,  Jen's step dad, Clint, was riding his bike along side of us. He offered to run the last few miles back to the car and let me ride his bike. I was very grateful.

To make a long story short I started going to Physical Therapy. I was not able to run the Eugene Marathon. I had to settle for the half and my time wasn't great. I had to walk/run the last few miles but I finished. My awesome friends Tasha and Jen were able to run the 26.2 I was both proud of them and a little jealous. I had trained for the full and I wanted it. Bad.

I was registered for three 1/2's in the upcoming months and I completed all of them but it wasn't great. Hippie Chick was the week before Portland Rock and Roll and it had gone OK and so I thought I was ready to run the very next week. I wasn't. My knee started hurting at mile 1 of Portland Rock and Roll half I had to Wog (walk/jog) the whole thing. Seriously miserable. I hated my knee. I wanted to quit but I had registered for Helvetia in June and I was going to do it. Again, I finished but my time was bad. I had to Wog the last few miles. I have still been going to PT and my knee is improving but I am not back to normal yet.

Throughout all of this time I should have gotten back on WW but I didn't and I just continued to eat my feelings and gain weight. I am getting married in August. I have a gorgeous dress and I want to look gorgeous in it. Planning the wedding has been fun but STRESSFUL. I am so ready for the day to arrive and not have to worry about details.

I have been beating myself up over my weight but not fully committing to change. Today is that day. This morning I signed up (again) for WW. I have one month to lose some weight and I am going to do it. I am going to quit beating myself up mentally. I am going to embrace the permanent lifestyle change. I am going to enjoy all of the benefits of exercise and healthy living. I want to look and be my best for me and for Scott.

Questions:

1. How do you overcome negative self talk?

2. What lifestyle changes have/are you implemented(ing) in your life?

3. Are you following me on Twitter? c_deturk