The day I ran a half marathon. & How I stopped being fat.

About a month ago, I ran a half marathon.

Me, weeing my pants in fear and excitement,
just before taking off for a 2 hour and 20 minute run. 

That’s 21.1kms. I ran it without stopping, without walking. Sure at times my run was slow - possibly slower than my power walking abilities, but I never stopped until I crossed that finish line. 

You see, this time last year, I was fat. I wasn't technically obese or even that huge in the scheme of things, but the amount of excess fat that I was carrying on my small frame meant I had high blood pressure, no energy, and very poor self esteem. You don’t need to look obese or unhealthy, to be fat.

To be honest I don’t remember the exact moment that I decided enough was enough. It was more like a combination of things. My grandpa saying I had put on weight (even though he meant it as a compliment). Having to buy a size 12 pants. Being constantly exhausted. Looking fat in photos. I had had enough.

This was me when I started actively trying  to lose weight.

So I started counting calories and working out for a minimum of an hour a day, 6 days a week.

Yeah I hear you. “That's all well and good for you, I can’t do that, I'm too busy. I have a job/kids/blablabla.” One of the most successful weight loss champions I know has SIX kids. PRIMARY SCHOOL AGED KIDS!

If you want to do it, you will do it. You will get up at 4:30 or 5:30 if you need to in order to get your workout in before work. You will pre-cook all your meals on a Sunday so that you don’t have to cook during the week and you aren't tempted by takeaways. You will do it.

I used the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation and in 1 round (3 months) lost 14kgs (30lbs) and went on to lose more. I don’t know exactly because I don’t know how heavy I was at my absolute highest weight, but I think I've lost in total 20kgs (45lbs).

This was me when I finished. 

 Needless to say, Michelle Bridges is my home-girl. 

Mish and I. Total girl-crush.

I did 3 rounds with her but didn’t end up losing any more weight in my next 2 rounds (I didn’t need to). I made an amazing network of like-minded friends and became addicted to singing the praises of health and fitness to anyone who would listen. I also became a bit of a foodie and learned how to eat delicious, filling meals without breaking the calorie bank. 

I would be more than happy to give people more specific information if they want, but the basic math of it was this:

1200 calories per day INTAKE
500 calories per day OUTPUT

I started running purely to reach that 500 calorie output mark every day. Running is the quickest way to burn calories. I couldn't even run for 1 minute without feeling like I would die when I started. I did the Couch to 5km Program and built up from there.

Eventually I could run 5kms.
Then 7kms.
Then 9kms.
Then 12kms.

Then I did the Run For The Kids in April of this year and ran the 14km course.

Then I signed up for a half marathon.

It was as quick and as simple as that. I decided to do it, and one year later, I was fit enough to run a half marathon. I’ve never been a runner, never been athletic, was always the one to be picked last in P.E. Very uncoordinated.

I always said I would never be a runner, because I never believed I could be, until I was.