In more ways than one it could be considered awkward for someone like myself to provide a guest post for a blog like Running with Sass. Heather has quite the running blogger chops, while I am newer to running and fitness in general. Heather’s about me starts with “I have been athletic my whole life” and that pretty much describes the anti-thesis of my life. What we do have in common is a love for running which just like Heather, “is something I NEVER thought I could accomplish!” I am @SnackerChris and my blog is Snacks All The Weigh Down (http://fatboysnacks.blogspot.com/). It is a blog about how I lost 130 pounds and its transitioning into how I have become a runner.
Before…
Perhaps you read Running With Sass in awe and think “that will never be me”. Trust me I know where you are coming from! Running was never something I even considered. In fact I always assumed that I was not built to run and that it would be damaging to my body. Now I know that those are probably the top two excuses people use for not even giving running a try.
I began the couch to 5K program back in August of 2010. At the time I was looking for a form of exercise to replace the lap swimming I had been doing in our communities outdoor pool. I had already lost around 75 pounds and did not want to lose momentum as the summer came to a close. I posted on my blog at the time that “I do not have a burning desire to ‘conquer’ a 5K and I don’t anticipate an emotional experience if I actually do, but I need a goal to reach for and this seems like a good time to give it a try.” That was seven 5Ks and two 10Ks ago and now I am training for my first half marathon in December. I guess you can say I am hooked.
When I first began losing large amounts of weight, I would get lots of of questions about how I was losing weight, and I found that people were not believing my “eat less, exercise more” mantra. They either checked out mentally when I was explaining it further or just looked at me like they did not believe it. At that point I was mostly walking, hitting the gym cardio or swimming. Now that more people know about my running, its seems like an even easier path for people to assume that there is no way that they could achieve the same success that I have.
Let me assure you that if I can do it, you can to! There was absolutely nothing in my past to indicate that I could achieve and maintain the level of weight loss that I have. There was even less evidence that I would ever be able to run a race of any length. I never participated in any organized sports as a child, teen or young adult. I never ran anywhere…not even to dinner!
Now that I have seen success in some health and fitness areas of life, I feel compelled to share my story with others. I am motivated to help people move past their pre-conceived notions of what they can or cannot do. Initially I was full of excuses and lacked the desire to change. Almost two years later I am happier, healthier and dare I say fitter than I have ever been in my life!
What are the excuses that you are using to not start making positive changes in the food and exercise areas of you life? Are you ready to face them? Take a step today that puts you on the path to good health! You CAN do it! You will shock yourself! Go for it!
…after!
A huge Thanks to Chris for writing this guest post for me, it is so motivational, and it is stories like this that give me that extra boost when I don’t feel like working out. Be like Chris, don’t let CAN’T enter your vocabulary, you CAN do it!! Be sure to show Chris some encouragement and support that I know my awesome readers will do!
*Don’t forget to enter my ClipE giveaway!
QOTD: What is something you never thought you could do, but you DID?! I NEVER thought I could run a full marathon, but I DID!
I have actually read your blog before, Chris and it is truly a great story!
The before and after pictures alone are a great testament to the eat less, exercise more mantra! I have a knee that has had 4 surgeries and exercise induced asthma…so I never thought I could run. Can’t was a huge part of my vocabulary. Then I tried it and 3 half marathons in 7 months later I am hooked! Thanks for the post!
What an AMAZING STORY! You should be so proud of yourself, what an incredible inspiration!! Keep it up!! WOOOOO-HOOO!!!
Definitely incredibly inspiring! I think most of us (those that weren’t born and started running) thought that running is something that will just never happen for our “body type.” But practice makes perfect (sort of) and so does determination and real focus. I have a love-hate relationship with running but I also know that it’s mental. Every one of us is capable of so much more we give ourselves credit for. Why not go for it?!
Great post and very inspirational! I have adopted the eat less/move more mantra too and it does work. Although the choices do have to be healthier. I am going to master C25K yet! Hope to hear more from you!
Wow – way to go! That’s inspiring. Good luck with your training. 🙂
Wow, you are so inspirational. I, too, believe in “eat less, move more” so I get it. I hate running, but love group exercise. We all should keep trying until we find the type of movement we enjoy. And I also want to mention that you’re a hottie!
Wonderful guest post! You’ll have a new reader over at your blog, as well, Chris! I, too, became a runner 50 lbs ago using Couch to 5k after spending years proclaiming “I don’t run unless I’m being chased.” Good luck with your half-marathon in December!
Great guest post!! Chris, your story is so inspiring. I’m not surprised people tuned out when you didn’t start your story with, “Well you see, I’ve been taking this magic pill…”. Congrats on your success and good luck as you continue to train for the half!
Wow, Chris, what an amazing story. I plan on sharing this story with my stepfather, who did Couch to 5k once, ran a couple 5k’s, and quit completely. I don’t so much care if he becomes a runner, but I’d like him to see your amazing weight loss.
Thanks for sharing your story! You are an inspiration! I wish more people would adopt your mantra and see that it can be done! Good luck in all your running endeavors!
Wow! What an amazing transformation! Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring others.
What an inspirational story he has! Running a marathon was never something I ever thought I’d do or even WANT to do. After my first half marathon this year, I knew that I HAD to do a full…and like him, I’m completely hooked on running. I can’t believe I ran a full marathon and I really can’t believe I’m planning on running more!!!
I love this story! I never thought I could run a full marathon either, and then I did. Now I feel like I can do anything I put my mind to!
Congrats Chris- this is an amazing and inspiring story! I started running last spring after years of believing that I couldn’t do it because of health limitations. While I didn’t have weight to lose, I made the choice to run to be healthy. Thanks for sharing!
This is such an awesome story, Chris! Thank you so much for sharing it. You’re absolutely right that anyone can do it as long as they get out of their own way. Good luck with your half marathon!
Chris, you have one amazing story! Thanks for sharing and for inspiring and motivating others to stand up and take steps towards health in their own lives!
Dear Chris: I really enjoyed your authentic voice and sincerity. Like Heather, I have been fit and active all my life. So to hear from someone who has made such a transformation and is now dedicated to helping others “cross the divide” to a happier life, is so inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Chris, I just read this story for a while and found it so interesting. The stuff you have shared in this blog is awesome & different, which is not in another blogs. Any way Thanks & look forward to read more from you!