chuckpo says:

I'm new to the forums, new to running, heck I'm even new to fitness.

I thought I would pop in, say hi, and present a little "get to know me" time.

My name is Chuck, I live right outside of Dallas, 35 years old, and horribly out of shape.

Last week I decided that enough was enough. I had to get back into some form of shape, something other than "pear shaped". I dusted off my old sneakers, climbed onto the treadmill, and walked out a mile. The burning sensation in my legs was starting to sting, but I knew that if I stopped now, then who knows when I would decide to start up again. It eventually stopped and I kept going.

I started doing some reading that night and determined that with a little planning, and a lot of work, I could become a runner and shed some weight. It's more than the weight thing, too. Sidebar - my father is not in the best of health and I realize that it is due to being sedentary for so long. Even before retiring, he would come home from work, sit down, start reading the paper, and turn on the TV. I think I know where my bad habits started from...

Well, long story short, he is now battling type 2 diabetes, has had 2 heart attacks, and gets out of breath moving from the recliner to the desk chair. I desperately do not want to be this way in my "golden years".

I need to do this for me, for my health, for my eventual children, for each and every day that is to come. I don't want to die miserable and wishing that things were different. So, I have made a decision to change. I took my first steps to becoming more of an athlete on 9/29/08 than I have in a couple of years. Today I even quit smoking. Again. For the last time.

This is my time, I have to make it work for me. I have to do everything in my power to make sure that I get out there and enjoy everything that life offers. I have to stop the thought of "I'll do it tomorrow" or "just one more handful of cheetos".

I've been killing myself for long enough. I'm just glad that you can't go to prison for it.

cp

 2 Blessed 2 Stress says:

What a wonderful testimony! I can relate sort-of. I watched my great-grandmother (she raised me) die earlier than she had to from congestive heart failure and it had everything to do with her weight. It doesn't help that most of the women on both my parents sides of the family are what we call "thick" lol. I have 3 biological children and 3 step children (3 girls and 3 boys)and 2 granddaughters. I realized that I have to be around for them. I've spent most of my life (I'm 31 now) on the heavy side. I've tried all the diets you can think of, even took diet pills and would lose the weight just to gain it back. I started walking 5k's last year and have progessed up to running/jogging. I'm now training for my first 1/2 marathon, the San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon.
I can tell you from personal experience that this will not be an easy journey, but it will be a great accomplishment. I have not lost a lot of weight, however I have lost a lot of inches. My body seems to be more on the muscular side and I kind of like it . I see that you're near Dallas, FYI there is a 1/2 marathon going on in December in Dallas that you might be interested in. Remember, it is ok to walk these races.
My husbands family lives in Dallas, so I'm there about twice a month every month. I plan to register for this run and it would be great to have some company !!! Also you might want to check out dallasrunningclub.com they have some great running/walking activities. Good luck and God Bless!

 TURTLEGIRL73 says:

Hi, My name is Diane and I just found this forum and I'm from the UK

 Emikasmum says:

What an inspriring story. Good for you! Good luck, go for it and keep us updated with how you're getting on.

 Emikasmum says:

Hi turtlegirl - our posts crossed! I did the Human Race too - great t-shirt huh?

 TURTLEGIRL73 says:

YEAH-They ended sending me two in the end and of course the one you get when you cross the finish line. What wave were you in?

 Airship7 says:

Hi Girls - I also ran the Human Race, wow what a night. I injured my knee a week before the race trying too hard to get my 10k time down, so I had to race with the knee strapped up. I was going to run with my son but I told him to run ahead. We were in wave 3 and set off about 8.10 pm, the conditions were horrible. Chris finished in 59 mins without any training, but he is 19. I finished in 1.15 which was a very slow but with a injured knee I was just pleased to finish at all! I have only been walking for the past few weeks to get the knee completely healed, I hope to start running again this week. What was the race like for you?

 John Vaughn says:

Back on topic and back to Chuck!
Welcome to the wonderful world of running! At 48 I quit smoking and started running. That was last year and I feel better than I have in years! 2 blessed mentioned that she didn't lose weight right away and I'm still working on that now, but I've lost inches too! Be sure to check out runningpodcasts.com (or is it .org?) for all the great running audio shows to keep you motivated and running! Last weekend I ran a 5K with 2 people from last year's biggest loser show and they looked GREAT! Proof that anyone at any age can totaly change their life! Good luck, keep it up and congratulations!

 Jennifer says:

welcome chuckpo! it may be hard to start a new routine and quit smoking, but it will be worth it!! i also think about my future children, and even just my future, and a life where you are in shape is a life you can fully enjoy. I don't care what anyone says, you will feel better with a life where you are healthy and in shape other than one where you are smoking and sedentary . You have already done the hard part, and that is to start!! The 1st step is always the hardest- keep motivated and I wish you luck. Keep at it!!!