Mona

So excited that I completed my first 1/2 marathon. Highlight was seeing a mother bear and cub cross the trail just in front of me. Happy with my time of 2:25. Considering two years ago I was a couch potatoe and I now enjoy running. 65 pounds down and almost 30 inches lost. Whoo hoo. I think I posted several months ago about the love/hate relationship with running. However, after nursing a minor injury for a week, I can't wait to run again. It has truly become something I want and need to do, especially as the weather cools and it rains. It brings out the kid in me to be running in the rain and enjoying the solitude. If you don't like running to begin because it is hard, give it time to grow.

Yay, when I started paddle boarding, always dreamed of doing a workout on the board. Had so much fun doing squats, push-ups, planks, side planks, Russian twists and some yoga moves on the board. The burpees with the jump was a bit of a stretch but managed to land it a few times with a little swim to refresh . So much fun. The waves add a definite challenge to the old stand by body weight moves. Best workout ever, but I recommend starting in summer when you don't mind a swim.

Yes, i agree with the post regarding watching the calories in versus the calories out. Second, I can also state from experience that you can't keep doing the same thing everyday and expect to be getting stronger or faster or fitter. I had this recent argument with my trainer regarding complacency. It is valuable to recognize ongoing goal setting and when you reach a certain level of achievement, time to set new goals. Always doing a set amount of push-ups isn't going to get you stronger, you need to push harder or faster to build the momentum.

Way to go and persist when at first, it felt impossible. Keep at it and you will continue to see your strength continue to improve. It is so worth the accomplishment to see you many push ups you will be able to do in three months, six months, one year. I started with ten modified push ups and now it's 45 regular. Whoo hoo. Well done!!! Keep inspiring us.

So glad you posted for support and encouragement. You are where I was a year ago except you have the advantage that you were once agile and athletic. I am 44 and was never athletic, weighed 211 but am only 5ft 4. The sports bras are a definite must. I now live in them full time as I squeeze in a run whenever I can. Just know that you can change and become whoever you want if you commit to the long term dream of changing your life. I am now under 150 lbs and this week, made my personal best for a 10 km run and have become addicted to fitness for the first time in my life. I will never go back as this has been the best year of my life. My body fat went from 40%, yikes, down to 26%. Still working on that one. This week alone, I went hiking with five other women in their forties and we all stated that this was the best time of our lives. We can enjoy each other's company at all stages of our journey in life without fear of judgement. We paddled together and enjoy a cup of tea in the middle of the lake in winter. We are determined to get out as much as possible, even when we must scrape ice off our paddle boards and pray that we don't fall in. Last year, I could not balance in a bosu when it was turned in the easy upright position. Now, I can balance on a bosu on the challenging side while squatting with 40 lb dumbbell. Persist and make small changes that you can commit to. For me, month one goal was to walk 10,000 steps each day, then began the couch to 5km, then, the couch to 10km or find a sport you can enjoy and simply begin to set goals. You can do it.

So close,but not quite there. Finished a five km in 30min, 12 seconds. So close after a year of working from couch potato to runner. That being said, I still wish I could catch that runners high that some talk about. Some days, still feels like simply hard work.

Well done. Good for you for getting out there and doing your best. Keep challenging yourself to improve and set goals. Congrats.

Yay. So pumped on my one year fitness test. Lost 60 lbs, body fat went from 41% to 31%, one mile run to 10 min, 10 km run to 75 min, 0 push-ups from toes to 35 in one minute, 40 s. Plank to 2:40 min, plank. Now that's progress. Very pleased but it finally feels natural to make healthy choices to eat and I have the desire to move every day. Most surprising is that I don't feel like I gave up anything this year but had so many rewards. I feel so privileged to be able to simply go for a 30 min run along the river without thinking twice. So, get out there and enjoy the ability to move and eat healthy. Next goal, the pull up. Still working with resistance band. Thinking I may need to purchase a pull up bar as I am not able to get enough practice in at the occasional gym session.

Well, a year ago I started the couch to five km, then completed the couch to 10 km program to the point where I was consistently running 8-10 .km twice a week but at a slow jog. (10km time was 1 hr 8 min.) in hot weather though. My trainer believes in there walk run method and told me to put it to the test. I ran for 4min, walked 1 min. Throughout my next 10 km run and I knocked 5 min. Off the total time. Ha, go figure. I did find it much more tiring though as my pace on the run portion obviously increased. I think it gave me a new idea of a faster pace. Anyone eel like the walk run method?

Finally managed to run 10 km this morning. It was already a warm day at 8:30 but I managed to run the whole way. A big milestone for me as it has been a year from couch potato to building endurance. Time was not fast (1:08) but I am happy for a first long run. Next year, I will beat an hour. It has been an amazing journey. 55 lbs down and 20 inches lost. More important, I am so happy to enjoy a more active lifestyle.

When I am at the time of the month and emotional, I love to throw things at the gym. Throw the sand bags or do sandbag burpee slams. I like throwing the medicine balls against the wall, all those things that let me get out the emotions and it always makes me feel great. Punching bags would also be fun:).

It has been one year since I have begun my journey towards better health. Here are my results: Weight loss: 55 lbs Body fat percentage: lost 10 percent Inches lost: 20 Yay, I am now in the normal range for body fat. Started at zero push ups from toes, 15 from knees. Now, 35 from toes in a minute. Never thought I would run. This week, ran my first ten km and felt awesome and could have run farther. Did my first official run, an 8km last month. Never ran in my life before this year and was always the last kid in gym class. Now, I run for fun. This year, is a year of firsts. First time ever to snowshoe, to paddle, to kayak, to go climbing. Feels awesome. Today, I could race my eight year old son in the gym. He won two rounds, I won one though he had a five pound sand bag and I had a 25 pound sandbag. It was a pretty even match. Best feeling ever to be able to go out with my kids to hike and paddle. Discovered stand up paddle boarding this year and was out at least once a week, all year long. Even scraped the ice off my board with determination to head out on New Year's Day. It's time to celebrate. If I can do it, anyone can. After forty years of inactivity, I am now an active individual and can't imagine ever going back to a sedentary lifestyle. Well, still lots of goals around nutrition this year. However, next year, I will celebrate my love of healthy eating .

Okay, had to update. I persevered with the walk to ten km plan and am very excited to say that this week, I ran 25 km this week injury free and can say that I am enjoying the satisfaction of running now. I am glad that I persisted. Did my first run ever this week and it was a good feeling of accomplishment. Not a fast runner but that's okay. I am a runner.

I was very injury prone to hip injuries as well. Look up Jeff Galloway and his walk/run program as I have found added the minute walk breaks has reduced my injuries significantly and has made running much more enjoyable.

Lots of great free workouts on fitnessblender.com. I use them for variety.