WRITTEN ON November 10th, 2009 BY meganauman AND STORED IN Uncategorized

When this whole #indielbs thing broke last week, I thought, here’s my chance.  I’m going to lose 25 pounds and hit my dream weight once and for all.  Then real life interrupted and I found myself having to set more realistic goals.

But first let me back up… I ran cross-country and track all through high school, but got to college, didn’t work out much, and ate poorly.  I like to joke that everyone warns you about the freshman ten, but no one tells you about the sophomore 20.  By the time I graduated college, I had gained about 40 pounds.  During my first semester of graduate school, I saw pictures of myself from my college graduation and was disgusted.  I gave up soda, bought a treadmill, and started walking, then running again.

Not only did I drop those 40 pounds in about 6 months, I realized just how much exercising is a part of who I am!  Running will always be my first love, but I also bike, swim, and do yoga. One of my biggest motivations is competing in races – over the last few years I’ve completed 3 triathlons, a half-marathon, and a lot of 5ks.  Even though I’m not the fastest person in the field, having something to work towards keeps me motivated.

Unfortunately, I’ve also had a few injuries over that time period, and a few times, like now, where I’ve found it hard to maintain my regular exercise routine.  Times like those always result in a slight weight creep.  Right now, I’m about 5 pounds above what I consider my maximum ideal weight, and about 15 to 20 pounds above where I’d really like to be.

In the long run, I know that I need to revamp my eating habits if I really want to reach my dream weight.  But I’m also realistic about my life right now, and I’m not sure I have the mental energy for that.  For now, I’ll be happy getting back into my regular exercise routine, training for some upcoming races (I’m running a 5k on the 21st), and shedding the 5-8 pounds I’ve picked up since summer.

I’m also really excited to see this #indielbs  project unfold – its so fantastic to be part of such a supportive community!  I can’t wait to share in everyone’s experiences, learn some new tricks for healthier eating and exercise, and share some of the things I’ve learned as well!