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Original poster

A year of running - before and after pics

218 replies

DavetheCat2001 · 26/04/2016 12:32

warning
Could contain what some may call 'stealth boasting', but honestly I just want to show what running 2-3 times a week, plus making some small changes in my diet have done for my bod.

In both pics I look my usual deathly white, but if you can see past that, I think my legs have changed the most. First pic was taken in May 2015, second one was taken today.

Hope no one minds.

OP posts:
Smilelikeyoufeelit · 04/05/2016 19:53

Wow! That's fantastic. I want legs like yours. I've been running a while but don't think much has changed shape wise. I'm going to do a before picture just before my next run and then maybe again in 6 months. Not brave enough to share it though.

NeverbuytheDailyMail · 04/05/2016 19:46

Punny I too can suck it in to a certain degree but when I fully relax I look six months pregnant. Bloody Easter Eggs and red wine! I want the before pics as motivation. I was considering printing them off and displaying them around the kitchen but that just wouldn't be fair to the rest of the family. Grin

MissPunnyMany · 04/05/2016 19:37

neverbuy I contemplated the 'before shots' and couldn't do it. I just spent a long time staring and committing the blubber to memory. DH thinks I'm being stupid as usual and whingeing, but my set of spare tyre(s) is really getting me down. Yes I can still cram myself into my clothes but by cram, I mean cram...and that's leggings and jeggings. I'm a 'skinny fat' person who can pass as slim with careful sucking in but the reality is I have a full on 'gut' going on lately. The jeans have been a laughable item for about a year, no amount of lying on the bed will get those buggers done up. I'm fed up of feeling so rubbish.

Flossiesmummy · 04/05/2016 18:47

Wow! I'm looking forward to running once I've had Dd2. Great inspiration!

NeverbuytheDailyMail · 04/05/2016 18:44

So weird that this just popped up in my active threads. I have literally just taken some very depressing before shots and been scouring the internet for inspiration. You look AMAZING ! Well done.

Chocwocdoodah · 04/05/2016 18:25

Fab thank you!

brassbrass · 04/05/2016 18:01

this is inspirational, well done for keeping it up.

Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 04/05/2016 17:53

I'd go for the one on the NHS website choc

OP posts:
Chocwocdoodah · 04/05/2016 16:59

Quick, help please! Going to do my first C25K run tonight but I've just realised there are loads of c25k apps - which is the "right"one??

MissPunnyMany · 04/05/2016 09:26

Go starting! That's fab!

MissPunnyMany · 04/05/2016 09:25

I do the 'bust the belly fat' dvd - each section is 10 mins (recommended on MN actually) and its brilliant. It beasts your abs, but its brilliant.

Dave I'm 5"2 ....be great if exercise could take inches off the waist and add it to the legs Grin

I might take a before picture of myself (and hide it) then compare it in a few weeks time.

Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 03/05/2016 20:56

"linked to' not liked!

OP posts:
Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 03/05/2016 20:55

Hey starting, I think the c25k is a great way to go. Well done on getting back on it!

Maybe try the ab workout I liked to above too?..I really saw results doing it 2-3 times a week.

OP posts:
Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 03/05/2016 20:51

MissP I am 5ft 7.
Well done for getting on the treadmill!! I always feel a great sense of achievement when I've been for a run, particularly if the lazy part of my brain (about 95% of it!) has been trying to persuade me to lie on the sofa and drink wine instead! Grin

I did my ab workout this evening too, which I highly recommend to any ladies who want a shortish (about 12 mins) ab workout which really helped me get my stomach back:

rebecca-louise.com/blog/9movesforaflatterstomach

Lol at the thought of your OH finding a pic of a stranger in a bikini on the biscuit tin!

Moistly, what keeps me going is seeing results. I am very impatient! Running is great though for seeing changes fairly quickly. If you can commit to maybe 2/3 runs a week, I reckon you'll start seeing results in 3 weeks or so.

OP posts:
startingtolooklikemother · 03/05/2016 20:51

Wow! Thank you for this, I've literally just downloaded the couch to 5k app, I've done it 3 times now and really early days but hope it will get rid of my mum tum!

Moistly · 03/05/2016 20:29

Excellent, well done!!
I've changed my diet since the end of January - basically stopped grazing all day and started having 3 healthy meals a day with very slight snacking - and have noticed such a difference.
You've given me the motivation to start running again however, that's something I can't seem to keep up!

MissPunnyMany · 03/05/2016 20:25

I think you're a bit taller than me OP. How tall are you, if that's not a weird question? I'll resist posting your 'after' photo on the biscuit tin as DH would be a tad concerned Grin Grin

MissPunnyMany · 03/05/2016 20:22

Well I've got on the treadmill, whacked up the incline (I live in a very hilly area so I'm keeping it real Grin ) and have done a 2k. Thanks OP, I needed a shove in the right direction and seeing what you've acheived has spurred me on! I want to lose half a stone and tone up my flabby mid-section. I have been doing a bit of exercise recently but your photos have helped me commit as our figures aren't dissimilar and I'd be bloody thrilled if I could acheive your 'after' look!

Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 03/05/2016 16:44

I remember reading someone say that you'll not regret going for a run, but you will regret not going!

OP posts:
Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 03/05/2016 16:39

I know all about excuses! The amount of times I've really not been in the mood, but actually once you get out there, it's not so bad.
I think the lighter evenings definitely make a difference as well.
Having said that, I went for a run yesterday which was hellish. I was panting and sweating. I had, had a pretty boozy weekend though, and boy could I feel it!

OP posts:
MissPunnyMany · 03/05/2016 14:51

OP you've inspired me. I need to get back to regular exercise. All I do is whinge about my flabby tummy rather than getting on the treadmill / go out running. I make excuses, and it is tough with two toddlers at home, but we have a treadmill now and I need to make the effort.

Original poster
DavetheCat2001 · 02/05/2016 08:16

penguin i think you will certainly get results on a treadmill, you can adjust the incline etc can't you? Any running is good running IMO.

I wear Saucony running shoes which I really like. Think they are called Jazz. As Aye said above, you can normally hunt out some good deals online if you find a pair you like. I think mine were about £90, but I think I paid £60.

Def worth the money though along with a good sports bra. The rest can just be tracky bottoms or leggings and a t-shirt

OP posts:
Chocwocdoodah · 01/05/2016 09:47

Ah I see, thanks Aye!

penguinplease · 01/05/2016 09:00

Can you get the same great results with treadmill running?
I'm a single parent and work full time. I can't get out to run but I do have a treadmill.. (That may or may not currently be used as a clothes horse)

AyeAmarok · 01/05/2016 08:25

It's whether your feet roll slightly inwards or outwards when you walk/run. If you look at a really old pair of shoes they might be worn down slightly more on one side than the other.

A good running shop will put you on a treadmill and video your ankles when you run and then replay it in really slow mode so they can see if you set down one side of your foot ever so slightly before the other. Then you know which trainers you need, depending on whether it's over/under/neutral.

At least that's what they did 10 years ago when I had my gait analysis done! Since then I've just been buying replacement pairs of the same trainers, in different colours.