A year of running - before and after pics

[DavetheCat2001]

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.

You look great, although you didn't exactly look awful before. Well done!

Feeling inspired.

I need to start running

You look fab and it sounds like you're feeling great too, which is even more important. Running is fab - hard work but makes everything in life better in my experience.

How long do you plank for, out of interest?

Well done! I'm starting week 5 of couch to 5k today and am eating healthy to lose my last half stone of baby weight. Running definitely works, I'm 11lbs down in 6 weeks

Hurrah! Running is amazing, it's flipping hard and I still have days when I think wtf am I doing..I can't be arsed but it does change your body shape.

I'm actually in bed ill today with tonsillitis so won't be running this week I don't think as I feel awful.

You look great before and after! Your legs just look really longer in 2nd shot! Well done.

I am the same age and I am couple of months in but have the appetite of a buffalo so I'm not sure if it's working for me yet.

Lucky you! I've been running for years and not seen a change like that. Perhaps I need to put down the wine though! :P Good job.

Arctic 11b down in 6 weeks is amazing! Well done on losing that pesky baby weight. Mine took a fair while to shift!

I plank for as long as I can bear it Lotta, but I'd say normally about 1-2 minutes on the front and then 30 seconds on each side.

If anyone is interested, this is the ab vid I try and do a few times a week:

rebecca-louise.com/blog/9movesforaflatterstomach

I also like her arm work outs with dumbbells:

I find her very inspirational.

OP, I hope you're not planning on losing any more weight because you look lovely as you are. If you lose any more weight you will start to look unhealthily thin.

Just saying.

Wow you look amazing. You should be so proud of yourself. I would never have said you were 43!
Sadly I can't run. I've tried. I bought sports bras and trainers but it just hurt my knees too much!

Wowsers...boast away. I would if I were you!

Do you plank every day or just on run days?

I think you're inspiring....

That's amazeballs Dave - I usually only manage 40 seconds on the front. Must start doing it every day and forcing myself to build up

I'm working towards something like your before pic at the moment. 😐

You have inspired me, Dave

My DP is a runner; I am not so much at all . Think yoga instead.

I think I'm going to give it a go, though. Thank you :)

I am pretty much your before (maybe a little smaller) im back to running after loosing my ds 6 weeks ago.

I'm running a 10k in July. I'm aiming for a 5-6k twice a week and 10k once a week. Hopefully I'll get to that shape soonish. I'm pretty mcs eating the same as you too so it's really good to see that it works. I guess I'm at the start of the journey :)

I have just started running for two reasons, to improve my health, and reduce stress. I am only on week two, but it is working wonders. I have days when I really struggle to go out, and on those days, I will use your post. So no, definitely not stealth boasting, but inspiring. Thank you.

Very inspiring, you look amazing! I am 44 and about to start running again now that my 20mo is at nursery. I can't hope for such great results as yours though!

You look bloody amazing for any age but especially for a 43-year old with 2 kids! I am flabby and tired by comparison and am 5 years younger than you (also with 2 kids).

How did you start out with running? Was it a 0-5k-10k situation over the year or were you already fit starting out? I have just started running this year starting from 0 and did a 4 mile hilly race at the weekend that nearly killed me . Does it get better? My knees hurt like hell all the time. I am managing a maximum of about 3-4K runs twice a week right now - can I improve from here? Teach me please!!!

You look amazing! And healthy and strong I'm v impressed. Starting running again this week now I have childcare and the dog is a year old I'm super motivated now you are a legend op

ALaugh no I'm definitely not aiming to lose anymore. I did get a bit scrawny looking a couple of months ago, my mother bless her mentioned it and I agreed. I've actually put a bit back on again, and am just concentrating on strengthening up.

I like my food (and wine) too much anyway!

Zazz a big part of it for me is to help boost my mood and give me something to focus on. I find running totally knackering but also it really helps blow the cobwebs away in my mind.

InionElle I was in no way fit when I started. I used to go to the gym when I was much, much younger but with the arrival of children and grown up life, that all went out the window.

A girl at work dragged me out on her lunchtime run one day, and I hated every second of it. She ran really slowly just so I could keep up, and literally had to drag me the last bit of it as I just couldn't do it.

I was happy to see however that we had managed a mile or so, even though I was panting and sweating like I'd just done a ruddy marathon!

I went out a few more times with her, and then she stopped going for various reasons and I just carried on. Inspiration for me was using my Strava app and just lengthening my distance a little bit every week or so. I wasn't bothered about speed or anything, just being able to get to 2k, then 3k and when I did 5k I was just so elated!

I think C25k is a great way to do it, and actually if I hadn't have just started tagging along with my friend at work, I would have definitely done it that way.

Inspiring and definitely not a stealth boast - well done!! You look fabulous!