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.

Anglaise well done on the marathons you have run! That is hardcore, I have nothing but respect for people who have the stamina for one of those!

Running is great too as it's free (I resented paying £40+ a month for a gym, plus never have enjoyed gyms), and it really does blow the cobwebs away I find mentally as well.

I had a horrific 2 hour journey home from work last night, decided I couldn't be bothered to go for my planned run, but then made myself go as soon as OH got home, and I was so glad I did. It was the first opportunity of my day to just let my mind unwind a bit.

Tough run though. Quite warm out and I really needed a poo from about halfway round (sorry for tmi!)

Free apart from the trainers , when you run at least 50 miles a week as I do they don't last long! I'm an outdoor runner, not sure I'd get the same endorphin rush from running on a treadmill. I love being outside.

Ok so since my last post I've done this week a 4k speedwalk, and two 2k runs - proper runs on the treadmill without stopping.

I am very proud of myself

I actually prefer the treadmill. I know when I'm getting really good I'll want to do more outside, but because I have two toddlers, its much easier to pick a 20 minute programme on the treadmill (which is not in the house, its in the garden office, so doesn't take up space in the house) whilst DH watches them. I've also been doing sets of planks every day.

DH and I are both doing it and both feeling so good after just 5 days (he already uses the treadmill as a 'walking desk' every day but is now running on it too).

I've taken a 'before photo' and emailed it to myself, carefully deleting it off my phone to make sure no one else sees it!

Just saw this thread - thanks for the inspiration/motivation OP [running] Is the only exercise I have ever managed to stick at and it makes me feel great.

Am taking it vv easy as I have a bit of a prolapse, but I decided that obesity would make my prolapse worse too...

Well done Miss! It's amazing how good it makes you feel so quickly. Like a real sense of achievement that spurs you on. Make sure you try and take an updated pic every week or two so you can see the changes..very motivating!

ItsAllGoing sorry to hear you have a prolapse. So many people I know have suffered with them after giving birth.

I'm finding (sorry for tmi) that my bladder is leaking on my runs without me even knowing it is happening . I knew that a lot of coughing/sneezing can make me wee a bit, but was a bit shocked to find that I seem to be leaking every run now! I guess I'm going to have to become a Tena Lady....

Dave your story is super inspirational. You actually seem to be ME in those before pics. I am determined to run, skip, row...you have shown me what I CAN and WILL be like!! Thank you.

Fantastic figure in both pictures, but the after one is just amazing!
I run myself and aim for 4/5 runs between 4 and 13 miles each week and for fun I do 3 body balance classes, 2 full and 1 45 min body pump classes and 1 45 min bums tums class each week.
Running is the only thing that changes my shape even though my pump weights are bigger than most of the regulars in the classes (in the 45 min one my squat weight is the same as 5 others combined! Fear of getting big like men stops them they say, I have explained why they won't when they comment on the 27kg on my back but I may as well speak to a brick wall!).
I love planning where I'm going on Garmin Connect, checking the weather and going out no matter what it's like and enjoy the quiet me time even though my twins and teen are in school mostly when I run.
The last 3 1/2 years are the 1st time I have devoted time to me and I'm 4 stone down, off antidepressants and am the one saying hello to people I know rather than Dh

this is fab

thank you for sharing

well done :)

I love these kind of posts, I find them inspiring. You look great in both photos but definitely more toned in the second. Nice one!

You look amazing! its great to see that running (not every day) and sensible diet has resulted in a fabulous looking physique. Please answer me this though...
Tell me....
Could you still drink wine and get away with this?

You look amazing. Well done.

I look like your before photo too. Might just get out there myself.

I am currently drinking (far too much) wine as we speak! And I went to a gig last night and drunk a lot of lager!

I think if you eat well/exercise sensibly 80% of the time, you can still enjoy all the good things in life. I wouldn't be able to give up my wine/cheese/chocolate etc, and wouldn't want to!

x

Also I was meant to be going for a run today..it didn't happen. Ah well..I shall go tomorrow instead

DavetheCat2001 just seen your thread, you look great! How many times do you go running per week normally?

I agree with your advice about going slowly, I am a park runner and stay close to the back and do it in about 41 minutes ish, but I would really like to get this to about 30 minutes - I think my weight may be holding me back. I am 2 stone overweight but lost a stone and a little bit since Christmas and kept it off.

A friend doing the park run with me on Saturday said I was looking slimmer, I think it is the muscle tone as like you I also do planks - 10 minute dvd called blast off belly fat.

Eating well is the bit I struggle with - have let things slip lately but at least the exercise has meant I've not gained the weight back.

OP - you look fantastic!!! I love people posting photos it's so inspirational

You could be my body double in pic 1 so loving the inspiration and having signed up for a triathlon in the autumn I would be seriously chuffed if I ended up looking like you now.
Can I just add that don't start cycling for weight loss! I'm training for a bike ride and averaging 150 miles a week but the insatiable hunger after long cycles cancels any benefits and some! Looking forward to dusting off the running shoes next month and making my thighs look lovely

Wow! Your legs are amazing!

GettinTrimmer, I aim to get out for 2 shortish (6ish km) runs during the week, and then a longer (10km) on a Sunday, however that hasn't happened for one reason or another the last couple of weeks, so I need to get back on it!

I went out earlier in the pouring rain! I had to really slow down on a couple of the hilly bits (boozy weekend catching up on me I think!), but I'm glad I went.
I actually find running curbs my appetite. I made a nice veggie stir fry for dinner when I got back, and OH ate most of it as I just wasn't hungry! Mind you I scoffed a couple of onion bhaji's that were in the fridge when I got in from work, so that might have something to do with it!

Thanks Earthbound. It's all down to the running that they have slimmed down. My weight always goes straight on the tops of my thighs, just like my mum!

I did my arm workout when I got back, and oh my goodness it was hard work! I've actually just ordered some new 5kg dumbbells, which I think may be slightly ambitious!

Ugh, just been out for a really rubbish run. Too humid, too sweaty, legs aching and breathing all over the place. Had to really cut it short as I just couldn't manage my usual route. I also felt like I needed to be near a toilet IYKWIM!

I hate it when that happens. It doesn't matter how long you've been running, there are still days when you feel like a total beginner.

..opening a bottle of process instead

PROSECCO ffs!

Dave- well done! You are a huge inspiration. I was doing c25k- almost finished it and then Christmas happened - then Easter happened just saw this thread and your amazing pics and got my butt on the treadmill. Only 3.6km but onwards still Delighted! Thank you.

This is definately not boasting, I've just reached a point in my life I'm 28 2 kids 3 and 4 and my fitness levels are zero! My body doesn't look so good either my husband loves me the way I am and all that but I personally don't feel comfortable anymore. I've never been stick thin but I'm slowly but surely creeping up on the clothes sizes which certainly makes a girl feel rubbish!! So I've done the first step been and bought me some trainers. Just to get started now, only problem is I have no idea where to start so that I will stick to it. Plus any advice on good sports bras would be massively appreciated.

Well done on getting the trainers jessie. The biggest step is making the decision that you want to get started. I would recommend you maybe try a Couch to 5k program. The NHS one is good, just Google. It starts you off gently and builds up your stamina slowly but steadily. One of the mistakes I made in the past was going out all guns blazing, hating it and giving up straight away. Good luck, you can do it. I'll dig out the name of the sports bra I wear. Can't recall it off the top of my head, but it holds everything in place! X