My weight loss journey has been a slow and steady path from college to now…but really it all began long before that with how I felt about myself in high school. I played sports starting at age 5 and kept going right on through high school. This allowed me to feel confident…but my mom’s constant mutterings that she was fat and our household consumption of soda and twizzlers allowed me to be a slightly chubby kid. 
At the beginning of high school I had an awesome growth spurt and joined swim team. Unfortunately, these two things lead to my feeling that I could and should eat anything I wanted. While my portions were never huge, my selections of a muffin and pizza were problematic.
My junior year is when my weight really hit its highest…in looking at myself now (above on the right and below in the middle) I can’t believe that was me…really I can’t. I wasn’t heavy by any means, but at 165 I wasn’t fit or healthy and I really wasn’t happy.
Homecoming was a point where I really started to feel my round face and chubby arms…I don’t think I wore a tank top again for years after seeing this picture. At the time running was a punishment provided to me by coaches when the team wasn’t doing well or someone was late for practice, it was not enjoyable.
I knew how to workout, I’d done that forever…I went to the gym and did the elliptical or biked, but it wasn’t right for my body and nothing really changed. My Sophomore year of college I started walking… A LOT…all the time and I started doing Tae Bo because that was all the rage. This helped my cardio and I started to feel more confident.
My Junior year I started run/walking…slowly that became more run than walk. But I wasn’t going very far on those runs and my ONLY purpose was weight loss, not joy, not fun, not anything else but burning calories. And for me running was the formula for weight loss unlike any other cardio I’d ever done.
At the end of my Junior year a group of girls decided they were going to run the Nashville Rock N Roll half marathon. I wanted more friends, they were nice…ok I’ll sign up! Suddenly I found myself training to run 13.1 miles. I hated the cold on race morning, wanted to drop kick some one around mile 7, knew I just wasn’t meant to be a runner at mile 10, BUT then I crossed the finish line.
Everything changed. I was a runner. I was confident, I was strong and I could do more than anyone thought. I feel in love with running in that painful moment (or 2:15) and never looked back. Suddenly it was an excuse to be outside in nice weather, it was a way to describe who I am, it was a method of continuing to work on my body and it made me feel amazing.
Each run for me is validation that I am in charge of my life and making healthy choices. You’d think after 8 years I would be over the novelty of knowing I can run…but I’m not. With running there is always another level and a new challenge. You can get faster or go farther or run more and that appeals to my personal competitive nature. 
I’ve never become much of a racer. I prefer to do a couple a year and spend the rest of my time just enjoying the motions. BUT I have learned the value of friends made through this sport and that is something I will continue to improve because it took me almost 6 years of running to learn it’s more fun with friends…odd considering I started this whole thing to make friends. So why the shift? I learned to enjoy being around myself…I’m an only child so time alone is enjoyable to me, but really liking myself that was a whole new ball game.
Sure I lost 35 lbs along the way, toned up in ways I never imagined…but really running gave me so much more than a different body. I became a nicer person, a friendlier person…a person who not only wanted to tackle the world, but finally thought that I could, all because one day I crossed my first finish line in 2:15.
What has running done for you?
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Gratitude Journal
June 09
I am grateful for no regrets
I am grateful for optimism
I am grateful for freedom to make choices
I am grateful for your support
I am grateful for fast forward
Hospital HillS 1/2 Marathon
Tricia
LOVED this! Running was always a form of punishment for me growing up as well. It wasnt until this past year that I realized how much FUN running could be!
Java Joggers
Running has helped to keep me sane!
Ashley
Great Post. Thannks for sharing! I can relate and Ive only been running 8 months! Still working on the weightloss :) but I know I am a much happier fit person even if the weight is still there. I mean its crazy to me that I went from running 3 to 13 miles in 5 months and this october on my one year anniversary of running my first 10K I will be running the Chicago Marathon!!
Anna Banana
Love this post! So crazy how running can empower you and chane yoru life. Seems so simple just putting one foot in front of the other, but it really is a lot more than that!
Meredith (Pursuing B
This is a great story!
Molly
I've gone through phases with my running, first it was just a part of playing sports in school, but after college and being out in the real world, it was about weight loss. Then it was about racing, then joining a run club, and meeting some very cool people. Now it's about the ultimate challenge, running a marathon. Thanks for sharing, I love reading about journey's in fitness!
busyrunningmama
Wow! I would have never know that you struggled with weight issues at a young age! You are a true inspiration and motivation to us all – keep it up – and thanks for sharing!!!
The Happy Runner
Great post! Running has given me so much more confidence and helped w/my weight, too. It's the best.
bobbie
Great story Amanda, thanks for sharing! I am at the point right now that I am WANTING to be able to use running as a way to lose some weight and tone up me, hope it works for me like it did for you!!
Marlene
Great post! So nice to learn a little more about your journey. I also officially caught the running bug at the finish line of my first race … also a HM in about 2:15. :) Before then, it always felt like a bit of a chore… suddenly, it was a passion! There was no turning back.
blissfulrunner
Great story! Running has given me something to be proud of. A lot of us have stengths that come naturally to us, and while that's great, it's not the same as having something that you have to WORK for. Succeeding at something that challenges you and that requires more effort that you ever though possible is beyond rewarding. It's completely changed me in terms of my overall confidence and how I define myself.
J
I used to hate running too and then in college I started to love it! Its funny how you can transition to hating something and then loving it! Great post!
Katie A.
I LOVED you sharing this – as always :)Running has given me so many things, it's hard to narrow it down to one! But more than anything, it gave me appreciation for myself and taught me that I really can do anything I put my mind to!Happy Wednesday – hope your enjoying your vacay!
Jamie
Great story! Running has given me a lot and thanks to your post I'm starting to remember and focus on the good parts of running again :)
Bethany + Ryan
wow congrats! thanks for sharing, i didn't know that about you! i give running credit for all the good things in my life! i owe it all to running!
misszippy
This is a great post–your love of running clearly comes though. I can totally relate!
TMB @ RACING WITH BA
Wow! Great post. I love knowing how running has changed other people's lives. Fantastic!
Denise
that was a nice post. you've come so far and look amazing. even though i've only been racing for a few years, i still say all the time that i can't believe our bodies are capable of such things. it's really amazing.
MCM Mama
Lovely post!Running has been important to my mental state since I graduated from high school. I've always suffered from hormonal highs and lows each month and running helped to keep things more balance. I truly realized how important this was for me when I had my first child. I fell head first into postpartum depression. The world was dark, being a mom sucked, I was completely alone (none of these was actually true, it's just how I felt at the time.) I made an appointment to see my dr and while I was waiting the few days to get in, I started "running" again. It was slow and painful, but the endorphins started pulling me back towards "normal". I saw enough improvement in those few days to cancel the appointment. I've never looked back. Now, if life is overwhelming me, I hit the road or the treadmill and I can put things in perspective again.
Missy
Thanks for sharing! Such an inspiring story. I am doing my first 5K next week so we'll see what happens from there!
shellyrm aka jogging
Great story! I would have thought you were one of those people who have to "try" to gain weight. You are so lean and fit now and look great!Running is part of the definition of Shelly. Being outside, challenging myself, setting a goals, noticing the small things along the way, apprecating simple things; that is all wrapped up in running and me. It's a control by which I can allow myself on a daily basis to be successful when in other areas I may feel I fall short. The road/trail has taken many burdens from my, heard many prayer, absorbed tears and shared in my silences in a way that has given me something I have always needed and never found within another person. It's time to connect with God, myself, nature and allow me to return a better person for my family. All that from a little thing called running. Not a bad deal.
Bert
Very inspirational, thank you! Like many (most?) runners, running is part of who/what I am. Inseparable from my being – the rest of my life has to fall in line.
Jess
Awesome post Amanda! So glad you were able to find running and make it mean something in your life!
Madison M.
Your story is amazing!! :) Keep up the great work!
Ali
I love this post, I think it is one of your best, at least one of my favourites.
Kiesha
I get to run away from my responsibilities for an hour. It's therapeutic for sure!
KatiPet
Thanks for sharing your story. It's important to be reminded running and exercising should be fun, and not considered a chore! It is much easier to stick with a healthy lifestyle when you alter it to meet your own needs and preferences.
X-Country2
What a wonderfully inspiring story. I wish all girls at that age would take control of their lives and happiness like you did. So many end up as over-weight adults with crappy self-esteem.
Tea Time
Wow girl, you've done a lot of work. That girl in the old photos never even saw it coming. Thanks for sharing your great running story. For me, no matter how far I wander off into the unknown, I always seem to go back to running. I've too recently discovered the joy of running. Not just because of my own vanity but just because I could.
teacherwoman
Great post Amanda! Just like you I am not much of a racer, but do enjoy getting out there and doing a few races here and there, enjoying the moment and ability to run and move with hundreds of other people! it's great!
Rad Runner
Uh hello wonderful post!It is funny how our sport is other peoples punishment hu?Total props for jumpin' in the big race! I started with a 5k, while my younger sister ran a full marathon with her high school group! After that race, I was hooked, good mood, bad mood, tired, or awake, I want to run…I moved on to 1/2 marathons and am now training for my 1st full!Running makes me happy, calm, forget bad things, nice, relaxed, healthy and more social, oh and quit enthusiastic!
oc2seattle
This is such a great post! I'm still working to find that feeling you had when you crossed that finish line but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.
Steel Springs
Great story! Thanks for posting it.
Aimee (I Tri To Be M
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing your story for us! I've actually always loved running! I ran in elementary school and high school, then gave it up for awhile in college. But, I needed something in my life and running slowly came back to me my junior year in college. It was awesome. I started running again and never really looked back! I love to run and I can't imagine not having it in my life.
Her Name is Rio
What a inspiring journey! It's great to hear you found what you were looking for in running.
Amy
Great post! Thank you for sharing this.
Michelle
Great story! Love it!
Sophia
You're very inspiring! Great post and great story! I think running is the the best cardio workout ever! Thanks for sharing your story!
simple_happiness
Your post is a lot like my story. I've always ran, heck I ran cross country my senior year in high school, but I never truly liked it until last year. Last spring/summer I got up a couple mornings a week before work and would run. It started as a run/walk and then a run but not all the way home. By the end of the summer I could run the entire way and back almost every day. I felt great going into work knowing I had already done my work out and it actually made me more driven at work. I couldn't wait until this summer to get back into running again. It is truly an amazing feeling after a run
Adam
Mmmmm, twizzlers… OH, I mean…running has changed my life in nearly every way imaginable. I've dropped 40 lbs and am now doing things that I only dreamed of 4 years ago.
Knitting Magic Girl
Really amazing story! We sound pretty similar, only I put on a lot more weight when I stopped playing high school softball. I'm down 75 pounds now and running has helped me rediscover the ability to set goals and meet them, be athletic again, and look at life as a journey rather than something I am plodding through.
Taylor Ryan-Boyle
Love this post and you. you were beautiful as a teen but your confidence as an adult makes you gorgeous. xo
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