my weight loss journey

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I think many people look at pictures of me now and assume that I have always been thin, fit and healthy. Although I have been thin, fit and healthy most of my life, I have also run most of my life. The only time that running was not a big part of my life was when I had children. It was not planned that way – I assumed I would be like many of my college running friends that could run a marathon in the morning and pop out a baby later that afternoon, then be back to running the next day (a little exaggerated – but you get the idea). No, my story didn’t turn out that way. Unfortunately after losing my first little baby girl – I discovered the strict limits that I would be placed on to have children. I had a condition that required close monitoring and subsequent inactivity. It felt awkward to be so sedentary by “doctors orders” to eventually ending up on bed rest completely non-active and even unable to sit-up unless I was eating (and the heartburn – uugh!). As you can imagine, I gained a lot of weight despite eating healthy. My body was just not used to a sedentary lifestyle nor did I enjoy the inactivity. Mentally I was frustrated and I missed exercise very much! However it was all worth it when I looked at my newborn little healthy baby boy. I continued to have three more babies (two boys and finally a little baby girl) so all of the doctors visits, surgeries and stress tests must be worth it. I also developed gestational diabetes and was on insulin on top of the other high risk complications. So pregnancy was far from a piece of cake for me.

Between each pregnancy I managed to get the weight off knowing that I would be putting it back on again. That was discouraging because many that knew me didn’t recognize me when I was pregnant, and couldn’t believe how different I looked when I was not. It was also hard to start and stop running over and over. It always feels good to be in great shape, but it takes a while to get there. It is not easy to start from square one and completely out of shape. But I am living proof that it can be done over and over even if you have to lose 50 plus pounds over and over. I did it four times and am happy to say that I plan to never have to do it again (if I have a say in it). I know the frustrations of seeing the scale not budge even though you have worked your butt off (and luckily I tracked my body composition/body fat and measurements so I had other measures of progress to keep me motivated). I know what it is like not to recognize the person staring back in the mirror. I have felt the impatience of wanting results now. I know the self-doubts of ever getting back to where I used to be or where I was before. In many ways I am still here; wanting to get back to where I used to be, and in some ways knowing that in due time I will be able to achieve my full potential. Each day I try to enjoy the journey and embrace the fun of living. I am so thankful that I can exercise once again.

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Lora

Lora

Coach Lora Erickson is an Ironman All-World athlete and certified running and triathlon coach recently competing in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Africa in 2018. Lora was born and raised in Colorado and was to run for the University and Utah & Utah State University where she obtained a degree in Community Health Education with duel minors in Chemistry and Nutrition. Coach Lora has a true passion for health promotion and loves to share her experiences. Learn more: About Coach Lora Erickson