fbpx ;

The Next Chapter (& a Date with the Scale)

Credit: Philo Nordlund

Now that I’ve completed marathon training (and ran the darn thing!), I have more free time on my hands. My Saturdays aren’t dedicated to running, and I can have a glass of wine on a Tuesday night without having to pray to the running gods that it doesn’t jack with my Wednesday morning run.

This new lifestyle has been both liberating and terrifying. While I love that I can really go after that New Year’s resolution to revisit my exercise A.D.D., I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss the BFD goal that I was working towards, the camaraderie with other first-time runners or the endless slices of pizza I could eat with hardly a second thought. What do I do now?

Going forward, I know that I want to run faster, and I know that I want to try some new activities and trends that are hot right now. But I also want to maintain my smokin’ post-marathon bod. Remember a few months ago when I told the scale to suck it? Well, I’m glad I did. After writing that empowering post, I stopped weighing myself, and by the end of training started to notice some major changes in my body.

I’ve worked out regularly since the age of 16, so I really didn’t think my body would change that much. But it did—especially in my legs, which went from strong to shapely powerhouses. My calves, which used to be massive (I’ve always been proud of their muscle girth), started to shrink and have more form, eventually causing my once-tight knee-high boots to sag down, even when I was wearing tights. (Excuse to buy new boots? I think so!) The side quad-thigh line became a permanent division on my legs, and my inner thighs started to get a line, too. Even though I work out for health, I freakin’ love those lines. And I earned them.

My cardiovascular system was off the chain, too. Walking up big hills felt like a picnic, and running for anything less than an hour seemed like a breeze. A breeze! Even my upper body became more defined and toned, especially my shoulders, which became pointier and more like a real runner.

After I got back from my truly magical trip and was fully recovered (read: could walk like a normal person) a few days later, I busted out the scale again. It was like revisiting a slightly abusive friend. I missed it, but I was afraid of what it was going to say. I shouldn’t have been as obviously concerned with it, but old habits die hard, I guess. And for some very un-Fit-Bottomed-Girl reason, I wanted that scale to show a number that reflected the changes that I could see in my body. (Don’t hang me on the fitness cross here, please!) When I stepped on the scale, it read my pre-marathon weight. A full 5 pounds less than my “suck it, scale” post, meaning that I was right back to “normal” for me, just with some serious muscle improvement. Victory—and those people were right about those carbs holding water!

I never intended to lose weight during the marathon, and I guess I never really expected the training to change me much physically, but it did! And, for the first time, I had an A+ health check-up. My doctor was elated that my usually high or borderline cholesterol (runs in the family, argh) was still high, but this time it was because my good cholesterol (the HDL) was off-the-charts high. Must be all of those peanut butter and banana sandwiches!

I enjoyed not weighing myself for the past few months so much that I’ve decided to only weigh myself once a week, just to keep on track. And because I have such negative connotations with the darn scale from my past, I decided to pitch it. (Plus, it was one of those wonky digital scales that’ll weigh you at two different weights if you move it to a different part of the bathroom—a bad situation for a former yo-yo dieter.)

Instead, with the generous help of EatSmart Products, I started a new friendship with the EatSmart Precision Premium Digital Bathroom Scale. It has no frills, besides a 3.5-inch LCD and step-on technology, and it’s all I could ask for in a scale. In fact, I like it so much, I named it Healthy Harold. Saying that you’re going to get on “Healthy Harold” is way better (and more hilarious) than saying “the scale.”

I feel like every step of my fitness journey teaches me something new. And marathon training only reinforced the reasons why Erin and I started FBG to begin with: That fitness and getting and staying fit is tied so closely to life. That fitness not only makes you feel good but it also builds confidence and helps you reach your goals, no matter what they are. I’ve gone from non-runner to runner, from obsessed emotional eater to intuitive eater. And my beliefs—that staying healthy and moving your body with activities that you love makes you a better and happier person—are only stronger now.

I can’t express how glad I am that so many of you readers are true Fit Bottomed Girls who embrace the idea that choosing a healthy lifestyle allows you to enjoy so much more of what life has to offer. I’m so humbled that you’ve been along for the ride thus far. Can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds! —Jenn

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Comments

8 Comments
  1. I really love the idea of “Healthy Harold.” Then it doesn’t sound like something that’s going to make you feel bad about yourself!

    And congrats on the lines!!

  2. Kate says:

    I really enjoyed this post! Thank you for sharing 🙂

  3. I sympathize with your need to see your good health reflected on a scale — I did the same thing post-marathon in October (I used up all those carbs I loaded up on, right? Right!?!?). I also share your enthusiasm about having some good stats that *really* matter: Cholesterol, blood pressure, resting pulse, etc. Congrats on feeling and being healthy, with or without Healthy Harold!

  4. It sounds like you knew you were more fit even without the scale 🙂
    Checking in every now and then is a good thing as long as it doesn’t dictate how you feel about yourself.

  5. Geraldine says:

    I lost 50lbs almost 3years ago and kept it off until 6months ago when I slipped on the scales and saw that almost 20lbs had crept up on me. What happened? I slacked off the exercise and continued to eat as if I was running 4 times a week and working out/golfing/yoga three times a week (not a freak – I took Mondays off but did golf and yoga on Saturdays).
    Nevermind the weight, I can tell that I am not as fit as I was; I can’t run as fast, I prefer sofa to bike, my gym pass is feeling less loved and very left out some weeks. I don’t work as well at work as I used to and my brain is kind of slow.
    So, pre-and-post half-marathon I spent the last two weeks putting my mental plan into action and have since discovered in my dusty memory that I remember why I prefer to be bit – simply put, I am healthier mentally, physically, spiritually and karmically and this just makes life good all around.

  6. Sagan says:

    Yay you! Scales can be useful companions if we have a healthy relationship with them.

  7. What an awesome post! You should be so proud of yourself! Sounds like you worked hard. I’m running my first race this Spring and I’m so excited! I know it will be challenging but worth it! I’m in the best shape of my life! I love taking care of my body! Fitness is so important because it keeps you healthy and young 🙂 How did you train for the marathon? Keep it up girl! Thx for sharing!

    Jen

  8. Evie says:

    I actually don’t even own a scale. I think they are horrible and unnecessary. My weight constantly fluctuates, depending upon my “cycle”, how much or little I work out, drink water, or breathe. I just buy fitted clothes, and if they start feeling tight, I watch my eating and work out a little harder. I honestly am consumed by so many things in a day, I simply cannot be consumed by a number, too! Keep the good stuff coming.

Comments are closed.