Page Title

Introduction Text Here I am, more than seven years after stepping away for a bit. Holy cow, I didn't just step away. I went halfway-around-the-world away. I am here because my friend AINTSKEERD asked me to come back. She reminded me that I may be in a hole, but the best way OUT of the hole is with the help of others. So here I am, ready to be a cheerleader and maybe climb out of this hole. A former marathoner, as you can see from the photo on the left, I ain't running any races any time soon. I have gained 100 - ONE HUNDRED! - pounds in that time. My life is now filled with can't and no. I can't run. I have to catch my breath after using the handrail to pull myself up the stairs. I often can't get any shoes on my swollen feet. I can barely put on socks or tie my shoes. I can't get up off the floor after playing with my grandson. I am afraid to ride my husband's horse for fear I will break him. Really. Can't. Can't. Can't. God, I hate that. So here I am, worse off than I was ten year ago. Too fat to exercise. Literally. Even WALKING hurts my feet.But I have to do something. Or else I am going to die from being fat. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it. I hate failing. I hate thinking about how far I have fallen (and now can I get up?!?) But I hate looking at this photo of me, taken just two weeks ago. And I hate not being able to breathe. Or walk up a hill Or upstairs. So I am back on the journey to fitness. One step at a time. I have to ask: Are we there yet? ... You are better than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can. NEF (No Excuses, Finish) The first quote is what I wrote on my left hand. The second (from my son's HS wrestling coach) went on my right. On my back, on hot pink duct tape, I wrote "I am Kate, and this 26.2 miles is for all of us who were picked last in PE" Then I set out to run my first marathon. 46 years old. More than 60 pounds overweight. Just started running 7 months ago. Pulled hip flexors right and left. Achilles tendonitis in my right foot. Are you kidding me? Well guess what? I did it! I am a marathoner! It took me 6:38, but I completed a marathon. I had wonderful help along the way - a SparkFriend who ran with me, completing her first marathon, too; two other Sparkies who came out to see us, provide nutrition, and take photos along the way; and a fourth Sparkbuddy who was out with her band along the route to cheer and entertain us as we ran. Then there were all of the rest of my Sparkfriends, local and long-distance, who cheered and encouraged and supported me on this quest. And I can honestly say that without all of my SparkFriends, I would NEVER have done this! So if you are new to SparkPeople and are wondering what this site can do for you, let me tell you - it can do the most important thing of all - it can help you reach your dreams. I am living proof.

Find some form of exercise I can (and will) do that won't put me in worse physical shape than I already am! Pay attention to what I eat, when, and how much. Oh, and why. That is a big one.



I still live in Oregon and my can't-gain-weight-even-when-he-tries husband still doesn't get it. We are now empty-nesters and have a two-year-old grandson. I have an amazing job, but work from home, which has its drawbacks.



Add a Link Kate NEF - No excuses, finish! You are better than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can.
Save Changes