Dear iRUN

Dear iRUNLIKEAGIRL:
I run because for the first time, I can! When I run, I feel as though I can conquer anything. I used to weigh almost 290 pounds. Now I run 5+ miles five days a week & just finished a quarter marathon (6.55 miles)! I am a 42 year-old single mom and have kept my weight off for over two years. I run because I am a fighter with an iron will. Running renews my sprit and reminds me that I can overcome anything and reach beyond what I thought was possible.
Here's my story:
Losing weight began as my secret. Feeling so ashamed of being fat & failing at so many "diets," I made the decision to lose weight and to not tell anyone in case I failed again. This time was going to be different. As badly as I wanted to succeed, I was so afraid of failing. A couple of days later, I told my secret to my 8 year-old daughter, Hannah. Even at her young age, my daughter would guard it safely. I informed my daughter that I had started a weight management & exercise program. She happily threw her arms around me to give me a big hug & kiss. I warned her that I was trying; yet, still not sure of the outcome. After two weeks into the program, I returned home to tell my daughter that I had lost weight. And yet again, she threw her arms around me to give me a big hug & kiss. You see, those were my two most inspiring moments and the moments that seem to have given me the motivation I needed for so long. Because my daughter had so much faith in me, I knew I needed to succeed. I wanted to succeed for my sake and my daughter's sake. I wanted to show her how to succeed at something and if I could do this, she would learn so much. Succeeding at what you want in life takes time & it takes on-going effort. Takes picking yourself up & starting over after a setback. Takes commitment. And it takes not expecting yourself to be perfect along the way. In my weight loss journey, I have had great weeks & not so great weeks. Yet, through it all, I move ahead with patience. Hannah has watched me all the way. My daughter & I have learned the valuable lesson that no matter what confronts us, we can do it without quitting.

Thanks for listening to my story!
Daria of Eastchester, NY


Dear Daria:
Thank you for sharing your iRUN story. iRUNLIKEAGIRL believes in celebrating Individual Victories. And as cliché as it may sound, we couldn't celebrate victory if we hadn't experienced failure. It would be great if one failure could sustain a lifetime, but life continues to throw us a never-ending cycle of both. And believe us, whether it's weight management for one of our iRUN gals, it's something different for another. iRUNLIKEAGIRL accepts life's pendulum of both. While you experienced weight battle as a set-back, you undoubtedly triumphed in many other ways as shown in your daughter's leaps & bounds of encouragement. While you were improving your diet & exercise, perhaps a more "physical fit" person was simultaneously attempting to find ways in connecting to their child. There is so much we can learn from one another by showing our humble sides from time to time. Remember that set-backs are only temporary. And as you have so clearly displayed, reaching out for the next victory is the iRUN way!

All the Best,
iRUNLIKEAGIRL