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
7 comments:
Awesome story Daria! I love the fighter attitude - YOU GO GIRL!
Daria
Little decisions, made in the quiet of your own personal stuggle birth unbelievable results. I have a girlfriend, who not unlike yourself struggled for years to combat her weight and one day simply made the decision that enough was enough. She walked out her door, took it one step at a time and within a year she lost 113 pounds. When I see her all the little hairs on my body stand on end. I am so happy for her that she feels good about herself again. It isn't so much the weight that she physically lost, but the weight of the struggle that shed with it. You are a beautiful example to your daughter, and so many others! Way to go!
Daria,
Keep up the good work! You are a true inspiration to others!
Daria -
What a wonderful story you have shared! Congratulations on your achievement! Your story is a testament to all that with the will, commitment and hard work we can achieve our goals, whatever they may be. Life is a journey with all of its ups and downs and detours and when we experience success it makes it all that much sweeter. To top it off you have your biggest fan with you along the way - your daughter. She has learned a valuable life lessson throughout the process and I commend both of you on your on-going efforts. Keep up the good work and keep running!!!!
Daria---Thanks for your AWESOME story! You are an inspiration to not only your daughter but to everyone who knows your story. It is wonderful that running has helped you not only lose weight but given you confidence in yourself. The power of running is so great! It's energy transpires into so many different aspects of life. I hope that you continue to enjoy running throughout your life. Hannah is learning so much from you! I know your struggles as a single mom are great and I commend you for your achievements. Please keep us posted on your running. You and Hannah are in our thoughts and prayers.
Way to go Daria! I think God sent you a secret weapon in Hannah. Never give up and keep us posted on your running goals. God Bless!
Daria,
Thank you for sharing your warm, candid and valuable story. Though I have never appeared to someone as overweight, I suffer, as do most women I know, from dissatisfaction with my body. I am a size 0 and fortunately have never suffered from an eating disorder, but I struggle with how I look, however ridiculous that may seem.
As the mother of a 7 year old girl with a deep wish for my beautiful young daughter to grow up loving her body, I understand the meaning of your experience. We look for approval from other women as well as men - first and forever from our mothers, and then if we are lucky enough to have girls of our own, from them.
I have been absolutely consistent in modeling positive body self-image to my daughter. I advocate sports for women and girls as a career. I am a running coach - certainly I have the skills!
With great determination, I would stand naked in front of the mirror, in front of her, and complement my strength and shape and physical energy, feeling this was the most powerful way for her to learn - by example.
She is just as tiny and slender as I. Ond day as she was dressing for school I suggested a favorite dress of hers to which she responded " Oh - I look fat in that". Where on earth did that come from? Later in the year I caught her berating herself silently for not winning a race she ran with a friend. By studying a close-up shot of their feet crossing the finish line together.Where did all those " it's not about winning"
lessons go?
At first I refused to take any responsibility. Eventally, I realized that even though I was never guilty of verbally degrading myself in front of her, she could, of course, see right though me. On top of that, I managed to make her feel insecure with my apparent vanity. A complete backfire.
I learned the meaninglessness of words when they don't come from the heart. I have trained, and continue to train myself, to enjoy my body and my good health - both for her and myself.
I do this by continuing to run, by bringing her with me and not worrying about how far I can go, by relaxing and feeling happy.
Everytime I go out for a run i am shocked at how much better I feel - about myself, my daughter, life in general...Never give up this great skill you have learned which will wax and wane over the years. Every day is a new one. Find whatever it takes to get you out that door, even if it's once a month. The joy is immedediate.
I cannot imagine anything more meaningful than the words and hugs and encouragement you received from your daughter. You have obviously succeeded in giving her great self-confidence and compassion - nothing short of a victory in this day and age.
Congratualations on the hardest task on earth - to feel truly proud of yourself so that your daughter can support you from her heart.
Thank you for sharing your story. May your daugher follow in your foot steps!
Charlotte
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