The first time I trained for a half-marathon I lost 20 pounds throughout the process. All I did was run and I lost the weight. No lifting weights, dieting, cross training, etc. The thing I've noticed each year since then is all I do is run and bike to get into race shape, and all I do is finish the races. This time has to be different because I don't think I can finish the race without dieting, specific training, and weights.
Last summer after I completed my first half ironman I went into a big workout slump and all I wanted to do was eat unhealthy food. I went through a big stressful job change and my comfort zone was going out to lunch a lot with colleagues and eating fast food for most of my meals. My weight maxed out at 215 pounds. (When I ran the mini in 2006 I was 188)
I've been easing into a decent training routine for the past few weeks. With a workout tomorrow I will have exercised 5 days this week. I've been spinning twice, core workout class 3 times, lifting 3 times, and I've ran 12 miles this week.
I really love food. I've never done drugs or smoked cigarettes in my life. I only drink every now and then...but I'm addicted to certain types of food. My favorite breakfast is a bagel with cream cheese complimented with a mountain dew. I've gone out of my way to get my favorite fast food which varies depending on my mood. I've figured out in the past few weeks that I need to diet so I've been making healthier choices as of late.
Last week I started eating fruit instead of vending machine snacks in the afternoon at work. I replaced bagels/mountain dew with smoothie drinks/bananas/water in the morning. For dinner I only eat half of what I normally do and then bring the other half for lunch the next day.
The combination of dieting and exercising has given me my first positive result today. I lost 3 pounds since last week. And my clothes are becoming loose. This has really lifted my spirits and I'm looking forward to putting in another strong week again.
I've decided to restrict my running pace until February to 10 min/mile. I'm just trying to lose weight and I don't want to get hurt. It makes for some boring treadmill runs with all the ice outside but I have a long road ahead until August.
I'm curious this time with the ironman goal if my former self will be exposed with the dieting, lifting, and massive cardio. I've had a gut going since 1996-97 and I can hardly remember the last time I felt good about taking my shirt off in public. I have to just keep chipping away and not expect to lose 30 pounds in a month. I'd really like to see the scale at 205 by New Year's though...
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It sounds like you're on the right track and have a good head about it. Nothing too drastic or too fast, but just making solid decisions and healthy choices and you'll keep "chipping away" bit by bit. I was surprised by my weight loss, but was more surprised with how my body composition changed and how I toned and solid I was. Fit, most would say. Of course, in the month-and-a-half since, I've done nothing but eat and while I haven't put much weight back on, my muscle tone is nowhere near what it was. That sucks, but is my own fault. I'm looking forward to staying tuned during your journey, but also getting healthy again on my own. Documenting your progress as well as your food intake and workouts are important. Keep up the good work.
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