My Journey from Fat to Fast

“Some people are just born fat and that is how they shall grow old and die” was what I was convinced about.

Not that I was a couch potato, or that I didn’t try as a kid. I would always be seen on the sports ground playing handball, kabbadi and volleyball with the energy to burn it all down, but the fat refused to leave me. Having done my schooling in a military school, I participated in all physical activities despite the difficulties of being overweight. It was there that I was spotted as a potentially good shooter and I trained hard and even got selected to represent the state of Maharashtra at National level where I won several accolades. Despite the success in a relatively sedentary sport, my urge to lose weight never died. I even joined a local gym and did some really harsh workouts to no avail. I only ended up getting sick and losing good health. That’s when I decided that this was not meant for me and I probably just had to live with it. 

As time flew, after finishing my higher education in business management, I started working where the work schedule and later the responsibilities at home after my marriage became bigger priorities. For a married, working woman, it is a big challenge to give priority to herself or her health. Most of my time was spent at work or handling the household responsibilities. Before I realized, I had grown to a weight of 110 kg. However, the sportswoman within me hadn’t died and the urge to get to a fitness level I always dreamt of, never left me.

I soon switched jobs, joined a neighbouring gym and started working out regularly. This meant lot of time being wasted and to no avail. It was then that a friend of mine suggested that I participate in a running event and even registered me for the 10 km run.  I had never run in my life, but that day I could finish that run probably due to inherent fitness I had. But that experience was very bitter and it left me wondering if women with my kind of weight and body structure should even try to run. I thought I would never run again.

  

Then Pinkathon happened in Pune where I witnessed thousands of women of all ages, shapes, proportions and challenges running, and running against all odds. I heard the stories they had to share, the tribulations they had overcome to reach there. That’s where I shed my inhibitions and decided that I would run. I knew it will not be easy as running on road with such weight will invite unwanted attention and lecherous comments. It was not going to be safe, early mornings running alone on deserted roads with stray dogs and rogue elements prowling the streets. I wondered what my in-laws and husband would say if I shared my intentions with them.

I shut myself to all these contradictory voices in my head and decided to run regularly, come what may.  I came across a running group (NIBM runners) close to my place and I joined them on 31^st Dec 2013. I started running regularly with them and thanks to a very encouraging support by the others in the group; I was soon improving my stamina and became consistent at local runs. 

Despite the efforts I was putting in, that was far above my other leaner friends, I felt little improvement in my weight or running prowess. I was neither improving my running nor was my weight changing, the sole reason for which I had started running. My own group mates who were very supportive till now started mocking me for being obese and suggested that I was only wasting time and will not be able to improve at all. 

 

It saddened me no end that I was doomed to remain fat and unfit despite such vigorous physical activity for which I was willing to make so many personal sacrifices. While going through this entire mental and emotional struggle and that strong urge to do it at any cost, I ignored my nagging backache and kept dragging myself with that heavy weight. What seemed like a simple backache suddenly started restricting my moments such as sitting in office, bending and climbing stairs. My doctor friend suggested me to undergo an MRI scan and consult a sports physio. I was shocked to know that I had this lumbar disc herniation which was worse enough to affect my running but not severe enough to require any surgery. I was advised not to run at least for three months when I was already registered for the Hyderabad half marathon a few weeks away, which is known for its gruelling hilly course. I started physiotherapy but the pain was refusing to go. My friend advised me to lose weight and increase the muscle strength, especially core, if I ever wanted to run again. This is something I had never thought of or advised by anybody. He shared the story of his injury and recounted his journey through it. He assured me that I surely can come back if I concentrated on a strict diet, exercise regimen and trained with patience and perseverance.  To avoid the pampering high calorie diet from my mom-in-law, I decided to stay alone for a few months and follow my routine religiously. I am very thankful to my in-laws who allowed me to do so very supportively.  What followed thereafter was months of sincere dieting, sticking to healthy food habits, rigorous strengthening exercises and a running plan which was tailored to suit my capabilities and intended targets.

 

 I used to do short runs and more strength training with exercises for my back in the morning and swimming in the evening. I did not follow any expert diet plan but just remained true to myself and restricted myself from having anything which will come in my way of weight reduction. After a month or so, I started seeing results and I could do 5 km with a good pace without any pain. My friends started noticing the change in me and it gave me confidence to continue. After strict training plan and diet schedule I managed to lose around 10 kg and was all ready to increase the distance slowly. To my surprise I could actually achieve my intended target of a Sub2:30 timing at the Airtel Hyderabad half marathon.

  

It gave me lot of motivation and confidence and it set me up to work harder for the next one which resulted in a 2:15 timing at the Bengaluru marathon. 

Soon, I was losing weight in a very healthy way and gaining in strength and endurance. I had lost more than 30 kg and had become far slimmer and stronger. I was able to run half marathons and such distances with far greater ease and faster pace.

The most memorable HM at the Pune international marathon with its tough hilly course was my latest challenge which I took on with an aggressive target of a sub 2:10. I was set up for it well with a strong start and a pacing plan put in place. I ran the course with determination and was well paced till the end for a strong 2:06 finish. This has really made me feel strong and confident to take on the challenges ahead of a longer run. 

  

I registered for the full marathon at the SCMM 2016, an inevitable upgrade to the magical but challenging distance of 42.2km. The training  for a full marathon entails a much tougher training schedule, long runs upto 36km and a high weekly mileage which requires not just personal effort and self-discipline but support of runner friends who would willingly accompany me in the long training runs. The experience of my first FM would always be very special, although it ended way below my expectations; it made me stronger for the tasks ahead.

 I knew this will not end here I will have to still work hard to improve myself. I finished at second position at Our Marathon two weeks after SCMM 2016.

To continue this journey I ran my second Full marathon in Bangalore in Oct 2016 and finished in decent 4 hrs 55 mins time bagging fourth position in my category. 

This was followed by numerous other HMs. The most memorable amongst them were the once where I finished on the podium like the NIO vison, Pune international marathon, FSAI and the HRunn marathon. 

 

 

While my ever supportive husband, in-laws and close friends were being proud of the new me, I was gaining in respect, awe and admiration from people all around me. Milind Soman, the man behind Pinkathon, a running event for women, appointed me as an ambassador for the event and always motivated me to keep improving.

 

Even my detractors and people who said I can never improve looked at me with respect. Nowadays when I am out running on the same roads, I run confidently past the same men who mocked at me a few months back.

Today, when I look back at those times when I doubted myself and thought if I could ever run a few miles, it gives me a great sense of achievement and accomplishment. 

 I believe that if I could be what I am today, every woman who thinks like I did a few years ago and doesn’t step out for the fear of being ridiculed, mocked or even teased, can and should step out and silence those whistles.  It is not just 35 odd kgs of fat that I have lost, I have shed loads of inhibitions, negativities and weaknesses and here I am, a new, stronger, more confident and a positive me.

If more and more of women like me, step out and run, ignoring the negative elements around we will have a better world to live in.

Long way to go yet, much more milestone to achieve J