Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words. It’s does help to know that I’m not the only one who still carries around these negative memories of gym class…and being publicly humiliated on the track.

For what it’s worth, I think you should go for it – you might just surprise yourself. I know I did! You can TOTALLY do this, and it’ll be even nicer to accomplish this goal with your fiance. (Congratulations, by the way!) What better way to let go of the past and celebrate this new chapter of your life?

Please keep checking back – I’d LOVE to hear from you! (I post updates on Twitter @jenniferlnelson, or feel free to “friend me” on Facebook at Jennifer L. Nelson).

Jen

You couldn’t be more right. I’m reminded every day that this journey is just as much mental as it is physical. I seem to have no trouble counting POINTs or getting to the gym – when I “fall off the wagon,” it’s almost always because of some emotional issue or body image hang up that I’m still battling.

This is unrelated to gym class, but I, too, used to do other things to bring attention to myself that was unrelated to my weight in middle/high school…not the least of which was publicly obsessing over one band (Hanson) by wearing their t-shirts every day and doing all sorts of other obnoxious things (writing their names on my hands, etc.). Better to be called “Hanson Freak” than “Fat Girl,” you know?

Thank YOU for reading and sharing and keeping me going!

Jen

Good for you for doing it. That is amazing and a fantastic start to your re-commitment to WW.

I did the same thing, by the way. I acted cool during PE so I could maintain my dignity and not run during something as easy as kickball or softball. I would purposefully screw up, and I earned the nickname “Princess” for it. It’s funny that they were more mad at me for being a “snob,” as they saw it, than for being overweight. But then, and sometimes now, it all seems to lead back to that word: fat.

Thanks for helping me journal my way through your comment section. Ha!

What’s funny is that I’ve never really timed myself while running (other than to make sure I’m earning the number of APs I so desire, haha), so I really had no idea how quickly I could do a mile. I also haven’t been keeping track of how many miles I run – I just recently discovered that the park I head to every day is almost exactly 2 miles around, and so it made me think about how many times I repeat the loop and how many miles I must have been running this whole time.

Now I’m sort of obsessed with knowing just how far I can go! I think that means I’m ready (mentally) for that 5K. Finding one is on my weekend to-do list.

I think I sell myself short sometimes because I still have a hard time looking in the mirror and seeing “a runner,” and I also think I stop myself a little too often when I’m running, biking, strength training, etc. because I THINK I need a break, if that makes sense. While listening to my iPod, I used to run for a song, then walk for a song, then I progressed to running for a song, then walking for the first verse of the next song, etc. But I’m seeing more and more that I can go for several songs without feeling out of breath or tired. It’s like I no longer NEED to stop…but sometimes I still do.

So, if anything, this NSV has made me realize that I can push myself a whole lot harder than I have been, and my body is definitely fit enough to handle it. I realized after the first lap on the track that the only reason I was starting to feel fatigue was that my mind was racing with all of these horrible memories, and I was scared to death that I would fail at completing it yet again. Like a big dork, I started talking to myself and telling myself to calm down, and that I could do this, and suddenly the rest of the mile was a breeze.

I know exactly what you mean about running through the neighborhood. You definitely do feel a sense of pride – you’re letting everyone know that you’ve made a commitment to being healthier, and it’s your opportunity to show them just how much your hard work is paying off! There are about 15 different bagel shops, pizza places, and Dunkin Donuts in my town, so it always feels great to fly past someone shoving pizza or donuts in their mouth – just like I used to do on a daily basis – and physically prove to myself that I really am NOT that person anymore. Sort of like conquering that mile just did.

First of all, I am seriously impressed that you did a mile in 10 minutes. That is wicked fast! And you’re right – this was a great task to tell your body and mind that you are no longer that young lady who was unable to do that run. You did it AND MORE! I love that you ran through town too. I often get that feeling when I’m running through my neighborhood and the run is making me not feel like I want to die but instead feel strong and fast and breezy. I daydream that every house I pass is secretly inside calling another neighbor saying “did you see her? She just ran by here AGAIN!” LOL!

Whatever it takes, right? ;o)

Congrats. You should be very proud of yourself.