This is the article that I submitted to AustinFit Magazine for their January 2013 Transformation issue. [http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/article/reader-transformation-stories (2nd story)]
In December of 2002 I tipped the scales at 317 pounds. I set a goal to lose 150 pounds, wrote it down and told one of my mentors. He suggested I create affirmations and train my thoughts to reinforce my desired changes: “I am Inspirationally Successful because I’ve Lost 150 Pounds” and “Just Being Me is Good Enough to be Great” are two that helped with those first steps. I didn’t have a road map on how to accomplish this goal, and clearly my lifestyle and thinking had gotten me to this “morbidly obese” weight. One of my friends was participating in the Jingle Bell 5K in downtown Austin and I mentioned that I wished I could do a 5K someday. She assured me that I could do it, even at that moment, because I could walk the entire course if I needed to. Fear is an interesting emotion. It holds people back from learning or experiencing many new things. I’m embarrassed to say that it took me almost a year to take my very first step towards fitness. I saw an advertisement for the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in November of 2003. My mother died of breast cancer, so I thought this would be something I could do in her honor. It really didn’t matter how “hard” I thought the event would be, millions of people have cancer, and that is harder. I was dropped off on the Congress Avenue Bridge and was shocked by the number of people swarming around Riverside Drive & Congress. I was nervous, disoriented and overwhelmed reading the In Memory Of and In Honor Of signs that people attached to their shirts. I remember crying at the beginning and the end of the course. I just completed a 5K!
Coach Tracy & I after Danskin 2004
I called my friend to share my excitement and she told me I should do the Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series in June and that it would “change my life.” In March of 2004 I realized I didn’t have the knowledge or self-discipline to train for a triathlon, and wasn’t even sure if they would let someone who weighed 278 pounds enter the event. I went to an informational meeting for a women’s training group sponsored by Danskin and I was guaranteed they could get me across the finish line. During the meeting I sat quietly and watched all of the people. Many of the women looked fit, but there were a lot of “normal” people and a handful that were definitely packing some extra pounds. A few “normal” people gave testimonials and the energy in the room was electric. I nervously approached Coach Tracy Nelson after the orientation, and waited for everyone else to leave. I introduced myself and I quietly said that I wanted to complete a triathlon, but I hadn’t ridden my bike since elementary school. I asked, “Do you really think you can teach me to do this and that I could cross the finish line, even at my size?” Her answer changed my life, literally. Tracy replied with one word: “ABSOLUTELY!” In retrospect, it was more than just her answer, it was the conviction with which she communicated it. She didn’t look me over head-to-toe and ponder her response; she didn’t ask me questions about my fitness or activity level. She knew that the systematic process of being on a team of like-minded individuals, having a coach, and following a training plan is an effective way to accomplish a goal. I posted a new affirmation: “I am a Healthy & Fit Triathlete” and repeated it in the mornings and as I swam. I finished the race in 2:38:40 minutes.
Over the next few years I worked on areas of my life that would ultimately lead to a life-long transformation of my body, but it was not immediate. I devoured books on positive self-talk, goal setting, and fitness. I completed the Danskin Triathlon again in 2005 & 2006, without serious commitment or training in the off-season. My progress was very slow. I continued to stay involved with Tri Zones Training, and learned many things about nutrition, hydration & equipment. More importantly, the friendships I built & the synergy of being with people who valued sacrificing their personal time and money to workout, and who also believed in me, were creating the foundation of my transformation. I participated in the Dilloman Triathlon and got a taste of a co-ed event… the first of many times I have been passed on the bike by someone who had wheels that I could hear approaching. It frightened me and sounded like a helicopter descending on Pace Bend Park Road. As the white spandex-clad guy passed, with a matching alien-like pointy helmet, he didn’t say “On your left,” nor did he allow much distance between us. I laughed as I thought how irritated he would have been if I freaked out and crashed into him. Thankfully, I was a seasoned triathlete. I peddled my heavy mountain bike along like the fabled tortoise. I am a Healthy & Fit Triathlete; I am Inspirationally Successful because I’ve Lost 150 Pounds
Over the next few years I worked off and on with a trainer, gained and lost the same 30 pounds and dealt with some tough life blows that distracted me from focusing on my fitness goals. I went through a health scare, job difficulties, and a divorce after 19 years of marriage. Being at “rock bottom” allowed me to paint with wide brush strokes and recreate the world in which I lived. I looked back at my goals for the past decade. Most had been accomplished except the one set in 2002 of losing 150 pounds. I had achieved 1/3 of that goal, but weighing 265 pounds was by no means a success. I made a list of things that had worked during the times I made the most progress. I noted with whom I associated, how I spent my free time, and the daily disciplines that allowed me to take small steps toward a large goal: It was that darn triathlon!
In March of 2011, on what would have been my 20th wedding anniversary, I weighed 252. I made a firm commitment that I was going to change my life. Instead of tallying all of my failures, I was going to create my own success story. I reconnected with Tracy Nelson, the coach of Tri Zones Training, and paid for the spring session. I was starting over. Having amassed a great deal of debt in the divorce, I had little time or money to do anything besides real estate and attend the group workouts. I was ashamed that I fell off the wagon; they were happy I was back. I was now more teachable and more committed. I reintroduced myself to my primary care physician, had lab work done and a physical, so I would know from where I was starting, again. It is unfortunate that many people skip this step because they think it would be too depressing to see the “real” numbers. The first few months of a new fitness program produce such great results, but without your starting data, you don’t have concrete numbers to celebrate. Asking people to join you in your journey provides the accountability when things are tough, and an outside perspective to encourage you when you are down. I learned to never underestimate the impact of a great cheerleader!
I informed my coach I wanted to move back on the beginner team, although I had spent a few years as a workout leader. After a week, I realized that the knowledge I acquired was still there; I just needed to put in the time to regain the physical endurance. I tend to want thing to happen instantly, and the reality is that most things that require lasting change take a lot of time and effort. On days that I wanted to skip my training group, I knew I had teammates that would notice I wasn’t there and call to check on me. The community was a magnet that pulled me to group workouts even when my body wanted to crawl in bed or watch TV. When I felt I couldn’t go on, I showed up and cried through my training, then experience a sense of pride that I pushed through a quitting point. I started watching and copying what athletes did when facing trials. I picked up all of the free magazines about health & fitness and read online blogs. I am a Healthy & Fit Triathlete; I am Inspirationally Successful because I’ve Lost 150 Pounds
On September 6, 2011, while reviewing my affirmations with the same mentor from 2002, I realized that I needed to step up my commitment to fitness if I wanted to achieve at a higher level. I made a decision at 10:15am that I was going to track everything I ate in MyFitnessPal, yet would not set any judgmental goals; I just wanted to create the habit of tracking and awareness. I will always remember that date because it is my ex-husband’s birthday and the day I got engaged in 1990. When I become weary, I remind myself that I have been disciplined since that anchor date, and if give up, I would have to start over, again. I researched and read bios of personal trainers to find someone that could help me achieve MY goals, not their corporate or personal goals. I hired Jordan Johnson, at 24 Hour Fitness, and we put together a plan to fine-tune my focus, acquire new knowledge and have more accountability. I completed six triathlons last year, concluding with my “reward” race to celebrate losing 100 pounds: the Trek Women’s Triathlon in Bermuda. I was 2/3 of the way to my goal. I am a Healthy & Fit Triathlete; I am Inspirationally Successful because I’ve Lost 150 Pounds.
On January 1, 2012 I decided there would be no more “off-season” for me. People advise you to NOT set a list of New Year’s Resolutions because you will fail and be depressed. I decided I would make one commitment to track all of my exercise activities in an old triathlon log I got in 2004. I continued tracking my food and water, and was able to overlay this data to make adjustments for further success. I wanted to do all of the Austin-y races that I have seen for the past 25 years and finally had the ability to do it. I am a “back of the packer,” but I show up. I trained for the 3M Half-Marathon in January 2012. I found a new partner in crime and started doing cycling events like Rosedale Ride (20 miles), Autism Ride (44 miles), Red Poppy Ride (50 miles), Outlaw Trail Ride (62 miles) and the LiveStrong Ride (65 miles). “I am a Cyclist.” In the spring of 2012 I signed up for the Texas Triathlon Series, thinking it would be a miracle if I could complete ten triathlons, including my first Olympic Distance race. On November 9th, I took home my 2012 Series Finishers Award & placed it prominently on my mantle. I currently celebrate everything, like going from “morbidly obese,” to “obese” to just “overweight.” I was the happiest overweight person in Austin this summer! I choose to surround myself with positive people who believe in me when I doubt myself. I am committed to having open and honest conversations with people who are struggling with ANY obstacle. I found there was such a lack of resources from people who were in the process of “transforming” as compared to those who had completed their goal. I couldn’t wrap my mind around being “fit” – I just had to focus on being “fitter.” People don’t usually stand up and say “I’m almost there…” One of the things that continues to give me the greatest joy is inspiring someone else to take the very first step, then the next. I share with everyone my truth statement “I am Inspirationally Successful because I’ve Lost 150 Pounds” even though I have not crossed the finish line yet. I am 10 pounds away, will check that off my dream list, and then will set my next goal. The temptation is to move the finish line further out now that my true goal is to lose an additional 30 pounds, but that action robs you of the celebration of finishing a hard-fought race. Can you imagine if you are nearing the end of the 3M Half-Marathon and the director started moving the tape ¼ mile down Congress Avenue?
At this time, my friends are athletes, my vacations are planned are around races, and my rewards are upgraded gear and equipment. I train with people better than I am, because it makes me faster. I am currently sitting on my lanai in Hawaii writing this article, preparing for a 10 mile run tomorrow – for the fun of it. (I figured it was a good way to earn a few days lazing on the beach.) What’s ahead for 2013? A “century” bike ride (100 miles) in the spring, the MS150 ride from Houston to Austin in April, Colin’s Hope 4 mile swim in August, the Texas Tri Series, culminating with my first half-iron distance race (1.2 mile swim / 56 mile bike / 13.1 mile run) at the Kerrville Triathlon Festival in September. I will be a Sherpa next November at IronMan Florida and in 2014 I will finish the IronMan Florida in less than the 17 hour cut-off. I currently weigh 177 pounds. I AM a Healthy & Fit Triathlete. My overall conviction is that you have to “Synergize Success.” Make it happen; ask for help! I know there is no way I would be where I am now without countless people that have propped me up, cheered for me, picked me up and pushed me forward. Check back in a few months – the affirmation that I have been saying for 10 years will finally be a reality: “I AM Inspirationally Successful because I’ve Lost 150 Pounds”. Small incremental changes have lasting effects.
Before, During & Current… Stay tuned for the After!
Coach Jenny – Danskin 2004
Jenny & I – Rookie 2012
Coach Jenny & I in 2012
synergizesuccess :: συνεργός + επιτυχία 
Awesome story. We would love to feature your story on our blog.