Shelly and her husband reach a
great vista along their hike!
My name is Shelly, and I am married to the most amazing man I've ever known. We have 5 wonderful children between the two of us from ages 15 years to 10 months old; the most recent three have been born in the last 5 years. I am blessed to be a SAHM and a full time student pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
I was born and raised in Central California and feel like I've suffered with weight issues most of my life. I was raised in a family who expected the plate to be clean at every meal because "children were starving in Africa". Then I was told I was fat and lazy in high school by my father... not words a teenage girl needs to hear. Looking back, I wasn't really overweight as much as I was very solid, muscular, and short. I have a very sporty physique and love to play softball, volleyball, swim, and run.
Shelly and her favorite country music singer
Josh Turner
I moved to Southern California to marry my sweetheart in 2005. Our first baby together was born in December 2005, and I've pretty much been pregnant every year since. I suffered two miscarriages between the beautiful births of our babies and my weight has piled on drastically through all I've put my body through (emotionally and physically). It is now time to do something healthy for myself.
"I started training for my first half marathon."
Two years ago I got a wild hair to try running for the first time in my life, at the age of 30. After my first 5k, the running spark died out when I got pregnant again, but 15 weeks ago I started training for my first half marathon. It was a huge effort to get off that couch and try to jog as far as I could go the first day on March 29th. I think the furthest I could jog was 1/4 mile without walking. I did 1.25 miles in 19 minutes that day. I remember feeling like I'd never be able to run a full mile without stopping. At that point, my goal was to jog 3 miles without stopping. It took me 6 weeks! There were days I wondered why the heck I was doing this, some days were much more difficult than others, and some days were really easy. It was a constant mind game with myself. Then I hit the runner's high and running went from a chore and dreadful to so enjoyable! I can't explain the feeling, but if you are a runner, you know what I'm talking about. I found that by posting my results and efforts on Facebook that I was motivating a few people around me, most of whom I hadn't seen in person since high school. It was motivating me even more to hear of their success stories. I am still seeing results from two of these friends, and on days I just don't want to run, their stories help me put on my running shoes and I'm always so thankful for their words of inspiration.
At this point, I am able to run up to 7 miles (with very few walking breaks) and have noticed major changes in my legs, arms, and back (inches lost and muscle gained), my energy, and my overall mindset. My first half marathon is on August 29, 2010. I also decided to try P90X with my hubby, but it's more of part time effort right now until my half marathon is over, then the following 90 days will be dedicated solely to the program. It is a really great workout!
I will be honest, I really thought that the weight would start melting off when I started running. After hitting my all time highest weight of 230 in September 2009, I had a long way to go to reach my goal weight of 135. I have lost 43 pounds in 10 months, but have gained muscle and physical and mental strength in the process. Although I'm no longer considered "obese", I am still about 55 pounds above my goal weight. I have never been tiny so I really feel like my goals are realistic and attainable. I am a go-getter, motivated, and have been successful in the past with my goals, so I know I will accomplish them all at some point. I have realized I'm capable of attaining anything I put my mind to, and each day is a new adventure and a new goal. I don't look so much at the end goal, but the little goals I set each day and each week. And so far, I'm reaching them and it feels terrific!
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” Lou Holtz
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Thanks for all the inspiration Shelly! You are working so hard to trend in the right direction. I think so many people can do so much to improve their health. It probably doesn’t mean running half marathons - at least for *MOST* of us - but your aggressive approach is definitely a fantastic example for the rest of us! I know it will pay off for you and your family in the long run. Keep up the great work!!
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