A fitness update

It's been awhile since I've updated on my running. Since deciding not to run Loch Ness, actually. But all sorts of things have happened, so an update feels necessary.

TW: Medical photos of my endoscopy and discussion of weight and body fat under the jump.

One reason I chose not to run Loch Ness, besides simply not wanting to train for a marathon, was my health. To keep a long story short (and a graphic story clean), I began having GI issues in the late fall of 2023 and it took months of waiting and an endoscopy to finally get an IBS diagnosis and begin treatment. 

Felt cute, might delete later.

My doctor initially thought I was somehow getting gluten in my diet, but I was skeptical. These days, we're treating the IBS with nortiptyline, loperamide, iron supplements, and probiotics, and things are much better. But for about five months, my stomach issues were causing a lack of energy, dehydration, and a lot of uncertainty/fear about being far from a bathroom. Plus, running is notorious for stirring up one's bowels, even on a good day. So, basically, after running a half in May, my running became non-existent.

Instead of running, I focused on walking with friends and hiking with Matt. With medication in hand and cool weather returning, I got back to running, but I wasn't feeling major miles. Around that time, Matt's gym had a 29-day trial period open up, and I signed up. 

Little runs between 2 and 3 miles felt good.

Lifting weights and going to classes was a fun change of pace. His gym uses the InBody machine to measure your weight loss and muscle growth, and I learned upon signup that I was at my highest weight ever. Honestly, the weight itself bothered me less than getting confirmation that there was a reason I wasn't feeling my best or strongest besides the health stuff, and I didn't like seeing objective data that showed my muscle mass was really low for my weight.

My goal for the trial was simple: lift weights three times a week and try to eat 120g of protein a day. Following that protocol, three weeks into the trial, I'd lost weight, gained muscle, and already felt so much better. I hadn't even changed my diet besides making sure I was getting protein with every meal and tracking to be sure I got enough each day. It's amazing how eating more protein created a domino effect of diminishing my sugar cravings and snacking habits, because I'm actually getting what I need out of my meals and I'm too full to eat a lot of sweets. Packing protein into my day isn't easy, but it's worth it.

You can tell we just got back from HI because I'm throwing up a shaka like a dumbass.

Seeing objective progress was very motivating. I signed up for a full gym membership before we left for Hawaii. Obviously our vacation didn't leave much time for weightlifting, but we did hike a few times. I knew my next InBody scan wouldn't show much progress because of our trip and starting a new job the week we got back (more on that later, maybe), but wanting to see the numbers move was definitely a motivating factor in getting me back into the gym.

Three months in and actually starting to feel strong and see some changes.

Surprisingly, my third scan showed my body fat percentage is still steadily decreasing and my muscle mass is increasing, despite the time off for vacation. Now I've added some running back into my routine, but it hasn't been consistent and I'm not missing it much. Right now, my focus is on lifting heavier and increasing muscle, and running just doesn't feel as fun at the moment. It's nice to be able to take a break from it and have other things to take its place, including the volleyball league at my new job.

My goal is to get my body fat to around 24%

Anyway, my sister and I have been talking about how we want to be in the best shape of our lives at 40, and for me, that's just about 15 months away. I want to be strong and fully functional as I age; longevity is more important than ever, now. I hope this shift in mindset carries me through and helps me finally develop lifelong habits.

I'm not too old for that, right?

Ali