Before and After Pics

I started on Calorie Count when I moved here to Richmond, VA in 2007 at 5'10" tall and 230 pounds. When I arrived here in Richmond, I learned of the Ukrops 10k, the 4th largest 10k in the nation. A few very fit colleagues were running in it. Since I couldn't get up a flight of stairs without breaking out in a sweat, the 10k seemed impossible for me. But when I signed up for Calorie Count, my goal was when I got close to my weight loss goal, I'd run the Ukrops 10k.

Tomorrow, I'm actually doing it.

Having not weighed myself in a few weeks due to my intense traininig for this race, I'm not sure how close I am to my weight loss goal, but I'm within 5 pounds. After this long journey, I can't even believe my big "finale" is almost here. I'm fit, healthy, happy, energetic, slim, and I can't believe I'm the same person. Tomorrow when I cross that finish line, I will also be crossing over into a new phase of life and leaving my old self behind. I'm a new person, a runner, a healthy human being.

Now I am nervous. I'll be running with 35,000 other people! I've never run a 10k or any other kind of race. I have been training for the past 10 weeks with a team, and I've run well over 7 miles at once. But it's the fear of the unknown I guess, and nerves are really starting to get to me now with less than 24 hours until start time.

I could really use some encouragement and some cheering on before tomorrow's race, and I know I can turn to my Calorie Count friends to provide that. And as promised, here is a link to my before and after pic.

-Lauren

wow

you look great first off and congrates

i always thought about doing a 5 or 10 k (but since i am not in the best shape right now i will have to put it on hold)

but your story shows what hard work can do

i wish you luck

Lauren you look gorgeous and you have done an absolutely terrific job!  I know that you're going to have a great run tomorrow!  I promise to be cheering you on from here in Maryland!  GO GIRL!!!!!

WOW! What a great fantastic super way to end your weight loss journey.

I think that is such a fabulous idea.

As someone who just ran their first race (only 5k) a few weeks ago - I know what you mean by the nerves! (Although I hadn't trained at all in preperation and I wasn't sure I could do it!)

Just know that adrenaline & nerves & other runners flying past you (or you flying past them!!) will get you motivated and keep you going the whole 10k! TRUST ME. If you can run 7 you'll do 10 during the race for sure. It won't be easy - but it will be doable. And exciting. It will be fun. Just enjoy the run and the day!  And you will feel so good and proud of yourself when you get near that finish line. Crossing it will be a fabulous feeling.

CONGRATS IN ADVANCE!!!!!

Fantastic before/after pics - you look like a completely different person!

I have never posted anything on calorie count. But WOW, you really deserve this. You look incredible and are a great motivator for those of us who haven't quite made it there yet. I wish you luck, although I don't think you are going to need it. You've trained for this, luck will have nothing to do with it. It sound and looks like you are ready. Congratulations on reaching your goal and I will be thinking about you tomorrow. Please let us know how you do.

Hi

I recently signed up for a 5k race in June.  So last night, i decided to give 5km a go - it took 46 mins.  But at least that's a decent start.  The average time for the run in June is somewhere between 30 and 45 mins based on last year (it's more of a fun run than competitive - the ideal start).  The ultimate aim is to run a 10k next year.  It's kinda funny to hear of someone who is at the end of the journey when i am just starting.

Hoping to follow in your footsteps...

Wow, Ever since I was in grade school I have been up and down with weight because I am so curvacious, but this year, I have decided to change my life and live fit and healthy.

You're story got me a little teary eyed, because I used to love running and before working out again and losing 10 pounds, I would be so uncomfortable running with my whole body jiggling for days.

I too have a goal to run a marathon...by next year a 5K.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and giving me more inspiration.

I can't wait to read how you did it and how amazing it felt!  Congratulations!

Also, I don't know if you do all your training indoors or not, but if you do, I have heard that outdoors are more motivating and you can go longer w/o noticing. So, if you can run those 7 now, you'll do great in the 10K!

Go get 'em!!

You look great, girl!  You can do it and if all else fails, just blast that beautiful smile!

Lauren - best of luck to you tomorrow...I will be there also...I am sure you will do just fine...

BTW its scheduled to rain so dress to the weather.

Dave

you look phenomenal! congratulations on all of your success, I am sure you will do great tomorrow!

Last may I ran in a half marathon and was not even near as in shape as i wanted to be by that point, with all of your hard work i am sure you will cross that finish line with ease!

Best of luck... and as my old running coach used to say, "may your miles be many and your pains be few!"

Lauren, congrats on your weightloss and on the big event tomorrow!  You have so much to be proud of and I hope that the run is a great experience for you.  That's a big 10K with that many people!  I'm also running a 10K tomorrow (slower than normal, because I'm 21.5 weeks pregnant) and I'll be thinking about you out on the course and having a blast.  Running with all those people is such a rush and a lot of fun.  Be sure to take pictures.  You'll do great!

First of all...you look absolutely beautiful...

Congrats on your accomplishment and your "big" finale tomorrow!  We'll all be cheering for you!!

Best of luck!!

Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment.  Let the emotions surrounding your accomplishment carry you through the hard parts -- you are your own inspiration!

Like everyone else said, you look awesome!  Congratulations.

I run about 15-25 races a year, ranging from 5ks to marathons, so here are a few tips for you:

• Drink A LOT tonight to make sure you're properly hydrated for tomorrow
• Get in some extra carbs tonight so that you have extra glycogen stores
• If possible, get up and eat something carb-heavy about 2 hours before the race (my go-to is half a bagel with jam).  Stay away from protein in the morning
• Dress for the weather (layers are GOOD!).  Don't wear anything you haven't already run in because chafing can be a problem
• Line up at the start according to your ability--if you aren't fast, stay toward the back of the pack to avoid getting trampled
• Don't get caught up in the adrenaline so much that you go out TOO fast and crash early.  Start slow(er) than you feel like you should.
• Have FUN with it!!!
• Make sure you eat afterward (within 45 minutes)--ideally carbs, fats AND protein.  Ideal: bagel with peanut butter and a banana.
• Drink more than usual for the rest of the day.
• STRETCH and keep moving all day so you don't tighten up.  I use racing as an excuse to go shopping--walking the mall keeps me moving :)

Let me know if there's anything SPECIFIC I can answer for you!  Good luck!

You do look fantastic. Have a great time tomorrow...you have so much to be proud of!!!

Congrats and good luck, pretty girl!

you're going to do great!

I'm running my first 5k in a few weeks -- the coolest advice I've heard so far is to start near the back ... not so that you don't get trampled but so that you spend the race passing the slow people ('wahoo! look at me go!') instead of being passed by the fast people ('aw man! look at them go!'). Then even if you end up with the same time you would have anyway, you'll cross the finish line feeling like a speedster.

Lauren, you look fab! and you will do great tomorrow... everyone gave you great advice, especially dc_runner81, so I think the only thing I can add is HAVE FUN and let us know how it went!

Congratulations on your success!  You look amazing!! You will do great in your race! What an achievement. You have a lot of good adivce on here. I would love it if you post about how it went!! Good luck!!

Woohoo congrats! You look so slim and happy!

You will totally rock the 10k tomorrow!

I can't thank you all enough for your kind words of support and encouragement. I keep reminding myself I've already run 7 miles before, so 6.2 miles (10k) tomorrow should be fine, right?

I still have the jitters, but hopefully those will go away tomorrow. I really appreciate the advice from you runners out there! Keep it coming!

It's supposed to be horribly humid tomorrow, and I've never run in 90% humidity, another point that's making me nervous. EEEk.

I will DEFINITELY post a follow up to this post to let everyone know how the race went. Hopefully I'll have a picture or two to share as well. Thank you thank you thank you for all the encouragement you've already given and I'm sure will continue to give. You are all wonderful and I couldn't have done any of this without such awesome people supporting me!

-Lauren