Weight Loss Transformation Heather Sloan — Run to Lose Weight – Runner’s World

Name: Heather Sloan
Age: 41
Occupation: Government employee (human resources)
Hometown: Belpre, Ohio

Start Weight: 205 pounds
End Weight: 137 pounds
Time Running: 5 years

I’ve spent my whole life worried about my appearance and what people thought of me. It really became a problem in 2010 when my second child was born and I was starting a new position at work.

After that, I completely let myself go both physically and mentally. The demands between work and life became overwhelming, and I fell into the vicious cycle of crashing on the couch when I could, and stress-eating on a daily basis. I reached a high of 205 pounds.

I’ll do better tomorrow. Sound familiar? That thought kept me from pursuing a better life for myself. It wasn’t until my amazing friend Kara approached me that I was ready to make the commitment to make the life change. She knew how much I wanted to lose the weight, so one day she asked, “How would you like to train for a half marathon?”

How could I say no? This person is offering to help me when I need it most. I immediately said yes, and there was no turning back. So, in March 2014, I took my first steps running, and I’ll never forget it. Kara took me to our local high school track. I was huffing and puffing the whole way and was as slow as a turtle.

But it got better. By that summer I was running 5Ks, averaging around 37 minutes, continuing to try for a PR each time while the weight melted away. That fall, I was ready to start training for my half. The cold weather was brutal, but it wasn’t going to stop me.

I also began attending Temple Challenge, a one-hour class that focuses on full-body workouts, including both cardio and strength-training. It’s amazing what strength-training can do for a runner. I was able to drop additional weight while gaining muscle and speed until I was down 75 pounds.

Finally, on May 3, 2015, alongside Kara, I completed my very first half marathon at the Flying Pig Half Marathon. My goal for that race was to finish in under two and a half hours, and I came in at 2:26:40. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. The crowd support was one of a kind, and to this day, it has been my absolute favorite race.

Since then, I have been completing multiple half marathons, plus a 100-day running challenge, each year. I run the Parkersburg Half Marathon every August, which is not only a physical challenge, but a mental one. It’s tough, with the hills and the heat.

My biggest goal right now is going for under 2 hours in the half. My current PR is 2:06:04.

My weight will always be struggle for me, I really enjoy food, and I’m not talking about the healthy stuff. What I did learn was to eat less of my favorite things that were not quite so healthy. I did that by logging my food using MyFitnessPal every day for over three years.

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I can say with confidence that if I can do it, you can too. It doesn’t matter what age you are. You have to make the mental decision that you are ready to make the change no matter what it takes. Once you start, there’s no going back. It’s not only a physical change, it’s the feeling you get inside, pure joy and satisfaction when you finish that race, no matter the distance. Running is the best stress reliever there is.

It’s not at all easy, but once you make the commitment and give it 100 percent, it becomes the norm. My commitment was the seed that was planted that grew into happiness, confidence, and a whole new wardrobe.

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