Thinking Thin: Susan's Story
2:16 PMGrowing up, Susan was never very athletic, and as an adult she shied away from attending group exercise classes. After having Roux-en-y (RNY) gastric bypass surgery in August 2015, she's a faithful attendee at the Saturday morning COMPto5K training meetups and eager to participate in her first 5K. We asked Susan a few questions about her weight loss journey and participation in Team COMPto5K....
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| Susan is now a fitness fanatic with a huge following on Instagram: follow her @thinking_thin_rny. |
A: When I saw that others from COMP were signing up, I thought that it would be a great opportunity. And I knew that if COMP sponsored the program, it would be geared for me.
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| Susan at the first training on 1/2/2016 |
A: It has been going great! I really look forward to every Saturday when I meet up with my #COMPto5K friends to train. It is definitely a program for all fitness levels. We have walkers, joggers and runners. Some folks go the whole distance and others complete what they can. I have some knee issues that prevent me from running, but I do my best. I alternate between walking and jogging.
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| "I have noticed a marked improvement in my strength, flexibility and endurance since I started this program," Susan says. |
A: It was freezing cold outside and you never knew if there would be snow or ice on the roads! I was about 4 months out from my RNY surgery, and at that time, I was always cold (shivering). It was difficult to get myself motivated knowing I would be outside in the freezing temperatures, but I discovered that keeping a good pace helped warm me up. I am very thankful for the warm weather that we have now!
Q: What did your exercise routine look like before weight loss surgery?
A: Before my surgery, I would walk about 20 minutes on the treadmill and then I would spend about 30 minutes strength training on the circuit. I was really proud of myself when I hit 5,000 steps on my Fitbit; that was a really good day. I wasn’t very athletic when I was younger, but I did enjoy riding my bike.
Q: What is your favorite part about being part of the COMP community?
A: I feel very fortunate to be a part of the COMP community. COMP recognizes all of our needs by offering organized activities (like Paint Night, support group meetings, free Bodyvive classes, etc…) that bring us together. Prior to my WLS, I isolated myself. I was not very social; I did not enjoy being part of group activities. Since starting this program, I have found that I have come out of my shell and I have built some amazing friendships.
Q: When did you have weight loss surgery? What was your starting weight, current weight and goal weight?
A: I had my weight loss surgery on 8/06/15. My starting weight was 328 pounds; my current weight is 210; and my goal weight is 170.
Q: What else would you like to add about your journey?
A: Having weight loss surgery saved my life. I am a better wife, mother and friend because of it. I have so much energy now and I can do so many more things. This has been a lifestyle change for me. It’s not just about eating less food; it’s about eating the right foods and staying active. I’m so glad that GBMC COMP challenged us to do this 5K on Father’s Day. I don’t think I ever would have dreamed of signing up for something like this, even after losing weight, but it was a challenge I wanted to take. I have found an activity that I love to do. I time myself on my walks, to see how far I can go in how much time. I strive to get better everyday.
Want to join Susan at the 5K on June 19? Sign up here! |
| You can find Susan in the gym or out jogging almost daily now! |
A: I feel very fortunate to be a part of the COMP community. COMP recognizes all of our needs by offering organized activities (like Paint Night, support group meetings, free Bodyvive classes, etc…) that bring us together. Prior to my WLS, I isolated myself. I was not very social; I did not enjoy being part of group activities. Since starting this program, I have found that I have come out of my shell and I have built some amazing friendships.
Q: When did you have weight loss surgery? What was your starting weight, current weight and goal weight?
A: I had my weight loss surgery on 8/06/15. My starting weight was 328 pounds; my current weight is 210; and my goal weight is 170.
Q: What else would you like to add about your journey?
A: Having weight loss surgery saved my life. I am a better wife, mother and friend because of it. I have so much energy now and I can do so many more things. This has been a lifestyle change for me. It’s not just about eating less food; it’s about eating the right foods and staying active. I’m so glad that GBMC COMP challenged us to do this 5K on Father’s Day. I don’t think I ever would have dreamed of signing up for something like this, even after losing weight, but it was a challenge I wanted to take. I have found an activity that I love to do. I time myself on my walks, to see how far I can go in how much time. I strive to get better everyday.
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