This fat girl runs, breathes and believes

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 12:16PM

Chivito550 wrote: »

What sort of quantities is she eating though? She may have a terrible diet but is her calorie intake high?

Also while she may not exercise in the purest sense, if she moves around during her daily routine quite a lot then she is burning calories. Things like walking up stairs all day, mowing the lawn, gardening etc which wouldn't be considered exercise among the sporting community, are activities that burn calories.

She eats a lot, and I know this because she's my roommate. She'll have an entire Victoria sponge cake and that's before she has her dinner. After her dinner she'll have a bowl of porridge and a chocolate pudding. If it's not a sponge cake it's a box of ice cream or can of whipped cream or a box of mince pies or something similar.

Activity wise mostly she walks. She's a student so is fairly sedentary as she's studying a lot. No gardening as I don't have a garden. No more stair climbing than myself (stairs to my apartment) that I know of. She works retail so not sure how much she moves around there.

Now, what she eats is her choice and her business. I've just seen the amount of crap she consumes and sometimes despair because she eats the way people assume I eat.

I move around in my routine a lot too. Lots of stairs at work. I walk to and from work (amounts to 3k per day), and at weekends in addition to my workout and long run, I usually walk into town, go to the library etc etc.

I'm not trying to compare myself to my roomie but when people bring up the calories in-calories out formula, you'll forgive me for my incredulity, given the counter-evidence staring me in the face every day.

Chivito550 · 22-04-2015 12:28PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

She eats a lot, and I know this because she's my roommate. She'll have an entire Victoria sponge cake and that's before she has her dinner. After her dinner she'll have a bowl of porridge and a chocolate pudding. If it's not a sponge cake it's a box of ice cream or can of whipped cream or a box of mince pies or something similar.

Activity wise mostly she walks. She's a student so is fairly sedentary as she's studying a lot. No gardening as I don't have a garden. No more stair climbing than myself (stairs to my apartment) that I know of. She works retail so not sure how much she moves around there.

Now, what she eats is her choice and her business. I've just seen the amount of crap she consumes and sometimes despair because she eats the way people assume I eat.

I move around in my routine a lot too. Lots of stairs at work. I walk to and from work (amounts to 3k per day), and at weekends in addition to my workout and long run, I usually walk into town, go to the library etc etc.

I'm not trying to compare myself to my roomie but when people bring up the calories in-calories out formula, you'll forgive me for my incredulity, given the counter-evidence staring me in the face every day.

She probably has a high metabolism. She can burn off calories easier than others might. This doesn’t change the simple fact that if you burn off more calories than you take in you lose weight. For some, it may take more effort than for others to burn off x amount of calories. It just means that you have to work harder than her to be at a certain weight. It sucks, but that’s life.

For example, I train my absolute ass off for the 400m to run a certain time. Some other lad can roll out of bed with a hangover and no breakfast, without any training and run the same time. This type of person is simply more talented at athletics than me. Do I give up trying to improve because of this. Of course not. You shouldn’t let your housemate’s good fortune get in the way of what you need to do to get to the desired healthy weight. If it involves working harder than you are now (in terms of calories in and calories out) then so be it.

RonanP77 · 22-04-2015 12:30PM

You exercise a lot and this is what's confusing me and possibly others. Nobody is talking about skinny here but based on your height I would say you could comfortably lose 4 stone and not be skinny. Someone who is that much overweight, the weight should fall off them when they start to exercise.

I was 13 stone last January, I cut down my calories and increased my exercise. I lost 2 stone in a few months. I got injured and greedy over winter and put back on half a stone. Once I started working out again it and another half a stone came off over the course of a few months. I think this would be fairly normal and what people would have imagined would be happening to you.

It's entirely up to you what you want to do. The way I look at it is, if I put on a jacket with 4 stone of weights in it and run even 5k I'd expect my heart, lungs and legs to be under serious pressure and the chance of injury would go way way up. If I try to run long distances like that I'd just be asking for trouble.

annapr · 22-04-2015 12:31PM

Ososlo wrote: »

Just something to bear in mind too and something I came across last year with some runners.
I don't think that the weight loss will necessarily 'take care of itself' just because you're training for a marathon. Many marathon runners actually put on weight as they're overcompensating with food for the increase in exercise as the appetite may increase a lot. I'd keep an eye on the scales if I were you.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Yep, I saw this at the start of IM training. I lost weight initially but then I was constantly ravenous. Weight loss ceased and weight started to fluctuate and then went back up.

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

So far I've dropped two jeans sizes but only a stone in weight. Scales are deceptive! If I went by what they said I'd be too disheartened!

Fair points from Ososlo and RQ... I meant that TFGR would lose weight based on her stated calorie intake above (i think she said around 1800 a day) if she continues to exercise... and I see that she has already lost a stone which is a great start. I have gradually lost 8-10 lbs in the last year without focusing on weight at all, and with eating several tons of chocolate, not to mention cases of red wine!! So I'm putting it down to running regularly.

TGFR... we all know skinny people like your room mate... I happen to be married to one and it's just not fair what they can put away without gaining a pound! hopefully it'll catch up on her later in life

(evil I know)

davedanon · 22-04-2015 12:44PM

Is it bad of me to say I've eaten half a packet of Jaffa cakes (1 yoyo in SuperValu) whilst reading this, with my mug of coffee? Because I have.

Ososlo · 22-04-2015 12:47PM

davedanon wrote: »

Is it bad of me to say I've eaten half a packet of Jaffa cakes (1 yoyo in SuperValu) whilst reading this, with my mug of coffee? Because I have.

that's about 600 calories. How much will you run today?

btw you're a disgrace to the running community! When will you eat the other half?

RonanP77 · 22-04-2015 12:48PM

I can't remember if it was spoken about before but Myfitnesspal is a good app to use as a food diary even if you don't want to lose much or any weight. It'll give you an idea of what % of your diet is coming from fats, carbs etc. It'll also make you really look at how many calories are in something you want to eat and make you think if it's really worth it. Something else might have the same calories but be more filling and a lot better for you. A box of pringles probably has more calories than a chicken dinner.

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 12:53PM

Chivito550 wrote: »

She probably has a high metabolism. She can burn off calories easier than others might. This doesn’t change the simple fact that if you burn off more calories than you take in you lose weight. For some, it may take more effort than for others to burn off x amount of calories. It just means that you have to work harder than her to be at a certain weight. It sucks, but that’s life.

For example, I train my absolute ass off for the 400m to run a certain time. Some other lad can roll out of bed with a hangover and no breakfast, without any training and run the same time. This type of person is simply more talented at athletics than me. Do I give up trying to improve because of this. Of course not. You shouldn’t let your housemate’s good fortune get in the way of what you need to do to get to the desired healthy weight. If it involves working harder than you are now (in terms of calories in and calories out) then so be it.

We well agree on that point. I absolutely don't let my roommate hold me back. Hence the running three times a week and working out twice a week and walking and eating healthy. Wouldn't give any of that up for the world, it's too much fun! Keep in mind that I HAVE already lost weight, over a longer period of time. So while it's not been fast weight loss, it's still been loss. I'm not looking for a quick fix. I want a lifestyle I can sustain up to old age and beyond!

RonanP77 wrote: »

You exercise a lot and this is what's confusing me and possibly others. Nobody is talking about skinny here but based on your height I would say you could comfortably lose 4 stone and not be skinny. Someone who is that much overweight, the weight should fall off them when they start to exercise.

I was 13 stone last January, I cut down my calories and increased my exercise. I lost 2 stone in a few months. I got injured and greedy over winter and put back on half a stone. Once I started working out again it and another half a stone came off over the course of a few months. I think this would be fairly normal and what people would have imagined would be happening to you.

It's entirely up to you what you want to do. The way I look at it is, if I put on a jacket with 4 stone of weights in it and run even 5k I'd expect my heart, lungs and legs to be under serious pressure and the chance of injury would go way way up. If I try to run long distances like that I'd just be asking for trouble.

Keep in mind my age...apparently it's harder for weight to 'fall off' when you're older? Anyway I'm aware of the risks which is is why I'm being careful, checking in with my trainer and coach on a weekly basis, getting checked by the doctor, talking to nutritionists etc. All checks out so far! Blood pressure is normal (66bpm resting), cholesteral is low, blood all ok, thyroid normal. So far so good, knock on wood!

annapr wrote: »

Fair points from Ososlo and RQ... I meant that TFGR would lose weight based on her stated calorie intake above (i think she said around 1800 a day) if she continues to exercise... and I see that she has already lost a stone which is a great start. I have gradually lost 8-10 lbs in the last year without focusing on weight at all, and with eating several tons of chocolate, not to mention cases of red wine!! So I'm putting it down to running regularly.

TGFR... we all know skinny people like your room mate... I happen to be married to one and it's just not fair what they can put away without gaining a pound! hopefully it'll catch up on her later in life (evil I know)

Well, I certainly don't envy my roomie her headaches! She suffers from them a lot, and is also irritable and tired more often than not. We've talked about it and she sees how I eat and talks about how she'd like to eat the same way. Maybe she'll change, actually hopefully she will!

davedanon wrote: »

Is it bad of me to say I've eaten half a packet of Jaffa cakes (1 yoyo in SuperValu) whilst reading this, with my mug of coffee? Because I have.

I've had a few dates and a handful of nuts with my coffee while reading this. To each their own!

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 12:55PM

RonanP77 wrote: »

I can't remember if it was spoken about before but Myfitnesspal is a good app to use as a food diary even if you don't want to lose much or any weight. It'll give you an idea of what % of your diet is coming from fats, carbs etc. It'll also make you really look at how many calories are in something you want to eat and make you think if it's really worth it. Something else might have the same calories but be more filling and a lot better for you. A box of pringles probably has more calories than a chicken dinner.

I use an excel spreadsheet for that. Couple of times a year I do a full diary and keep track of all my food intake. I note the calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbs and sugar in everything I eat and get a good indication of where I'm at in balancing my carb:fat:protein.

I actually don't eat pringles or crisps.

davedanon · 22-04-2015 12:56PM

Ososlo wrote: »

that's about 600 calories. How much will you run today?

btw you're a disgrace to the running community! When will you eat the other half?

Luckily my son has roused himself from the scratcher and rescued me from myself by snaffling the last of them.

The Officer · 22-04-2015 01:13PM

Chivito550 wrote: »

She probably has a high metabolism..

Or a tapeworm!

eldiva · 22-04-2015 01:53PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

As for the 24%, I might be reading that wrong off my assessment results from my trainer (he measures me every couple of months. The 'body fat' number right now is, sorry, it's 25.54 and the 'lean mass' number is 74.46. Whether that's percentage or not I'm not sure. When I first started working out with him the numbers were 34.14 and 72.86.

I'm fascinated to know how your trainer measure's your %BF and what sort of equipment/equations they uses.

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 02:00PM

eldiva wrote: »

I'm fascinated to know how your trainer measure's your %BF and what sort of equipment/equations they uses.

He does a pinch skin test using a ruler type pinchy-thingy. Haven't a clue what it's called!

He pinches all over, thigh, tricep, abdomen, back, hip and I can't remember where else. He then measures me using a tape measure, again thigh, waist, shoulders, chest neck etc. Then weighs me. After that he uses a formula and Bob's yer uncle!

menoscemo · 22-04-2015 02:09PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

He does a pinch skin test using a ruler type pinchy-thingy. Haven't a clue what it's called! He pinches all over, thigh, tricep, abdomen, back, hip and I can't remember where else. He then measures me using a tape measure, again thigh, waist, shoulders, chest neck etc. Then weighs me. After that he uses a formula and Bob's yer uncle!

I would have to question it too to be honest. 24% is actually a pretty good/healthy BF% for a normal weighted female. If you google 'female 24% Bodyfat' you will see pretty toned images. So if that was your BF% you would have a lot of muscle mass.
Muscle uses a lot of calories for maintenance and people with a large muscle mass therefore have a very fast metabolism whereas (judging by the calories intake you quoted) you seem to have a very slow metabolism.

All that said weight loss can be a slow and ponderous process and it's better to lose a little every week than a lot at the start through crash dieting. So well done on losing that first stone and keep at it and you will get the results.

barryoneill50 · 22-04-2015 02:10PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

He does a pinch skin test using a ruler type pinchy-thingy. Haven't a clue what it's called! He pinches all over, thigh, tricep, abdomen, back, hip and I can't remember where else. He then measures me using a tape measure, again thigh, waist, shoulders, chest neck etc. Then weighs me. After that he uses a formula and Bob's yer uncle!

Jaysus, certain people charge big money for that kind of service...

eldiva · 22-04-2015 02:16PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

He does a pinch skin test using a ruler type pinchy-thingy. Haven't a clue what it's called! He pinches all over, thigh, tricep, abdomen, back, hip and I can't remember where else. He then measures me using a tape measure, again thigh, waist, shoulders, chest neck etc. Then weighs me. After that he uses a formula and Bob's yer uncle!

I'd love to be present when he's doing it, as by the sound of it he hasn't really a clue of how to do it properly. I'm saying this as I'm fully qualified at anthropometry. I'd say he just pulls an equation out of thin air

Lougheee · 22-04-2015 02:58PM

Did you go for a run today as a matter of interest?

If you're based in Dublin, UCD do body composition scanning if thats any use to you. I don't think a set of calipers will be as accurate.

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 03:10PM

eldiva wrote: »

I'd love to be present when he's doing it, as by the sound of it he hasn't really a clue of how to do it properly. I'm saying this as I'm fully qualified at anthropometry. I'd say he just pulls an equation out of thin air

How would you do it? I don't know what anthropometry means! I'll have to google it!

Lougheee wrote: »

Did you go for a run today as a matter of interest?

If you're based in Dublin, UCD do body composition scanning if thats any use to you. I don't think a set of calipers will be as accurate.

I'm going for a 3 mile hard run after work. Hoping it will be a bit cooler by then! You?

I'll chat this over with my trainer and see what he thinks. Might be worth it for a more accurate measure.

Lougheee · 22-04-2015 03:21PM

I'm going for a 3 mile hard run after work. Hoping it will be a bit cooler by then! You?

I'll chat this over with my trainer and see what he thinks. Might be worth it for a more accurate measure.[/QUOTE]

Good on you. I'm going for an easy run in the sun now in a bit. 30 minutes. I'm in the middle of a recovery week.

Its expensive enough to get a scan but if you're really interested then it might give you an idea of where you're at. It could be a good to have a starting point to track your progress. I haven't gotten one myself so I'm not necessarily recommending you get one. They are more suited to elite athletes seeking marginal gains.

The reason I asked did you run today is as long as you are running more days than you are not running, you should steadily get fitter. All the dietary chat is secondary to ACTUAL running.

Just keep running. Its so simple. Best of luck. Let us know how your 3 mile run goes.

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 03:42PM

Lougheee wrote: »

Good on you. I'm going for an easy run in the sun now in a bit. 30 minutes. I'm in the middle of a recovery week.

Its expensive enough to get a scan but if you're really interested then it might give you an idea of where you're at. It could be a good to have a starting point to track your progress. I haven't gotten one myself so I'm not necessarily recommending you get one. They are more suited to elite athletes seeking marginal gains.

The reason I asked did you run today is as long as you are running more days than you are not running, you should steadily get fitter. All the dietary chat is secondary to ACTUAL running.

Just keep running. Its so simple. Best of luck. Let us know how your 3 mile run goes.

Enjoy your run and thanks for the tip!

Hoping my run goes well. Need to make it's actually hard (for me that is!), and in this heat, that won't be easy! :P

RonanP77 · 22-04-2015 03:47PM

You've hired a fitness instructor / personal trainer along with a running coach and a nutritionist (I'd need a second job for that) you make regular visits to the doctor, you have loads of followers on your blog and twitter and none of them have stressed to you the importance of having weight loss as one of your main goals. I never claimed to know much about running but I'm obviously even more clueless than I thought.

I'll say a few things before heading off (because I'm really not going to be any help to you)

First, you say that you hope to inspire others who are overweight and want to run. I think it's a little irresponsible to say this and then say you have no desire to drop to a healthy weight. I wouldn't like to see people start to identify themselves as fat runners, I'd prefer they see themselves as runners. I'd encourage anybody that's overweight to try losing it.

Secondly, despite some of the stuff I've said coming across as negative, I really do wish you all the best. I hope you complete your marathon and many more along with it. I hope you avoid injuries along the way too.

Lastly, I hope you end up losing weight naturally and gradually as you increase your mileage. My main hope is that you see that as a good thing, stop seeing yourself as the fat girl that runs and change your name to "this girl runs"

This Fat Girl Runs · 22-04-2015 04:10PM

RonanP77 wrote: »

You've hired a fitness instructor / personal trainer along with a running coach and a nutritionist (I'd need a second job for that) you make regular visits to the doctor, you have loads of followers on your blog and twitter and none of them have stressed to you the importance of having weight loss as one of your main goals. I never claimed to know much about running but I'm obviously even more clueless than I thought.

I'll say a few things before heading off (because I'm really not going to be any help to you)

What is it with people saying their thing then running away? No pun intended?

What you ARE doing is helping me clarify my thoughts and articulate better what it is I'm trying to do!

First, you say that you hope to inspire others who are overweight and want to run. I think it's a little irresponsible to say this and then say you have no desire to drop to a healthy weight. I wouldn't like to see people start to identify themselves as fat runners, I'd prefer they see themselves as runners. I'd encourage anybody that's overweight to try losing it.

I would encourage any overweight person to GET MOVING. Running, walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates, heck do Nordic walking if that's what you enjoy. Just MOVE.

Secondly, I never said I didn't want to lose weight. I just said that wasn't my SPECIFIC goal. The SPECIFIC goal is to be healthy and of course that includes converting body fat into lean mass. That's a far different thing to just losing fat and watching the scales. I prefer to see the muscles in my arms working while I'm puffing away at the weights or having to go shop for a new pair of jeans because the ones I'm in are too big. Far more satisfying than watching a scales!

Secondly, despite some of the stuff I've said coming across as negative, I really do wish you all the best. I hope you complete your marathon and many more along with it. I hope you avoid injuries along the way too.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I hope you actually come back to read this though!

Lastly, I hope you end up losing weight naturally and gradually as you increase your mileage. My main hope is that you see that as a good thing, stop seeing yourself as the fat girl that runs and change your name to "this girl runs"

Eventually, I will. But I can't put my head in the sand and deny where I'm coming from. It's all true. I'm fat. I'm a girl. I run.

tunguska · 22-04-2015 05:07PM

Lougheee wrote: »

If you're based in Dublin, UCD do body composition scanning if thats any use to you. I don't think a set of calipers will be as accurate.

+1.

DEXA scan in UCD. Its about 90 bills all in all. Probably the most accurate measure of body fat there is. Will tell you your bone mineral density aswell, so its definitely worth the money. One word of warning though, the result could be a shock to you. Initially anyway. When I got mine tested I was 134lbs at 5ft 10, and fairly lean(at least I thought I was). I went in there thinking my body fat % would be 10% or less...........it was 16%. Which was a shock, but its a good thing because theres where you think you're at and then theres where you're really at, and sometimes where you're really at can be a slap in the face. But its a good slap, as once you know for sure where you stand you can go from there and start moving forward.

ToTriOrNot · 22-04-2015 05:14PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

I'm 38 years old, 5 foot 7 and 15.5 stone at 24% body fat. So yes. I'm fat.

Everything checks out too; blood, thyroid etc. It's all normal.

I have read all your log, I do have my own affair with weight issues..and this baffles me a lot. A couple of weeks ago, there was some check in the office, and I got my weight, height, bmi and %bf. I would be the same height as you (well, I claim to be 5ft8, but they told me I as 5ft7....so I am shrinking but the wrong way!) ..I was 91.5kg (which would be about 14st 5 ) and a whopping 41.6% bf..now, she only had one of those TANITA scales to measure the body fat....I didn't think it was that high, but that's what the machine said...On the other hand, one of my friend was told her %bf was very low for her age (and sex, as female are designed to carry more bodyfat!) ...can't remember the figure, but was quite low, on the 10s or thereabouts (she is not an athlete, but she's quite fit, and does sport)...so I probably was about right!! Now, I am only a size 14-16, and I am loosing some weight, albeit very slow. Can't run at the moment/ havent ran for a few months at this stage as my foot it very sore (really need to get my behind to the physio)...but I have kept active, swiming 3/4 times a week, long cycles every weekend, a shorter one once a week....Mind you, I have a thyroid condition, hyperthyroidism, it's controlled by meds..(when I remember to take the bloody thing)
Now, last time I got weight, I had gone done a bit, to around 88/87.5 if I remember correctly, my clothes are starting to feel looser, and people are commenting...all the training is paying off..
(to put some numbers here, last week I cycled a total of 165km, and I swam around 6km)

BUT I know weight distrubution and frames varied a lot, but I don't consider myself FAT..yes, I am a bit overweight (according to my BMI I am on the obese category....but I don't feel that weight!) but I am not FAT....Would I love to be a couple of sizes smallers..hell yeah!! And I am working towards it..now, while I try to eat as clean as possible , it's not always feasable with work/family/training comminments, and I DO LOVE TO EAT!! ..

TL/DR: My stats would be very similar to yours , do you mind me asking what size are you ?

Hannibal Smith · 22-04-2015 06:14PM

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

Keep in mind my age...apparently it's harder for weight to 'fall off' when you're older

Nope. We're the sane age and i lost 4 stone in 5 months...took a weight loss break...maintained deliberately for 4 months...went back and lost a further stone in 4 weeks. All through running and slimming world diet...and havent piled it back on either. If i take my eye off the ball diet wise regardless of running...it creeps back on.

Ososlo · 22-04-2015 06:20PM

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

Nope. We're the sane age and i lost 4 stone in 5 months...took a weight loss break...maintained deliberately for 4 months...went back and lost a further stone in 4 weeks. All through running and slimming world diet...and havent piled it back on either. If i take my eye off the ball diet wise regardless of running...it creeps back on.

That's some achievement!

On the age thing and finding it harder to lose weight I really disagree too. If anything I'd imagine you're more motivated and more aware of the seriousness of it as you get older so you'll probably work harder.

My friend's dad lost 4 stone in a year and he's 80! Wanted to achieve it before his 80th birthday. All done through mainly sensible diet but he did walk a lot every day and did regular gym work.

Hannibal Smith · 22-04-2015 06:24PM

4 stone at 80! Thats brilliant! Love stories like that!

This Fat Girl Runs · 26-04-2015 12:09PM

Well this week's training was a bust.

Monday workout was good. Lots of pilates and upper body work.

Wednesday short, hard run was also good. Ran 3 miles at an average pace of 12:27. Really happy with the consistency of my pace. Have recently started training music free. It's definitely making a difference!

Thursday I struggled with a migraine all day, one of the bad ones complete with dizzyness and nausea. I haven't had one of these in a long time so it was a bit of a shock to my system. No running.

Friday, still had a headache then my stomach started acting up. Spent the night in the loo. Definitely no running.

Saturday, still sick. Had to cancel, for the first time ever, my workout with my trainer. Gutted.

Sunday, today, it's all happening at once. Headache, runny nose, dodgy stomach, Aunt Flo (she's a week early!). Haven't eaten anything more than toast since Thursday. Trying to stay hydrated. Staying in bed and keeping track of the London Marathon. Know tonnes of people running it. It's exciting stuff!

Gutted to have missed two runs and a workout. Will make up for it when I'm better!

Hope I'm well by tomorrow. Gotta work!

Dubgal72 · 26-04-2015 12:35PM

Good call on the bed day! Get well soon, such a shame after a promising start to the week.

This Fat Girl Runs · 29-04-2015 08:51PM

Well, I'm not 100% today after being so sick the past week. But then, who ever IS fully 100% anyway?

But my comeback run tonight was all I could have hoped for.

5 miles. 1:06:32. Avg pace of 13:18.

I'm back!

This fat girl runs, breathes and believes

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