How running and an 80/20 approach helped me keep 60 pounds off for 10 years

As a runner, you always hear about the magic and mystique of the Boston Marathon, but getting off the bus in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where the marathon starts, and experiencing it in person was a whole new level. A mix of emotions ranging from imposter syndrome to nerves to excitement washed over me as I began to fully understand what I was about to do and what it took to get to this moment. My overweight and out of shape self never imagined that running one of the world’s most prestigious marathons was on the cards when I bought my first pair of running shoes in September 2014 with the intention of starting running for lose a few extra kilos. .

I was 29 at the time and starting to get really good at my job as stage manager at TODAY. I had been active in athletics in high school and in college on the volleyball team, but I let fitness fall by the wayside as my 20s progressed. It got to the point where I couldn’t tie my shoes without feeling out of breath. My self-confidence was low and I realized I had to make a change or enter my 30s in an unhealthy state. Running was a by-product of this mindset, a tool to help with weight loss, along with proper nutrition and strength training.

At first, the race was simply difficult, and not enjoyable. I actually threw up twice and almost passed out during my initial fitness assessment with a trainer at the NBC gym before stepping foot on a treadmill. After that moment, I promised myself that I would run 3 miles every day until I lost the weight, and I did until the first 30 pounds came off 10 weeks later. These early runs were 35 minute runs/walks to meet my goal of 3 miles each day.

Eventually, the shock of constant exercise and proper nutrition began to change my body chemistry and composition in ways that took some getting used to. My waist size shrunk and I had to buy new pants almost every 2 weeks. My cravings slowly went from sweets and carbs to OK those cravings never changed but I learned to manage them a little better. I added a strength training regimen and cut back on running to lose another 30 pounds and add some muscle.

Once the weight came off, I realized that something I hadn’t expected had happened: running had become as much a part of my daily life as work, sleep, or any other part of my daily routine. The slogs turned into jogs which turned into runs and I began to really enjoy the peace and solitude they brought me. I loved the simplicity of a sport that I could do anytime, anywhere.

In the spring of May 2015, a friend convinced me to sign up for a 10K and my love of running started from there. I was running my first half marathon in March 2016 and finally my first marathon in November 2017 with a time of 3 hours 48 minutes. When I signed up for my second marathon in 2018, I had joined a group marathon training program run by Nike NYC called Project Moonshot which really started to open up possibilities for me. I cut 20 minutes off my final time, finishing in 3:30, and that’s when I decided I wanted to complete all six World Marathon Majors, a series of the world’s largest and most well-known marathons. This included the famous Boston Marathon, even though qualifying for Boston seemed so far out of my realm of ability (back then, that meant finishing in under 3 hours). But I kept at it, stuck to my training and never gave up. I ran Berlin 2019 in 3:10 and started to feel like I was getting close and that I could achieve that mountain of a goal I had set for myself. After a couple of setbacks, including the pandemic and knee surgery, I moved up to the next age bracket that only required a sub-3:05 time to qualify. In October 2022 I ran the Chicago Marathon and qualified for Boston with a finish time of 3:04:11. Running the Boston Marathon was one of the most memorable days for many reasons, including temperatures that topped 73 degrees and hills that seemed to never end, but I pulled through and finished with a time of 3:18 . Tokyo, here I come.

As I approach 10 years since this journey began, there are a few things I constantly remind myself to keep me on track. Quick fixes and fad diets can be appealing to many who want to make a change, but until you find something you can truly integrate into your lifestyle, it will always be easy to fall back into bad habits. However, small changes are sustainable: a healthy food swap at lunch or a 10-minute walk each day, as long as it’s consistent.

I’m also a big believer in an 80/20 dietary lifestyle during the week. For me, that means eating clean and healthy Monday through Friday, think lean protein, vegetables, and healthy carbs like quinoa, brown rice, or faro, and giving myself a little extra time on the weekends. I think it’s important not to cut anything out completely, but to moderate and balance indulgent foods along with healthy foods. In the mood for pizza? Eat it! You may only have one slice instead of two. Do you want a cheeseburger? Do it! Just maybe take off the top of the bread or lose the cheese.

And as I’ve learned, it also helps if you find something that you like maybe not at first, but over time, it might surprise you.

As I turn 40 this year, I am grateful for a sport that has allowed me to reach my fitness goals while expanding my running community. After running the NYC Marathon with TODAY’s Sheinelle Jones last fall, we’ve continued our weekly runs with other TODAY staff members, and it’s been amazing to see everyone else enjoy running like I do and completing their own races.

If I did it, anyone can.