Ask the Penguin: Losing the Baby Weight

Dear Penguin

I used to be in shape, ran a marathon and everything but then I broke a bone in my foot, got married and recently had a beautiful baby boy. I have all of the intention to begin again but the extra 100lbs is discouraging.

How can I jump start my engine and once again feel the euphoric run with such a hectic schedule and an 8th moth old son? I really want him to know the once penguin that once ran 9 minute miles and had all the self confidence in the world. Please help.

Starting over from scratch in Erie PA

This is one of the most often asked questions that I get. So many of us, myself included, work hard to get ourselves to where we want to be only to let it all slip away. The reasons may differ – marriage, sickness, job stress, etc. – but the results are always the same. The person that we are is no longer the person we want to be.

You actually made the most astute observation in your signature. You are starting from scratch. What makes it more difficult for you is that you’ve been where you want to be. Your head remembers what it was like. Unfortunately, your body doesn’t.

You’ve GOT to be patient, kind, and gentle with yourself. The body that you had – not the shape but the structure – is not the body you have now. You’ve got to take the body that you’re in and make it the body you want to be in. And it may also be that an 11 minute pace is a more reasonable goal.

It can be done, but it will take time. Get started. Take it one day at a time. And have fun.

Waddle on, John

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Competitor Magazine columnist Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

Have a question for John? E-mail it to thepenguin@johnbingham.com.