I Went from 8 Miles a Day to Binge Eating

Question:
About a year and a half ago I was in my best possible shape—slim, fit, and trim. My daily workout consisted of running at least 8 miles a day followed by free weights and crunches. Then a family crisis happened: my father got sick in December of 1998 and was diagnosed with liver cancer. I was desperate and since then I have been on an emotional roller coaster.

Even though I was still running I wasn’t enjoying it as much. Not only that, I was eating very poorly, too. I didn’t have much energy to run but I continued anyway. Then in June of 1999 my father finally passed away. I went into a deep depression after that and started binge eating. Eventually I quit running altogether and started gaining weight very quickly, because I was binge eating and sedentary. I put on 25 pounds in just four months! I got very depressed because I just didn’t like the way I felt and looked. In the past week, I started to work out again because I so want to run a marathon in 2001. But I’m having a hard time getting started again.

It’s so hard to work out carrying the extra 25 pounds, but I made it through the week. I even managed to lose one pound. I’m also starting to eat healthy again; this time I’ll make sure not to deprive myself and not to over-exert myself. I became even more hopeful after learning that you were able to lose 125 pounds and run marathons. I really need someone to help motivate me to stick with my diet and exercise. I realize now that the reason I failed to stick with my diet and exercise routine previously—yes, I’ve tried to restart my workout routine but failed—was because I wanted instant results. This time I just have to take it one day at a time and persevere. Any comments or motivation/encouragement from you would be appreciated.

Answer:
Wow, what an ordeal you’ve been through. It’s so easy to let our healthy habits fall to the wayside when life presents us with a crisis. Oddly enough these are the times when we “should be” taking the best care of ourselves. Good for you on starting to run again! I am so proud of you! Keeping your motivation high is important!