{"id":26447,"date":"2014-05-27T07:12:16","date_gmt":"2014-05-27T12:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fitzness.com\/blog\/?p=26447"},"modified":"2015-03-09T14:27:36","modified_gmt":"2015-03-09T19:27:36","slug":"weight-loss-success-story-before-afterpciture-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitzness.com\/blog\/weight-loss-success-story-before-afterpciture-pictures\/","title":{"rendered":"How Elizabeth McKay Lost 110 Pounds and Became an Ultra-Marathon Runner"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Elizabeth<\/a>

Elizabeth McKay: Before and After
Fitzness.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Elizabeth Ascencio-McKay, RN, 53, Southern California<\/strong><\/p>\n

How much weight have you lost?<\/strong> 110 pounds! Originally between April, 2006 and February, 2007<\/p>\n

What were you like during the time your “before picture” was taken?<\/strong> Not too different personality-wise, but physically … I was a\u00a0 wreck! I was short of breath with ANY activity, uncomfortable in my clothes, and I refused to have my photo taken. I’m a camera hog now. LOL!<\/p>\n

Did you exercise?<\/strong> No<\/p>\n

What were your eating habits like?<\/strong> Fat, salt, sugar, beer and way too much of ALL of that!<\/p>\n

What inspired you to get fit and lose weight?<\/strong> I’d been fat all my life. I had some successes in the past with “dieting” and gym time, but I could never sustain it. I’m an RN and I used to feel old (I was only 46). But with Nutrisystem, running and this weight-loss, I now feel 10 years younger!<\/p>\n

I had a revelation while on a travel assignment in Klamath Falls (elevation 4300 some odd feet).\u00a0 I was getting so winded going up the 28 or so steps to the parking lot, that if I didn’t make some life style changes I knew I was going to die a whole lot sooner than I should. I contemplated gastric bypass, but I’d seen way too many people die or almost die from it. Plus, my insurance wouldn’t cover it (29K), which in retrospect … I’m very happy I didn’t have the surgery!<\/p>\n

Instead, I picked up a People magazine and read about a bunch of different people who lost a significant amount of weight in various ways: Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers and Medifast were some of them.\u00a0 It was the Nurtisystem commercials that got to me. I was spending $6.50 to $7 a DAY on lunch at the cafeteria, so the financial end of doing Nutrisystem was a no-brainer. I also used to drink probably more than my share of alcohol; it was usually beer but sometimes wine, and almost everyday.<\/p>\n

I officially started making changes on April 10, 2006. I was in Klamath Falls and just started making better choices.\u00a0 I chose oatmeal instead of Cup o’ Noodles for breakfast. I took a chicken salad sandwich to work and used Lean Cuisine for dinner.\u00a0 Remember, at that time I was lodged in a little motel room. I cut the beer out, and in the first 10 days, I lost 17.5 pounds! I think a lot of it was water weight, but I definitely lost some fat too. I got my Nurtisystem food and started on the program April 21st.<\/p>\n

I also started walking while in Klamath Falls with my dogs at the middle school. I used to just sit down and throw their balls, but now I was walking around the track and throwing them their balls. I walked 1\/4 mile, which was once around the track, on the first day. I went around twice the next time for a grand total of three laps. A whopping 3\/4 of a mile by the end of the last 8 days there.<\/p>\n

On April 26th my assignment changed to the Oregon coast (BIG SMILE), and I started walking in the sand with my “boys”; baby steps of course. I could only do about half a mile at first, because the sand is way tougher than pavement. But it’s also much
\nmore forgiving on your joints, so it’s a trade-off. I also walked when I was at home, because I lived close to the sports park. I tried a few steps jogging about 50 feet to start, and thought I was at the level nine on the Perceived Exertion chart. I even called a
\nfriend and told her I was on level nine and she laughed her butt off!<\/p>\n

Each time I went out to exercise, I would increase the distance I would run. I go pretty darn slow, but my heart rate stays around 140-150 beats per minute, which is perfect for me. From the first 50 feet back in 2006, I am now doing marathons, ultra-marathons and even have one 100-miler under my belt. **Ultra-marathons are any race over the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles.<\/p>\n

Marathon training (only running – no walking) in 2010, combined with working a few months on a night shift, and allowing bad habits to return equated to a re-gain of 40 pounds. When your entire life has been full of bad habits\/choices, it is very easy to slip back into them. It ranges from a “constant battle” (fighting cravings on a daily basis) to a “constant awareness” (keeping things on an even keep).<\/p>\n

\"Elizabeth<\/a>

Elizabeth McKay: Ultra-Marathoner
Fitzness.com<\/p><\/div>\n

What have you accomplished since you put your foot down? <\/strong>LOL! There’s not enough room or time here, so I’ll just list a few things. Since Sept 2007:<\/p>\n