Weight Watchers and Marathon Training: Week 2

Starting weight: 234.8 pounds

Current weight: 226.2 pounds

Change: -8.6 pounds

Week 2 of training for the Chicago Marathon on Weight Watchers has brought with it some noticeable changes in my workouts.

My pace, as evidenced from the chart above, is far more consistent than it ever has been. Before, I’d yo-yo anywhere from 20–35 seconds between my fastest and my slowest miles. On my shorter runs of late, my pacing has been far more consistent, resulting in much more enjoyable long runs.

Since starting the program two weeks ago, I’ve lost 8.6 pounds, and I noticed during my 10 mile long run on Saturday that I had a lot more energy in the later stages of my long run than I have had at any point during the season. Now, part of this could be attributed to the fact that weather conditions on Saturday morning were ideal for running, with temperatures in the upper 60s/low 70s and ample cloud cover to keep the sun from making things too warm. That being said, I’m also carrying almost 10 less pounds when I run these days, so it’s not entirely surprising that my longer runs are getting easier.

Weight Watchers has made it incredibly easy to start to develop new eating habits. It’s also made me a lot more conscious of what I eat and when I eat it. A friend of mine was asking me what I’ve been doing differently, and I think the biggest thing is I’ve actually been thinking about what I eat rather than just eating everything in sight and using the “It’s okay, I’m training for a marathon” excuse to justify it.

For instance, I haven’t had a potato chip since I’ve been on Weight Watchers, whereas in the past I used to have a sandwich and a bag of chips 2–3 times a week at lunch because that’s just what you do when you work in the Loop and you’re too lazy to pack a lunch. I’m not saying I’ve lost almost nine pounds in two weeks solely because I haven’t been eating as many potato chips, but what I am saying is it’s the little tweaks to my diet that I feel like are having the biggest impact.

Plus if skipping out on potato chips means I have easier long runs, I don’t know that I’m going to miss them all that much moving forward.

I’m running the 2019 Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon to raise money for the American Heart Association to honor my late mother. To donate, please click here.