One Step at a Time

Nearly three years ago today Emily Reichley made her first appointment for medical intervention to assist her with healthy weight loss management. She was upwards of three hundred pounds and unable to perform daily activities without taking breaks. Today, Emily has lost nearly two hundred pounds and will be running the New York City Marathon this November. This incredibly motivating and inspiring woman has been so kind as share her story of how she regained control of her weigh and her life.

It might sound selfish, but my progress inspires me.  It’s addictive. Three years ago I was too obese to climb the hill from my bus stop to my house without stopping for a break.  I had completely lost control over my body. My body and its size was strangling me and preventing me from any physical activity.  I was in cross country in high school and very athletic in my youth, so losing my ability to perform simple activities was devastating. Throughout my entire life I have struggled with my weight, I honestly don’t remember a time in my life that I was not on a diet. Even now.

My youthful metabolism and sports kept my build proportionate throughout my teens and early 20′s.  The change happened when I turned 21. I quickly began replacing active hobbies with social drinking and eating, and let my addictions take over. Obesity doesn’t happen overnight, but at 24 I stepped on the scale and was completely defeated when I realized I weighed upwards of 300lbs. I knew it was going to take more than lifestyle changes and going to the gym to address the serious issues that I had ahead of me.  I decided to use medical intervention and Swedish Weight Loss Services to assist me in the process of gaining back my life.

The first year I focused primarily on shedding pounds. With medical supervision, I began incorporating exercise back into my daily routine. It was always my goal to get back into running it was an activity I loved. My doctor wouldn’t let me run until I had lost 100 lbs. So that became my goal. Lose 100 lbs so I can run again. It took me about a year and a half to hit this first milestone. Once I got clearance I started a “couch to 5k” program. It was never my goal to start distance running, I just wanted to be able to incorporate into my exercise routine.

The first few months were extremely difficult, physically and mentally. Even with 100lbs down, I still weighed over 200 lbs and running was exhausting. But I took baby steps and stuck with it. Last year I watched my brother run the Portland Marathon and was completely inspired by all of the runners, their willpower and the race. It became my new obsession and goal. I wanted to be one of them and I wanted to run a half marathon. I had 5k running under my belt, and downloaded a training schedule for 5k to half marathon. I enlisted some buddies to train with me… and the rest went as planned. On June 25^th, 2011 I completed the Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon.

I needed to lose weight so that I could run, but losing weight did not make me a runner. I had to find that within myself. The key is finding something that you enjoy, and sticking to it. It might be kickboxing, snowboarding, rollerblading…it doesn’t matter. Make small goals and let yourself enjoy the small accomplishments you make. I constantly find myself comparing myself to other’s accomplishments. It doesn’t do me any favors in reaching my goals. Running and exercise is a completely selfish activity. It’s the one thing we can do for ourselves that benefits no one else but us, and I feel it is a completely vital aspect to happiness.  The hardest part of this selfishness is to not let friends, money or time get in the way.  It can be an isolating feeling to commit to something so fully. Persistence was difficult, but nothing will compare to the feeling of accomplishment and pride I felt when crossing the half marathon finish line. It made all of my sacrifices worth it.

My ultimate goal was to lose 200lbs and to be able to run again as a form of exercise. When I ran the half marathon I had lost a total of 180 lbs. If things go as planned, On November 6th, 2011 three years will pay off at my first full marathon and 200lbs of weight loss.

Every time I go out for a long run I treasure every mile.  I feel the power and the control I have over my arms and my legs, I control my breathing. My body no longer feels foreign to me. I never want to look back or go back to the person I was and this keeps me inspired to continue to push my limits and see what I can get my body to accomplish for me.

Emily you truly inspire me and look fantastic! I can’t wait to congratulate you on accomplishing your first Marathon and weight loss goals! Thank you for sharing your story! I am sure your success will be an inspiration to everyone!