What a difference a few months makes...

Greenlegs request for a photo for the 5x50 challenge got me thinking!

I know I've lost a couple of stone this year and I can tell, but would photos show any difference, so I had a look back to about 6 months after I packed up smoking and compared to this morning and I can tell the difference, nothing drastic, but a thinner waistline and face, still got about a stone to go before I will be at the top of the normal range, but onwards...

So whilst running didn't in itself make me lose weight, when paired with healthier eating, myfitnesspal app and longer runs, all in all I'm happy with the way my health is going.

Enjoy your runs, walks, cycling and half hours of exercise fellow 5x50ers and to all C25Kers enjoy your runs

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Well, judging by your photo, you look very slim, I can't imagine you with two extra stone

Great work Phil!

[Hidden in reply to DeliaItaly]

Cheers, I note you've also updated your profile pic, I think greenlegs has got us all reflecting, not a bad thing.

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Gosh Phil you've done a "before and after" makeover. Wow! What a difference -- and for the better. You look great!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Looking good Phil! I can certainly see the difference from your other photo.... I cant see that you need to lose another stone though?!

Its great to see results isnt it and with all this healthier lifestyle we are embracing as a result of the running and the 5x50 it is truely a win win situation

Sue

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Shall we start a mutual appreciation society?

Trisha and Susannah, Gok Wan and the likes, where are you?

[Hidden in reply to DeliaItaly]

We should definitely start that society.

It sometimes feels weird posting these positive achievements, bit self serving, but everyone here understands how this journey changes your life

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

Hear hear D!!

[Hidden in reply to SBG356]

Couldn't agree more with you about embracing a healthier lifestyle.

I know what you mean about not needing to lose another stone (couple of friends have said the same) I'm tall so carry weight quite well and hide it well, but I also know I have weight around my abdomen, which carries diabetes risks and my mum is diabetic so just want to get my waist within normal to reduce that risk factor.

[PastyMan Graduate in reply to Hidden]

btw what BMI calculator are you using? This came up a few months ago that the traditional system worked against taller folks ... I was nearly 0.8 better off! This was magically the difference for me between "normal" and "overweight" .... I'm definitely a believer in the new calculator

telegraph.co.uk/health/heal...

[Hidden in reply to PastyMan]

Thanks for that calculator, just used it and it makes 1.7 difference and therefore...drum role please...I'm in the normal range at 24.9.

Still need a couple of inches off my waist to reduce diabetes risk.

[PastyMan Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That's twice as much difference than for me .... you must be over 12 foot tall!!!

[Hidden in reply to PastyMan]

Half way there 6'4"

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to PastyMan]

Funny!

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes its true; we know our own bodies and what the right size is for us despite what others say. I have had the same comments in the past from well-meaning friends though I am at my ideal weight now and have been for a few years.

The waist measurement is important for things like diabetes so all the best in working on that, you are doing the right thing and I'm sure you will get there.

[PastyMan Graduate]

Congratulations Phil. I'm another fan of MyFitnessPal and (for me) FitBit to monitor exercising a bit more. I had the same target of "top of the normals" .... but maybe didn't have just as much to lose at the start I've said elsewhere (so please forgive me for repeating) but what a huge difference doing both (eat a little less, exercise a little more) makes ... it's a virtuous circle! Great total you've racked up for the 5x50 team too.

[Hidden in reply to PastyMan]

Thanks PastyMan, I had a look at your 5x50 stats the other day, was intrigued by the ribbon, and hat off to you, running everyday, hope you legs are holding up ok.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

You look great, Phil - you have done brilliantly in making such a positive change in your life.

[Hidden in reply to Anniemurph]

I keep wondering what happened to the old Phil and hope he is lost for good, enjoying this new active life.

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Good work Phil, looking good

[Hidden in reply to Rollertoaster]

Thank you

[gdeann Graduate]

Congratulations Phil! You look great and I know you feel awesome! We started living a healthier lifestyle at our home about 2-2.5 years ago. Steve and I both lost weight and started exercising. We really do feel better now since we are making healthier choices. I still have some weight to lose and its not budging! I'm only 5'2", so I'm the perfect weight if I was 5'6" or so. Gayle

[Hidden in reply to gdeann]

Cheers Gayle, have you considered heels

[gdeann Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That's a thought, Phil! Hmmm... running heels? I go slow enough as it is!

Looks like you deserve another congratulations!!!! Cheers on the 10K PB!!!!!

[Malcy Graduate in reply to gdeann]

Stick with it Gayle. The plateau will come to an end with a bang & you'll find yourself dropping pounds within a few days.

[gdeann Graduate in reply to Malcy]

Good heavens, Malcy...the days have turned into weeks/months! I have lost down to the last 8-10 pounds of what I would like to be and it is not moving. I'm scale weight heavier now then when I started C25K. Must be all of that muscle I'm building.

[SBG356 Graduate]

Is that a 10k PB I see posted for today Phil?!

[Hidden in reply to SBG356]

Might be

[SBG356 Graduate]

You can't hide from me Mr Elliott!! Bloody brilliant!!

[Malcy Graduate]

Phil, I honestly was disoriented for a while - I hadn't realised you were the same person as yourself (if you get my meaning). This pic makes you look very different from your old one.

A tremendous achievement! I agree that the running doesn't actually make a measurable difference in tems of weight, but it really reflects the change in lfestyle we've adopted (whether or not weight loss was in mind). I think the positive feedback in terms of running achievements bled over into positive thinking in other parts of life.

I keep a 'before' photo to remind me why I started this tremendous journey. Amazing the difference a year can make.

Weel Done Cutty Sark!

[Hidden in reply to Malcy]

Cheers Malcy, agree with you, it's amazing that running makes you think that anything is possible and small changes no longer appear big (if you get my drift) so you keep doing new things.

[swanscot Graduate]

I'm with Malcy on this and thought it was another guy called Phiil Honestly, you look younger as well as slimmer in this photo. Well done on the weight loss and change of lifestyle. Your running pace and distances just keep getting better and better; I can see you're really reaping the benefits of the changes you've made.

[Hidden in reply to swanscot]

Thanks Swanscot, it is all just coming together at the moment which is nice (touch wood).

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Brilliant achievement all round Phil. As you say its all good.

well done.

[Hidden in reply to Burstcouch]

Thank you

[TJFlute]

These are great photo shots that will remind you how far you've come. you look fantastic Phil, so much younger too !

[Hidden in reply to TJFlute]

Thanks, that must be the moisturiser

[fatmumslim Graduate]

Well done Phil - your post inspired me to look out a pre weight loss photo - it really does help to remind you how far you've come. My brain hasn't quite caught up with the body in realising the before and after difference. I've got 10lbs or so to go (already lost just over 4stone) so the end is in sight.

Susan XX

[Hidden in reply to fatmumslim]

Thanks, I know what you mean. Congratulation on your weight loss.