One Woman’s Journey from The Biggest Loser to a 5K Finisher | By Jennifer Matzner

I started running because my pants were snug.

I could no longer blame it on the baby weight, since my youngest daughter was about to turn 2. As a stay-at-home mom of two girls, I didn’t have much time in the day to exercise, or much money in the budget for a gym membership. I had a treadmill, which would have been collecting dust except that the kids used it as an indoor jungle gym.

So in March, with spring around the corner, I decided it was time to get in shape. I started walking on the treadmill a couple nights a week after the kids went to bed. But when the scale didn’t show the pounds melting away instantly, I lost my motivation and hit the couch again with a plate of chocolate-covered Oreos, like I had done so many times before.

One night while watching The Biggest Loser, I had a shift in perspective. Watching the contestants, who had large amounts of weight to lose, exercise vigorously while I sat motionless just didn’t seem like the right choice anymore. So I started walking again on the treadmill. I walked for a half-hour, two or three times a week. It was nothing too vigorous, but at least I was consistent, and I was moving.

I didn’t plan to become a runner, but after one exasperating day at home with a two- and four-year old, I had some extra nervous energy to burn off, so I cranked up the treadmill and started to run. It didn’t last long but it felt surprisingly good. I began running longer stretches of time and walking less. I felt proud of myself as I gained endurance.

I told my sister, an avid runner, about my new hobby and she was encouraging. I mentioned that the pounds weren’t melting away, but she said to stick with it, as it often takes several weeks of building muscle before the fat starts to burn off. She suggested I change my focus from weight loss to another goal and recommended training for a 5K.