So, obviously I have been putting off writing this post.
I mean, who gains weight while a.) writing a food blog; and b.) training for a huge race, wherein you torch thousands of calories in the training alone?
Me.
Obviously, me.
It’s kind of embarrassing, to be honest.
So, I have not stepped back on the scales yet (eeeekk! the idea freaks me out!) but…as all my pants are noticeably tighter and all my shirts are becoming decidedly uncomfortable, I assume I have gained (a good bit of?) weight.
I can chalk this up to 4 things.
1. While marathon training I assumed it was safe to eat whatever + after the marathon was over I kept the same mentality. And obviously it was not. Not at all okay. Even while marathon training it was not really ok. Because I ate things like ice cream. And cake.
And lots of it.
2. When I start eating sweets, I don’t stop at just one. Christmas goodies. ‘Nuff said.
3. I have become a HUGE slacker in the weight lifting department. HUGE slacker. History has proven that straight cardio does not work for me and I chose to dump weight lifting anyway.
4. Once the weight started coming on a developed a ‘I feel gross, so I shall eat more’ mentality. In hindsight, not the smartest mentality, but I am an emotional eater. I recognize this, but I do not always control this. Sad, but true fact.
What I am going to do about it.
1. Start eating by a meal plan. And immediately. When my eating blossoms out of control the only way to get it back under control is by making a meal plan and sticking to it. My favorite pre-made meal plan is found in ‘Making the Cut’ by the master of fitness herself, Jillian Michaels. There are also some kick butt workouts found the pages of this wondrous book, and I shall be kicking my butt with those 3-4 days a week.
2. As previously stated, kick the weightlifting up a notch. Or a level. Or whatever you want to call it.
3. My new bottle and lunch bag that Mama D. gifted me with this holiday season. I plan to make great use of it. I bring my lunch to work most days, but I have been slacking on the water drinking. My new beautiful bottle gives me many reasons to lift it to my lips. Not the least being it’s sleek curves and lovely designs.
4. Eating at specific times and only then. No feeding my feelings with food. Feeling down? Go to the gym. Not the kitchen.
5. Practicing yoga. I love yoga. I do. I love the wacky poses and the massagy [not a word] feeling it leaves you with. And I haven’t been doing it. So I hereby declare that I shall practice yoga 1-3x a week. I like having a range. I don’t feel guilty if I don’t hit 3, but I have to get in at least one yoga practice. Even just a 20 minute yoga download.
6. I plan to post the amount of weight lost every week in my Friday post. Just down at the bottom. You can skip it if you want. But I think it will help me be accountable.
Now I don’t expect to follow the meal plan exactly. I am not that anal nor scheduled. I do expect however to use it as a guideline which I believe is how it is meant to be used. I also don’t expect to hit all my workout goals every week. They are just that. Goals. Something to strive for. Something to look forward to. I also plan to post all meals, every day. No handfuls of un pictured crackers or slices of un photoed cake. This may seem a bit excessive to some, but it works for me!
I am not doing this because I hate my body. Or because I feel pressured to be thin or a certain number.
I don’t and I certainly don’t.
But I also do not relish the fact that all my pants are too tight. And that I have resorted to wearing imaginative outfits so that I feel comfortable while out. Like scarves and layers. Good thing it’s winter. 
Finally, I just want to say I am doing this for ME. Just for me. So I can be comfortable in my jeans and happy in my tank tops [ya know, when tank top season rolls back around.]
I want these arms again.
But maybe not that blotchy sunburn.
Whit
Good for you Whit…do it for you. Love it!
LOOK AT YOU!!
I want to be tan~ just once in my life! haha
I’ve heard marathon weight gain is pretty common, so don’t get too down on yourself. And a relatively small price to pay for running a MARATHON! Sounds like you have a great plan to get back to normal, good luck!
Good luck girl. Do what you need to do to feel good about yourself. Don’t concentrate on numbers and go by how you feel. We’re here for you!
you’re gawwjuss girl
and you gotta do what chu gotta do to make you happy! good luck and have fun rockin out with that stellar lunch box! i love it!
You are beautiful no matter what size you are but I support you! Maybe I can join you in the weight lifting department when I get back to Charlotte
yes weight gain is very common while training for a marathon. it is actually suggested to people NOT to train for a marathon if their end goal is weight loss. generally don’t exceed half marathon if weight loss is your goal
I have a question – did you use a heart rate monitor while training to see exactly how many calories your body was torching during all this training? I would think that would have helped you “see” the truth and maybe not indulge as much?
Like currently I assume I burn 100 cals for every mile I run. But I know Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point only burns about 80 cals per mile she runs according to her HRM.
I got a garmin forerunner for hanukkah so I’m psyched to start using it!
I too, am adding yoga to my daily routine – I’m gonna do Bikram Yoga 1 x weekly the day after my long run while I am in training for a half marathon on March 20
i agree with you – weight training is ESSENTIAL in my eyes for weight loss/losing inches. this time last year I was weighing in at 150-152lbs and a size 10. Currently I am weighing in around 145-147 and a size 8. pretty amazing what weight training can do for the body! I dont care what the number on the scale says – i just want to get back into my size 4/6 clothes since I have alot of them
This is great for people to see, most people think “you run double digit miles you MUST lose tons of weight” but it’s not the case. Thanks for being an awesome example of taking control. I think most of us lost some control over the last month or two. As sad as it is when the holidays are over, it’s a relief that we can get back to normalcy. You’re wonderful!
You can doooo it, Whit! I’ve also decided to cut down after summa my things weren’t fitting like they used to. Sigh..it’s a lifelong battle! Good luck!
Hey Whit!
I remember you from HLS but I just started lurking on your blog since your marathon. I feel like I’m in the same boat as you. Hiding behind scarves and forgiving clothes but I’m ready to fit into most of my clothes again. It’s been an indulgent winter and I didn’t even have 26.2 medal to show for it. I’m ready to kick it up a notch as well. Good luck darling!
Great goals to do every week. Good luck, I know you can do it and have thsoe awesome looking arms again.
You really are beautiful! I can’t tell that you gained weight if that makes you feel any better. The main thing that is important is that you are HAPPY so do whatever it is that will make you happy! Thank you for your honestly in this post. I find it ironic because one of the reasons I won’t train for a marathon is because I am scared that I will lose too much weight (for awhile I was at the borderline for the underweight category of a BMI and my mom would never have let me train for a marathon, haha). Maybe i’ll show her this post
i know how frustrating that must be because you are so active! i’m here supporting you girl! i know you can get whatever you want done to make yourself happy!
Great goals and I’m glad you’re making healthy steps for a happier you.
That being said, I thought you looked fit and fab in your marathon pics! I was secretly jelly of how strong and fieeeeerce you looked (I’m not allowed to really exercise right now -docs orders)!
Love your honesty girl.
As everyone has said, and I’m sure you already know, the marathon-weight-gain is really common. After my marathon, I was so used to eating like crazy that it took a while to get used to a normal eating pattern.
What I tried to do was pause each time I was about to eat, to see if I was eating just because I’m used to eating at that time or because I was really hungry…cutting out the mindless eating helped me a lot.
First off, how do we always comment on each other’s posts simultaneously??? We must be connected in some magical way! LOVES.
Ohhh weight gain, how it grates on me. I just want to say that you are so fierce and fabulous that weight ain’t no thang. But, I know that we must do what makes one’s self happiest. I must say, too, that the weight will drip off after the holidays. Everyone tightens up the diet, which makes it easier to avoid goodies. Just make sure YOUR goodies are happy
Thank you for posting this, Whitney. It was really brave of you, and I think speaks to a lot of people. You have so much courage, beauty and tenacity. Keep up the good work, girl!
Good for you! I have to do a little get back into it after the holidays too, oops!
I’m returning to calorie recording/counting today. I’m also returning to the 30DS. This toned my body so much last spring.
Your arms in that picture ROCK.
Whit! You would look great at any size but getting healthy and doing it right is so important! I am glad you are making healthy and attainable goals! I did yoga today and it showed me i need to do it more because my bod was stiff from Jillians shred I did the other day…I did all 3 levels in one hour and could not move all weekend–highly recommend her!
xoxo
lo
Hey Whit! So weird you posted this today. I’m in the same boat as you right now, but fast forward 2 months! In october I ran my first marathon, but I am STILL eating like I’m training for a marathon. It was hard not to stuff your face thinking about those painful 26 miles! I’m running another one in April, so I just promised myself yesterday, I would get back to eating HEALTHY and running again!
Good luck and Congrats on your time!!!
I heard that marathon weight gain is pretty common. I gained some weight, too. I totally fell you on this post. I was at my ideal weight over the summer, and I’ve gained about 10 pounds since then. I’m sure some of it is from the marathon and some of it is muscle (hello new definition in my thighs!) But I also know that some of it is from losing sight of who I am and what my personal health beliefs are. I was living with my friends almost every weekend I was in Hawaii, and they do not share the same practices as I. I still ate oatmeal in the morning and packed the veggies in like there’s no tomorrow, but I have to admit that I lost some of my habits that make me feel better both mentally and physically. This is a very good time of year to clean things up!
And don’t lose sight of the fact that, yes, maybe you gained some weight, and maybe there were smarter eating habits you could have employed while marathon training, but you RAN A FRICKIN MARATHON! There are some people who don’t even run 26.2 miles in a year! Or a lifetime! Hopefully you won’t let this dissuade you from running another marathon, if you really want to run another, so long as you learn from what maybe didn’t go so well this marathon and apply those lessons for the next one.
Sorry for the novel comment! But I have a lot to say on this matter in light of my own marathon. Have a happy new year!
Good for you Whit.. I am actually scared about weight gain with my half.. and that is why I joined Weight Watcher today.. well that and various other reasons.. I think majority of the people are feelings the same way you are.. I know I am.. My pants are very snug and I am constantly wear baggy shirts and spanx have become a staple in my going out clothes.. haha..
You can do it girl!
You go girl! And glad to hear you are doing it for the right reasons… I LOVE your new lunch box and water bottle… is that one of those new aluminum bottles? I have been eyeing those and want me one! Also, I have to agree with ya, your arms look pretty GREAT in that pix!
Girl – power to ya. You can do this! Marathon training weight gain is a very common thing, I can definitely see how it would happen! I was just about to write a weight gain post since I too have recently gained a good amount It’s a touchy subject around blogworld, what with people all for “Operation Beautiful” and looking beautiful how you are, eating healthy and not depriving yourself, eating disorders, etc. But weight gain happens, and good for you for nipping it in the butt!!
Way to go Whit. Hooray for picking goals that work for YOU, rather than doing it for someone else.
Hey, Whit, can I copy and paste this onto my nonexistent blog?
jkjk
I am in the same place following my last marathon — I’ve just been basking in the indulgent eating habits for the last two months!! I’ve armed myself with the same little book to do some damage control. I’ve never been pudgy before and I’m determined to get back to where I’m comfortable.
Plus, I’ve proven that it is possible to get faster while gaining weight, but it’s not the easiest way to get faster! Good luck!
I think this is my first time to your blog, but you definitely got my attention with how honest you were. I really enjoyed reading this post (and the others I scanned down to read). It sounds like you have a great outlook on life and healthiness. I, also, have eaten a ridiculouos amount of Christmas treats (I did a 12 days of Christmas cookies series on my blog…recipe for disaster in the healthy eating department).
I’ll definitely be back to see how it’s going!
Great goals whit! I am so proud of you for sharing your story!! I know you can do it
whitney girl…it is NOT uncommon to gain weight while marathon training. i probably gained about 5 pounds, and i have had friends gain anywhere from 5 – 15 pounds. the amount of muscle you gain is incredible…literally, i lost weight post-marathon, most of it muscle.
you ran a dayum marathon, and so don’t you get discouraged!
you go with your bad self…and know that it is also the season for treats, everyday is a new day!
love you!
I feel the exact same way. Minus the whole running a marathon thing. I was feeling really down on myself because I ended 2008 with a 25lb weight loss. I regained about 10ish pounds. While that isn’t terrible I looked at myself this Christmas and realized I wasn’t comfortable or confident in my clothes. It also was kind of crappy knowing that yes not so long ago I lost 25 pounds but I jumped off the bandwagon before I got to my goal of losing 40 pounds. I just wanted to say thank you. You’re post made me realize that I need to stop mopping around and get my act together if I want to get back in shape. I can’t just keep staring at pics from last summer and think of how happy I was or how much better I look.
SOOO basically I went ahead and ordered that book too.
Thanks for motivating me and good luck!
Having a plan is the first step – I’ll be rooting for you!
Jililan is the queen – her workouts always kick my butt!
OMG Whit. I embarrass myself on a daily basis with shizz like that! Glad you and snackie were cool about it. You guys are awesome
First off, congrats on the marathon- such a huge accomplishment! I think it’s fantastic that you are taking steps with a concrete plan to get where you want to be. Making the cut is awesome! You already look amazing, but I always feel better when my clothes fit comfortably as opposed to being a bit snug (from too much wine and cheese, haha). I’ve been doing yoga once a week in a studio and once or twice on my own, and I agree- I love the “massagey” (totes a word) feeling it gives you.
good luck!
Good luck to you!! Seeing your posts will help to keep me motivated as I also have experienced some weight gain.. though I can’t say I’ve run or even trained for a marathomn :/
I’m an emotional eater as well. And I completely relate to what you’re feeling. Although any weight I ever gain is from sheer laziness, not badass marathon training
WOO. props on this post! thanks for sharing and YES you can do it~can’t wait to see the workouts and meals you pick. i am too trying to lose a bit of gained weight so it is nice to know i’m not alone. yeeeaaahh white we can do it. xoxo
Hi Whit! Obviously a lot of people can relate and we are all cheering you on to whatever your goals are-whether it’s running a marathon or toning up! I wanted to tell you that I saw that Jillian Michaels book and just put it on hold online at my library after seeing it here! Hopefully I’ll make some progress along with you! I like having tangible goals too and really like yours-like having some more structure with meal planning and to keep up w/ weight lifting but add more structure to that as well. I hope that books offers some new tips and plans in that area as well. Thanks for your honesty here!
I love your plan!! Maybe take measurements along w/ weighing– since you’re going to start strength training again, you might gain muscle and lose inches w/o pounds. Good luck!!
ahh your arms in that pic? inspirational!
in the past i definitely have had the saaaame thing happen! i think to some extent it’s natural. now i’m a bit better about not giving myself permission to eat junk just b/c of specific mileage i’ve run . . . and this seems to work well for me. you will find a balance too!
i bet the weight will come off with just a little tweaking — and i echo the people who said you looked great around marathon time, b/c i saw you in person and you were gorgeous!
finally, i’m with you on the strength training + yoga goals. WE CAN DO IT!
I think it’s great that you are going into this with a healthy and positive mindset. No beating yourself up, and no restricting! I think everyone in blogland can attest that you are going to be enjoying delicious and nutricious foods along with empowering exercise, just in ways that make you feel great. You’re obviously strong and incredible, I mean you DID run a marathon! So don’t ever doubt yourself.
P.S. I love the idea of a “range” for yoga practice. I think telling myself I need to do yoga X number of days was part of the reason I NEVER did it. If I missed one day, I would give up. No more, I’m aiming for a range too!
Very good post! Weight training and yoga are VERY important for me to keep toned as well! I think everyone I have read has gained weight training for a marathon has gained weight, it is pretty normal.
MERRRYYYY MERRY christmas miss fit whiiit!!!!!!!!!!!! *Whittles* obvi
It looks like your christmas was fabulous, happy bday to your sis and congraaats on the marathon!!! (all out of order of course as is mah styyle) I can relate to a lot of what u say in this post despite the fact that I’ve never and prob willll never run a marathon 
You are a strong, inspiring and beeaaautiful person which shines through all of your posts and pictures..and so lucky to have such a great family to love and support you 
HUGS girl have a good new year!
Those are great goals, and the problems that you are dealing with (hands raised) I am currently dealing with those too! So thanks for sharing and now that it is out there and you’ve acknowledged it, you’ll pull through! good luck! keep posting updates
Great goals!! We all gain and lose weight sporadically throughout our life. It happens. Its great though that you notice it and have a plan on what to do about it! So you already mastered the first step. Which is awesome!!! Im so cheering you on and I wish you the best of luck. I know you can do it girl. you ROCK!!!!!
aww you can so do this.
this post and your words are incredibly motivating to me
Remember that yes, the clothes aren’t fitting how you’d like them to be…but don’t beat yourself up.
I did and gained heaps of weight. i forgot to love myself.
Can’t wait to see how you shed it in a healthy way. I know how it goes.
Happy living.
~M
And we will be supporting you all along the way! I know you can do it Whit! xoxo
Great post Whit! I’m right there with you on getting back on track eating wise- especially after the holidays. It seems to me that when training for a race you are running so many hours a week you have little time or energy for any other sort of workouts that involve strength training, which is key for weight loss.
Best of luck with your goals. I plan to start some of my own as well!!
I gained weight when I trained for my first marathon. I knew I needed carbs for energy and I was hungry, so I went overboard. Like the entire box of Pasta Roni. I had to reevaluate after the marathon too. It sounds like you are right on target.
I went through this over the summer during marathon training too!! I feel ya on the clothes front… I actually had to BUY NEW PANTS – the ones that fit in May did not fit in August. Scary! But aside from that, I realized that I would not trade in my marathon experience to lose a few pounds, so really it was worth it. And you are a dedicated girl and will be right back to normal before you know it! It will be much easier now that the holidays are over for sure. I truly believe that getting back into yoga and strength training helped me lose it.
You will be great Whit!
I really like your mentality about your weight loss plan. Going too strict or rigid is a path for disaster! Goals and guidelines…love it! I know you can do it and I think all of us here in bloggy world know you can too!
Weight gain can take the best of us by surprise. I just had a baby, and I can sympathize with simply wanting your clothes to fit.
You’ve got a great mindset for taking the few extra pounds off. Good luck to you!
But….don’t be embarrased. As I said, it happens to the best of us. And apparently, it’s common during training for a marathon. Not that I would know anything about that. Hopefully one day I will.
I can SO relate to your weight gain/loss… I am in the process of moving to another country, and while everyone I know would lose weight in such a stressful time, I gained some!
So, as of Saturday, I’ll be “jumping your waggon” and doing some meal planning, more yoga (I too love it, but never do enough) and finding a new gym will be on top of my list!
When we trained for a marathon we went through the same thing – clearly you need to eat more calories and be careful of getting enough nutrient but soon that became “oh sure, I can eat everything and anything because I’m going to run 16 miles this weekend” and then it was hard to change back to normal after training! I think it’s great you wrote this honest post!
Thanks for being so candid and vulnerable. I know it’s not an easy thing!
I support you all the way, and totally respect that you’re doing this the healthy way. You rock, as usual, bloggirl!
I think you are doing this for all the right reasons and wish you the best!!
Strength training will help immensely, but in my personal experience, consistency in all areas, diet, exercise, prayer and Bible reading (I know you’re a Jesus loving gal), and just walking with Him are going to make you successful!
You’re awesome, keep inspiring people!
[...] you all so much for agreeing, understanding or stating your own opinion on my post yesterday! I love [...]
Whitney – don’t be embarrassed! Whenever I fall of the wagon as we put it, I always think that if I never fell off – I wouldn’t appreciate how awesome being “on” the wagon is. YOU CAN DO IT – we’ll be here to help you
it happens to us all whit. Great that you recognized it and even better than you’re addressing it. Get on the wagon and stay on it….
you’ll feel a ton better about it upon looking back!!
good luck!! We’re rooting for ya!
I am right there with you, Whit! I think it takes a lot of courage to write this post – and I commend you and look forward to your journey!
This is my first comment I’m leaving on your blog, I’ve been following it for about 2 weeks now. I actually got “Making the Cut” for Christmas. I adore Jillian and look forward to following the program. I’m actually not going to start the program until after I’m done training for my half marathon though, so I’m anxious to see how it works for you! Good luck!
I ran a marathon a few years ago and gained like 10 pounds while training for it. I bet that you’ll be less hungry when you’re not running as much, though, and you will naturally lose some of it.
Of course weight gain sucks, and it is so hard to look past it, but girl, you are beautiful!! I am one of those blog readers that has yet to start my own, and I love to read your day to day musings. Certainly compliments help, and since you are a Christian knowing that God sees you beyond all of that!!, and yet still self image grinds us girls the wrong way. But with or without Jillian, you are stunning!!
I second whoever said to do measurements. I have no idea how much I weigh (the doctor weighed me yesterday with my coat and boots on! “we just need a ballpark sweetie, you’re fine”) but I do know where my comfort zone is in inches. I whip out the tape measure every few days to see whats going up or down so I know when I should be stepping it up, etc.
You’re gonna do awesome and have those arms back in no time!
i didnt even run a marathon & i’ve let the holidays be my “excuse” for the excessive sweets and “bad” food.
i think your plan looks fabulous! & i too, have a very similar one
it’s definitely a good goal that is accomplishable (not a word, i know, but it seemed to work for some reason, im weird)
im with ya on this one for sure!
[...] I’ve started eating an extra snack between snack #1 and dinner. I enjoy it. And you know what? 5 lbs of extra marathon weight gone! I will be my regular size in no time. [and if you do not read this blog for weight disclaimers, please disregard that. I warned you.] [...]
Great information thanks for getting this out there for people like me to read.