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3D LILA Update [1:05]
LILA has been feeling stressed this week. She’s juggling the temptations that come with the holidays, the trials of daily life, as well as the challenges of starting up a new company. With all that’s going on, it’s hard to stay on track with her diet and exercise. She’s really been fighting some cravings for her favorite comfort food: Marmite on toast. What’s your comfort food?!
Everyone has struggles and stress in their life, some more than others. LILA cares and wants you to know that you aren’t alone. It’s important to find people that will support you and encourage you. Who are your people that you lean on?
Interview with Marie, another LILA [5:43]
LILA is super excited to share another “Late in Life Athlete” with us all. Marie is an inspirational athlete having completed several Iron Man Triathlons and competitions along the way. Yet, believe it or not, years ago Marie struggled with her weight.
Although skinny and small as a young child, Marie’s weight started to creep up at the age of 8. Her first diet at age 13 was successful, but she eventually gained it all back. This was the beginning of a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. Every time she went off a diet, she’d gain the weight back—plus another 10-20 lbs. Something had to change.
Decision to have Weight Loss Surgery [10:10]
As Marie got older, she started to worry about the consequences to her health that the added weight was causing. She decided to have weight loss surgery—specifically, a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. After the surgery, she found that the intense hunger that had plagued her for most of her life was gone. The weight came off and a “L.I.L.A.” was born.
Marie and LILA discuss whether weight loss surgery should be considered “cheating.” Marie believes that cheating is when someone takes a short cut and doesn’t do the work. As she says, SHE lost the weight, controls what goes in her mouth, exercises, deals with the “head issues,” and manages her weight loss.
Iron Man Triathlete [18:42]
How does someone go from couch potato to doing Triathlons? For Marie, it started with her doctor telling her she wasn’t losing weight fast enough after the surgery. Marie has a competitive spirit, so this got her moving! She talked to other people who had weight loss surgery and started exercising more and trying new things. She chose the Couch to 5K Program and, much to her surprise, she discovered that she actually liked the training process. Before she knew it, she had signed up for a Sprint Triathlon. And she was hooked!
Mostly in the Middle [25:40]
Have you ever heard the saying “weight loss is not a sprint, it’s a marathon?” It’s true—losing weight takes time, perseverance and patience to reach your goal. However, Marie argues that weight loss and fitness is NOT like a marathon. Why? Because a marathon has an END—whereas weight loss does not. To maintain your weight, you can’t just stop. You have to keep moving. This is a forever lifestyle change for her. She will always be preparing for another race, another goal, or the next thing she wants to do.
Food and Technology Questions [29:30]
LILA has some fun asking Marie some final questions. We learn that her favorite food is chicken curry and her favorite technology involves heart rate monitors.
Be brave [31:19]
LILA reminds us how important “focus” is—we can do anything, if we focus on what is right.
Also, listen to hear the lyrics from one of LILA’s favorite songs while she runs: “Bruises” by Train.
Significant Quotes:
Marie:
“Somewhere between 8 and 10 years old, I started to chunk up a bit….and my family went nuts.” [7:00]
“Dieting…you can’t sustain it, because you basically have to be insane.” [13:06]
“My heart doesn’t say ‘well, you had weight loss surgery, so I’m not going to pump as hard’.” [15:17]
“It’s food…it tastes good….it helps you do things. Eat it or don’t eat it. No drama.” [17:48]
“If there were people at work who made a team, I’d join…and be the worst one.” [21:09]
“I don’t think there’s ever going to be an end. There’s always going to be the next thing I want to do.” [27:18]
LILA:
“I feel like I have a panic attack every 48 hours.” [2:37]
“Because I’m kind of a ballsy broad…” [5:12]
“I was so strict with myself that I actually fainted on a set of stairs.” [12:23]
“I don’t want to waste tummy space with white rice.” [18:09]
“You are such a badass—it’s impressive.” [18:54]
“If you focus and do what you know is right, you can make anything happen.” [31:32]
Links
Marie’s website: http://www.fattyfightsback.com/
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Information (NIH): https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007435.htm
“Bruises” song by Train: https://www.youtube.com
L.I.L.A. - the Late in Life Athlete 