How long will it take?

Hi

Just wondered if anyone could advise me.

In September this year I was in the best shape of my life. i am 5.5 and I averaged a weight between 7 stone 12 and 8 stone. I ate well, and i had a lot of lean muscle and as I did pilates I had nicely cut abs too.

I was getting faster and faster in terms of running, I had done quite a few races, both trail and road. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I went through a bit of a slump. I had started a profeesional course which I had to fit in around work, and although I used to run early in the mornings before work,the long days and mileage started to become more of a chore, instead of the passion it had been before.

I haven't run properly for about 2 months, and have recently had a wake up call, and rediscovered my love for it again. I can still run distance comfortably, but I have gained a stone, and I haven't even bothered to timing my runs (too depressing)

Anyway I really want to get back to my former glory, and I'm desperate to lose the stone I've put on. I hate the pudge I can see on my waist and legs where I was once lean! Does anyone know how long it is going to take to get back into shape?

However long it takes you will just have to put up with it. I have realised that as I became older that the journey to your goal can be pleasurable as well. Four years ago I started off at 14 stone and over the course of 9 months came down to 8 stone 7. I enjoyed the process of losing weight immensely. I am now a stone heavier but feeling that this is my optimal weight. I work a lot on strength and do running 6 days a week. I am also vegan. I do not work so it's my committment to myself. When the children are at school I run and do other fitness things. Hope things will work out for you, determination is the best motivator.

I'm not saying i won't take pleasure in the journey. I have always loved running and strength training, i am just frustrated with myself for letting myself burn out and work take priority. Unfortunately we are not all lucky enough to not to have to work. I used to be up at 5am every morning and I never complained, but for some reason trying to keep up with 40 mile weeks plus 10 hours of study got too much for me.

Hey Emily, I had a long (8year) layoff due to an ankle operation, then we had young kids etc & I didn't seem to want to find the time to go running as it used to end up aching too much. My wife suddenly started running two years ago & I went to races to support her, everytime I thought I'd want to do it too. So, in March this year I started again, I was initially 14st 3 and it was a struggle, but you need self discipline. I kept at it & am down to 12st7, just ran a 44.20 Brighton 10k, I ran it in 38.48 years ago (I was 11st 8) but know those times & weight just aren't gonna return for the ammount of training I do, but I am enjoying it again & the weight's dropping still. Try & strike a happy medium with running/work/social life etc.

Whats a train?

thanks for the advice guys although to be honest the scheduling isn't really the issue. I think I just burnt out for a variety of reasons, overtraining and anxiety being a couple, but I have plenty of motivation to start again, running is something I have realised I can't do without. I mainly just wondered what sort of time frame I should set to work towards. I'm not overrweight, I am 8 stone 9 as of today, I'm just not at the level I was 2 months back, and at 7.12 I was really lean, so I'm obvoiusly noticing a difference even if no one else  does. 

Glad to hear that you realised can't do without a run, any form of exercise needs to be enjoyable otherwise you just don't do it in the end. Surrey Runner's right, running as part of a club is infinitely better than running alone, you are much more motivated to push yourself. Find a local club, the times will come down as will the weight, it does takes time though, trying a crash diet to drop weight isn't recommended & will set you back. I bought a cheap Garmin, (FR10) it helps motivate me when I can see improvements in times for courses that I run regularly. Good Luck!