Seizing all life has to offer

Name: Sonja Turajlich
Home: Bradford, ON
Age: 38

Life before running
I was 36, a litigation lawyer, and married with two small children.  I was like any other married, working mother of two - a guilt-ridden juggler.  Always sensing a demand to be elsewhere; never enough time to spend anywhere; and, forget about having time to exercise.

My hours at the office were getting longer each day and my weight was well north of 200 lbs for most of my married and post-pregnancies life.  Was I happy?  I never actually stopped to think about it.  I had no time to stop and think.  Until, my body started shutting down - not in any dramatic way; but, just enough to get my attention.  I sought out medical answers for the stomach pain, the nausea, the fatigue, the headaches, and, the heart palpitations.  The doctors had none; at least, none that I was prepared to accept.  "Stress," they said.  After approximately six months of insisting upon one medical test after another (each of which came back clear), there was only one conclusion to draw: I was not sick, I was unhealthy.  Of course, that did not mean I was prepared to actually do something about it.

Turning Point

During an ordinary conversation, a stranger making small talk asked me, "What are your hobbies and interests?"  I had nothing to offer.  "I have no time for that!" I snapped.  As the day continued, I became troubled.  How was it possible that I had no passion for anything in life but work and family?

As I recounted the story to my husband later that evening, he said matter-of-factly, "Of course you have a hobby.  Food is your hobby."  I was not angry with him.  Instead, his words resonated.  He was right.  My morning began with a coffee, buttered bagel, and pastry.  Every challenging moment in the day was met with a high calorie or fat laden treat.  And my daily stress was washed away almost every evening with a trip through a drive-thru during my long commute home.  Food had become my way to reward, to comfort, to entertain, and to endure living.  I realized then that just enduring life was not enough.  More importantly, it was a senseless way to live.

The Plan
I had no plan, expectations, or goals except that I would try to eat a healthy breakfast.  So I did just that the next morning.  I have done so every morning since.  I had no idea this would turn my life around.

Within a short time, I dropped a little weight.  That inspired more changes.  I slowly made healthier choices about what I ate throughout the day and controlled my portions.  I dropped more weight.  I then began to get active.  I walked - a little, at first, and more each day.  I also started strength/weight training at home.  One day during my walk I tried running.  The first run lasted less than a minute before the burn in my lungs and pain in my legs brought me to a dead stop; but, I committed to run that minute each time.

Months later, during a morning walk while vacationing in Vegas, I tried running for longer than a minute.  Being fit enough to run the Strip in Vegas at sunrise was something I had always dreamed of.  I did not run long that morning; but certainly longer than a minute, and enough to know I wanted more.  When I returned home, I committed myself to running every other day and for longer each time.  I now had a passion.

The Biggest Reward
Within 14 months after having eaten that first healthy breakfast, I dropped a total of 80 pounds and went from a size 16 to a size 4.  Approximately 8 months after that first painful run, I worked my way up to running 45 minutes each session.  The stress of every day is something I now leave on the pavement when I run.

Last month I wore a bikini for the first time in 20 years.  And, I have signed up for my first 5 km run - The Chocolate Marathon - and I'm hoping to do a 10 km one day soon.  I no longer use food for any purpose except to fuel my body.  Of course, I still gaze longingly at a chocolate donut; but, I consider what it does to my body and why I want to eat it.  That inspires me to walk away or simply make a healthier choice.  I spend a part of each day dancing or jumping to very loud music with my children.  And, I feel the strongest I have ever felt in my life, both mentally and physically.  Just a few weeks ago, I ran the Strip (I mean, really ran the Strip) in Vegas at sunrise.  As I ran that morning, I thought to myself, "I finally made it."

Someone who I admire a lot recently said to me, "Sometimes, you have to just let life happen around you."  That is just what I do.  Except, now, as life happens around me, I no longer just endure it.  Instead, I LIVE IT; passionately enjoying every crazy moment; curious as to what tomorrow has in store.

My tips for success 
1. Always remember that strength of body leads to strength of mind.  And, with a strong mind you can will your body to achieve things and to transform in ways you never thought possible.

2. Do not set time-limited goals such as "I will lose X pounds in X months." Make one very small change and give your mind and body however much time is needed to react - not just adjust, but REACT.  Then continue to make one small change after another.  Remember, you are changing the rest of your life, not subscribing to a quick fix for just a few weeks.  Revel in every tiny change you make and every solitary step (literally and figuratively) you take. They form your path; every single one is just as important and ought to be respected as much as the one that preceded it and the one that will follow.

3.  Finally, live life with passion and never accept enduring as a way to live.