Christel Hoydic from Middletown, CT shares her story....
I wasn't always that way. I was always active, even at my heaviest, which was 240 when I was pregnant with my son, but never to this point. After delivering my 6 pound bundle of joy, I remained large for quite some time. One day I woke up and decided I needed to change my life for my son. I had always wanted to run so I bought a pair of sneakers and barely made it around the corner. A friend at the time was training for his first 1/2 marathon. I jokingly said "I want to do that!" He watched be barely make it around the corner and told me I should start much smaller because I would never be able to do the 1/2 marathon in only 6 months time. That was all the motivation I needed! I put my mind to it and 2 years ago completed my first 1/2 marathon. I love to run. I now have 7 1/2 marathons and 2 Tough Mudder competitions under my belt. My favorite part is my son is now becoming a part of it. He wants to run just like me! Last March, Grayden, who is 5, and I ran his first 5k race, the Sandy Hook 5k. He ran the entire time, without stopping, and finished in 34 minutes. That was 34 minutes of my life that I will never forget. It was the best finish line I ever crossed! To see how I inspired him, and how wonderful he did completely touched me. I was so proud of him and continue to be every day. Our family is non-stop as we love rock climbing, hiking, running, swimming and any other activity you can throw our way.
I wasn't always that way. I was always active, even at my heaviest, which was 240 when I was pregnant with my son, but never to this point. After delivering my 6 pound bundle of joy, I remained large for quite some time. One day I woke up and decided I needed to change my life for my son. I had always wanted to run so I bought a pair of sneakers and barely made it around the corner. A friend at the time was training for his first 1/2 marathon. I jokingly said "I want to do that!" He watched be barely make it around the corner and told me I should start much smaller because I would never be able to do the 1/2 marathon in only 6 months time. That was all the motivation I needed! I put my mind to it and 2 years ago completed my first 1/2 marathon. I love to run. I now have 7 1/2 marathons and 2 Tough Mudder competitions under my belt. My favorite part is my son is now becoming a part of it. He wants to run just like me! Last March, Grayden, who is 5, and I ran his first 5k race, the Sandy Hook 5k. He ran the entire time, without stopping, and finished in 34 minutes. That was 34 minutes of my life that I will never forget. It was the best finish line I ever crossed! To see how I inspired him, and how wonderful he did completely touched me. I was so proud of him and continue to be every day. Our family is non-stop as we love rock climbing, hiking, running, swimming and any other activity you can throw our way.
Eating right has helped him, even at 5, to understand about wise choices and healthy eating. I love when I order a soda and he reminds me about all of the sugar in it. He now keeps me in check. We continue to live healthy lives and we love to inspire other families to do the same. I can't imagine life any other way. We are happier than ever!
