Rob Forman | @robsforman
Time for some former fat kid vulnerability, and a lot of pride in my accomplishments! Left: 5 days before the LA Marathon (3/12/24). Right: 16 weeks later (7/8/24).
So, last summer, I completely fell off my fitness routine (on strike for five months, let’s not get into it). Through the fall, I made excuses. I didn’t exercise. No one held me accountable. I gained weight. I was miserable with myself… and so I signed up to run a full marathon, aiming to check that off a bucket list before turning 40 — but mostly to force myself to get some exercise. I’d run a couple halfs and liked it. But marathon training was a different beast. You need fuel to go all those miles at the end. I finished, and was proud of doing so, but I didn’t lose much weight in the process. In fact, I lost muscle.
With the marathon finish line in sight, I knew I needed to change something, to actually work towards my goals and set myself up for success in my 40s. And so I joined @hejnasty’s @healthyflexprescription, and started this new journey the day after running 26.2 miles.
In 16 weeks, I’ve lost almost 27 pounds. I gained confidence and energy. I feel like my best self. I’m now in better shape and stronger than I was during my entire 30s. I did it all out of my garage gym, with support and instruction from Coach Zander, and an assist from my kitchen scale.
What I’m proudest of, though, isn’t the numbers on the scale or in my workout logbook, or the compliments from friends about my transformation, or actually being happy looking in the mirror. Though all of that is amazing! It’s that I managed to do this all while also:
- going to Vegas for my 40th birthday weekend
- celebrating friends’ birthdays
- traveling to a family wedding
- doing a weekend reunion with college friends
- having a number of other social and professional events
- baking
Fitting fitness into my life without sacrificing enjoyment? Are you kidding? With the right tools, it became possible.
Now, for the first time ever, I’m intentionally trying to gain weight (lean muscle). Yeah. I know.
If you’re struggling with anything similar, reach out to @hejnasty and the HFP Team. Can’t recommend it enough!