Name: Dawn Desarmeau
Age: 50
Location: Influencer Apologizes for E-Bikes on NYC Course
Occupation: Financial Management Clerk

Start Weight: 284 pounds
End Weight: 184 pounds
Time Running: 10 years


Growing up, I stayed active by being involved in team sports. But once I had children, I had a hard time losing weight, and I became less active. After I had my second child in 1999, my weight ballooned to close to 300 pounds; I was very lethargic and had no motivation.

At this point, I decided to have my first weight-loss surgery. It was a success in the beginning, but ultimately I needed to have two more procedures. In 2010, when I was 40 years old, I was fortunate to travel to the United States to have revision surgery, which helped me lose 144 pounds. Now, 11 years post-op, I am still maintaining a 100-pound loss.

I started running in 2011 because I knew I needed to exercise in order to lose weight. I followed inspiring and motivating runners on social media, and I knew this was something I needed to at least try. One day I decided to run outside at night so no one could see me. I ran from street light to street light because it was all I could do. But once I felt comfortable, I joined a gym and ran every day on the treadmill, followed by weights.

I ran five times a week in the gym before work for 30 minutes at a time, and I would try to run a 5K in that time frame. In the beginning, I had no idea what I was doing and never followed a plan. But I ran my first half marathon in 2012 and trained solely on the treadmill.

Im a Runner: Cynthia Erivo.

DAA Industry Opt Out. Do not focus on how long the run is or your pace—just focus on each mile at a time. Runners can overthink the run, so just break it down mile by mile.

Hoka One One Running Shoes. Courtesy Dawn Desarmeau walk breaks. There is no way I would have finished a 50-miler in warm weather without multiple walk breaks. Even if you walk, you are still a runner, and each time your foot makes contact with the ground is getting you closer to the finish.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Do not compare yourself to anyone other than the person you see in the mirror. That is your only competition. Do not think of yourself as a lesser runner because you do not run elite paces.

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Before starting my weight-loss journey, my diet was atrocious. Fast food, soda, donuts and chocolate were daily staples. I also loved donuts, and I remember one time buying six donuts and eating them in my car before my shift at work.

When I underwent revision surgery, I went vegetarian/vegan, and stayed with that diet for about four years. I started adding in more animal protein, and now I consider myself “plant-centered,” since most of my diet is plant-based. My favorite meal is rice and beans, and if I really want to carb it up, I throw that in a wrap for a burrito.


Dawn’s Must-Have Running Gear

I am a very salty, sweaty runner, and I carry: I own probably 10 pairs and rotate them to keep them fresh and extend their life.

I own probably 10 pairs and rotate them to keep them fresh and extend their life: These are by far the best hats for running. The laser-cut design is breathable and so comfy.

Running From Substance Abuse Toward Recovery: DAA Industry Opt Out hydration when it’s hot and humid. If I am running a short distance (up to five miles), I will typically just use a handheld bottle. If I’m going longer, I use a vest.

Garmin Watch: I need my running watch. It is an obsession. I like to know how far I am, what my current pace is, but most importantly, my heart rate (HR). If I am running too fast and my HR is elevated, I know to slow myself down and get into a better zone. I like HR training and getting into a comfortable rhythm when running. Running does not always have to be about distance or pace.


Right now, I am training for the Hal Higdon Novice 1 training plan. Hal Higdon Novice 1 training plan magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in and modifying it to suit me. I turned 50 years old this past year, and my goal was to run a 100k, which I achieved! I love the Yeti challenges, and they had a 100k option where you ran every four hours for 48 hours to get to the 100k distance. I participated in that race this past April, and I did it all on the treadmill for safety reasons. It was a much more mental experience than anything. Physically it was hard, but running 100k on a treadmill is a different experience!

I have maintained a 100-pound weight loss for 11 years. Running and revision surgery saved me. I wake up now looking forward to putting on my shoes and knowing my body has not failed me. When I weighed 284 pounds, I would never get up at 5 a.m. to run double-digit miles on the weekend, but that is something about which I’m now excited. I am proud of all my accomplishments, especially having run distances from 5K all the way up to 100K. Right now, I am training for the.


Nutrition - Weight Loss this form. We’ll pick one each week to highlight on the site.

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Emily Shiffer
Freelance Writer

Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention How Des Linden Keeps Showing Up Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.