Throughout high school, Michael Beck was always “the bigger kid.” No surprise there; he was a linebacker for the football team. After graduation, he kept working out. He lost weight and felt good. But then life, in the form of a desk job and unhealthy eating habits, got in the way.
He gained weight; his blood pressure began rising; a romantic relationship ended.
“I was so unhappy with myself and how I looked and felt,” says Beck, now 27. “I contemplated getting on blood pressure medication and an antidepressant to get me out of the rut I was in, but I did not want to be dependent on anything. I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I pushed everyone away because I was so unhappy, and my self-confidence was at an all-time low.”
So what did he do then, that autumn day almost a year ago? He signed up for a 5K. Once he did that — even though he could barely run a quarter-mile without stopping — what could he possibly do but keep running? He signed up for another 5K … and another.
“Running gave me new confidence I never had before,” says Beck. He began eating better, which led to his blood pressure going down. He added half-marathons (and one full) to his running repertoire. He began reading motivational books and became involved in his church community. People noticed he was happier.
A few months ago, his employer, Cigna, had a contest in which employees were asked to submit a video titled Why I Run. Beck’s entry won him a trip to Disneyland for a half marathon.
Typical week of workouts: What I am training for determines how many miles I run a week. For the upcoming 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon, I'm running between 20 and 25 miles a week. I also incorporate strength training with free weights and exercises using my body weight. I have active hobbies that I participate in with friends, including tennis, and kayaking Lake Texoma.
If I had just 20 minutes to work out, I would: I'd use all 20 minutes doing some type of cardiovascular workout. I'd either run the full 20 at a fast pace, or incorporate a jump rope/push-up cross training workout. Getting your heart rate up is key to spiking your metabolism, which will help with both weight management and heart health.
What gets in the way of my workout? I don't let life get in the way. If something comes up, I will adjust my workouts to fit my schedule. If I have matters to take care of in the afternoon or evening, I'll make sure to wake up early and get my miles in before work. It's all about discipline.
Fitness goals: To keep my blood pressure at a healthy level and to complete my second full marathon and my first triathlon by next spring.
Proudest fitness moment: Finishing my second half marathon. I ran my first in 2 hours, 38 minutes, but was not prepared at all. I signed up the next day for the Dallas Marathon (the half race) and was almost obsessed with my training. I ate right, lost additional weight and finished the race in 1 hour, 59 minutes.
Favorite healthy food: Eggs. They are a great source of protein and easy to prepare. I can go through a dozen eggs within a few days: boiled, deviled, scrambled or made into an omelet.
Favorite indulgence: Pizza. I typically eat pizza the night before a run longer than 8 miles, and the night before every race. The carbs help fill my storage of glycogen and the extra sodium helps, as I typically sweat a lot during my run (or at least that's what I tell myself).
Three things you'll always find in my refrigerator: Eggs, pineapple, protein shakes. I try not to keep a lot of food around because I will eat it if it's there, so I only keep the basics, plus chicken and brown rice, and, to curb my sweet tooth, fruit.
What I'd tell someone who wants to follow my routine: Take your time and listen to your body. Before you focus on running fast, work on being able to run a goal distance without stopping. I would also stress the importance of a balanced and healthy diet. Start slowly and continue to push yourself physically and mentally.
What my workout says about me: My workout says that I'm not a quitter. It's not easy. I wasn't naturally born a runner, but determination, sacrifice and discipline have help sculpt my life and my fitness goals. One of my favorite quotes sums it up perfectly: "Some days me and running don't see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others. But that doesn't mean I don't do it. I deal with it and I keep running because not everything that's good for you always feels good for you."
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