I kept things slow and steady but didn\u2019t give up.<\/h2>\n
I took a day off before attempting to run a full mile. Then, I ran 1.5 miles, then two miles\u2026I told myself, \u201cIf I can hit seven miles and still feel good, then I\u2019m going to do the half marathon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once I realized I could conquer these shorter runs, I was on a mission. To prepare, I built up to running six to 10-mile runs, five days per week while continuing my strength training 6 days a week. I wasn\u2019t running for time, I was running for distance.<\/p>\n
In October of 2022, I ran my first half marathon in years.<\/p>\n
A post shared by Erin Oprea (@erinoprea)<\/p>\n
After I accomplished my race, I wanted a new goal to zero in on. So I started a strength journey, where I also adjusted my diet to shift my body composition.<\/h2>\n
That meant, for me personally, going from an average of about 3,000 calories per day to between 2,000 and 2,100 calories\u2014but I still made sure I had *plenty* of fuel for my workouts. (USDA guidelines recommended a range for women between 1,600 and 2,400 calories per day). I also cut my starch intake by half. (Work with a nutritionist to figure out a calorie consumption that fits your needs.)<\/p>\n
A post shared by Erin Oprea (@erinoprea)<\/p>\n
While I don\u2019t use anything specific to track what I\u2019m eating, I eat the same thing pretty much 99.9 percent of the time. Breakfast, lunch, dinner\u2014everything is exactly the same.<\/p>\n
Pre-breakfast:<\/strong><\/p>\n Breakfast:<\/strong><\/p>\n Morning snack:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lunch:<\/strong><\/p>\n Afternoon snack:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dinner:<\/strong><\/p>\n Late-night snack:<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m seeing results in my running time. I\u2019ve decreased my mileage, and either run three to four miles a day, or I do 30 to 45 minutes of jump rope. Now, my goal is to get my speed back and to hit my Marine Corp running time.<\/p>\n I test myself every week, and last week, I hit 21 minutes and 20 seconds during a three-mile run. For context, when I first started running again, I was doing three miles in 29 minutes\u2014 I\u2019m really proud of how far I\u2019ve come already! My goal is 20 minutes and 15 to 20 seconds, so I\u2019m getting there.<\/p>\n Everything is on a schedule, and I love it. I stay super active throughout the day, from 4 am until bedtime (which is usually around 8:30 p.m., but lately has been closer to 10 p.m.). I usually fit in 20,000 to 25,000 steps each day. I\u2019ve also always been big on stretching and foam rolling, and I\u00a0always<\/em>\u00a0use my Theragun.<\/p>\n For fun, my husband and I go dancing from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. One of my favorite DJs plays at a bar on Broadway, and we\u2019re home before it\u2019s dark.<\/p>\n The coolest thing about my transformation has been the impact on my perimenopause journey. I used to have massive, puke-inducing cramps. But three months into my journey, I recognized that I was getting regular periods without side effects, which is amazing. I have had zero boob soreness and zero cramps.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also noticed reduced inflammation. I\u2019ve struggled with tendonitis in both elbows\u2013sometimes I can\u2019t even hold my phone because my elbows hurt so badly. I credit this with cutting down on starches and being more disciplined about my food sensitivities like yeast (which I had tested). My body just feels good. In fact, my joints feel better now than they did when I was 30.<\/p>\n My energy levels are high\u2014and everything is great. I\u2019ve even rediscovered my love of rollerblading!<\/p>\n I want other women to realize that if you want it badly enough, you can do it. And at *any* age. People are quick to find excuses and then they don\u2019t get results. Is it easy? No. But is it worth it? Absolutely.<\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\nSince I\u2019ve leaned out, my muscles aren\u2019t necessarily bigger, but you can see them in a more defined way. And I can run like a MOFO\u2014that\u2019s what I\u2019m really proud of.<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/gettyimages-1674068973.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLiving a very structured life has helped me hit my goals.<\/h2>\n
My strength transformation helped with my health and perimenopause journey.<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/woman-taking-vitamins-and-supplements-royalty-free-image-1675968742.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMoving forward, I\u2019d like to maintain where I am\u2014I feel like a million bucks right now.<\/h2>\n