#56 - Come On, It Will Fun w/ Carl Tait
Whenever someone would say to me: “Come On, It Will Be Fun!” When I was younger …… I can guarantee you that we would be in trouble afterwards. Now as you age when someone says: “Let’s try Zumba, Running A 5k, Taking A Spin Class, etc.. Come On, It’ll Be Fun!” Now you can guarantee that if you take them up on it, you will be on a good road to great health. In this week’s blog/podcast we talk to Carl Tait from Wilwood, NJ, who took someone up on an invitation to run an 8k, although he had no experience. Carl turned that moment into 105 lbs weight loss in a year and a half.
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Coach: What is it that you do for a living?
Carl: I am an account sales Manager for Redbull. Before that, I was the GM at a Dollar General
Coach: How long have you been in your profession?
Carl: New position one month, before that 6 years
Coach: Any children? If so how many and how old?
Carl: My daughter Kailyn aka Juicebox she is 10 years old. Before losing weight, they used to call me Kool-Aid, so my daughters nickname became juicebox.
Coach: Take us back to the start of your journey, how were you feeling?
Carl: Honestly, I was upset that I didn't start sooner and let myself get to that point. I was tired all the time and sluggish. I was always a very active person but not sure where it got away from me.
Coach: What was your wake up call?
Carl: I tried to be a show-off and do a front flip into a friend's pool and landed wrong and ended up at the hospital. After being examined, the doctor explained to me that there was calcium starting to form in my arteries. The doctor said that if I continued to live my lifestyle it wasn't going to end well.
A few days after that hospital visit I just decided to give a healthier lifestyle a shot. My wife had started a few months earlier with great success. My journey didn't start off so smooth but a month or so later I started to see some results. Then I just kicked it into full gear from that point on.
Coach: What made you choose running as a way to start becoming healthy:
Carl: I am not a fan of the gym. So if I can get some exercise while being outside seemed like a win-win for me. People kept saying: “Come on, sign up for this 5 mile race, it will be fun!”
Coach: Do you remember your first race? How did it feel to place that bib on, knowing where you came from?
Carl: I was about 290lbs when I did my first 8k. My logic was that if I can walk 6 or more miles a day at work, then I can run a 5k in a race…. Ahhh boy was I wrong! I was instantly hooked on the feeling after the race. It was challenging for sure, then I had something to prove to myself to be better.
Coach: What does running do for you now?
Carl: Running has become a stress relief now! I think it is a great way to just get out and enjoy nature with my kid. Other times I just put on some good music and just let everything go from that day. Running is also a great way to start the day depending on when you can get out there. I love the competition in a race, but also love the encouragement you get from other runners. I have never heard one negative thing at a running event expressed to a fellow runner everyone is usually cheering each other on.
Coach: Have you had any setbacks since you took up running?
Carl: Nothing really so far thankfully other than COVID just destroying the season. Thankfully there have been a few virtual runs to keep the spirit going, but they are not the same as running with a group. I did manage to PR for the Mudhen 5k & 5 miler race. I came first in the age group for both events. I came in 15th overall in the 5 milers, I’m really thrilled by that.
Coach: We would like to know how you fit into your new healthy habits. We would like our readers to come away feeling if Carl can fit it in his life then so can I. There is someone out there reading this that either knows someone that has a story similar to yours or they are living your story right now.
As a busy professional, husband and father, what is your exercise routine?
Carl: I try to run in the afternoon, usually every other day if I can. I bring my daughter out as much as I can. She will usually ride her bike alongside me as my pacer, she tracks her rides on Strava and has logged a lot of miles with me. I'm not a big gym person. I honestly just ride my bike/ run/ swim just as much as I can after work. On weekends I put in longer runs and try to stretch and do some core stuff but I usually get bored and then just end up running or walking.
Coach: Do you practice intermittent fasting?
Carl: I did when I first started to diet and lose the weight, not so much now as I mostly just watch my carb intake and sugars
Coach: How do you feel now since adopting this healthier lifestyle?
Carl: I feel absolutely amazing with so much more energy. Before all this, I was very active with softball and stuff but still just felt run down all the time and tired
Coach: Wow, how much have you lost?
Carl: 105lbs at my lowest point last summer, currently at about 95 down from my start. I’ve only been running and watching what I eat for about a year and a half.
Coach: Wow, that’s great! How does your family enjoy the new you?
Carl: They are definitely happier as I have the energy and drive to do more things with them. Sometimes I get on their nerves cause I'm always talking about an upcoming run or workout but they have 100% supported me through all of this.
Coach: Oh is there anything that you are doing now that you could not do before losing the weight?
Carl: I always tried not to let the weight stop me from doing things I wanted to do, but losing it made things seem way less of a struggle. Riding roller coasters has been a lot more fun.
Coach: What have you excited today, any special events coming that you are working on at that moment?
Carl: I was training for my first marathon in October and a few triathlons but with current situation kinda put the hardcore training on hold. I have been training, just not on on an extreme level.
Coach: Thank you for being on our podcast.
Before we let you go........
WHAT can you say to our listeners/readers that may be ready to start their journey tomorrow?
Carl: Just start slow, it's not a sprint but a marathon, stick with it stay positive and the results will come you can do it!!
South Jersey Runners
Coach: Once again thank you for being on the show. Your story has already impacted many in your running community in Vineland, NJ and we thank you for sharing your story for all to hear around the world.
Hear Carl Tell You Himself:
Episode #56 - Come On, It Will Fun w/ Carl Tait
Remember my friends, we are just ONE run or walk away….
So Keep Calm and Run To The Best You!
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