Hi ,
 

I had one of those moments recently. The kind that could have sent me backwards… but didn’t.

I was at the GP, sorting out my usual diabetes prescription, when he asked me to jump on the scales. It’s been a while since I last checked. Fully clothed, it read 160kg.

My first reaction? A punch to the gut.

It felt heavy in more ways than one.

I’d been feeling lighter lately. Moving more. Walking more. Running small amounts again. So seeing that number was a jolt. And honestly, my mind went straight to the old stories… the ones about failure, slipping backwards, being too far gone.

But the next morning something important happened.

I went out for my planned run. Nothing dramatic. Nothing fast. Just me, moving. And halfway through, something clicked:

I’m running at 160kg.

Not dreaming about running.

Not wanting to run.

Actually running.

And then the real kicker:

Back in 2011, when I weighed in the 140s and was making massive lifestyle changes… I couldn’t run AT ALL.

So despite whatever my metabolism is up to, despite the frustrating numbers, despite the ups and downs of the last few years, the truth is this:

The person I am today is physically stronger, more capable, and more resilient than the person I was 14 years ago.

My legs are stronger.

My core is stronger.

My heart and lungs cope better.

My mindset is steadier.

And I’m doing something now that past versions of me simply couldn’t do.

That’s worth celebrating.

And maybe you need this reminder too:

Progress doesn’t always look how we expect it to.

Sometimes it’s quieter.

Sometimes it’s hidden in the effort, not the outcome.

Sometimes it shows up in the simple fact that you went out for a run when the world said you shouldn’t be able to.

So if you’ve had a wobble, a setback, a tough week, or a moment that made you doubt yourself… look again. There’s probably something worth celebrating hiding in plain sight.

And those small wins? They’re the ones that change everything.

If this resonated, come share your own small win with us.

We’re talking about the moments that don’t show up on the scales, but matter just as much, inside the Runners Gateway community.

👉 You’re always welcome. Every pace, every body, every story.

Gary

Founder, Runners Gateway