I was always fit and in shape throughout my schooling, but after some injuries and a couple of operations I was soon off the sports field and developed some very unhealthy habits and made tons of excuses.

Before I knew it I was 1.72m and a very overweight 105kg’s and knew I needed to change not only to look better but improve my health as I struggled with always catching whatever was going around

I remember sitting back one day just questioning how I had let myself get to this point and over night made the decision  that I was going to change my life forever.

I tried numerous types of training before “Finding My Fitness” in running. I started small will 5km flat runs and eventually 10km races as well as joining a running club.

Before I knew it I couldn’t go a couple days without running and took part in a couple 21km half marathons with my first being the ‘Om Die Dam’ race.

Within 11 months I had lost around 30kg due to running and a strict eating plan.

By the end of the year I had lost 36kg. One thing I realized is that losing weight is not a ‘straight line’ journey and you often find yourself taking a step back before 2 more steps forward.

I often get asked what’s more important when it come to weight loss, training or eating right, my answer is simply 10%training, 10%eating right and 80%mental.

It seems impossible to sum up what I have gained through running and losing weight but worth a mention would be to say my health has improved 10 fold.

Now I am able to sleep at night and hardly ever getting sick.

I have found pride in myself, in my appearance and that has given me confidence I was lacking before.

I re-discovered the competitive person I was and have pushed myself to places I didn’t think were possible.

A huge reward for me is being able to share my story and influence others to start their very own journey into weight loss.

If I can influence and/or inspire just 1 person through telling my story it will make all the pain and sweat worth it.

In other words Running has in a way Saved My Life.

Chase Carneson

Johannesburg

SUBMIT YOUR STORY AND WIN R500 Wellness Warehouse Voucher

Chase wins a R500 voucher courtesy of our sponsor for the “YOU CAN live life well” series Wellness Warehouse to be spent on their online store with free delivery nationally.

I believe very strongly that ordinary every day people like you and I derive great inspiration from the achievements of people who seem similar to us. If they can do it.. damn.. so can I! Right?

So through this program we will continue to tell people’s personal stories.

I want to great an archive of hundreds of stories of people who have changed their lives while others believe they cannot.

Submit your story to help@sleekgeek.co.za with the Subject line “You can live life well”

We require:

• Your story in your own words covering at least (How you got to a point of change, how you made the change, tips and advise for others)
• A selection of before and after photos
• As many words as you need to tell your story

In advance, we regret that not all stories may be published. Your story is as important as anyone’s story but we can only publish one a week and the editor will make decision on this.

If your story is published you will receive a R500 voucher to the Wellness Warehouse online store with free national delivery.