As I kept jogging, my weight gradually started to come down.

But “gradually” really means gradually — there was absolutely nothing dramatic about it.

From Over 80 kg Down to 70 kg

A rough timeline of the weight change:

80+ kg → 78 kg → 76 kg → 74 kg → 70 kg.

This change took about 8 years.

That works out to only 1 to 2 kilograms per year. Nothing like the dramatic transformations you see on diet shows. The change was so slow I sometimes wanted to question whether it was working at all.

Because I Didn’t Rush, I Was Able to Keep Going

Looking back, what I think is: “I was able to keep going because I didn’t rush.”

I never once thought about losing 5 kilograms in a month. I just kept running. The weight came along as a result.

If I’d set a goal of “lose 10 kilograms in 3 months” from the start, I’m sure I would have given up when I didn’t hit it.

When the Body Changes, the Way You Move Changes

As the weight came down, the way my body moved changed.

Stairs got easier. I stopped getting winded after a short walk. Mornings felt lighter. Small changes accumulated into a real sense of “my body has changed.”

This is very similar to what I felt when I noticed my body changing from continuing with fermented foods.

Rush it, and you won’t get anything good. Things that take time are, in the long run, the better things.

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Next time: Around the time I started running, I was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.

※ This article is based on personal experience and publicly available information. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have health concerns, please consult a doctor or registered dietitian. See our Disclaimer.