Running After Gastric Sleeve: My Honest Story of Rebuilding Trust With My Body
If you had told me a few years ago that running would become part of my life — not just something I tried, but something I built goals, routines, and dreams around — I wouldn’t have believed you.
This is my running after gastric sleeve story.
It’s not a highlight reel.
It’s not a dramatic before-and-after.
It’s the honest, complicated, emotional journey of learning how to move my body again after weight loss surgery — and learning how to trust myself in the process.
If you’re curious about running after gastric sleeve surgery, unsure if your body is “ready,” or wondering whether you even belong in running spaces, this story is for you.
Life Before Running and Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Before my gastric sleeve surgery, movement felt complicated.
My body carried more weight than it was designed to comfortably handle, and exercise often felt like punishment instead of empowerment. Every attempt at “getting active” came with pain, frustration, and the constant reminder that my body didn’t move the way fitness culture said it should.
Running, especially, felt completely off-limits.
Too hard.
Too painful.
Too intimidating.
I didn’t see runners who looked like me.
I didn’t hear stories that reflected my reality.
And over time, it became easier to believe that running was something reserved for “other people.”
Choosing Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Relearning Movement
Gastric sleeve surgery wasn’t about becoming a runner.
It was about health.
It was about survival.
It was about giving myself a future with more options than I had before.
What I didn’t expect was how movement would slowly change meaning after surgery.
At first, exercise was about rebuilding from the ground up:
- Walking without pain
- Learning my new energy limits
- Understanding fueling, hydration, and recovery
- Respecting a body that was healing internally, not just shrinking externally
Running didn’t come immediately — and it shouldn’t.
Running after gastric sleeve requires patience, body awareness, and a willingness to let progress look different than you imagined.
How Running After Gastric Sleeve Became Possible
I didn’t wake up one day and decide to “be a runner.”
It started quietly.
Short walks became longer walks.
Intervals of jogging slipped in.
Rest days became intentional instead of guilt-filled.
I paid close attention to how my body responded after weight loss surgery — what it tolerated, what it needed, and when it needed me to stop.
Running after weight loss surgery isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about listening better.
The Mental Side of Running After VSG Surgery
This is the part people don’t talk about enough.
Running after gastric sleeve surgery is deeply mental.
Some days, my body feels strong and capable.
Other days, anxiety, depression, or emotional exhaustion make even getting dressed feel heavy.
Running became the place where I confronted:
- Fear of failure
- Old narratives about my body
- Perfectionism and comparison
- The belief that I had to “earn” belonging
Some races, I showed up undertrained.
Some mornings, I stood in the rain questioning why I was even there.
And sometimes, simply staying was the win.
Running After Weight Loss Surgery: My First Races
Signing up for races changed everything.
Not because of finish times or personal records — but because of commitment.
Standing on a starting line after gastric sleeve surgery carries weight:
- You remember who you used to be
- You recognize how far you’ve come
- You choose yourself anyway
I learned quickly that running doesn’t require speed.
It requires presence.
Some races humbled me.
Some surprised me.
All of them taught me something about resilience, patience, and self-trust.
Lessons Learned Running After VSG
If you’re running after gastric sleeve — or thinking about it — here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner:
1. Slow Is Not Failure
Your body is rebuilding from the inside out. Respect that process.
2. Fueling Matters More Than You Think
Hydration, electrolytes, and nutrition are non-negotiable when running post-op.
3. Mental Health Affects Training
Hard seasons will show up in your running — and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
4. You Don’t Need Permission to Call Yourself a Runner
If you run — even a little — you belong.
Why I Created Bariatric Runner Mom
I couldn’t find enough stories about running after gastric sleeve that felt honest.
So I decided to tell mine.
Bariatric Runner Mom exists for runners who:
- Have had gastric sleeve or weight loss surgery
- Are rebuilding trust with their bodies
- Want goals without pressure
- Need honesty instead of hype
This space is about showing up on hard days, celebrating small wins, and redefining what strength looks like after bariatric surgery.
What Running After Gastric Sleeve Looks Like for Me Now
I’m still evolving.
Some seasons I chase races.
Some seasons I chase consistency.
Some seasons, running is quiet and internal.
But every step I take now is one I never thought I’d be able to take before.
And that matters.
If This Is Your Running After Gastric Sleeve Story Too
If you’re at the beginning — welcome.
If you’re in the messy middle — you’re not behind.
If you’re questioning whether you belong — yes, you do.
Running after gastric sleeve isn’t about proving anything.
It’s about reclaiming:
- Your body
- Your voice
- Your belief in yourself
And for me, that’s the real finish line.
Want More Support?
If you’re navigating running after weight loss surgery, mental health, or starting over in your body, I share:
- Beginner-friendly race guides
- Honest race recaps
- Training reflections
- Encouragement for showing up anyway
💛 You’re not alone here.
— Bariatric Runner Mom
Pin this post for later if you’re running after gastric sleeve or navigating mental health while training.
