He was never interested in running, much less running marathons. But since drastic changes in his eating habits and exercise routine, Destrehan resident Wayne Allain has lost 60 pounds and gained a newfound love for running.
“I used to joke that the only place I ran was to the dinner table or to the bar for a beer,” he said laughing.
Allain struggled for several years with being overweight. He tried Weight Watchers and other programs that he said left him with a lack of information to completely transform his life. The absence of a workout regime only added to the unsuccessful formula he was using to lose weight and feel better.
Two years ago Allain signed up for Get Fit United, a free fitness and health program offered by United Way of St. Charles in partnership with Anytime Fitness Luling, nDurance Fitness and Ochsner Corporate Wellness. The decision, he said, has given him a second lease on life.
“I signed up for the program hoping to get to a healthier place and lose a little weight,” he said. “Little did I know I would lose 60 pounds, feel great and have to replace all of my clothes because nothing would fit.”
As part of the program, Allain had the opportunity to participate in two boot camps a week and become a member of Anytime Fitness in Destrehan.
“Between changing my lifestyle with how and what I ate, along with the boot camps and workouts, I started to see the results in a short time,” he said.
Allain said personal trainer Shelbi Robicheaux was instrumental in constantly pointing him in the right direction during the Get Fit United training sessions. As he continued to lose weight and feel better, Alain signed up for the 10k Bridge Run. Just over a year after his first race, he has run six half marathons, including one in Disney World, and completed his first full marathon in December.
“I never dreamed that I would ever want to run, much less be able to achieve what I have,” he said. “I have a few more half marathons scheduled in 2020.”
Allain has his sights, and training schedule, set to running in the Disney Marathon Series in January 2021. His goal is to complete the Dopey Challenge, a four day run series consisting of runners completing a 5k on Thursday, 10k on Friday, half marathon on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday for a total of 48.6 miles in 4 days.
“Mr. Wayne has a passion and love for the sport,” Robicheaux said. “Every race he does he is adding to his list of achievements and accomplishments.”
A triathlon may also be on the horizon for Allain, who said he feels up for any challenge.
“Being healthier and reaching my goals has truly been amazing,” Allain said. “I just feel completely different.”
Be the first to comment