One of my favorite types of reinvention, one I will probably bring up often, is physical reinvention—making changes to achieve a healthy weight, become physically strong, eat better, and pursue overall wellness.

Maybe it’s because I’m a terrible athlete (except for being irrationally competitive) and struggle to exercise consistently, but I am totally impressed by people who become determined to get healthy and go through significant physical changes to achieve their goals. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of The Biggest Loser; I credit that show with putting me back on track with exercising and eating real foods.

I also credit two people for inspiring me to become fitter in my everyday life: my husband, Robbie, who has learned (and convinced me) that exercise and eating well make him feel better both emotionally and physically, and our friend Dave, who has lost more than 80 pounds during the time I have known him and who runs with Robbie every week. They’ve encouraged each other and inspired Dave’s wife, Jenn, and me to run, too.

Jenn and I are both up to two miles, and we have a team goal of running in a 5k this fall. (Dave and Robbie already run that distance regularly, but it’ll be a first for Jenn and me.) I always hated running—hated it. I really thought I couldn’t do it, or at least not for any significant distance. Even though I’m small, I have never been physically strong. I love cardio workouts, but I have always either participated in organized classes or used an elliptical or bike. I’m just not disciplined enough to stick with something like running…or so I thought.

I’m proud to say that I have been running three or four times a week. I’m running two miles on a regular basis, and in the next week or two I will add another half mile to that distance. I know many people run much, much farther than that and would probably consider two miles a warm-up, but it feels like a good distance for me. I want to be able to run the 5k, and then we’ll see. It might lead to more, or it might just be a solid, standard workout for me. Either way, it’s part of my reinvention, and I am fortunate to have good friends (and yes, good bad TV) to inspire and encourage me.