The couple was stuck in a repetitive cycle of crash diets and sporadic workouts, which ultimately led to health issues.
“Running has dramatically changed our lives for the better.”
The following written content by Emily Shiffer
Name: Marlon and Camille Jones
Age: 30 and 28
Hometown: Atlanta
Start Weights: 420 pounds and 190 pounds
End Weights: 330 pounds and 165 pounds
Time Running: 7 months
For Marlon Jones, life was just heavy. He felt lazy, and even everyday things felt like a task. He also thought he was too young to be feeling that way.
Camille Jones felt similarly. She struggled with yo-yo dieting, trying to follow strict rules and rushing the process. It never worked.
The couple was stuck in a repetitive cycle of crash diets and sporadic workouts, which ultimately led to health issues. A physical revealed that Marlon was pre-diabetic and experiencing sleep apnea. In 2018, Camille was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.
But when the coronavirus pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, they both saw it as an opportunity to make some lifestyle changes.
“COVID-19 was an eye-opener. We really began to think about our health and how we could improve it. Being pre-diabetic and having sleep apnea, I felt like these were preventable,” Marlon said. “It was time for me to take control of my health in the right way.”
On April 1, they committed to their “journey of consistency.” Marlon weighed in that day at 420 pounds and Camille weighed in at 190 pounds.
They started by doing home workout videos. A month into their journey, Marlon had an idea.
“Marlon said, ‘Hey, let’s try running and do 50K [31 miles total] in May!’ I was very hesitant,” Camille said. “I had tried running before and couldn’t run for more than 30 seconds without stopping.”
The duo had always wanted to become runners. It seemed like a great way to stay in shape, and also a great stress reliever. They never believed they could actually become runners, but really just wanted to give it a shot. Read more from Runner’s World.
Follow other related news stories from News Without Politics
Subscribe to News Without Politics
Here’s another couple who lost 270 pounds together and interviewed on the Rachel Ray Show:
