As a former runner, this comparison feels really meaningful to me. For more than a decade of my middle age, I was thin to the point of skinny because I was a serious distance runner. I enjoyed the health benefits of running and felt really great, though a couple lovers complained that I looked too thin.

Anyway, my health took a turn for the worse and I can’t run anymore. Over the last couple years, I’ve put on some pounds. I’m not medically obese, but my doctor wants me to lose weight, and I’ve been doing it.

Being just shy of 60 years old and unable to be very physically active, losing weight is hard, success is an accomplishment to be celebrated. I’m sure my age-peers especially understand what I’m saying.

I’m not sure losing weight for me has been as hard as training for marathons, but victory is about equally difficult. When I get down to my goal weight, I would certainly hope congratulations would be in order.