Sole Story: My Truth

Everyone has a story. For some it’s a story of wanting something more, for others it’s a story full of tears, heart and determination. Our series “Sole Stories” will give you a glimpse into what drives women to change their lives and their “soles.” Nona shared her story from obesity to losing 50 pounds and her story isn’t finished yet.

SOLE STORY: MY TRUTH

VALERIE MCCREAR

I have always noticed Black Girls RUN! sisters at the walk that I participated in and always spoke to one of them saying "I want to run, but I'm not a runner" and they were always smiled and said "come on and join us" but in my head I said "yeah right, I am not a runner". I decided to take my health seriously after getting diagnosed with breast cancer. What scared me more than losing my hair was being diagnosed as a stage X because my form of cancer was so bizarre (environmental). After a long year of treatments and surgeries I decided to be very selective about what I ate. I starting exercising with and without a trainer and I started to feel “pretty again” but due to the heavy doses of drugs I endured my weight loss was challenging. I didn’t see a weight loss change until I joined BGR one year ago, and began with the WBYR program. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause physical and mental stress on your body and the transformation of your body can cause self-esteem issues, and even though I was always a confident person and secure within myself I lost all of that the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer but thanks to all of the ladies from BGR I can truly say that I got my confidence back. Not only am I a runner, I’m a swimmer, and I’m running my 1^st half marathon in Savannah in March 2015. Today I thank God that I’m a 7 year breast cancer OVERCOMER and my Oncologist told me at my last appointment in July 2014 that I’m healthy on the inside and that matters more than the outside. I may not be able to run fast or long, but I'm healthy on the inside and that's what matters the most to me. I AM A RUNNER. Thanks to BGR!, thanks to the east side ladies, and thanks  to my “day 1” Venessa, I met her on the pavement the 1^st day that I decided to step out of the box, she encouraged me then and she still encourage me now, we train together in the gym and she will run my 1^st half with me. About Valerie McCrear Valerie McCrear is a proud and dedicated member of BGR-Atlanta/ Eastside. Check out my story/ journey as a breast cancer survivor on YouTube (search: Val Schinnery and also Cancer Walk by William Smith)  

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