My Lifelong Weight Journey & How RunDisney Helped Me Break My Plateau
- Mai Smith-Trau
- Dec 6, 2025
- 3 min read
As some may know, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. Even at a young age, I understood I would never be the “skinny girl.” I wasn’t built like a ballerina—I was built like an athlete.
In high school, I was incredibly active: basketball, volleyball, track, and softball. But as adulthood rolled in, everything changed. Work, responsibilities, parenting, and exhaustion slowly edged out my fitness routines.
🔁 The Cycle of Diets, Successes, and Setbacks
Like many people, I tried nearly every new “diet fad.” The one that worked best for me back then was the Biggest Loser program in the late 90s and early 2000s. I loved the motivation of watching real people struggle and succeed.
In 2009, I finally found a rhythm that worked. I juggled work, school, life, and exercise. I reached my goal weight and felt incredible.
And then… motherhood happened.
My fitness routine fell apart, and for the next 15 years, I found myself stuck in an exhausting pattern: gain, lose, plateau, repeat.
💉 Enter GLP-1 Medications: The “Wonder Drug” Era
When GLP-1 medications became popular, they felt like a miracle solution. Insurance approved them. My provider supported me—as long as I put in the work.
I lost weight, yes. But I also lost muscle tone. And I developed the infamous “Ozempic face.” My body was smaller, but my strength wasn’t improving.
Then I hit the dreaded plateau. No matter what I did, I could NOT break 200 lbs.
Even though my clothes were getting bigger, I still couldn’t fit into my “saved clothes from 2009.” I didn’t even bother trying.
🏃♀️ The RunDisney Post That Changed Everything
Then, one day, a RunDisney event popped into my feed.
We had a treadmill. We had a gym membership. We were just… ignoring both. Maybe now was the moment to take real control of my health.
I showed the post to my husband. We agreed: It’s time. Let’s train.
And so we began.
🩹 Training, Setbacks, and the Balloon Lady Reality Check
Training didn’t go perfectly. We had:
A knee injury
A brutally hot summer
Days where I was just plain lazy
Yet I had already paid for two RunDisney races, so there was no backing out.
I learned quickly that a 16-minute mile pace for 13 miles hits a lot differently at age 49 than it did at 26.
During my first race…I got swept.
I was furious—embarrassed, frustrated, determined. I promised myself it would NOT happen again.
I increased my training, became more consistent, and pushed myself harder than I had in years.
🎉 Breaking 200 lbs & Getting My Confidence Back
While packing for the Wine & Dine race, I stepped on the scale…
199.8 lbs. YESSSSS.
Just for fun, I tried on my old size 14 jeans. THEY FIT. Honestly? They were almost too big.
I cried happy tears. The plateau was finally broken.
I could fit into clothes from my favorite store again. I felt like myself for the first time in years.
🌧️ The Medication Lesson I Wasn’t Expecting
While in Florida, I didn’t take my medication. Mistake.
When I got home, I was up 6 pounds, and my ankles had vanished. Within four days of restarting my medication, I was back under 200.
I realized the GLP-1 wasn’t just helping with appetite—it was also helping reduce fluid retention. That information alone changed everything about how I track my weight now.
🥇 New Goals: More Races, More States, More Motivation
Even though I didn’t earn my Coast to Coast medal this time, I’m not stopping.
We’ve signed up for two more RunDisney events. We’ve joined local races. And I discovered a group where you can earn special awards for completing half marathons or marathons in all 50 states and eventually the Abbott World Marathon Majors 6-Star medal.
So now? We have even more goals to keep us moving.
If you’re reading this thinking, “I wish I could…”Let me tell you—you absolutely can.
Follow along with our journey. Share your stories with me. Let’s cheer each other on.
We’re in this together. 💪✨
Your journey begins the moment you decide you’re worth the effort.
We’ve got this—together.
See you at the next run. 🏃♀️✨🏅
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