Surgery + Running for Weight Loss: Here's What's Possible

Running for weight loss wasn’t Jen Boerwinkle’s goal...

• At first, she just wanted to feel like herself again. 
• Exhausted, swollen, and struggling to keep up with her two young kids, Jen realized something had to change. 

“They deserve way better than this,” she said during an interview on The Hobby Jogger Podcast..
But that moment of clarity set her on a path from bariatric surgery to eight marathon finish lines, becoming a coach an an ambassador for the Cleveland Marathon.
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Today, she’s not just 125 pounds lighter on the scale, but stronger in every way.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen:  I was just exhausted, physically and emotionally. I had two young kids and felt like they deserved a version of me that was healthier and more capable. 

• I was also dealing with swollen feet, no energy, and the realization that if I didn’t change, my future was going to be filled with health struggles. 
• My dad passed away from heart issues when I was 11, so I knew genetics weren’t in my favor. 
• It was time to do something for them and for me.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: At first, I didn't have any plans to be a runner. I had weight loss surgery in January 2019. 

• In that first year, I lost nearly 100 pounds. 
• I started working out before surgery. Mostly elliptical and circuit machines at the YMCA, but running came later. 

One day, I was pushing my youngest in a stroller and thought, “I bet I can run now.” 

• I started doing run-walk intervals between telephone poles, and it took off from there.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: After finishing a half marathon virtually during COVID, I realized how satisfying it felt to achieve something that was 100% mine. 

• No one could do the training or cross the finish line for me. 
• That feeling of accomplishment kept me going. 
• First a 5K, then a 10K, then a half.
• Now I’ve finished eight full marathons and a 50K.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: After the surgery, my stomach was about the size of my fist.
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I can only eat or drink about six ounces at a time. That changes everything. 

• I can’t eat rice, ice cream, or even tolerate some gels. 
• So I’ve had to experiment with what works, especially for long runs. 
• I eat small amounts all day and focus on nutrient-dense foods. 
• I use 1st Phorm supplements to help with recovery because getting enough protein and carbs quickly is hard. 

It’s a constant puzzle, but I’ve figured out what works for me.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: I start carb-loading a few days out. 

• Mashed potatoes
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Ground meats
• Simple foods that digest well

On race day, I’ll sip electrolytes early, eat a PB&J on the way, and carry things like Teddy Grahams and gummies in my vest. 
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It’s all about keeping things simple and manageable.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: Road running is great, but trails feel like an adventure. 

• Every trail run feels different, like you’re in a new world. 
• I did some tough training runs at Mohican and thought, “Okay, I can do this.” 
• So I signed up to run the Buckeye 50K.
• The trail community also seems so welcoming. I’m excited to experience my first trail race.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: Jillian Roth Reyna, the founder of Rise and Rain, is also a Cleveland Marathon ambassador. 

• We connected through that, and I started working with her as a coach. 
• She helped me believe in myself and see my potential...something I now try to do for others. 

Especially in the bariatric community, there’s a huge need for coaches who understand what it’s like to train and fuel after surgery. 

 🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: It’s about balance and accountability. 
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A plan should be flexible, because life happens. Missing one workout doesn’t tank your training cycle. 
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I help runners:

• Stay consistent
• Build a strong base
• Find joy in the process
• And I still have fun with it

My son rides his bike with me on easy runs, and we talk and laugh. That joy is what keeps me going.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: Here are my top three...

🧘‍♀️Yoga

• 20 minutes a day helps with mobility and recovery.

🦵Bulgarian split squats

• Great for single-leg strength.

💪Kettlebell swings

• They’re my favorite full-body move.

You don’t need a fancy gym to become a stronger runner, just consistency.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Jen: If I miss a run, it doesn’t mean my whole training cycle is ruined. 

• I still go out and enjoy the run. 
• Some days I’m with my son while he bikes next to me. 
• I’m not chasing a pace...we’re just having fun. That’s important. 

Even when I’m doing hard workouts or long runs, I remind myself I get to do this. There’s still so much joy in the process, and I never want to lose that.

Jen's is about more than losing 125 pounds or collecting race medals.
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It’s about reclaiming her health, discovering her strength, and finding joy in movement. 
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Whether she’s running marathons, coaching others through their own transformations, or adventuring on muddy trails, Jen proves that the finish line is never the end. 
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It’s just the start of what’s possible.