Meet Bill Best
One step at a time: How Bill Best ran toward health and fitness
Written by Stephanie Hardi
Bill lost 130 lbs. after changing his eating habits and taking up running.
Bill Best began his fitness journey in July 2014 after returning from a doctor’s appointment. At the time, the Mosinee, WI native was 41 years old and weighed 325 pounds. He was on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and had been struggling with fatigue.
“I explained to the doctor that I was tired often but had been told that was normal,” Bill said. “This doctor said: ‘no you shouldn’t be tired’ and asked if I had ever been tested for sleep apnea. The truth was that I had been sleeping in a recliner due to snoring myself awake, and I knew this was yet another problem due to my obesity. The doctor asked if I wanted to be tested for sleep apnea and I declined— I knew a CPAP machine would be next and I wasn’t going to have it.”
That night, Bill began walking and changing his eating habits drastically – eating more healthfully and using fitness and exercise apps to track his food intake.
Bill shares a special moment with his daughters, Carissa (left) and Makayla (right) at the Fox Cities Half Marathon.
Walking on…weight loss
“The sleep apnea was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Bill said. “That gave me the big push I needed to change my lifestyle. I’m a father of two young women, and I’ve been married for 21 years. I wanted to live a more healthful life for myself and to be a better role model for my daughters, and a better partner to my wife.”
Bill ended up losing more than 130 pounds in the first year and was able to be taken off the medications for blood pressure and high cholesterol. Bill’s weight loss success was motivating, but he was inspired further once he realized he was ready to add running to his fitness routine.
Bill racing the IRONBULL Ultra Trail 15k last year. Photo credit: Chris Pollack
“I had walked hundreds of miles and I had done about as much as I could,” Bill said. “I was walking 12-minute miles and I had walked several half marathons on my own. I decided it was time to pick up my feet and start running.”
Ramping up to running
“Running is hard but in a good way. Mentally you want to give up, but you just need to keep pushing yourself to the next driveway or next telephone pole. You can be really surprised at what you can make your body do. Now I tell new runners to make sure they set an attainable goal when they are getting started. Running is an individual sport. You are your biggest competition. There most likely will always be someone faster, but remember you are doing this for yourself!”
Bill completed his first 5k race in under 30 minutes and was hooked.
Bill volunteered with his family at last year’s Red Granite Grinder. Bill is signed up to race it this year, which will be his first-ever bike race.
“During my first 5k I simply ran as far as I could before walking. I made it to the two-mile mark (before walking),” Bill said. “It was hard but so rewarding to cross the finish line. Finishing a race at your goal time or faster is just an awesome feeling. You just don't forget what that feels like and I couldn't get enough.”
Bill has since competed in many races of varying lengths, including five half marathons that he clocked in at under two hours, and one full marathon. He continues to push himself outside of his comfort zone, including signing up for two upcoming IRONBULL races: The Ultra Trail run and the Red Granite Grinder gravel bike ride.
“My love of running and fitness has benefited my family as well,” said Bill. “I have a daughter in cross country and track that probably never would have signed up otherwise. I have vowed never to go back to my old ways and running keeps me on track!”
For Bill, “Find Your Tough” means continuing to push himself outside of his comfort zone.
“I’m always trying to improve myself,” said Bill. “Whether it is to go farther or faster than the last time or feel better doing it. The ultimate goal is to stay fit and be a good role model for my kids.