Fatherhood Friday: Run, Fatboy, Run...

At the end of June 2010, my pants were too tight, I had to buy a larger size shirts, my knee started bothering me again, and I was tired...Too tired. I knew I had been gaining weight for sometime but I sort of ignored it because I was in the throws of my first year as a father. It was a very good year, I've had so much fun watching my daughter grow and going on adventures with her and my wife. That said, I got fat and I had to do something about it.

Me before...

The plan was simple lose about 40-45lbs by the holiday season, get back into those smaller pants, and work on getting my fitness back up. The only way that I have ever been successful losing weight in the past was on Weight Watchers. Now, when I followed the program before, my wife would go to the meetings and I would steal her books and tips so that I didn't have to pay. But this time, I thought maybe I could actually stick to it better if I my wallet were held accountable too. So off to the meetings I went.

I started following the program religiously, I tracked my points, I exercised, and I the weight started to come off. I've done really well and I am 34lbs lighter now than I was when I started. Sure watching what I eat has helped (my problem has always been portion control), but the biggest thing that I've done is become a full time runner.

For the first month I hated every minute I was out there plodding along my neighborhood streets. However, one morning in late August, as I pushed my daughter in her stroller around town, I actually have begun to enjoy the runs. It's fun to watch my daughter look at all the trees, talking and pointing along the way. She does get a little bored on longer runs, but generally we have a good time out there...We've put a lot of miles on that stroller.

Me so far...

My running started out as a slow 2 mile loop, but in the last month I've worked my way up to 5 miles at a decent pace. I'm working full time again so I really only get to run with my daughter on the weekends, but I've come to enjoy running at night after she's asleep.

My main goal in all of this is to be healthier for my family. It's hard to set a good example when you never leave the couch or eat food that are terrible for you (I save all the junk until after my daughter is in bed). I hope this time I can keep the weight off, not just for me, but for my wife and little girl. I want to be strong and healthy if it means I never eat at McDonald's again, I can live with that.


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