The Shamrock Shuffle and Two Thoughts

I just want to do a quick check in today. Yesterday Robyn and I did our town's 5k. The Shamrock shuffle is a 5k Lebanon puts on to raise money for their rec programs. We walked most of it but were able to jog a little bit. I have been doing a couch to 5k program and we decided to just follow what the program for the run. Couch to 5k is an app I have on my phone that has you alternate between jogging and running until you can jog for about 30 minutes straight. If you want to run a 5k and don't know where to start I suggest getting that app and following it. While our time was in no way impressive it did feel good to finish my first official 5k. I am looking forward to finishing the couch to 5k and running another race. 

My health thoughts for today:

1) Get a partner to work out with you. It's a lot more fun when you aren't dying alone. Also, a partner can push you when you want to give up. 

2) Find a program that works for you. Start off slow and stick with it. If you don't enjoy the program don't be afraid to find another one. 

Thanks for reading and if you have any thoughts, comments or questions let me know below.  

We have a one year old!

Yesterday, Emma turned one! I am in shock. I am not quite sure where the time went. I'm also not sure what we did before Emma was in our lives. Yesterday was a lot of fun. We continued some old birthday traditions and started a few new ones. 

First, Robyn did an amazing job decorating and getting everything ready. She has skills I could only dream of. Our daughter is lucky to have such a loving and caring mom. 

My family has always done birthday waffles. Emma loved this tradition. I'm pretty sure she ate her waffle faster than I ate mine.

Finally, we let her open up presents and she was in heaven. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled her with a cool new blue car. She isn't sure how she will pay for her license and car insurance so she has only played with her car in the living room.  

Finally, we ended the day with cake. Our friend Elizabeth made two beautiful cakes. Emma loved her smash cake even though she was a little shy at first she finally got the concept that she could destroy the cake. 

It was an absolutely perfect day. I am so grateful that I get to be this little girls dad. She fills our lives with such joy and happiness. Watching her learn and grow is one of the coolest things I have ever done. This year has been a wild ride filled with so many fun adventures. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for our family! 

Getting Back on the Horse

Well, two years ago I wrote a very well intentioned post about how I was going to start losing weight and blog about it every week to stay accountable. Since I have not posted in two years clearly I failed. However, I think its more important to get back on the horse and start trying again than to worry about past failures. Weight loss is hard and it sucks. It's a process that takes time with many ups and downs.

Since January I have been focusing more on my health. Eating right and small workouts have been key. I have lost about twenty pounds and it feels great. I know this is just a small start and I have a long way to go. However, I want to keep the momentum going. I'm hoping I can use this blog as a tool to sort out my thoughts on what works for me and what doesn't. So here are three thoughts for this week:

1) I won't run a marathon my first week exercising. Short and easy workouts that are spread out will allow me to be more active each day and not burn out or injure myself. Sometimes I get frustrated that in high school I played football, basketball, lacrosse, and track yet now I have gained so much weight and I can't do basic workouts. I have to tell myself that it doesn't matter where I am at now but what matters is what direction I am headed. The work I am putting in today will make all the difference tomorrow.  Slow and steady wins the race - and loses the weight.

2) Meal prep is key. I need to set time aside to make my lunch each night. If I don't pack a healthy lunch in the evening I'll be rushed in the morning and throw crap into my lunch as I head out the door. Preparing healthy snacks and food early in the week allow me to quickly grab something when I'm hungry and not stress or give into cravings.

3) I need to find workouts I like. Robyn and I joined a gym which is perfect for us. I can go in the morning and do cardio or lift weights and Robyn can go when they have daycare available and get her workout in. I also enjoy jogging (it's more of a swift walk than a jog at this point). For me, it is my time to listen to music, think, and get some cardio in. Find a workout that you'll actually do and do it. It doesn't need to be running a marathon or doing a triathlon - any activity is better than nothing.

I hope these ramblings are helpful. My plan moving forward is to try and write more frequently about my health and weight loss adventure. I also want to use this blog to write about my family and our adorable child. So stay tuned for that. I would love to hear your comments and advice about my posts! Thanks for following and helping me on my journey!