I used to think I lived a fairly healthy lifestyle. I never smoked, tried to be reasonable about what I ate (thought that didn’t always work the way I planned), etc. I didn’t exercise as much as I should, but I attempted to do what I could: walk instead of drive, play outside with the kids when time allowed, that sort of thing.
I am in my mid-40s now and despite these best efforts to stay healthy, I have found that a couple extra pounds manage to find their way to my midsection every year. Sure some of it is the normal slowing of the middle-age metabolism and the sedentary lifestyle of an office job, but as 2011 progressed and I began to feel increasingly unhappy with the image reflected back at me in the mirror, I realized it was time to take control.
I am not talking about New Year’s resolutions, the kind of vows that seem like such a great idea on December 31st but are forgotten a few weeks later. I realized that I had let my roles as a busy, working father become excuses. Especially when you have children who depend on you, it is more important than ever to take care of your health, to ensure that you will enjoy a long and fulfilling life. And there’s nothing wrong with taking a little pride in your appearance either, right? Hey! My wife married me for a reason!
So late last year I started thinking: I can do this right? I want to lose weight and get healthier. But I know myself and sometimes the best of intentions fall off track for a variety of causes. It’s called “life.” But I have learned through experience that the best way for me to follow through is to tell everyone about it. Moreover, if I write everything down, record my self-discovery for anyone who cares to read, it will help keep me focused.
So here we go – No More Fat Dad in 2012 – and beyond! This blog is meant to be a warehouse for what I learn as I go through the process of reinventing the way I eat, think and exercise in an effort to get healthy and live longer. When I discover great products that aid me in my journey, I will share the information. If I hear practical, real-world pieces of advice that help me achieve my goals, I will pay them forward. If I accidentally (or on purpose) stumble upon some best practices, I will write about them. Inspirational articles will be shared – because we all have our days when our targets seem unreachable.
So thanks for stopping by and keep checking back for updated resources!