GRATEFUL-DAD   9,671
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8,500-9,999 SparkPoints
 
 
Snoozing with my newborn son, November 2012





05/15/2012





Morning of my 8K race. Everyone was still sleeping so I snapped a quick picture in the mirror!



I have 16 pics in my gallery





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Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.

Welcome to my SparkPage! I'm 37 years old, married to an amazing woman, and I have a 3 year old daughter and a 6 month old son. The past three have been the hardest and most wonderful of my life. Being a parent is awesome, I truly believe that being a Dad is what I was put on earth to do.

I'm here because I've struggled with my weight since leaving college and getting a desk job some 12 years ago. Then about 5 years ago I quit smoking and I got even heavier. I did the WW thing 2 or ...
Welcome to my SparkPage! I'm 37 years old, married to an amazing woman, and I have a 3 year old daughter and a 6 month old son. The past three have been the hardest and most wonderful of my life. Being a parent is awesome, I truly believe that being a Dad is what I was put on earth to do.

I'm here because I've struggled with my weight since leaving college and getting a desk job some 12 years ago. Then about 5 years ago I quit smoking and I got even heavier. I did the WW thing 2 or 3 times with varying levels of success, but each time I would lose interest, stop tracking, and lose sight of what healthy eating is.

So I came to a point in my life where I really needed to make a change and set a good example for my daughter. I don't want to be a fat Dad. I want to be a Dad that is thin, fit, and in good physical and mental health. And most importantly, I want to be here on this earth as long as possible and see my childrens' children grow up.

On January 3, 2012 I started using SparkPeople as a tool to help me reach my weight loss goals. I weighed in with a starting weight of 249 pounds. At 6'2" that meant my BMI was 32, which meant I was officially obese. In early February 2012, I had lost enough weight to get my BMI below 30, no longer obese, now simply overweight. And in late June 2012 I had lost enough weight to get my BMI below 25 and into the healthy range!

While on this journey I have realized that I can do anything I want to do. And so can you! It's all up to you. Be strong, focused and determined to make your dreams a reality, and they will happen.




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 current weight: 201.0 
 
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232.5
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197.5
180


 
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Member Since: 12/16/2011

SparkPoints: 9,671

Fitness Minutes: 3,773

My Goals:
Goal 1: 233 lbs - This gets my BMI below 30 and gets me out of the obese range. ~~GOAL MET~~

Goal 2: 219 lbs - This was my lowest weight in the 5 years prior to starting on SparkPeople. ~~GOAL MET~~

Goal 3: 199 lbs - Out of the 200's and 50 pounds down from my starting weight. ~~GOAL MET~~

Goal 4: 194 lbs - This gets my BMI below 25 and into the healthy range.

Goal 5: 189 lbs - Out of the 190's and 60 pounds down from my starting weight.

Goal 6: 180 lbs - This is what I weighed in college.

My Program:
Calories in: I track everything I eat and keep the calories within my range while making healthy choices.

Calories out: Run at least 3 miles every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Take walks with the family whenever possible.

Personal Information:
Age: 36
Height: 6'2"

I live in the Triangle area of NC and I work for Duke University. I've been married 3 years and I have a 3 year old daughter, and a 6 month old son.

Other Information:
In moments of doubt, close your eyes and imagine yourself a year from now, then get back to work.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."
- Thomas Jefferson

"I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."
- Frank Lloyd Wright

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
- Aristotle

"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?"
- Joe Namath

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Member Comments:
OUT-OF-ASHES
12/19/2012 2:03:23 PM

Awesome! Thank you very much. The Hal Higdon site is a great resource!



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RUSSELL1960
12/18/2012 5:27:55 PM

Thanks again! You are a great motivator! Your comment on my blog was really helpful. Thanks for passing on the information your doctor gave you and for the words of encouragement.



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RUSSELL1960
12/14/2012 2:52:53 PM

I want to thank you again for giving me a name for my next short term goal: ONEderland. That name for being in the "land" of weighing less than 200 connects with me for several reasons. One when we left the United States to live overseas, we were advised to go to the "wonderland" but warned that it would be impossible to return home. We and "home" would change in our absence. So we were encouraged to prepare ourselves emotionally to return to the US but re-discover it as our "New-Found-Land". It was good advice. Now you have encouraged me to get ready to enter "ONEderland." It makes me laugh and gives me a good image to strive for. I weigh 204 as of this morning so I have five pounds to go. I'll let you know when I get there. Congratulations on the amazing progress you've made! Enjoy that baby - ours are already in college.



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OUT-OF-ASHES
12/14/2012 12:30:34 PM

Oh AWESOME! Thank you for that piece of knowledge, just one more reason for me to jump for joy! YAY!!



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AUDRINAANN
12/5/2012 11:21:22 AM

Thanks for the comment on my blog and the add. Your right, sparkpeople does have all the tools, I just have to use them! emoticon



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