The Comeback
It’s crazy to think that when this is posted, my daughter will be 14 months old. It feels like a lifetime has passed in the blink of an eye. Life doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.
I remember holding Lily in my arms and knowing my life was changed for the better forever. I just didn’t realize how unready I truly was––unready for the change of schedule, the shifting priorities, and the loss of a lot of the free time I used to take advantage of.
With all this change, my diet suffered. My health suffered. My ability to take care of my family was declining at a time when they needed me most.
Trin going through post-partum and figuring out how to care for our little peanut is when I should’ve been at my peak readiness to serve and help, but I wasn’t.
Here’s why: I stopped prioritizing the things that made a difference in how I felt and performed throughout the day.
My diet turned into takeout and easy meals like frozen pizza and chicken nuggets.
My time for workouts needed to decrease tremendously so I could be home more.
My overall level of movement decreased as I transitioned into a desk job.
I stopped prioritizing community and the friends that pushed me in my fitness.
It was a perfect storm.I wish I could blame it on someone other than myself, but I can’t.
I was responsible for the lack of intention and effort I put into my health and lifestyle habits. Don’t get me wrong––having your first child changes everything rapidly, but Lily didn’t make me doordash Culver’s. I did that.Lily didn’t make me pick up multiple frozen pizzas in our grocery order. I did that.Actually, Trin takes care of our groceries, but I convinced her on the pizzas.
It wasn’t until I stepped on the scale and saw 235 that I realized how bad things had gotten.
That was 30 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life. It showed tremendously in my cardio and how I looked. That shocking number brought me to the realization that if I didn’t change the trajectory of my current path, Lily might not have her dad around for a long time.
The bigger slap in the face? I’ve always dreamt of being an amazing example for my kids. The example I was setting was the furthest thing from amazing, so I decided to make a change.
I started 75 Hard and committed to getting into the best shape of my life; to have the best fitness I could and be the most mobile and active to keep up with our toddler.
I am still currently in the heat of 75 Hard, but I have some habits that I’ve developed thus far that I know are sustainable and have helped me lose 20 pounds already.
#1 - I’ve simplified how I approach food. I meal prep 2 proteins, a carb, and utilize protein bars or higher protein snacks to help me hit my macros. You can’t manage what you don’t track.
#2 - I’ve invited my family into my movement. I want my family to be healthy and going first means inviting them into it. I run or walk for 45 minutes with Lily every day. It’s some of the best time I get with her.
#3 - I’ve picked up or restarted hobbies that get me to move more. I’ve been golfing more this summer. I’ll be getting back into hunting, hiking, and camping this fall. All things that get me up and moving, not to mention outside in nature. Nothing better than that for your mental and physical health.
#4 (BONUS) - I stopped acting like fitness is a use-it-as-I-need-it-tool. I want to be fit and healthy and that means my lifestyle has to reflect that.
Everything in life is a choice. If you constantly find yourself wanting to lose weight again or be healthy, you are choosing to live an unhealthy lifestyle. Stop acting like you can just turn on a switch and start building your life around the pillars and habits of health.
If you have changes that need to be made to get to your healthiest self, stop waiting for the right time and start acting like your life depends on it, because it does. Not only does your life depend on it, but your family does. Your wife depends on you being healthy and capable of providing and protecting. Your kids depend on you to be active and able to play with them and protect them.
Stop blaming anyone other than yourself and your choices and start making the change TODAY.I promise it’ll be hard.I also promise it will be worth every struggle and obstacle.
Remember that success isn’t the destination. It’s in the journey.
