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On November 2009, I looked in the mirror and was dissatisfied with what I saw. 91¿´Æ¬ †I had let my health deteriorate after years of graduate work and the birth of my son. 91¿´Æ¬ † Five years after getting married, I gained 25 pounds. 91¿´Æ¬ †The weight gain was 91¿´Æ¬ †slow and relatively unnoticeable other than the larger pant sizes I needed to buy. I knew I needed to do something if I wanted to be around and enjoy life with my family.

I decided to try P90X, one of the fitness programs advertised on television. 91¿´Æ¬ † The program was very difficult for me because, not only did it require working out on a daily basis for over an hour, but it required that I change my diet. 91¿´Æ¬ † After the 90 day program, I lost about 15 pounds. 91¿´Æ¬ † Most people would have been excited about losing 15 pounds in three months, but I was disappointed because I had expected to lose more weight in the process. 91¿´Æ¬ † I knew it was because I didn?t take the diet seriously and continued to eat like before. 91¿´Æ¬ † I decided to take a calorie count for a week and see how much I was really eating. 91¿´Æ¬ † I was consuming over 3000 calories a day and was by default negating all my work. 91¿´Æ¬ † This is when I decided to start eating better and making better choices in what I ate. 91¿´Æ¬ † My wife, Tara, was instrumental in this part. 91¿´Æ¬ † She was my accountability partner and would constantly remind me to make a good choice when I wanted a snack. 91¿´Æ¬ † I continued P90X for another 90 days and lost an additional 20 pounds. The diet was the game changer!

I knew I couldn?t continue the time required by the program, so I decided to take up running. 91¿´Æ¬ † It came naturally since I was in better shape and I enjoyed running during college. 91¿´Æ¬ † I run between 30 minutes to an hour depending on how I feel that day. 91¿´Æ¬ † Some days are better than others. 91¿´Æ¬ † Tara wanted to lose her baby weight and started running with me. 91¿´Æ¬ † Running gave us something to do together as a family. 91¿´Æ¬ † Tara exceeded her goal and lost over 30 pounds. 91¿´Æ¬ † We now run in 5Ks or 10Ks during the Spring and Fall to remind us of what we accomplished. 91¿´Æ¬ †In March 2013, I did something I never dreamed I would be doing, I ran in my first half-marathon. 91¿´Æ¬ † I didn?t get the time I wanted, but I finished. I now have my eyes set on a full marathon next year.

It was a long hard process to get to where I?m at. 91¿´Æ¬ † My advice is to not expect your body change instantly, it takes time. 91¿´Æ¬ † I recommend that you find an accountability partner, whether it?s your spouse or a friend. 91¿´Æ¬ † You will be each other?s encouragement during the difficult days and remind each other to make better choices when you eat. 91¿´Æ¬ † Find something you enjoy, whether it?s running, walking, cycling, gardening, or a television fitness program. 91¿´Æ¬ † We often make an excuse that there is not enough time, but we always seem to find time to watch our favorite 30 minute tv show. 91¿´Æ¬ † It?s all about priorities, make wellness your priority.