A Year of Quasi-Vegetarianism and Working Out

It has been a year since we began a new, real effort to eat better, eat less meat (only on special occasions), become more fit, and model a healthy lifestyle for our son.  I have mentioned throughout that I haven't really been trying to lose weight, but Chris has.  And he has done an amazing job!

When I first met Chris eight years ago, he was super skinny.  Like 120 pounds and 5'11" skinny.  He had always been a runner and then had mono, so he was quite light.  Then he wasn't running as much (you know, mono and all) and finally got his appetite back.  It was no longer painful to eat!  So he ate like he did in high school.  And started putting on some weight.  It was a good thing for a while, but then he gained more than he wanted to.

Ever since, we'd try to exercise together and diet, but he just didn't see the results he wanted.  He would lose weight, but then it would come back.  He developed problems with his shins, making it incredibly difficult to get his mileage up--he used to run cross country with almost a full-ride to a private college before he got mono.  For a while, we would run together, go to the gym, and try to eat well, but we just weren't getting anywhere.  And then we'd quit.

We started trying to eat better a year ago.  Then in December 2011, Chris decided to really give it his all as far as exercising goes.  His highest weight was 209.  Now his weight sits at 175.  That is more than a 30-pound loss.  His goal was 25 pounds, and I think the only reason that the number isn't lower is because he has gained a lot of muscle.

In addition to weight loss and eating well, Christopher hit another goal:  running a half marathon.  Not just any half marathon--the Rock'n'Roll Half at Virginia Beach when it is hot and horrible.  He ran 13.1 miles in two hours and nine minutes.  He placed 2,444 out of over 10,000 people.  For someone who struggled to maintain a running routine due to shin problems for years, that is great!  I was so proud of him.

Here is Chris in October 2011.

And before his race this September

I have always thought Chris was quite handsome, but he really is looking great!  Plus, little nagging health issues have been slowly alleviated.  For example, Chris used to get heartburn frequently; now he never does unless he has pepperonis. 

I'm no nutritionist, so this might not work for you, but here's how we did it.  When it comes to weight loss and getting in shape, it has to be a lifestyle change.  Chris runs every other day and goes to the gym on the days he doesn't run.  He lifts weights and does P90X.  He has a protein drink or green smoothie for breakfast.  For lunch, he was mostly eating Greek yogurt for a while.  For snacks, eat nuts and fruits or maybe pita chips and humus.  Cut out your calories in your drinks (for us, this meant no sodas).  Instead, Chris drinks water or unsweetened iced tea.  I don't drink anyway, but cut back on alcohol.  We don't eat a lot of meat, but focus on getting protein through beans--this isn't necessarily a weight-loss approach but instead for overall health.  For dinner, lower your carb in-take and focus more on vegetables and lean proteins.  If you must have dessert, maybe make a smoothie, have chocolate milk, or keep something small around but limit yourself, like one chocolate or one cookie.  There are all kinds of interesting substitutions you can make for "bad" foods, like Greek yogurt in place of sour cream (it tastes so close!).  More than anything, develop a plan, take one day at a time, and stick with it.  For us, we wanted to be more healthy for our son and that is what finally made the difference for us.