As we inch closer to the end of the year, I thought my first post would reflect on the previous year and what we have seen. Follow along as we talk about how goal setting shaped up a summer of fun and new things!
In the early winter of 2021 I made the decision that I needed to change. I had done some research, had a friend who had success so I downloaded an app onto my phone called Fastic and away I went. I started my intermittent fasting journey. The app had some helpful lesson tips in it that really helped jump start the process for me. I started in January and found this to be the best and easiest thing I had every done to try and lose weight. Fast forward to the end of May and I had lost about 50 pounds on a 16:8 fasting routine. I had a goal to lose about 65 pounds and wanted to get there so we changed to 18:6 and eventually 19:5. I reached my first goal by late July and just kept going, setting new attainable goals along the way. I realized by setting realistic goals things seemed to flow very easily to get to where I wanted. In early February just over a year after I started I had lost over 100 pounds. I have settled at 119 pounds and have been maintaining my weight for close to 7 months.
During this time over the winter I started thinking what would my new challenge be to keep me motivated to keep the weight off for good. I decided I wanted to hike the NH Fire Towers and also run a 5k (I have never run and was not sure how that would go). Spring came and we (myself, wife, and two friends) started our journey to the NH Fire Towers. A new love was found in hiking. We hiked as often as we could with our schedules and have enjoyed every minute of it. We completed all but 2 Fire Towers this summer and will finish them up in the spring with the North Country. Next will be the 4,000 footers and 52 with a view! All this time, enjoying our coffee on the way what a great summer it has been.
What about the second challenge you ask? Well, by September I still had not run a race – or run for that matter. A friend asked if I wanted to run the trick or trot 3k and I said yes. Did I train? Not really. I went for my first “run” 2 days before the race. I completed the race without stopping and had a blast. A new joy was found. I like to run? Yes. I have now found that I enjoy running. I have taken up running and have now run a 5k (Thanksgiving 5k) and will be running a couple more races between now and spring time.
I find doing these activities while still during my fast is easy. I typically do not break my fast until after we done – whether that be hiking or running. Fasting has changed my life and shown me how to set goals to get where you’d like to be. It has taught me follow through, strength, consistency as well as many other things. It has also taught me I have a love for a really good cup of coffee – whether that be at home, or out exploring new coffee shops – a good cup of coffee during a fast or anytime for that matter makes for a great day.
With this lifestyle blog, we will learn about my favorite coffees, new adventures and many things “lifestyle”.
Have a great day! Set a goal and make it happen!
