Hello World

Hello World!

Welcome to my new blog. Here I will share my journey in fitness and nutrition as a runner. I am an all or nothing type of person so when I go in on something I take it serious and try to maximize my input and output. My hope for the folks reading this is that it will provide you with insights I have gained so you can avoid my mistakes and learn about the paths I have decided to travel. As in anything, health and fitness has many paths. I don’t believe my paths are the only ones or the right ones for everyone. Each person should pursue what feels right and moves them closer to their goals.

I started running a little over 2 years ago. I had been bringing my brothers who have been running for what feels like forever to races for years. Finally, they convinced me to run a 5k obstacle course with them. With me joining I also got my son to join. I didn’t record that first run. All I remember is gasping for breath and wishing it would end. Being only 30 years old and feeling completely obsolete I decided I needed to make a change.

I had been overweight for a very long time. At the time of the obstacle course I was 230 pounds. At a height of 5' 10" that’s not exactly what I would call a healthy weight. Doctors and my health insurance company had told me my BMI was way over. They had told me I was obese and that my cholesterol was high. Those facts had weighed on me. But the fact that my inability to to even try and compete with my brothers and son was out of range told me I needed to do something.

After a few recovery days from the obstacle course I decided to try and master the 5k. My plan was to run the 5k until I got good at it. Simple and effective plan for a beginner. The first recorded run I have is from 07/06/2019. Doing this on my local neighborhood roads I was embarrassed to be out there in the shape I was. It took me 43 brutal minutes to complete that first training run. I remember struggling to breathe, muscles screaming, and wanting to give up. I made it home and crashed.

I feel the best I have ever felt and am more driven than ever to improve my health and fitness. My journey is far from over. It has been mind blowing and completely changed me. I hope you can learn from what I have experienced and what I am about to experience.

Originally published at https://www.calbert.me on November 11, 2021.