Follow along through the challenges of fatherhood and fitness

Follow me as I grow as a father, continue to improve my fitness, and hopefully continue losing weight towards my goal of 60lbs (10lbs to go! 8.25.12).

I never set out to be overweight but I love beer, wine, scotch, and all sorts of terrible food. I didn't choose to get out of shape it just sort of happened. All that changed when I found out my wife was pregnant in December 2010. I decided it was time to set myself up to be a fitdad not a fatdad.

No one ever said it would be easy though. Dealing with a newborn and trying to continue exercising as well as being there for my wife as her husband and friend. As our son gets older and our family grows what impact will that have on my fitness and diet? Stay tuned to find out! Subscribe via email, or add me to your reader. Please make sure to share on twitter, facebook, or follow along by adding your email to my list.

Do you have a diet or exercise product you would like reviewed in the blog, please contact me at fitdadorfatdad@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Merry Christmas...a bit late.

I had all intentions of writing multiple holiday and other blogs.  I had good intention to spend time with my family and document it all along the way.  I had plans to create some fantastic writings that were on par with A Christmas Carol...(ok, maybe that is an exaggeration).  I had plans to keep up with the blog over the previous few weeks and write more for your reading...umm pleasure?  But then I realized that planning for the holidays and taking care of a 4 month old is a much more important and necessary task.

So let me be the last to wish you a Merry Christmas, albeit a little late.

I have never been consumed with the presents at Christmastime, well except maybe as a starry eyed youth waiting for Santa to arrive.  Our Christmases growing up were always modest and exciting.  We never knew what Santa would put under the tree for us.  But of all the toys, clothes, pillows, underwear and gifts that we received as children the one thing about Christmas that really stuck with me was the holiday parties with family. It didn't really matter what gifts you got because you had the chance to spend so much time with family.  After I moved out of "home" the parties were still there, the family was still there, but part of me felt like part of the mystery and joy of Christmas was missing or maybe hidden from me.

I realized this year that the part of me that was missing from Christmas was that childlike wonder, that shear joy of being home and being with family and the excitement of Christmas morning.  This year on 8/17 was my Christmas, because Noah came into our lives.  He opened my eyes to the world of fatherhood, he energized my spirit and renewed my joy.  Christmas this year was very special because spending it with all my nephews, cousins, and with the newly minted grandparents there was renewed spirits.  I can't explain the feeling this year but it was different than the last few.  My mom always told me that growing up there was a moment when she could see that I had the spirit of Christmas.  Something clicked, something was different about me.

This year we simplified Christmas at home.  Christine and I didn't exchange gifts between each other, not because we couldn't afford to but because everything we needed was already under our roof.  We purchased most of our gifts online to avoid the stress and chaos of the malls.  (That and trying to take a 4 month old shopping for a few hours is beyond stressful).  We spent Christmas Eve in the company of my family in the home I grew up in.  The house was warmed with the laughter of little children carrying on throughout the house.  The barking of dogs chasing the kids and the happy conversation of brothers and sisters and grandparents warmed by a few Christmas beverages and foods.

I sometimes just sit there and watch the interactions among family.  The subtle glances and touches between my sister and her new boyfriend.  The look between my brothers eyes and their wives while they watch their children play.  Seeing Noah's eyes light up when he lands in his great grandmas arms and she smothers him with hugs and kisses.  Watching my parents open up the personalized photo album that my sister in law so diligently worked on.  The tears of joy as my mom flipped through the pages laughing and crying at all the pictures of her family.  The excited expression of laughter and joy on my fathers face as he repeated over and over, "this is just awesome, this is just so great"..."what a great idea."  Spending time talking to my brother Andy who we see less than we would all like to because his job is so time consuming.  Watching my brothers interact with their sons wrestling and playing on the floor.  Enjoying the looks of happiness on my sisters face as she plays with her nephews and squeezes Noah.

This is where I found my Christmas spirit this year, it wasn't wrapped up in paper or tied in a bow.  It was all around me all weekend, all I needed to do was open my eyes and take it in and enjoy.

From our Family to Yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Ron, Christine, and Noah.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Wordless Monday.

Ok, so not entirely wordless, and most people do wordless Wednesday...maybe I can just call this Monday Mumblings...anyways, here are some pictures from the weekend!










Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Meanwhile At the North Pole

I had my first "paying" gig as a photographer yesterday.  Noah, Christine, and I played host to Mark, Kristin, and Carly for their Christmas pictures.  I was paid in PF Changs, quite a delicious reward for time spent with good friends, plus Noah got time with his giiirrrlllfriend.  She spent most of her time just begging him for the credit card so she could go shopping.


Carly was a very good sport the entire time, she posed pretty for the camera and smiled alot.





(She was pooped at the end, and let us know when she had had enough!)

It's so nice that we have friends and family with kids who are all so close in age.  I am looking forward to our kids all growing up together.  I am also really looking forward to the time when Noah can understand Christmas and really appreciate the season!  We spent this past weekend at my brother and sister in laws house seeing Santa!  Most kids ran away from Santa terrified because he was a stranger, Noah being the happy go lucky kid he is just stared at him.

Here are some of the highlights from their party.
 So this is what it's all about it...oh yeah...presents!
 I've been told he has "Orpik" eyes.
 Who is this guy?
 Emry wasn't too excited about Santa, but we love gifts!
 Get that camera out of my face!
 Love this picture!  Santa's eyes are closed and you can just see the love.
 The happy hosts with Santa.
 Aren't the holidays really just about the food?
 Avery and Mommy
Happy guy award goes to this little man!