About this blog

I started this blog in 2010, when I was 25 and had just discovered this new weight-loss plan that was actually working for me: The Couch to 5K. I was overweight — and I had been since I was a KID —  and, dare I say it, this was the first fitness plan that I actually enjoyed and was actually working.

At the end of my first 5K in November 2010.

At the end of my first 5K in November 2010.

I’ve changed a lot in the four-PLUS years since I started that Tumblog. Before I started the Couch to 5K in August of 2010, I could not run a continuous mile, and I’m not sure I ever had done that in my life before. I weighed more than 195 pounds, which put me dangerously close to the medical definition of obese. I had tried plenty of diets — trust me — but nothing worked.

This picture was taken on the day that I started running the Couch to 5K program.

This picture was taken on the day that I started running the Couch to 5K program.

Since then, I’ve finished about a dozen 5Ks, more than a dozen half-marathons, and 4 marathons. I’ve ran, cycled or swam (mostly ran) more than 4500 miles.  Over the course of the first year of this blog I lost about 50 pounds, and I was able to stay within 10 pounds of that weight until last fall, when I became pregnant with my daughter, Felicity.

On the Left, July 2010, 195 pounds, on the right, July 2011, 159 pounds.

On the Left, July 2010, 195 pounds, on the right, July 2011, 159 pounds.

You can see my beautiful bike peeking out from behind me at the Black Bear Tri last fall.

Preparing to compete in my first triathlon last fall, a few weeks before I became pregnant.

This blog has always been about the lessons I’ve learned and challenges I’ve faced on how to stay healthy. And if you keep reading, you can still expect plenty of posts about that.

Going for a run a week before Felicity was born. I was able to run regularly until I was about 32 weeks pregnant.

Going for a run a week before Felicity was born. I was able to run regularly until I was about 32 weeks pregnant.

But, (as I write this with my 13-day-old on my lap) just like I have changed, After the Couch is changing too. It’s not just a blog about staying healthy, but about teaching my new daughter to be healthy.

Felicity, I want you to know that no one’s opinion matters but your own.

That not all things worth doing are easy. But also that the things that are good for you — healthy food and exercise — will feel good.

That the feeling of sweat drying on your face is the most cleansing feeling in the world.

That it’s important to be a team player, even in an individual sport.

That we live in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and I’m going to show you it all.

That you don’t need a scale or a number or a gadget to tell you how you feel – you just need to ask yourself.

And that I will always love you. <3

I mean, how could you not love that face?

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