Facebook Post from Matt

For those of you who might not care to read all that much, beware, because it's a long post coming up.

Today was the first step down a long, hard, but ultimately (hopefully) rewarding road. No matter how well you know me, it's hard to hide the fact that I'm not in that great of shape -- unless you consider "round" as a shape. It hit me the other day when Amanda and I found some old pictures, and I saw a picture of myself back in 2004. I realized -- I actually didn't look that bad. Then I see pictures from my law school graduation, and I'm actually embarrassed by what I see. I weighed in yesterday at 280.8 pounds. It's not the most I've ever weighed (thank God for small favors), but I could stand to lose at least 40 pounds -- 60 would be ideal, and would get me back to that same area I was at in 2004.

Amanda and I have decided that it's time to finally get off our butts and start doing something. I realize that I have three kids that I have to worry about being around for when they get older, so I can embarrass them well into their adult lives. If I keep going down the path that I've been on, I'm never going to make it there.

This post is all about accountability. I figure that, the more people who actually know about what I intend on doing, the more people that will ultimately keep me honest. It's easy to lie or slack off when you're the only one who knows what you're doing.

My promise to Amanda, for our anniversary, is that I intend to run a 5k with her. Anyone who I'm friends with on here knows that I'm no sort of runner, but I will do this, because it's not just about me at this point. I figure that, the more worthy a cause I can do it for, the better. (Sorry, Run For Your Lives 5k, maybe another year.) As a result, the target date for my 5k is June 16 in Indianapolis, at the Run for Ronald to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. If I can get registered, I may very well run in the Coach Hep Cancer Classic in May, too.

So back to today. I started the "Couch to 5k" workout routine. I'm not going to lie -- I hated it. I was stiff, I was sore, and I was generally grumpy both during and afterwards. But, as I sit here now, I feel pretty good. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come.

For those of you who took the time to read this -- thanks. You guys are part of my support group (and people who can get me back on the treadmill when I decide that maybe I've just had about enough).

~Matt