Running My Ass Off Post #1

Well Hello.

First things first, I guess I should introduce myself and let you know what I’m doing here writing to everybody.

My name is Andy Aubin, and I have been given the opportunity to blog regularly to the readers of Patch.com based largely on my ongoing blog and recent adventures in the world of weight loss and running.

Ok, so a little about me. I am guessing you may have already seen the recent article about my story or checked out my blog a little, so you have the general idea already, but in case not, this will bring you up to speed. I’ll spare the long-winded and flowery post and just give you the quick and dirty version of the story.

A little over a year ago I found myself discontent. I was in my mid 30s, a new dad and dangerously overweight and out of shape. This was nothing new, when you are that big, you KNOW you are that big, I just was not motivated to really do anything about it except just accept that it “was the way it was.”

Once my wife, Jenn, and I added our daughter Tessa to the equation, however, it was no longer acceptable for me to be that big and unhealthy. I started watching what I ate by counting calories (using an iPhone/ web-based app called myfitnesspal) and a walking/ running program (4 weeks to a mile, Couch to 5K) that has slowly evolved into just straight running.

I transitioned from someone who literally could not run one-quarter of a lap around a high school track. (So basically someone who could not run 1/16th of a mile) to completing two half marathons this fall. In that same time, (in addition to adding the miles up running), I have lost 125 pounds and completely changed my life.

Needless to say, it’s been a hell of a year. When I first started out, in an effort to keep myself honest and accountable throughout the entire process (and basically force myself to keep going in case I ever hit a wall), I started a blog on the internet, aptly titled “Running My Ass Off.”

What I originally thought would only be read by my wife, parents, and close friends has grown to be bigger than I could possibly imagine. (314 blog followers, 239 Facebook followers- as of Feb. 8). It has allowed me to not only keep those closest to me up to date with where I was in the weight loss efforts, but it has allowed me to reconnect with old friends, and even reach total strangers who are going through the same struggles and looking for inspiration. That still kind of blows my mind.

But I have (and continue to) received so much love and support while I was going through everything, it just makes sense to me to put it all back out there and support anybody else who wants to try and make a change for themselves as well. I guess another way to say it is I never set out to be an inspiration; I was just a fat guy trying to fix the mess I was in. But here I am, and now that the blog has found it's niche and target audience, it's time to start embracing it and trying to do some real good for people out there.

At any rate, here I am, and that’s my story about how I lost the rough equivalent of a small person in terms of weight and how the blog came to be/ where it’s headed.

I am very excited to share my story with you, and to spread the word and encouragement that this CAN be done. I’m living proof.

I am also very excited to be able to reach out to a new and local group of readers. As awesome as the response to my blog has been, it loses a little in translation when it comes to specific experiences that I share but the far off blog readers just can’t “get it.” Like a lunch at Bryn and Dane’s or a run on the Horsham Power Line Trail, for instance. It’s going to be really cool to be able to share some of the real specific things I have done/ continue to do with a group of readers who can really relate and utilize the same things if you want to.

Looking ahead, my plan is this: I am looking to put out a blog post approximately once a week or once every other week, as often as time permits. I want to start off with this introduction and then provide a few posts of previously written material from my blog, just to catch you up with my story thus far and so you can see where I’ve come and where I’m going.

Think of it as a “Running My Ass Off’s Greatest Hits” if you will … A few of the real milestone posts and highlights from the past year, as well as some of my favorite posts in terms of looking back and explaining what I’ve done/ lessons learned, with the intention of catching you up to where I’m at now. And then eventually syncing up Patch (listen to me, talking like I’m a seasoned veteran Patch.com blogger or something already) with my blog posts and put everything out together.

I hope you are as intrigued about reading this as much as I am about writing/ sharing it all with you.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read all of this, and you’ll be hearing from me soon.

Until then, take it easy.  

Andy