22 Visitors, 4 Pounds Down, and a Dad on a Mission
When I first started this little project blog of mine to help hold me accountable, I thought it would be months before I had my first view. I wasn’t promoting it at all—no SEO strategies, no flashy social media posts, not even a casual mention to friends. It was just me, pouring my thoughts onto a quiet corner of the internet.
To my utter surprise, I’ve had a grand total of 22 visitors. Can you believe that? Twenty-two people have somehow stumbled upon this hidden gem of a blog. Side note that Stuble Upon was arguably the greatest website back in the day. I’m definitely dating myself here, but hey, what’s a dad blog without a little nostalgia?
Honestly, seeing those visitor numbers gave me a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, I felt a bit exposed, like someone flipping through your journal when you’re not looking. On the other hand, I felt thrilled at the possibilities. Maybe this blog could become something more than just my personal accountability tool.
You see, I’m what you’d call a social media lurker. I’ve got an Instagram and an X account, and I’ll admit I spend way too much time scrolling through them. Brain rot? Yeah, it’s real. But I rarely comment, like, or engage. In fact, the only posts on my Instagram are the ones my wife tags me in. That’s it.
So, to the 22 kind souls who’ve read this blog, thank you. You’ve inspired me to keep going. I have so many ideas on how to build this site into something more valuable. I want to share what’s working for me, what’s not, and everything in between. I’ll commit to writing as often as possible. A future goal? Maybe. Let’s see where this journey takes us.
Alright, let’s dive into the update.
The Good Stuff
Quick Results
I’m happy to report that we’re off to a strong start this year. Quick weight loss has been surprisingly motivating. Sure, I know it’s mostly water weight at this stage—the real grind is still ahead. But seeing the scale drop by 4 pounds since January 1st gives me the push I need to stay disciplined throughout the day. Each pound gone feels like a small victory in this larger battle.
Support
A huge shoutout to my wife, who’s been incredible during this process. When I sat her down and told her I was serious about getting healthy, she didn’t just nod along. She’s been actively encouraging me, holding me accountable, and, most importantly, talking me down when I’m eyeing something indulgent. (The way she looks at me when I mention pizza cravings? Priceless.)
Movement
Exercise has always been my happy place. As a former high school hero (cue Springsteen’s Glory Days), I’ve always loved getting my body moving. This time around, I’m shaking things up and focusing on cardio for January. Instead of diving straight into weightlifting like I usually do, I’ve been dedicating my workouts to the elliptical. And you know what? I’m loving it. My knees, which have seen better days (more on that in a future post), are grateful for the low-impact routine. Nine days in, and I’m already seeing and feeling the benefits.
Nutrition (The Good Part)
Let’s talk food wins. I haven’t touched bread, pasta, tortillas, or any of my old gluten-filled crutches. If you peeked at my diet in 2024, you’d see that nearly every meal involved some combination of protein, cheese, and gluten. Cutting that out has been tough but rewarding—a huge step toward healthier habits.
What Needs Improvement
Nutrition (The Not-So-Good Part)
While I’ve managed to ditch bread, sugar remains my kryptonite. My sweet tooth is in overdrive, and lately, I’ve been reaching for chocolate-covered almonds, convincing myself they’re a “healthy” treat. Spoiler alert: they’re not. Cutting out sugar is my big goal for the rest of January. A February challenge, perhaps? Absolutely.
Sleep
Ah, sleep—the elusive unicorn of my life. Here’s what’s been going on:
Anxiety: It’s not overwhelming, but it lingers enough to disrupt my nights. One of my blood pressure medications is supposed to help with anxiety, but it’s not doing much. On top of that, it causes insomnia. Perfect combo, right? I’ll be discussing a medication switch with my doctor later this month.
The Kids: My three-year-old is generally a great sleeper, but for the past six months, he’s been waking up randomly at night. He’ll go back to sleep after a quick hug and a kiss, but those interruptions add up. (Parenthood: the gift that keeps on giving.)
Wrapping Up
As the year kicks off, I’m feeling optimistic. There’s plenty to work on, but I’m proud of the progress and discipline I’ve shown so far. To those 22 visitors who took a chance on this blog—thank you. You’re part of this journey now, whether you know it or not. Here’s to more wins, fewer chocolate-covered almonds, and maybe—just maybe—a full night’s sleep.