Wednesday, July 8, 2009

My health and fitness inspiration.




This is my Dad. He's 64. A former Tri-Athlete and Marathon Runner, he was also a swimmer and diver for Chapel Hill. He still runs on a daily basis, and started eating meat again a few years ago. So as his 37 year old daughter, I feel a bit lame if I don't run because I'm "tired."

He started bringing my siblings and I to the health food store back in the late '70's, it was a tiny store with creaky wooden floors, and we picked out carob chip candy bars and cookies at the end of each excursion. He stir fried our veggies, tossed tofu into milk shakes, and made salads large enough to serve six as a snack. I learned that eating healthy was just a way of life.

We took hikes in the nature preserve year round (my brother fell through some ice in a creek one winter, that was scary), swam in the lake in Maine and the beach in North Carolina, played tennis and rode our bikes everywhere we could. We never sat around, there was always something to do to burn off energy.

My parents have been divorced for over 30 years, and my Dad has had some ups and downs in his life. We had a few rocky years, but they were finally healed when Luke was born. He always asks about my races, and sends me running or food articles that he thinks I'd like. He knows the newest gadgets, on his last visit he brought this stick that he uses to massage his calf muscles.

Now that I'm the parent, I love how my kids like to share my smoothies, pop edamame in their mouths, and ask me how my exercise was. I'm already leading by example, because I myself have a wonderful teacher.




6 comments:

Denise said...

I really hope I'm still running when I'm that age. What an inspiration!

Unknown said...

It is so great that you share this with your father & now with your own children. I don't have anything like that to bond us together.
And your father really is an inspiration. He looks GREAT to be 64. You look pretty good yourself!

Theta Mom said...

I always have that excuse, "I'm tired," too. He looks amazing and you should feel so blessed to have this shared connection with him. This is inspiring!

Courtney said...

what a wonderful story! Feel lucky! I only wish I had insperation like that!

Nicole @ Chic and Cheap Nursery said...

Your dad looks amazing!
I am also having a competition with my hubby... I lost 5 pounds, he lost 16 in one month! I'm so mad! But in all fairness, he worked out twice a day while I only worked out once a month :)

http://wannabeworkathomemommy.blogspot.com

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful picture, beautiful post.