The road to fitness is a long one. Especially, if you are a dad. Getting healthy and fit is not a quick fix, not something that can be accomplished in a matter of weeks, but rather a fundamental but incremental change in lifestyle that will lead to results.

Unless you’re Daddy Brad. Then you just dump 30 lbs in a couple of days and call it a diet. But I like to think of him as the exception that proves the rule.

For most normal and sane people that are also dads, the road to fitness is a long one -- a marathon, of sorts.

So we kick off the “Marathon to Fit Fatherhood 2012” campaign, which will officially start with an initial weigh in on Monday, October 3 2011 and run until Monday, February 20, 2012. Participants are encouraged to post up progress in this forum every Monday -- but are welcome to post more often. Tell us about workout routines and diet strategies. Feel free to share setbacks (this challenge stretches over the holidays, after all). Most of all, feel free to encourage your fellow fit fathers as we trudge along this lonely trail.

The challenge is open to anyone (even moms) and entrants are welcome at any point before the finish.

In keeping with the theme, Daddy Brad and I will be training for the Livestrong Marathon in Austin -- the challenge culminates the day after that race. We will be posting our progress along the way. Think about setting a specific physical challenge for yourself, beyond just weight loss and posting it here. Doesn’t have to be a race (though wearing a number on your chest is cool), just has to be said out loud in virtual print.

Join in the challenge with your goals and your starting stats and we’ll go from there.

PRIZES!

As in past challenges there will be prizes (still TBA) for those that make the most progress toward their goals, and those that contribute the most to this community. We are currently pestering sponsors and will let you know more as soon as we hear back.

On you marks...

SWEET!

Game on! I'm in! I've really enjoyed the support and accountability. Knowing I'm going to report in on Monday has helped keep me disciplined on weekends when I'm most inclined to let my eating habits lapse!

I'll have to give some thoughts to progress goals, physical challenges, etc this weekend.

Thanks for putting it together again.

Look forward to seeing everyone here.

I am excited and gonna be in from the beginning this time.

Since I bought in and followed the "Don't Just Lose It, ABUSE IT!" diet plan from nutrition and fitness guru Burt Bowls I am going to strive for the fitness factor on this one. I actually need to gain a little weight.

To be honest I am stoked and a bit anxious about this marathon deal. While I used to be a pretty hard core runner, that was decades ago and the years have taken a bit of a toll on the old body. I have been working on building my running base the past few weeks (3 to 5 mile runs) and have not even begun the actual training program but i am already super sore. It takes me 20 minutes to get out of bed in the morning so what is it going to be when I log those double digit mile runs!

We shall see.

Let's get up and go guys!

I'm in.

Current Weight: 192
Goal weight: 179
Physical Challenge: Marathon

For this challenge -- the “Road to Normal” is running through the Livestrong Marathon. I’m still pursuing my goal of reaching a CDC “normal” weight for my height. I’m hoping that training for my first ever marathon will help in this effort. Luckily, I won’t be running alone, but as a part of Team DadLabs. We will be raising money through the 26 Miles for 26 Charities program for Colin’s Hope (drowning prevention) and Hand to Hold (support for families of preemies). We would very much appreciate your support and contributions to these worthy charities. More details soon.

Marathoning for the first time is a daunting goal, more so for me because it has been a long, painful, and frustrating summer. I quit running long distances in August to try and rehab my achilles, but badly injured my already rickety knee in a boot camp workout. Yesterday I headed out on my first run in almost two months: brutish, painful and short. I’m now trying to slowly ramp to the official start of my marathon training on Halloween. Talk about scary. Being moderate and holding it all together will be key for me in this challenge.

Fortunately, I got a little shot in the arm this week -- a nice load of gear to test from New Balance. I really love the Align shirts, and the Minimus shoes, but the star was the gym bag. Here’s the ‘haul video. This stuff really motivated me to get back on the road.

Current weight: 161.2

Goal: Maintain current weight

Physical Challenge: marathon

The marathon thing scares me but I want to do it.

@Daddy Clay -- does that New Balance gym bag have a name that I could search? That's definitely going on my personal shopping list.

Hope that knee heals up and the marathon goes well for both of you. My hat's off to both of you. 26 miles is a much longer haul than I'm capable of or even willing to go after.

I am doing a primal mud run in November. I'm still mapping out various Crossfit events, and other events around that same time frame.

Looking forward to the challenge.

We uncovered a scale in the kids toys last week. A sign that it's time to get serious. I'll be spending the first week on antibiotics, so I probably won't be exercising much but will probably drop a lot of water. Not excited about that part. But we'll be getting down to business pretty soon. I just need to find a way to get to a gym while the boys are in preschool and otherwise.

@krellpw
New Balance Performance Duffle

Available on Amazon ($52) and shopnewbalance.com ($59.99)

Considering the EPIC FAIL FitFatFit was for me, I'm looking forward to a second chance. I'll probably weigh in on Sundays, though, just due to convenience.

@DaddyClay and @DaddyBrad: As pathetically out of shape I am, I've managed to run two marathons (2008 and 2009 Pittsburgh Marathon). You'll do fine.

It's time to pick a marathon training program. I am choosing between Hal Higdons 4 day a week plan and the Furman Institute's 3 day a week plan. Both build to the same long runs but Furman is much more focused on pacing and cross training. The extra day of rest might be nice since I am old and creaky but I like to go slow and Higdon loves SLOW. Any one have experience or opinions here?

I'm a big fan of the 26-week plans put out by the Houston Chronicle.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

All right, gentlemen, GAME ON!

Starting weight: 236.5

I just wanted to get that initial weight on record.

I've been kicking around my goals all week and I'm really having a tough time defining them.

I'm full on into CrossFit now, doing it 4 times a week. As I've noted in past challenges, I'm not really losing weight anymore, but I know I'm getting stronger, faster, fitter.

I also still know that there are pounds to give away, if I'm really disciplined.

So here it is: I'm aiming for a weight of 225 by the end of the challenge.

I need to do some research to find out what sort of events are available in my area around the time of the Austin Marathon.

But I do have this Primal Mud Run coming up on Nov 5. Should be a lot of fun.

The challenge I'm having with setting my CrossFit goals is that after only doing full CrossFit for a month, I'm still trying to figure out what my true max repetitions and where my ceilings are.

Just today, I bested my front squat personal record by 50lbs! I set my old PR a month ago. While I know I'm stronger, I know I'm not that much stronger. A lot of that gain has to be attributed to improved technique. So it's tough to figure out what I might be able to 5 mos from now. I'll give it more thought this week and post some tangible goals next week.

Glad to be back in the game with everyone. Best of luck to everyone.

PS - @Daddy Clay -- Thanks for the name on that bag. I definitely covet that one. It's officially on the holiday wish list.

Here goes nothing...

Start weight: 189
Goal weight: 170

I've created another FatBet. All are welcome! Misery loves company, after all.

Current Weight: 193.5
Goal Weight: 179

Fore me, the challenge starts with dark clouds overhead. Tendinitis knocked me out of running in early August. A knee injury bumped me out of my boot camp classes about a month ago. I am down to swimming, stationary biking, and strength training of my own design. The intensity of my workouts if down 60-75%. My weight has crept up significantly from the low of 185 back in the summer.

Trying to rehab the achilles and knee at the same time. Knee is particularly painful and difficult. Got one excruciating and v slow run in last week, but when I tried a jogging/strength circuit over the weekend, it went out painfully -- walking was very difficult. A major setback.

One last hope to avoid surgery -- I ordered a knee brace from BRD Sports, that is designed for runners. I need something to help with stability, so I don't keep aggravating the injury.

If I can't manage 10 miles by the end of the month, a marathon is probably out of the question, and I'm probably looking at another (5th) operation. And without running, weight loss is going to be a very tough proposition for me.

Enjoy every healthy workout you can get.

Starting weight: 188
Goal weight: 178

Over the past 2 months I have made a real effort to go from a man who goes for a run occasionally to a man who is becoming a runner. I felt the only way to make this transition was to sign up for a 5k a couple of months out and set a time goal for that race.

That being said my goal for the Hartford 5k is under 32 minutes while pushing my twin girls in the B.O.B. stroller.

Beyond this, I hope to make running more of a hobby and sign up for more 5k's going forward. Let's see what happens.

Start weight: 246lbs
Goal weight: 226blbs (by Feb 15th, my birthday)

Plan is to keep doing what I have been doing over the last year (started off at 297lbs). My runs have been suffering due to sickness/stress (a lot of stuff going on with my oldest right now) so I need to get back to 10k,10k,14-16k weekly.

Starting weight: 236.5
This week's weight: 230.5

I have no idea where that came from but I'll take it.

It was a great week in terms of workouts, but at best an ok week in terms of diet.

I'm frankly surprised to see that number. Very motivational though to concentrate harder on my diet this week.

Hope everyone else is having a good week.

Last week: 193.5
This week: 192

Last week I got 2 short runs in, goal for this week is 3x5k. And I'll add my boot camp swim workout back in tomorrow.

I got my BRD Sports knee brace. Th fit is comfortable for a short run, feels supportive and stabilizing, and it stayed in place for the entire run. The mesh design reminds me of the very first braces that I wore back in the mid-80s. I still tweaked my knee once at the start of the run -- so the thing is no silver bullet, but I felt pretty comfortable mid-run.

I look silly with the knee brace on my right leg and neoprene sleeve on left calf, but there you have it. I'm also taking my rehab runs on the track -- the same track where my boot camp class works out. It'a slow run of shame as they drag sleds, flip tires and run hills while I hobble around.

I'm sticking with my eating patterns from last challenge (more on that later), but I am journaling my wine consumption to encourage myself to be disciplined with my weakest of weaknesses.

@krellpw -- dude, nice one!

Took a first step forward with my boot camp training group. Went to a pool workout this morning -- very hard to motivate for because it was a bit cool this AM and the pool is unheated. I actually had a hard time sleeping because I was worried about getting through this workout. I made it, though slowly. My fitness level has taken a huge hit in the last two months. No problems with the knee though. I'll add a weight workout with the group next week. During marathon training, I'll probably do no more than 2-3 group workout per week.

Also sent all the sizes for the guys in Team DadLabs to New Balance. Can't wait to see what kind of gear they send. I am so amazingly pumped and grateful for their support of the team. The New Balance rep asked an interesting question: what do you train in? My first thought: a good baseball cap. I love the new running hats that are made of cool washable fabrics. Gotta have that. Short sleeve tech tees. I also mentioned that the running season is let fall and winter here, so anything warm or foul weather is appreciated.

What is your essential workout gear?

One week to go before the actual marathon training begins. I decided to follow Hal Higdon's Novice 2 plan: Novice 2

I already know the first order of business.

GET THE ICE CREAM OUT OF THE HOUSE!

@Daddy Clay

I didn't understand that New Balance is equipping you guys for that marathon. Fantastic!

As far as essential gear there are a couple of things, in terms of function

My Innov8 ROAD-Xlite 155 are fantastic. I don't think I'll ever go to Vibrams or full barefoot running. I just don't trust myself not to step on something sharp and unhealthy on the streets downtown. But these lighter shoes have been awesome.

Good compression shorts are essential. After that, I'm not too particular. Personally, I don't like wearing head gear of any type when I exercise.

I have taken to talismans, if you will, when participating in tribute workouts that honor fallen service members or are fund raiser events. I don't wear them every time I exercise, but for those special occasions I pull out my old Army dog tags. Somehow, I just feel a bit stronger, faster, more powerful when I wear them.

Question for you specifically -- what's your current workout schedule? You mentioned 3 x 5K's plus bootcamps. How many days a week are you working right now? Do you have some rest days worked in?

I work Mon and Tues, rest Wed, then work Thurs and Fri and take the weekends off. Typically, by the weekend, I'm avoiding lifting my kids most of Saturday, if I can. Ultimately, I guess am asking you, "are you allowing yourself enough down time for your body to recover between workouts?" It sounds like you're out there pounding your body an awful lot. Just an observation.

@Daddy Brad --Am I reading that right? You're hosting an ice cream social? Awesome!

Okay. Let's do this.

Today is my Monday with visitors yesterday. I finally got the scale where I can use it. And it wasn't kind.

Starting at ... 365.4

My adult life low is 255 after 6 months of Optifast and walking, so shedding a hundred pounds would be good, but a lot more than I can expect for February. The good news is that In July, I weighed in at the health assessment at 369. I haven't been going up.

The initial challenge is going to be finding a place where I can do an indoor workout while the boys are in preschool and even better if they have childcare so I can go the other days of the week. Preschool gives me 2.5 hours, leaving about 15 minutes for commute. The best option (least cost and best variety) is about 30 minutes away. So the search takes a turn toward serious today.

I'm in. Trying to lose 1 lb a month for 1 year. Modest and doable. Would bring me to me ideal weight and have me feeling 34 again (note: I'm 35).

I tend to hit the gym 2-3 days a week, something walk/running a 5K on the treadmill in 36-38 minutes. Usually, I walk/run 2 miles when strapped for time.

All the best to all y'all.

See you every Monday!