Hello ev'ybody...

I'm not really new to MFP, just back after an extended absence. I am, however, a newbee to the MFP community.

Quick intro stuff:
I made some great fitness progress 18 months or so ago with help from MFP... then I leveled off. I stopped logging/tracking and decided it was safe to go on “auto-pilot”. Most of you already know what comes next . . . my “auto-pilot” plan was crap. I was completely wrong. After all the work I did, I had squandered a chunk of it through a sheer lack of discipline. I re-gained > half of the weight I’d lost and my level of fitness was back to blah.

I have kids and I want to set a great example for them, I want to be around for a very long time for them, and I want to be able to truly enjoy the years I have with them… to run with them, to play with them, and to really be the dad I want to be. I’m not trying to sell you my version of a sob story... I've never been alarmingly out of shape... but I clearly have not been the best that I can be for about a decade now.

I guess that, in a nutshell, is my goal -- to be the best that I can be. That's what I try so hard to teach my kids, so that's the example I need to live.

So I’ve been back for about 2 months now, logging and working hard every day. I have aggressive goals in mind and I'm on a pretty great path. However, the one thing I have NEVER done is take advantage of the MFP community. I’ve always heard that being part of a community of like-minded friends is important. And I feel like it might just provide that extra boost I need from time to time. Creeping on the boards just the past few days, I am encouraged by the friendly, funny, sarcastic, honest, motivated, and beautiful people I see. So here I am to join you if you'll have me.

Now I command you to welcome me vociferously.

Thanks!