Growth and change

Recently my trainer has been pushing me to increase my protein in my diet. There are so many theories out there about protein needs in strength training. After being weary to change, especially since my calorie intake is so important to me, I noticed some good ways to increase protein, one of them being ground turkey. 

Though I fear I'm loving the protein powder too much, increasing to 200g a day in total protein intake has helped immensely, both in strength and weight. Last week after a 5lb flux from climbing the mountain and taking extra days off in the gym, I've worked through my plateau, and am finally down to about 223. 

Change! I've been reassigned as a chaplain at the Newman Center at UMass Amherst. I will have great access to food and exercise options there....but I'm so conflicted. I want to thank Erica for helping me in these past months to grow so much. I just don't want to leave my gym at the moment. Praying for wisdom. 

Lord of the Mountain

Today I accomplished a goal I've had since my days in High School at Northfield Mount Hermon. My men's group from the parish, an alumnus of NMH and I scaled the 3100ft high white cross and white dot trails of Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire!

At first glance, it's no joke. Once you start hiking, it's really no joke. We had perfect conditions, but knew that, once we hit the tree line and the rock climbing began, our legs were in for pain. All the pain was worth the spectacular views and the promise of saying Holy Mass at the summit. 

We made it in 1:20 up to the summit with only a few people at the top. We could see the outline of Boston on the horizon. 

The fog was intense and beautiful in the valley. 

We found a flat rock a little ways down that would serve its purpose as an altar for the Lord. 

Saying Mass at over 3000ft was a first and a completely awesome event. 

Of course there were plenty of moments for selfies. 

I really enjoyed the commeraderie of the guys on the hike. I found out my NMH alum friend Mike never got to climb with his senior class during Mountain Day. When I had first tried to scale the mountain back in 2002, I could only make it to the tree line, when my quads gave out and I had to return down with help. Making it to the top was a completion of the senior climb for both of us (though, to be fair, Mike had climbed it before, lol). 

One of the Mountain Day traditions of at NMH was eating chili after the climb. We all returned to Alumni Hall after, in search of said chili...but alas...we were treated to an awesome steak lunch instead. Oh, and the beautiful day just kept getting more beautiful with the addition of the view from Memorial Chapel. 

Last, but not least, how can I leave you without the most awesome plank shots? 

Two days before the climb, I got to go to my first NFL game, preseason between the the Jets and Eagles. Of course, I planked:

Fast forward to today's climb, hours north in NH: 

Next stop...Mount Washington?