A nine-to-five job for working dads could mean a lot; a fat wallet every fifteen days, stressful weekends and less time to even hit the gym for some healthy lifting and cardio. In a different perspective, a man giving up the corporate life for household maintenance may seem bizarre, but men have slowly been stepping up to that plate.

Whatever lifestyle a man chooses, getting some sort of exercise is very much a necessity.  However, a day job and/or a household to-do list, plus a bunch of kids who take time in between make squeezing an hour at the gym near impossible.

To all guys, I tell you: despite this, physical health and fitness is never just an option. No matter what the responsibilities, there is always a way to insert a fitness regimen in your day, and this will in the long run actually make you a better provider.

Below are some facts to consider:

  • By keeping your body healthy, the possibility of having a heart disease, cancer, diabetes and heart stroke is minimized.
  • Not only will staying fit help build burn fat, it also builds up muscles. By staying active, it increases metabolism thus allowing your body to burn more fat.
  • After doing the chosen workout, you will realize a change in your energy. As the body gets energized, your mood becomes more positive allowing you to have more bonding activities with your family despite the tightness of your schedule.
  • Being fit increases your self-esteem thus, making you more confident. By having a renewed self-assurance, it changes the way you feel about yourself and those around you. Everybody wants positive influencers right?

Click here to know how to fit fitness into a busy dad’s life

Cardinal rules of the healthy (and otherwise)

Avoid too much alcohol.

This will definitely alarm most of the fathers. It is a common knowledge that drinking beer is one of the most cherished leisure pursuits of any man. It creates a diversion that allows them to recuperate from a very hectic schedule and grants them a few moments to reconnect with their friends or colleagues. But remember one of the reasons why people have unwanted fat is because of taking in unwanted calories. Drinking beer might bring you enjoyment, but it also stimulates your body to eat.

Eat enough, eat right

Some of the options you might want to take a look into are: fish, chicken breasts, lean meat, some eggs, and vegetables. Remember, you are what you eat. How you look is a reflection of what you take into your body.

Involve your kids

Who said you have to sweat it out alone? Having your children joining you on your workout diverts your mind from the panting and the laps. This will also expose them to, and teach them about the value of having an active lifestyle.

Some creative suggestions:

  • Create a pair of makeshift dumbbells for your kid using two rolled-up pairs of socks, and some form of plastic tube.  He can carry this around and do “lifts” as you do yours. 
  • Take them to the park and go walking or biking.
  • Do outdoor tasks for the household together. 
  • Do cardio to his favourite song

Be a kid.

This might seem sordid but goofing around once in a while can really help you stay in shape. No need to draw on the walls, feed the goldfish to the cat, or tear down your house. Play games with your child, from basketball to tag.  Roughhouse.  Play together with the family dog. Allow yourself to be silly once in a while. Your family, and your body, will love you more for it.