Why Being A Fit Dad Is Totally Awesome

When you are in your twenties, your body generally stays in shape. But the moment you start having kids, health concerns start flying out of the window. You’re on course to getting “dad bod.” Usually dad bod has nothing to do with laziness or lack of motivation. The biggest cause is often just a lack of energy. As a dad, you have so many things to do during the day. Eventually, it can get on top of you, sapping you of energy that you would otherwise use to train. Whenever you feel this way, you should remind yourself of the benefits of being a fit dad. It’s not as hard as you think, and it can dramatically improve how you feel and your energy levels long-term. Here are some more reasons why you should commit to it:

It’s A Great Example For Your Kids

Children typically copy what their parents do. So if you’re sitting on the couch all day long, eating snacks, they will do the same. However, if you’re a fit dad always doing something active, they will follow your lead. Fundamentally, they want to be like you. If you continue displaying a behavior often enough, they will copy you. Being able to play with kids is also another great way to encourage them to be active. As a dad, you want to be fit enough to run up and down the football pitch or enjoy a game of volleyball at the beach.

It Gives You Confidence

Being a fit dad also gives you confidence. As you progress through training, you’ll notice clear differences opening up between your physique and those around you. Eventually, people will start commenting, asking you how they can stay trim and in shape.  Being fit brings all kinds of other “life” benefits too. You can be a better lover, have more energy to make money and better protect the people you care about.

It Helps You Live Longer

Do you want to live longer and better? If so, being a fat dad can help with that too. Simply lifestyle changes, such as taking half an hour of exercise per day can dramatically change how your body works, fighting off disease and even slowing down aging.  Learning various ways to increase neck thickness and bicep size isn’t just for vanity. It actually helps to prevent muscle wasting in old age and keeps your body fighting fit. It also reduces the chance that you will develop a chronic health condition, such as diabetes. 

It Allows You To Make More Money

In a competitive marketplace, you need to ensure that you have every advantage on your side. And being a fit dad is one of them. Often, you’re able to spend an extra hour in the office when all your colleagues go home because you have the physicality to endure it. Over time, this perseverance typically leads to higher pay. 

It Reduces Your Stress Levels

Stress is bad for a couple of reasons. First, it detracts from your ability to enjoy your life right now. When you feel tense, everything is a grind. Second, it harms your long-term health. Researchers are continually uncovering subtle links between experiences in the brain and effects in the body. Stress actually changes your biochemistry, leading to illness. But when you are a fit dad, you experience less stress. Exercise ironically helps to relax the body, leading to less heart disease, depression and abdominal fat.

It Improves Your Sleep

Do you wish you could sleep better? If so, you’re not alone. More than half of adults in this country report regular sleep disturbances. And most aren’t getting the seven to eight hours recommended by health professionals. Being a fit dad, however, is a great way to improve your sleep. When you exercise, it helps to regulate your body clock. You feel alert during the day and then are better able to wind down in the evening. Over time, you find that you’re getting much more sleep. 

It Boosts Your Energy Levels

Many dads believe that they have a certain amount of energy in the tank and that they should use it wisely. So they worry that going to the gym every day will deplete their reserves. But this isn’t how our energy levels work. Instead, we have as much energy as we choose to create. Interestingly, exercise actually increases energy levels because it improves how the body functions. So by training, you may find that you can get more done during the day. 

Post contribute by Mikey Perez

Cover Photo by Suhash Villuri on Unsplash