If you’re putting the kids first, then the very first thing that you need to do is to make sure that you’re sticking around. This means it’s time to take a closer look at your health, making sure that you’re taking care of yourself, and prioritizing the steps that lead to a longer, more active, and happier life. Here are a few tips that can help you find the path to meaningful changes that you can keep up with over the years by losing the Dad bod.
Dad Bod – Start moving
The first law of thermodynamics applies. If you don’t use more energy than you gain, your body is going to hold onto it, typically in terms of fat. If it has been a while since you’ve moved around, bear in mind that there is no set expectation of how active you have to be right now. Start with what workouts you can do now, even body weight exercise is a great start. You’ll get more competent, fitter, more able, and more confident, and that unlocks the steps to other exercises. Keep pushing yourself further bit by bit from those modest beginnings and you can craft a truly comprehensive exercise plan. Don’t try jumping into the deep end all at once if you’re not used to physical activity.
Stop eating (some foods)
There is more to a comprehensive diet than simply avoiding some foods and eating other foods. However, at the very start, you need to make sure that you’re avoiding things like too much sugar, as well as simple carbohydrates found in bread, cereals, and the like. Get started with some basic diets for dads that can help you get rid of the extra tires you might be carrying around. As you get used to certain changes, you can start enacting others, such as making sure you’re getting the protein you need, as well as the micronutrients, such as all the vitamins and minerals that make up a complete diet. Diet is 90% of the work, so you can’t go without it.
Dad Bod – Watch what you drink, too
You might think that liquids certainly couldn’t affect your diet all that much, given that they’re nowhere near as dense as solid foods. That would be a mistake, however. Beer is much more fattening than you might think, for one. Similarly, if you’re drinking too much soft drink, you’re drinking too much sugar, which has exactly the same effects as eating too much of it. Where possible, you should switch out for water. However, there are lighter equivalents of different drinks that you can try as well to slowly wean yourself off of them. Just make sure you’re not replacing soda with diet soda on a more permanent basis because it’s really not that much better for you.
Stop hiding from the doctor
It’s a stereotype, sure, but many of us will admit that men tend to be a lot more stubborn about going to see the doctor. However, if you’re starting to get up there a little in years, then it might be time to make sure that you’re getting the essential checks. Your cholesterol levels, your blood pressure, your heart health, how your joints are doing, there are a lot of things that you need to pay attention to that you can simply feel or see by yourself (unless you’re getting some severe symptoms that something is wrong.) Talk to your doctor about your annual physical and they can help you determine more solid goals for your long-term health. Then make a habit of it.
Dad Bod – Managing your stress
Single and newly divorced dads have a lot to be stressed about, that is true. Simply taking measures to try and relax more often isn’t going to change the circumstances of your life overnight. It is, however, going to give you the tools that you need to relieve your stress. Otherwise, it can build up, affecting your sleep, your metabolism, your energy levels, and much more. Simply put, if you’re stressed, it’s a lot harder to work for the body that you want. This doesn’t mean you give up if you’re stressed, but rather than you take the steps to relieve stress, be it meditation, massage therapy, or even cardio exercises. There are all kinds of measures that work for different men.
It’s about more than just losing the dad bod, really. It’s about making a commitment ot healthy living that can help both you and your kids get a lot more out of your life. Keep that above as you craft your diet and exercise plans.
Contributed post. Feature image via Pexels.
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