Daddy's on a health kick

I’ve been doing this parent thing for a little over four years now and in that time it has definitely had an impact on my physical fitness.

Going back a few years, I was an avid runner. I once finished the British 10K in 49 minutes and at school the killer 400 metre sprint was my speciality, never coming less than third place. I don’t get the chance to run as much as I used to and neither do I have the opportunity to disappear off on three hour long walks, another favourite pastime of mine.

I’m sure most parents will relate to this to some degree. There’s always a French lesson or a party to take the kids to or the house is in a dire state and needs tidying. There’s always something that gets in the way and exercise loses out.

As for my diet, well, that hasn’t exactly improved since I became a dad. It’s all too easy to pick on the kid’s leftovers and sometimes, especially at lunch time, I’ll hurl whatever is lying around in the kitchen down my throat because I’m short of time and need to be doing something else.

Once the children are in bed, it’s also very easy to slump down on the sofa and read a book or watch TV with a glass of wine. I know I should be doing something more active but, hey, you shouldn’t get your heart rate up after nine o’clock or else it’ll be hard to get to sleep. Or that was my excuse anyway.

Truth is, I’ve had enough of feeling unfit. We’ve bought a treadmill that I’ve used pretty much every day and the fridge is now packed with smoothies and salad ingredients. I’ve also reduced the carbs. Okay okay, I haven’t yet managed to cut back on the booze but give me time. I’m building up to it and will get there, I promise.

I’ve set myself a target of losing 10kilos and getting back to my pre-birth weight (I know a man can’t really have a pre-birth weight but that’s what it feels like to me!). On this front I am lucky, I’m not actually overweight but I just feel the need to take better care of myself and lose the weight I’ve put on since becoming a dad.

I announced my plans on Twitter a few days ago and was told it would be a “superhero feat.” I felt that was a little defeatist and will carry on regardless!

So tell me, has parenthood made you healthier or not? Will this be a superhero feat? Oh, and if you do collapse on the sofa tonight to watch something on Sky+ think of me. I’ll probably be in the garage listening to 6music while running a swift 5K on the treadmill.

On an unrelated note, I’d like to thank BritMums for giving me the opportunity to speak at the ‘How I do it’ session at BritMum’s Live. Thanks also to the other panel members (Potty Diaries, Transatlantic Blonde and Spencer) plus everyone that came to that session. I was genuinely amazed to see so many of you there and it was a fantastic experience.

About John Adams

John Adams is a married with two young daughters. He has been a stay at home dad for almost four years. John started blogging back in 2012 after being invited to one-too-many "mother and toddler groups." This inspired him to write about the issues he faced as a stay at home dad and the gender barriers men face as parents. John continues to write about lie as a stay at home dad. He also writes about every aspect of parenting; schooling, education, pregnancy and birth, childcare and so on. Over time he has broadened the focus of his blog so he now writes about family finances, photography and occasionally covers men's style and fashion. John was originally a journalist. He concedes, however, that was a long time ago.

Sunday 21st of July 2013

Yet more encouragement from the BritMums gang! Thanks Andy. The new regime is definitely going well and I feel better for it. I can hear you shouting encouragement as I run off over the horizon. Keep up the good work yourself. We have to keep fit for those kids of ours.

Andy

Friday 19th of July 2013

I am actually the fittest I have been for years although my fitness did have a big dip last year when George was born. This year I have set myself a series of goals and challenges as I am always more motivated when I have something to work towards. The big one is cycling up Alp D'Huez and Col du Galibier in September with three of my friends. I plan my activities in advance to fit around my family, book classes to encourage me to get out and vary my exercise so i don't get bored. Your goal isn't a 'superhero' feat and I will happily shout encouragement from the sidelines. Go John!

Jake Johnson

Thursday 18th of July 2013

I have found that documenting all I eat, via an app on my phone (it scans barcodes as well!) has really helped me stay on top of my weight since the birth of my daughter 9 months ago. See how much you're consuming and where you can cut down. You might finds out you're not getting enough of something and be allowed something nice as way to boost that part.

I use MyFitnessPal and it is great.

Wednesday 24th of July 2013

Thanks for the suggestion Jake. I'll have a look at that app.

angus h

On average, as healthy or healthier than before. A bit worse on the diet front (sleep deprivation => sugar hit cravings), but much reduced social life = much reduced excessive alcohol consumption.

On the exercise front, though.. cycling gets me to work, or occasionally running if I've had to drop one of the kids off at nursery on the way and feel energetic. At one point last year was doing half-marathons before work once a week or so, didn't manage to sustain that when the routine changed though. I'm generally pretty bad at doing exercise for exercise' sake, but exercise as a more-or-less-inevitable part of my routine (I have to get to work somehow, and the bike is quicker than the train in this instance...) works out well. Some friends who live a bit further from work will run or bike the first or last half of the journey (folding bikes are great for that). We're lucky though to have a workplace with showers, lockers etc..

I must say you are putting me to shame. I think when the eldest starts school I'll have more options to juggle my routine and build more exercise into it. That said, I'm not doing badly on the treadmill. It has become a firm friend of the family!

Thanks for the encouragement Emma. I'm enjoying the health kick so far...yes actually enjoying it! There's still more work to do though and I WILL shed those 10 kilos. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

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